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Objective: Despite the established success of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with end‐stage osteoarthritis, there is a notable scarcity of research on its long‐term outcomes in individuals suffering from end‐stage Kashin–Beck disease (KBD). This retrospective study aimed to assess the long‐term outcomes and effectiveness of clinical function, quality of life, and complications of TKA and end‐stage KBD patients in Tibetan highland areas. Methods: The retrospective cohort included 43 KBD patients, comprising a total of 59 knees, who had undergone TKA at West China Hospital, Sichuan University between 2008 and 2021. Patients were subsequently followed up for a minimum of 3 years, and received rigorous radiological and clinical assessments at 3, 6, and 12 months post surgery, followed by annual examinations thereafter. The evaluation included various efficacy indices, including visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, hospital for special surgery (HSS) scores, functional score for adult Tibetans with Kashin–Beck disease (FSAT‐KBD), and radiographic findings. Comparison of indicators within the same group was conducted using one‐way repeated‐measures analysis of variance or paired sample t‐tests, whereas between‐group differences were compared using an independent t‐test. Results: Throughout the average follow‐up duration of 10.8 years, patients experienced a substantial reduction in knee pain and noteworthy functional improvement. The VAS scores decreased significantly from 77.47 ± 4.12 mm before surgery to 10.91 ± 1.97 mm after surgery, indicating considerable alleviation of knee pain. The HSS scores improved markedly, increasing from 44.26 ± 4.95 preoperatively to 91.26 ± 4.37, indicating enhanced joint function. Similarly, the FSAT‐KBD exhibited positive progression, increasing from 25.90 ± 3.12 to 36.95 ± 3.54. Importantly, at the last follow‐up, none of the patients presented with periprosthetic infection, prosthesis loosening, or periprosthetic fracture. Conclusion: At long‐term follow‐up, compared with patients in the preoperative period, patients in Tibetan highland areas with KBD of the knee who underwent TKA benefited from a significant reduction in pain, improvement in joint function, and satisfactory improvement in quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores how Indic and Indic-derived linguistic analyses of the Buddha's epithet bhagavat influenced the epithet's interpretations and translations in the Sanskrit, Pali, Chinese, and Tibetan traditions. The paper consists of three parts. The first part examines and classifies the evidence into four types of analyses that ultimately reflect analytical models afforded by the Indic linguistic disciplines of grammar (vyākaraṇa) and etymology (nirvacana). The second part explores how these linguistic analyses coordinate with pronouncements emphasizing the epithet's extraordinary status as opposed to ordinary language terms. The third part examines how these analyses fostered the adoption of certain translations strategies in China and Tibet, focusing on the second of the 'Five Guidelines for Non-Translating' (wǔzhǒng bùfān 五種不翻) attributed to Xuanzang (600/602–664) and on pertinent statements recorded in the early-ninth-century Tibetan Sgra sbyor bam po gñis pa/Madhyavyutpatti. Using bhagavat as an example, this paper aims to demonstrate the important yet little-studied role that Indic and Indic-derived linguistic analyses had in South Asian Buddhism as well as in the Indianized Buddhist cultures of China and Tibet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay is one more attempt of understanding the non-dual philosophical position of Abhinavagupta viz-a-viz the problem of reflection. Since when my first essay on 'Abhinavagupta on Reflection' appeared in JIP, I have once again focused on the non-dual Śaiva theory of reflection (pratibimbavāda) (3.1-65) as discussed by Abhinavagupta (fl.c. 975-1025 CE) in the Tantrāloka and his commentator Jayaratha (fl.c. 1225-1275 CE). The present attempt is to understand their philosophical position in the context of Nyāya realism where a reflection is simply caused by an erroneous apprehension of an entity. For Naiyāyikas, according to both Abhinavagupta and Jayaratha, a reflection (pratibimba) does not have a real existence at all. There are only two ways of looking at a reflection: it can either simply be an original image (bimba) or an illusion (bhrānti). There is no scope for any third entity apart from something being an error or a non-error. In contrast to this, establishing a Śaiva theory of reflection, Abhinavagupta is corroborating a valid ontological status for the seemingly illusory objects of perception or imagined objects, such as, to use Abhinavagupta's own language, 'an elephant with five trunks and four tusks who is running in the sky'. In other words, he is pleading for the valid cognition of objects which are otherwise deemed to be an error or external to consciousness. While Abhinavagupta's system has generally been referred to as 'idealism', I argue that by establishing the dynamism of reflective awareness that is deemed to be absolutely real, his system should be referred to as 'dynamic realism' i.e., the 'dynamism' that is common to both 'real' and 'ideal'. This is why he uses the metaphor consciousness-as-mirror (ciddarpaṇa) in establishing a non-erroneous ontological status for otherwise illusive idea of reflection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tibetan-speaking patients seeking care in predominantly Mandarin-speaking healthcare settings frequently face communication barriers, leading to potential disparities and difficulties in accessing care. To address this issue, we translated, culturally adapted, and validated the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and the Global Rating of Change (GRoC) into Tibetan (NPRS-Tib and GRoC-Tib), aiming to facilitate cross-linguistic and cross-cultural interactions while examining potential challenges in the adaptation process. Using standard translation-backward translation methods, expert review, pilot testing, and validation through a cross-sectional study with a short-term longitudinal component, we engaged 100 Tibetan patients with musculoskeletal trauma for psychometric validation, including 37 women (aged 22–60 years, mean age 39.1 years). The NPRS-Tib and GRoC-Tib exhibited outstanding psychometric properties, with an Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) of 0.983 for NPRS-Tib indicating superb test–retest reliability, and expert review confirming good content validity for both instruments. A Spearman's correlation coefficient (Rho) of -0.261 (P = 0.0087) revealed a significant, albeit weak, correlation between changes in NPRS-Tib scores and GRoC-Tib scores. The adaptation process also presented notable challenges, including translation discrepancies from translators' diverse backgrounds and levels of expertise, ambiguity in scale options, and the lack of established tools for criterion validity assessment in Tibetan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tibetan Buddhism, as an indigenous religion, has a significant and far-reaching influence in the Tibetan areas of China. This study, focusing on Lhasa, explores the integration of Tibetan Buddhist spiritual perceptions within urban spaces. Employing a novel approach that combines street view data and deep learning technology, the research aims to identify and map the spatial distribution of Tibetan Buddhist spiritual sites against the backdrop of the urban landscape. Our analysis reveals a notable concentration of these spiritual places near urban architectural and cultural heritage areas, highlighting the profound connection between residents' cultural life and spiritual practices. Despite challenges posed by modern urbanisation, these spiritual sites demonstrate resilience and adaptability, continuing to serve as cultural and spiritual pillars of the Tibetan Buddhist community. This study contributes to the fields of urban planning, religious studies, and digital humanities by demonstrating the potential of technology in examining the impact of urban development on cultural and religious landscapes. The research underscores the importance of protecting and integrating spaces of spiritual perception in urban development planning. It shows that safeguarding these spaces is crucial not only for cultural heritage preservation but also for achieving sustainable urban development and social harmony. This study opens new avenues for interdisciplinary research, advocating for a deeper understanding of the dynamic relationship between urban development and spiritual spaces from psychological, sociological, and environmental science perspectives. As urban landscapes evolve, the study emphasises the need to maintain a balance between material sustainability and cultural and spiritual richness in urban planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the early twentieth century, traditional handicraft was challenged by the latest technology in China. It is reflected by ethnic costumes combining new and old, as in the waistcoat of this study. This waistcoat made at Gyalrong Tibetan area in Sichuan, China, displays unique local features in terms of its brilliant colors and comprehensive craftsmanship. This study employs techniques such as optical microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope and high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to investigate various aspects of this waistcoat, including its fabrics and dyes. The results showed that the waistcoat was primarily made of cotton and silk, with a bamboo paper layer, and that silk as well as twisted gold and silver threads were employed for the embroidery. Various embroidery techniques were applied, with patterns, color combinations, and characteristics being consistent with those of Tibetan and Shu (蜀) embroidery. In terms of dyeing technology, a wide range of colors were achieved through multi-step dyeing processes using natural dye stuffs like pagoda bud, and synthetic dyes like magenta. These findings indicates that modern technologies were well integrated into traditional garment manufacture in the early twentieth century in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High-altitude populations exhibit distinct cellular, respiratory, and cardiovascular phenotypes, some of which provide adaptive advantages to hypoxic conditions compared to populations with sea-level ancestry. Studies performed in populations with a history of high-altitude residence, such as Tibetans, support the idea that many of these phenotypes may be shaped by genomic features that have been positively selected for throughout generations. We hypothesize that such traits observed in Tibetans at high altitude also occur in Tibetans living at intermediate altitude, even in the absence of severe sustained hypoxia. Methodology: We studied individuals of high-altitude ancestry (Tibetans, n = 17 females; n = 12 males) and sea-level ancestry (Han Chinese, n = 6 females; n = 10 males), both who had been living at ~1300m (~4327 ft) for at least 18 months. We measured hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]), hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR), and hypoxic heart rate response (HHRR) with end-tidal CO2 (PETCO2) held constant (isocapnia) or allowed to decrease with hypoxic hyperventilation (poikilocapnia). We also quantified the contribution of CO2 on ventilation and heart rate by calculating the differences of isocapnic versus poikilocapnic hypoxic conditions (Δ &lowbar;VI/ΔPETCO2 and ΔHR/ΔPETCO2, respectively). Results: Male Tibetans had lower [Hb] compared to Han Chinese males (p < 0.05), consistent with reports for individuals from these populations living at high altitude and sea level. Measurements of ventilation (resting ventilation, HVR, and PETCO2) were similar for both groups. Heart rate responses to hypoxia were similar in both groups during isocapnia; however, HHRR in poikilocapnia was reduced in the Tibetan group (p < 0.03), and the heart rate response to CO2 in hypoxia was lower in Tibetans relative to Han Chinese (p < 0.01). Conclusion: These results suggest that Tibetans living at intermediate altitude have blunted cardiac responses in the context of hypoxia. Hence, only some of the phenotypes observed in Tibetans living at high altitude are observed in Tibetans living at intermediate altitude. Whereas blunted cardiac responses to hypoxia is revealed at intermediate altitudes, manifestation of other physiological adaptations to high altitude may require exposure to more severe levels of hypoxia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau (the HTP), referred to as "the third pole" with an excessive warming rate, exerts strong impacts on the global environment. As one of warming contributors, atmospheric brown carbon (BrC) remains limited scientific understanding in the HTP due to a scarcity of observations. In this study, we present a study of the light‐absorbing properties of methanol‐soluble brown carbon (MeS‐BrC) and water‐soluble brown carbon (WS‐BrC) during 2018–2021. Highly spatiotemporal variations of BrC light absorptions were observed. In the HTP marginal area, elevated BrC absorption coefficients at 365 nm (babs,365) and levoglucosan concentrations were obtained, and MeS‐BrC exhibits approximately 1.3–1.8 times higher absorption compared to WS‐BrC. We determined that BrC light absorptions was largely attributed to biomass burning (29%–35%). BrC can act as a potent warming agent in the HTP marginal area, with high direct solar absorption (25%–47% relative to black carbon). Plain Language Summary: Atmospheric brown carbon (BrC) remains low scientific understanding in the HTP due to a scarcity of observations. Here, we present a plateau‐scale study of the light‐absorbing properties of methanol‐soluble brown carbon (MeS‐BrC) and water‐soluble brown carbon (WS‐BrC) during the period of 2018–2021. This study highlights the contribution of BrC to the HTP warming. Higher BrC light absorption was observed in the HTP marginal area compared with the central HTP. Enhanced radiative absorption effect of WS‐BrC was obtained in the HTP, with an annual average of ∼25% compared with BC in Qinghai Lake and Ngari, and as high as 46.5% in Purang. The results confirmed the importance of BrC from biomass burning in contributing to light‐absorbing aerosols in this region. Key Points: Brown carbon (BrC) can be a strong warming agent in the marginal Himalayas and Tibetan PlateauHighly spatiotemporal variations of plateau‐scale BrC were observedBrC light absorptions was largely attributed to biomass burning [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The positive effects of meditation on human wellbeing are indisputable, ranging from emotion regulation improvement to stress reduction and present-moment awareness enhancement. Changes in brain activity regulate and support these phenomena. However, the heterogeneity of meditation practices and their cultural background, as well as their poor categorization limit the generalization of results to all types of meditation. Here, we took advantage of a collaboration with the very singular and precious community of the Monks and Geshes of the Tibetan University of Sera-Jey in India to study the neural correlates of the two main types of meditation recognized in Tibetan Buddhism, namely concentrative and analytical meditation. Twenty-three meditators with different levels of expertise underwent to an ecological (i.e., within the monastery) EEG acquisition consisting of an analytical and/or concentrative meditation session at "their best," and with the only constraint of performing a 5-min-long baseline at the beginning of the session. Time-varying power-spectral-density estimates of each session were compared against the baseline (i.e., within session) and between conditions (i.e., analytical vs. concentrative). Our results showed that concentrative meditation elicited more numerous and marked changes in the EEG power compared to analytical meditation, and mainly in the form of an increase in the theta, alpha and beta frequency ranges. Moreover, the full immersion in the Monastery life allowed to share the results and discuss their interpretation with the best scholars of the Monastic University, ensuring the identification of the most expert meditators, as well as to highlight better the differences between the different types of meditation practiced by each of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and duration of physical exercise are strongly associated with physical health. Unfortunately, there are few studies focused on the association with psychological symptoms, let alone Tibetan university students at high altitudes in China. Methods: A stratified cluster sampling method was used to include 8,268 Tibetan university students aged 19-22 years in Qinghai and Tibet, both of which are high-altitude regions of China. Self-assessment questionnaires on SSBs, duration of physical exercise, and psychological symptoms were administered. The chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the associations among them. Results: The detection rate of psychological symptoms among Tibetan university students in high-altitude areas of China was 16.7%, with in girls (18.2%) higher than that in boys (14.8%), and the difference was statistically significant (2 = 11.73, p < 0.01). The proportion of SSBs for university students =1 time/week, 2-5 times/week, and = 6 times/week were 54.2, 24.3, and 21.5%, respectively. The proportion of duration of physical exercise for >60 min/d was only 5.4%. Logistic regression analysis showed that compared with the SSBs =1 time/week group of university students, SSBs 2-5 times/week (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.24-1.70) and = 6 times/week (OR = 3.06, 95% CI: 2.62-3.57) had an increased risk of psychological symptoms (p < 0.001). In the reference group, the risk of psychological symptoms was also significantly increased in the group of university students with duration of physical exercise >60 min/d (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.48-2.93), and the risk of psychological symptoms was also significantly increased in the group with duration of physical exercise <30 min/d (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.48-2.93). The risk of psychological symptoms was also significantly increased in the university students with the duration of physical exercise <30 min/d (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.48 ~ 2.93) group. Conclusion: SSBs and exercise time may be important influences on the psychological symptoms of Tibetan university students at high altitudes in China. This study has important implications for mental health planning in universities in highland areas and may also provide guidance for mental health interventions for Tibetan university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypersaline lakes in arid and semi-arid areas are unique ecosystems that harbour unique extremophile organisms such as Artemia , the paradigmatic example of adaptation to harsh living conditions. We assessed the mitogenomic biodiversity of Artemia species from the Tibetan Plateau, China, a remote and yet minimally disturbed ecosystem with a variety of hypersaline lakes. Analysis of ten Tibetan salt lakes demonstrated the occurrence of two regionally endemic species, Artemia tibetiana and Artemia sorgeloosi , with the latter being the dominant species with eight localities. Both species coexist in Jingyu and Jibu lakes, representing the first case of natural distribution overlap between sexual Artemia species. Artemia sorgeloosi exhibits higher genetic diversity and interpopulation differences, a result consistent with the heterogeneity of local salt lakes, local Artemia population demographics, and their adaptive potentials. Significant F ST values demonstrate a gene flow barrier between A. sorgeloosi populations that is compatible with an 'island biogeography' distribution pattern, making the Tibetan Plateau a sort of natural laboratory to study intraspecific population differences. Artemia sorgeloosi and the exotic Artemia franciscana were found coexisting in Yangnapen Lake, demonstrating the ability of this invasive species to colonize high-altitude inland habitats, and the need to monitor its presence and eventual expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the reliability of Tibetan Thangka sales channels, this paper combines blockchain technology to construct an intelligent model that can be used for Tibetan Thangka sales. This paper uses cryptographic encryption technology to encrypt the uploaded data to prevent Thangka producers or logistics turnover parties from tampering with Thangka‐related information, and uses the timestamp in blockchain technology to realize the traceability of Thangka‐related information. In addition, this paper uses the timestamp technology in the blockchain system to generate a traceable, query and supervised blockchain, which runs through the whole process of thangka from planting to selling. Finally, a sales model of Tibet Thangka based on blockchain technology is designed, and system performance analysis is carried out through simulation experiments. The experimental research results verify that the designed sales model has a certain effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Blood-blister aneurysms (BBAs) of the internal carotid artery (ICA) are challenging lesions with high morbidity and mortality rates. Although research on BBAs is well documented in different populations, the study of BBAs in the Tibetan population is extremely rare. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of BBAs and analyze the treatment modalities and long-term outcomes in the Tibetan population in comparison with the Han population. Methods: The characteristics of patients with BBAs of the ICA from January 2009 to January 2021 at our institution were reviewed. The features of aneurysms, treatment modalities, complications, and follow-up outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Results: A total of 130 patients (41 Tibetan and 89 Han patients) with BBAs of the ICA who underwent treatment were enrolled. Compared with the Han group, the Tibetan group significantly demonstrated a high ratio of BBAs among ICAs (8.6%, 41/477 vs. 1.6%, 89/5563; p<0.05), a high ratio of vasospasm (34.1%, 14/41 vs. 6.7%, 6/89; p=0.001), a high risk of ischemic events (43.9%, 18/41 vs. 22.5%, 20/89; p<0.05), and a low ratio of good outcomes (modified Rankin scale, 0-2) at the 1-year follow-up (51.2%, 21/41 vs. 74.2%, 66/89; p<0.05). The multivariate regression model showed that ischemic events significantly contributed to the prediction of outcomes at 1 year. Further analysis revealed that microsurgery and vasospasm were associated with ischemic events. Conclusion: In comparison with Han patients, the Tibetan population had a high ratio of BBA occurrence, a high incidence of ischemic events, and a high ratio of poor outcomes. The endovascular approach showed more benefits in BBA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"The Chinese Revolution on the Tibetan Frontier" is a book that focuses on the history of Amdo, a Tibetan county in the Qinghai province, during the 1950s. The author, Benno Weiner, explores the intertwining of republican and socialist state construction with imperial imperatives, as well as the consequences of CCP ethnic policy in the region. The book primarily draws from local sources and provides a localized perspective, without attempting to universalize Tibetan experiences. It sheds light on the struggles and complexities faced by ethnic minorities in the Great Leap Forward and highlights the tensions between persuasion and repression within the CCP. [Extracted from the article]

Few Sino‐Tibetan bilingualisms are celebrated in Amdo Tibet. Registers like "mixed language," "peasant language," and vernacular Mandarins are denounced through their perceived association with Chinese colonial influence. However, Putonghua‐Tibetan "bilinguals" are revered among the same demographic. When Tibetan and Chinese language communities intersect each other, a concern for many arises as to how one calibrates one's own "bi‐ness" as a Tibetan bilingual. In this paper, I explore how "Sinicized" figures are configurated for Tibetans. I argue that language works in many ways to disrupt previously stable ethnoracial identities as well as to mediate ethnoracial alignment or a lack thereof. Intersectional personae—binding intersections of linguistic repertoires with biographic fractals like gender, class, race/ethnicity, sexuality, profession, and many more—personify such disruptions for users of languages. I also describe the affective motion—or ethnoracialized anxieties and aspirations— in adopting or sidestepping these intersectional personae for a population that feel they are going through racialization (for different publics) in many aspects of their lives. Attending to intra‐ethnoracial evaluations, I also delineate and compare vernacular colonialism and Putonghua colonialism in showing that "same but different" registers might be a vantage point to a more empirical understanding of Sino‐ as well as other forms of colonialism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seismic landslide hazard assessment plays a very important guiding role during urgent earthquake relief. In August 2017, an Ms 7.0 earthquake in Jiuzhaigou County, Sichuan Province, China, triggered thousands of landslides. Based on the analysis of geological settings and coseismic landslide characteristics, the Newmark model is used to complete the seismic landslide hazard assessment. Three seismic motion parameters, namely, peak ground acceleration (PGA), traditional Arias intensity (Arias_P), and improved Arias intensity (Arias_C), are adopted. A publicly published coseismic landslide catalog is used as the validation samples. The results show that the coseismic landslides are mainly distributed in the deep gullies and steep mountainous slopes on the north and south sides of the epicenter. The seismic landslide hazard accuracy based on Arias_C is the best, followed by that based on PGA and Arias_P. The spatial distribution of seismic landslide hazards based on Arias_C shows an almost standard elliptical ring and is in good agreement with that of coseismic landslides. These results fully reflect the combined influence of the epicenter and seismogenic fault on landslide development. The middle seismic landslide hazard and over are mainly located at areas with seismic intensity of VII degree and above. The Arias intensity is very suitable for rapid seismic landslide hazard assessment in emergency situations. The study results can provide scientific and technological support for rapid earthquake relief and have reference significance for future seismic landslide hazard assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital techniques are critical in the digital age. Research in various disciplines requires the use of digital technology. Extracting and digitizing information from text, particularly historical geographical information, is the most fundamental operation of digital humanities. However, digitizing historical geographical information is a challenging work. This article proposes a framework for constructing a digital system of historical geographic information. The feasibility of the digital system was verified in a case study of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in Tibetan inhabited areas of China. The results demonstrate that the digital system proposed in this study can be used as a guide for digitizing historical geographic information of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries from the perspective of digital humanities. This study provides a useful reference for the digitalization of historical geographic information in the digital humanities discipline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital heart malformation in children. This study aimed to investigate potential pathogenic genes associated with Tibetan familial VSD. Whole genomic DNA was extracted from eight Tibetan children with VSD and their healthy parents (a total of 16 individuals). Whole-exome sequencing was performed using the Illumina HiSeq platform. After filtration, detection, and annotation, single nucleotide variations and insertion-deletion markers were examined. Comparative evaluations using the Sorting Intolerant from Tolerant, PolyPhen V2, Mutation Taster, and Combined Annotation Dependent Depletion databases were conducted to predict harmful mutant genes associated with the etiology of Tibetan familial VSD. A total of six missense mutations in genetic disease-causing genes associated with the development of Tibetan familial VSD were identified: activin A receptor type II-like 1 (c.652 C > T: p.R218 W), ATPase cation transporting 13A2 (c.1363 C > T: p.R455 W), endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (c.481 G > A: p.G161 R), MRI1 (c.629 G > A: p.R210Q), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1 (c.224 G > A: p.R75H), and FBN2 (c.2260 G > A: p.G754S). The Human Gene Mutation Database confirmed activin A receptor type II-like 1, MRI1 , and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1 as pathogenic mutations, while FBN2 was classified as a probable pathogenic mutation. This novel study directly screens genetic variations associated with Tibetan familial VSD using whole-exome sequencing, providing new insights into the pathogenesis of VSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India‐Asia collision is generally believed to have collided since 55 ± 5 Ma, with a total amount of convergence of 2900–4400 km. Besides the overriding Tibetan lithospheric shortening, a large amount of convergence has to be accommodated by the subducting plate of Greater India. Three typical India‐Asia collision models have been proposed, including the Greater Indian Continent (GIC) model, Intra‐Oceanic Arc model and Greater Indian Oceanic Basin model. In this study, a large‐scale 2D numerical model, driven by the reconstruction‐based India‐Asia convergence rate, have been conducted to evaluate these three major models. The model results indicate that the one‐stage GIC model favours later initial collision at ≤50 Ma. For the two‐stage collision, the large amount of convergence can be easily accommodated by modifying the length of oceanic subduction after the first stage of continental collision. This study provides systematic numerical constraints for the favourable conditions of each model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reliable subseasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) precipitation prediction is highly desired due to the great socioeconomical implications, yet it remains one of the most challenging topics in the weather/climate prediction research area. As part of the Impact of Initialized Land Temperature and Snowpack on Sub-seasonal to Seasonal Prediction (LS4P) project of the Global Energy and Water Exchanges (GEWEX) program, twenty-one climate models follow the LS4P protocol to quantify the impact of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) land surface temperature/subsurface temperature (LST/SUBT) springtime anomalies on the global summertime precipitation. We find that nudging towards reanalysis winds is crucial for climate models to generate atmosphere and land surface initial conditions close to observations, which is necessary for meaningful S2S applications. Simulations with nudged initial conditions can better capture the summer precipitation responses to the imposed TP LST/SUBT spring anomalies at hotspot regions all over the world. Further analyses show that the enhanced S2S prediction skill is largely attributable to the substantially improved initialization of the Tibetan Plateau-Rocky Mountain Circumglobal (TRC) wave train pattern in the atmosphere. This study highlights the important role that initial condition plays in the S2S prediction and suggests that data assimilation technique (e.g., nudging) should be adopted to initialize climate models to improve their S2S prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tibetan Plateau, as a major elevated heat source, plays a critical role in the Asian monsoon and global climate. Observational data revealed significant correlations between spring surface air temperature in the Tibetan Plateau and downstream summer precipitation interannual variations. Sensitivity experiments using the regional Climate-Weather Research and Forecasting model (CWRF) were conducted to understand the physical processes and mechanisms underlying such delayed teleconnections. A positive temperature forcing was imposed over the plateau on the surface and subsurface soil layers only at the initial conditions around May 1st, 2003. This regional forcing quickly induces positive perturbations in local air temperature and, more importantly, maintains its signal in local soil, especially deep layers, for several months. Consequently, the soil temperature serves as a charged capacitor to modulate the planetary atmospheric circulation and through Rossby wave chains to cause significant summer precipitation anomalies over broad regions. This relayed teleconnection pattern is consistent with that identified from observational data records and CWRF climate simulations during 1980–2015. Diagnostic analyses of observations and simulations suggest that the Tibetan Plateau heating significantly impacts summer East Asian monsoon climate through influencing the South Asian High and shifting the East Asian jet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effects of two total mixed diets on the growth performance and serum biochemical indexes of 25~35 kg Suffolk and Tibetan sheep crossbred F1 ewe under cold season house feeding conditions. Twenty-one ewes bred in F1 generation of Suffolk and Tibetan sheep hybrid with similar body condition and phenotype were randomly divided into three groups with seven replicates in each group and one sheep in each replicate. Group D (CP 14.26%, ME 12.93 MJ/kg) and Group G (CP 15.06%, ME 11.67 MJ/kg) were fed total mixed diets with different protein and energy levels, while the control group was fed alfalfa and oat hay. The pre-test period was seven days, and the formal test period was 60 days. The results showed that the average daily gain from 1 to 30 days, the average daily gain from 31 to 60 days, the average daily gain from 1 to 60 days, and the average daily gain from 1 to 60 days in Group G were significantly higher than those in Group D and control group (P<0.05), while the feed-to-weight ratio from 31 to 60 days and 1 to 60 days were significantly lower than those in Group D (P<0.05). The average daily feed intake and feed-weight ratio from 1 to 30 days, and average daily feed intake from from 31 to 60 days and 1 to 60 days in Group D were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The serum glucose, total cholesterol, and lactate dehydrogenase activity in Group G were significantly higher than those in Group D and control group (P<0.05), the serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase activity in Group G was significantly higher than that in Group D and control group (P<0.05), the serum albumin and calcium contentrations in Group D were significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05), the serum total bile acid and inorganic phosphorus content in Group D were significantly higher than that in and control group (P<0.05), and the serum urea nitrogen content in Group D and Group G was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05). The study indicates that feeding total mixed diet to F1 ewe of Suffolk and Tibetan hybrid in cold season can improve the growth performance, and the feeding effect of group G is better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies on Chinese overseas students have generally presumed a smooth transition from mobility to mobility capital and have lacked an ethnic perspective. In this study, we adopt mobility capital as an analytical lens to explore the life trajectories of a group of Tibetans with studying abroad experiences. Drawing on qualitative data through multiple methods, we find a shift from collective-oriented expectations regarding studying abroad to individualist life planning and lifestyles after returning to work in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Before studying abroad, the informants viewed such experiences as important capital that could be later used to make a change for the Tibetan group, their local societies, and the state. Those views met a different reality after returning to TAR because the informants generally felt they were being viewed as potentially risk subjects in the workplace, which significantly impeded the capitalization of educational mobility at the institutional level. However, the informants developed coping strategies to find self-worth in private life by capitalizing on educational mobility. By addressing the subjective experiences of Tibetan informants in TAR and their associations with institutional contexts, this article not only engages an ethnicity-sensitive perspective to understand the politics of international educational mobility but also extends the discussion on individuals' experiences of educational mobility to the successional stage upon returning to their home societies. This article ultimately emphasizes the need for more culturally and politically reflexive policies that can sustain the flow of ethnic talents and help them realize their self-worth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extant scholarly discourse on ecological governance within China predominantly underscores the salient role of the central state. This is unsurprising given the statist policy trajectory transitioned from an emphasis on swift economic growth to focusing on emerging ecological challenges in the last decade. However, this article deviates from this prevailing emphasis, pivoting instead to the tangible practices and realities of ecological governance at the grassroots level. Through an ethnographic investigation, this article delves into the nuances of ecological governance within the Tibetan regions of Qinghai Province, China, emphasising the interplay between local communities, environmental non‐governmental organisations and the local state. The article introduces the concept of 'pluralistic ecological governance', advocating for the integration of diverse governance structures, institutional frameworks and stakeholder involvements. This approach encompasses a thorough consideration of diverse knowledge systems, motivations of community participation and local‐state relations, vital for addressing the complex nature of ecological issues. The study contends that 'pluralistic ecological governance' not only encompasses different stakeholders but also critically examines various forms of knowledge and motivations, along with the diverse interests these stakeholders contribute to both the discourse and practice of ecological conservation on the ground. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding of how rural livelihood systems embedded in different social‐ecological contexts affect household energy consumption behaviour is critical for facilitating rural energy transition. This study assesses the energy consumption level and structure for three different livelihood systems, including mobile livelihood (ML), semi‐settled livelihood (SSL) and settled livelihood (SL), from the pastoral regions of the Tibetan Plateau. Results show that the average household energy consumption in ML, SSL and SL systems is 9250.1, 14 714.3 and 7004.5 kgce, respectively. Although yak dung is the dominant energy source in the ML and SSL systems, commercial energy sources are extensively used. When rural herders are resettled into peri‐urban areas, commercial energy sources become dominant though the percentage of yak dung consumption remains high. Mobile livestock production strategies and the associated rangeland tenure regimes and cultural practices are key determinant household energy choice factors of the ML and SSL systems. Comparatively, the role of income is more impactful on fuel consumption patterns in the SL system. Accordingly, this study argues that utilising a livelihood system approach in understanding household energy consumption behaviour allows us to design energy policies and innovative and customised clean energy sources that better fit rural livelihood systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the contents and composition of fatty acids in meat of Tibetan sheep at different altitudes under natural grazing conditions, 6 ewes (3 years old) of Tibetan sheep at different elevations were selected, including high (4 500 m), middle (3 500 m) and low (2 500 m) altitudes. The composition and contents of fatty acids in longissimus dorsi, foreleg muscle and hindleg muscle were determined. The results showed that there were significant differences in fatty acid composition and content among Tibetan sheeps at different altitudes. Among them, the content of myristic acid (C14:0) was the lowest in 3 muscle tissues of Tibetan sheeps at low altitude. And the content of oleic acid (C18:1n9c) was the highest in 3 muscle tissues of Tibetan sheep at low altitude, which was significantly higher than that at middle and high altitudes. The ratios of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to saturated fatty acids (SFA) (P/S) in different muscle tissues were from 0.168 to 0.504, and the P/S value of the longissimus dorsi muscle of Tibetan sheep at high altitude was significantly higher than that of middle and low altitudes. To sum up, except the longissimus dorsi of Tibetan sheep at high altitude area, the composition of fatty acids in different muscle tissues of Tibetan sheep at low altitude area had more advantages, which had good edible [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precipitation estimation over the Tibetan Plateau is a critical but challenging task due to sparse gauges and high altitudes. Traditional statistic methods are often insufficient to characterize the nonlinear relationship between different precipitation information, while machine learning techniques, particularly deep learning algorithms, offer a novel and powerful approach to improve the merging accuracy of multi‐source precipitation data by efficiently capturing their spatiotemporal dynamics features. This study introduced a novel strategy called Double Machine Learning (DML), which integrates meteorological information, satellite retrievals, and reanalysis data to produce a high‐precision multi‐source merging precipitation product at 0.1° × 0.1°, daily resolution for the Tibetan Plateau. The quantitative evaluation of DML was accomplished using both auto‐meteorological gauges and independent observations. Statistical scores indicate that the new DML‐based merging product apparently outperforms three widely‐used precipitation datasets (IMERG‐Final, GSMaP‐Gauge and ERA5) over the Tibetan Plateau. The proposed DML strategy effectively integrates the advantages of traditional machine learning and deep learning, significantly enhancing the algorithmic robustness and merging accuracy, particularly at medium‐high rain rates in summer. Furthermore, the contributions of multi‐source inputs to the final merging effect was systematically analyzed. It is found that meteorological information, as an auxiliary variable in DML, plays a crucial role in identifying rainy events and adjusting the bias of precipitation estimates, especially over those ungauged regions. This study affirms the call for improving the multi‐source precipitation estimates by combining different machine learning approaches. The new merging precipitation product reported here is recommended for hydrometeorological users of the Tibetan Plateau science community. Key Points: A novel strategy is developed to produce a high‐precision precipitation product (0.1°/daily, 2015‐present) for the Tibetan PlateauThe new merged product apparently outperforms three widely‐used precipitation datasets, especially at medium‐high rain ratesThe contributions of meteorological information, satellite retrievals and reanalysis data to merging effect were systematically evaluated [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This article uses emerging discourses on the Tibetan New Wave as an opportunity to revisit the concept of shaoshu minzu dianying (ethnic minority cinema), a key term referring to Chinese films representing ethnic minority subjects. Nonetheless, by pointing out its porous and essentialist nature, the article cautions against what it terms an 'ethnicized reading' of Tibetan New Wave films. It is tempting to dwell on their authentic ventilation of Tibetan culture vis-à-vis old Tibetan films' lack of it, and hence appreciate the artistic merit in this regard. Such reading is no less than treating ethnic minority filmmakers as the perpetual narrators of national allegories, burdening them with the necessary representation of ethnic experiences. Having problematized the ethnic minority cinema framework as exemplifying ethnicized reading, this article explains what is at stake when employing an ethnicized reading to study minority cultural productions and how the multifaceted motifs and genres of the Tibetan New Wave resist a totalizing ethnicized reading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposed and validated a mediation model based on the nearest developmental zone and mediation concepts of sociocultural theory to explore the mediating role of emotional intelligence and ethnic categories between teacher-student relationships and feedback literacy among high school students in Tibetan areas of China. A questionnaire survey was administered to 422 Tibetan high school students (including 136 Han Chinese students and 286 Tibetan students) using the Feedback Literacy Scale, the Teacher-Student Relationship Scale, and the Emotional Intelligence Scale. The results showed that teacher-student relationships of high school students in Tibetan areas significantly and positively predicted their feedback literacy. The result of the mediation model analysis indicated that the emotional intelligence of high school students in Tibetan areas partially mediated the effect between teacher-student relationships and feedback literacy. In addition, the moderated mediation model analysis indicated that the teacher-student relationship had a stronger effect on feedback literacy through emotional intelligence for Han Chinese high school students than for Tibetan high school students. The present findings not only enrich our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the influence of teacher-student relationships and feedback literacy, but also reveal the differential role played by ethnic categories. The study also provides a discussion of the results, corresponding recommendations, and directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sentence Boundary Disambiguation (SBD) is crucial for building datasets for tasks such as machine translation, syntactic analysis, and semantic analysis. Currently, most automatic sentence segmentation in Tibetan adopts the methods of rule-based and statistical learning, as well as the combination of the two, which have high requirements on the corpus and the linguistic foundation of the researchers and are more costly to annotate manually. In this study, we explore Tibetan SBD using deep learning technology. Initially, we analyze Tibetan characteristics and various subword techniques, selecting Byte Pair Encoding (BPE) and Sentencepiece (SP) for text segmentation and training the Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) pre-trained language model. Secondly, we studied the Tibetan SBD based on different BERT pre-trained language models, which mainly learns the ambiguity of the shad ("།") in different positions in modern Tibetan texts and determines through the model whether the shad ("།") in the texts has the function of segmenting sentences. Meanwhile, this study introduces four models, BERT-CNN, BERT-RNN, BERT-RCNN, and BERT-DPCNN, based on the BERT model for performance comparison. Finally, to verify the performance of the pre-trained language models on the SBD task, this study conducts SBD experiments on both the publicly available Tibetan pre-trained language model TiBERT and the multilingual pre-trained language model (Multi-BERT). The experimental results show that the F1 score of the BERT (BPE) model trained in this study reaches 95.32% on 465,669 Tibetan sentences, nearly five percentage points higher than BERT (SP) and Multi-BERT. The SBD method based on pre-trained language models in this study lays the foundation for establishing datasets for the later tasks of Tibetan pre-training, summary extraction, and machine translation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the Nechung kang-so (bskang gso), a ritual performed at Nechung monastery in exile, and deemed secret (gsang ba) by the monks. In my interactions with the monks, this secret presented itself as an unremitting series of contradictions and conundrums. I attempt here to portray and understand them. I posit that the secret invoked an implicit "cultural concept" (Silverstein 2004), namely, the kang-so 's transmissibility. For the kang-so 's transmission within the monastery involved a specific semiotics of authorization, rooted in a karmic ethic. To reveal the secret to me was to extricate the esoteric ritual from that traditional "social organization of interdiscursivity," and the ethic shaping it (Gal 2018). The monks' citations of the esoteric ritual, whereby they spoke to me of the secret , thus performed an alteration in the kang-so 's transmissibility, a reorganization of the esoteric ritual's interdiscursivities, toward enabling its "circulation" among academic publics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether tectonic strain from the early stage India‐Asia collision has synchronously affected the far‐field margin of the Tibetan Plateau is crucial for understanding plateau deformation and growth processes. However, direct evidence for early far‐field deformation remains scarce. Utilizing illite K‐Ar dating of three fault gouge samples, we established the faulting history of the Leibo fault zone (LFZ) at the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau (SEMTP). Consistent authigenic illite ages of 52 ± 2, 54 ± 12 and 55 ± 6 Ma suggest the reactivated thrust faulting of the LFZ in the Early Cenozoic. Positioned ∼700 km east of the collisional boundary and at the intersection of three blocks with distinct lithospheric rheology in strength/viscosity, this event suggests a quasi‐synchronous far‐field tectonic response in the SEMTP to the India‐Asia collision. Plain Language Summary: Understanding how tectonic strain resulting from the collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates in the Early Cenozoic can spread to the edges of the Tibetan Plateau is crucial for comprehending the plateau's tectonic development. To investigate this question, we used fault gouge, which resulted from the sliding of brittle faults, to directly reveal faulting information. By conducting illite K‐Ar dating on three samples from the Leibo fault zone (LFZ) at the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau (SEMTP), we found consistent ages of newly formed illite, 52 ± 2, 54 ± 12, and 55 ± 6 million years ago. Since this type of minerals form simultaneously with faulting, these ages reveal a reactivated thrust faulting event of the LFZ, suggesting a nearly simultaneous response of faulting in the SEMTP to the early stage of the India‐Asia collision. Key Points: Fault gouge illite K‐Ar dating is used to establish the faulting history of the Leibo fault zone, SE margin of the Tibetan PlateauThree consistent authigenic illite ages of ∼55, ∼54, and ∼52 Ma suggest a reactivated thrust faulting event of the Leibo fault zoneThis event indicates a quasi‐synchronous far‐field response of the SE margin of the Tibetan Plateau to the India‐Asia collision [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of aerosol radiative effects in the Tibetan Plateau (TP) is limited due to the lack of reliable aerosol optical properties, especially the single scattering albedo (SSA). We firstly reported in situ measurement of SSA in Lhasa using a cavity enhanced albedometer (CEA) at λ = 532 nm from 22nd May to 11th June 2021. Unexpected strong aerosol absorbing ability was observed with an average SSA of 0.69. Based on spectral absorptions measured by Aethalometer (AE33), black carbon (BC) was found to be the dominated absorbing species, accounting for about 83% at λ = 370 nm, followed by primary and secondary brown carbon (BrCpri and BrCsec). The average direct aerosol radiative forcing at the top of atmosphere (DARFTOA) was 2.83 W/m2, indicating aerosol warming effect on the Earth‐atmosphere system. Even though aerosol loading is low, aerosol heating effect plays a significant role on TP warming due to strong absorbing ability. Plain Language Summary: The Tibetan Plateau (TP) has experienced rapid warming over the past decades, but the key factors affecting TP climate change haven't yet been clearly understood. Aerosol single scattering albedo (SSA) is a key optical parameter determining aerosol warming or cooling effect; however, reliable SSA measurement is scarce in TP. This study firstly reported in situ measurement of SSA in Lhasa and explored the direct radiative effect of aerosol on TP warming. Strong aerosol absorption, mainly contributed by black carbon (BC), was observed with an average SSA value of 0.69 in this city. Besides Lhasa, other sites over TP were also reported with low SSA (≤0.77) from surface measurement. The strong aerosol absorption could cause heating effect on the Earth‐atmosphere system. To relieve TP warming, reasonable pollutant emission control strategies should be taken urgently to weaken aerosol absorbing ability. Key Points: Unexpected low aerosol single scattering albedo was observed in Lhasa via in situ measurement of multiple optical parameters simultaneouslyBlack carbon was the dominant contributor (∼83%) to aerosol absorption at 370 nm, followed by primary and secondary brown carbonThe strong absorption in Lhasa exerted positive direct aerosol radiative forcing (warming effect) at the top of atmosphere [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used observational data and a long‐term piControl simulation from the Community Earth System Model Version 2 to investigate the influence of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) on the winter climate over the Tibetan Plateau. The results showed that changes in the phase of the PDO have a significant effect on winter temperatures and precipitation over the southern Tibetan Plateau. Changes in the sea surface temperature (SST) during the positive PDO can weaken the Walker circulation and increase the SST in the Indian Ocean. Our analyses of the moist static energy showed that warming of the tropical troposphere over the Indian Ocean caused by the increased SST has resulted in the horizontal advection of anomalous moist enthalpy by the climatological zonal winds, which was responsible for anomalous ascending motion over the Tibetan Plateau. The additional moisture budget suggests that enhanced vertical motion contributes to the increase in winter precipitation and related total cloud cover over the Tibetan Plateau, leading to the increase of snow depth. The increased total cloud cover and snow depth, in turn, reduces net surface shortwave radiation. The surface air temperature of the Tibetan Plateau is then decreased as a result of the reduction in the net surface shortwave radiation. The PDO therefore has an important modulating role in the interdecadal variability of the winter climate over the Tibetan Plateau. We therefore need to focus on changes in the PDO in research related to the decadal prediction of the climate over the Tibetan Plateau. Plain Language Summary: Under the background of global change, the climate of the Tibetan Plateau has undergone significant changes, and it has an important impact on the regional and global climate. Therefore, it is very important to find out the mechanisms of climate variabilities on the Tibetan Plateau. In this study, we aim to investigate the influences of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) on the winter climate of the Tibetan Plateau and the related physical mechanisms by using observational data and a long‐term piControl simulation from the Community Earth System Model Version 2. Results suggest that the PDO has an important modulating role in the interdecadal variability of the winter climate over the Tibetan Plateau. The positive PDO phase can increase winter precipitation and decrease the surface air temperature of the Tibetan Plateau. The related mechanisms are also investigated in this study. Key Points: The positive Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) can increase the precipitation and thereby decreasing the temperature in winter over the southern Tibetan PlateauThe horizontal advection of anomalous moist enthalpy is responsible for anomalous ascending motion and increased precipitationThe anomalous advection of zonal warm air is caused by warming of the tropical troposphere over the Indian Ocean due to the positive PDO [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tibetan Buddhism has an inseparable connection with the spatial characteristics, development process, and human-natural environment of the Tibetan Plateau. This paper takes monasteries as carriers of Tibetan Buddhist culture in U-Tsang region which is one of the traditional geographical units of Tibet. Using geospatial analysis methods, this study explores the spatial quantification characteristics of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and qualitatively and quantitatively analyzes the factors that influence the spatial distribution of monasteries. The results indicate that: (1) Political activities of human society influence the pattern of political power. Under the unique context of Tibetan theocracy system, the scope of political authority has a significant influence and affects the religious spatial pattern in the U-Tsang region throughout history. The distribution of monasteries in the U-Tsang region shows significant spatial differences at three sub-regional scales. (2) The religious spatial pattern in the U-Tsang is the result of the diverse interaction of human-natural factors. The results indirectly endorse that religious space is an inevitable product of the interaction between humans and the environment. (3) The religious spatial distribution patterns in the three major Tibetan regions have distinct characteristics, closely related to the superior conditions of their respective historical and geographical environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this experiment was to study the effect of Allium mongolicum Regel powder (AMR) and yeast cultures (YC) on rumen microbial diversity in Tibetan sheep in different Ecological niches. A total of 40 male Tibetan lambs with an initial weight of 18.56 ± 1.49 kg (6 months old) were selected and divided into four groups (10 sheep/pen; n = 10). In the Control Group, each animal was grazed for 8 h per day, in Group I, each animal was supplemented with 200 g of concentrate per day, in Group II, each animal was supplemented with 200 g of concentrate and 10 g of AMR per day, in Group III, each animal was supplemented with 200 g of concentrate and 20 g of YC per day. The experiment lasted 82 days and consisted of a 7-day per-feeding period and a 75-day formal period. The results indicated that at the phylum level, the abundance of Bacteroidota and Verrucomimicrobiota in L-Group II and L-Group III was increased, while the abundance of Proteobacteria was decreased in the LA (Liquid-Associated) groups. The proportion of F/B in S-Group II and S-Group III was increased compared to S-Group I and S-CON in the SA (Soild-Associated) group. At the genus level, the abundance of uncultured&lowbar;rumen&lowbar;bacterium and Eubacterium&lowbar; ruminantium&lowbar;group in L-Group II and L-Group III was increased. Furthermore, while the abundance of Rikenellaceae&lowbar;RC9&lowbar;gut&lowbar;group was decreased in the LA, the abundance of Prevotella and Eubacterium&lowbar;ruminantium&lowbar;group was increased in the S-Group II and S-Group III compared to S-Group I and S-CON. The abundance of probable&lowbar;genus&lowbar;10 was the highest in S-Group II in the SA group. After the addition of YC and AMR, there was an increase in rumen microbial abundance, which was found to be beneficial for the stability of rumen flora and had a positive impact on rumen health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of hyperhomocysteinemia among Tibetan residents in the west of Xizang Ali. Methods By using the method of multi-stage cluster random sampling, Tibetan residents were randomly selected from the western area of Xizang Ali for physical examination and questionnaire survey, and blood routine and biochemical indexes were collected. The prevalence and influencing factors of hyperhomocysteinemia in this area were analyzed by chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression. Results A total of 1 362 Tibetan residents in the western region of Xizang Ali were investigated. The results showed that there were 1 044 patients with hyperhomocysteinemia, with a prevalence rate of 76.7%. The prevalence rate of males (84.8%) was higher than that of females (71.5%). Smoking (OR=1.988, 95%CI: 1.076-3.675), poor household (OR = 1.775, 95%CI: 1.204-2.540), hyperuricemia (OA =3.416, 95%CI: 2.494-4.679), hypercholesterolemia (OA =4.051, 95%CI: 2.811-5.838), and hypertriglyceridemia (OR=2.589, 95%CI: 1.765-3.798) were risk factors of hyperhomocysteinemia. Female (0R=0.538, 95%CI: 0.384-0.752) and agricultural and pastoral areas (OR = 0.312, 95%CI: 0.156-0.625) were protective factors. Conclusion The prevalence rate of hyperhomocysteinemia is high in the western region of Xizang Ali. Sex, residence, smoking, and poor households are the influencing factors of hyperhomocys- teinemia. Hyperhomocysteinemia is significantly associated with hyperuricemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and other diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The notion of educational development has merit in defining the nature of Tibetan school education in China, which operates under the Chinese centralized educational model. However, it would be simplistic to see all types of schools in Tibetan regions operating in a single dependency relationship regarding the educational content, teaching mode, and school management. Consequently, the author proposes considering the more complex situation of a syncretism of Tibetan and Chinese education systems. His proposition derives from his long-time participation, observation, and extensive interviews with school teachers, students, and administrators in a Tibetan private vocational high school in Amdo (Qinghai). This school has pioneered experimentation with a syncretic education model to resolve the tension and seek a balance between cultural continuity and social change by capitalizing on its interdependency situation. His research shows that promoting this syncretic education model in a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural country like China is worthwhile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change plays a pivotal role in shaping the shifting patterns of plant distribution, and gaining insights into how medicinal plants in the plateau region adapt to climate change will be instrumental in safeguarding the rich biodiversity of the highlands. Gymnosia orchidis Lindl. (G. orchidis) is a valuable Tibetan medicinal resource with significant medicinal, ecological, and economic value. However, the growth of G. orchidis is severely constrained by stringent natural conditions, leading to a drastic decline in its resources. Therefore, it is crucial to study the suitable habitat areas of G. orchidis to facilitate future artificial cultivation and maintain ecological balance. In this study, we investigated the suitable zones of G. orchidis based on 79 occurrence points in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) and 23 major environmental variables, including climate, topography, and soil type. We employed the Maximum Entropy model (MaxEnt) to simulate and predict the spatial distribution and configuration changes in G. orchidis during different time periods, including the last interglacial (LIG), the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), the Mid-Holocene (MH), the present, and future scenarios (2041–2060 and 2061–2080) under three different climate scenarios (SSP126, SSP370, and SSP585). Our results indicated that annual precipitation (Bio12, 613–2466 mm) and mean temperature of the coldest quarter (Bio11, −5.8–8.5 °C) were the primary factors influencing the suitable habitat of G. orchidis, with a cumulative contribution of 78.5%. The precipitation and temperature during the driest season had the most significant overall impact. Under current climate conditions, the suitable areas of G. orchidis covered approximately 63.72 × 104/km2, encompassing Yunnan, Gansu, Sichuan, and parts of Xizang provinces, with the highest suitability observed in the Hengduan, Yunlin, and Himalayan mountain regions. In the past, the suitable area of G. orchidis experienced significant changes during the Mid-Holocene, including variations in the total area and centroid migration direction. In future scenarios, the suitable habitat of G. orchidis is projected to expand significantly under SSP370 (30.33–46.19%), followed by SSP585 (1.41–22.3%), while contraction is expected under SSP126. Moreover, the centroids of suitable areas exhibited multidirectional movement, with the most extensive displacement observed under SSP585 (100.38 km2). This study provides a theoretical foundation for the conservation of biodiversity and endangered medicinal plants in the QTP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the use of the Fitzmaurice Voicework method in the vocal training of Tibetan students at the Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA). The Tibetan students, who historically have had limited proficiency in Chinese, faced challenges in their performing arts education. The Fitzmaurice Voicework method, which focuses on breathing and emotional exploration, was introduced to enhance their vocal training. The article highlights the success of the Tibetan students in their bilingual performance of Hamlet and emphasizes the importance of this unique teaching method in cultivating acting talents from diverse backgrounds. [Extracted from the article]

As there is a lack of public mark samples of Tibetan historical document image characters at present, this paper proposes an unsupervised Tibetan historical document character recognition method based on deep learning (UD-CNN). Firstly, using the Tibetan historical document character component, the Tibetan historical document character sample data set is constructed for model-aided training. Then, the character baseline information is introduced, and a fine-grained feature learning strategy is proposed. For the samples above and below the baseline, the Up-CNN recognition model and Down-CNN recognition model are established. The convolution neural network model is trained and optimized for the samples above and below the baseline, respectively, to improve the recognition accuracy. The experimental results show that the proposed method obviously affects the unmarked character classification and recognition of real Tibetan historical document images. The recognition rate of Top5 can reach 92.94%, and the recognition rate of Top1 can be increased from 82.25% to 87.27% using the CNN model only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tibet, dubbed "Asia's water tower," boasts eight major transboundary river systems, including the Brahmaputra, Indus, and Mekong rivers, vital to three billion people in South and Southeast Asia. As an upper riparian state, China has contemplated dam construction and river diversion since 1989. Driven by internal economic motives and aspirations for regional dominance, China seeks to control water flow, impacting lower riparian states such as India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. With approximately 87,000 dams built, China poses a historic threat, having already dammed most internal rivers. This article examines China's potential weaponization of Tibetan water, offering insights for lower riparian states to prepare for contingencies and devise long- term strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Manual bone age assessment (BAA) is associated with longer interpretation time and higher cost and variability, thus posing challenges in areas with restricted medical facilities, such as the high-altitude Tibetan Plateau. The application of artificial intelligence (AI) for automating BAA could facilitate resolving this issue. This study aimed to develop an AI-based BAA model for Han and Tibetan children. Methods: A model named "EVG-BANet" was trained using three datasets, including the Radiology Society of North America (RSNA) dataset (training set n = 12611, validation set n = 1425, and test set n = 200), the Radiological Hand Pose Estimation (RHPE) dataset (training set n = 5491, validation set n = 713, and test set n = 79), and a self-established local dataset [training set n = 825 and test set n = 351 (Han n = 216 and Tibetan n = 135)]. An open-access state-of-the-art model BoNet was used for comparison. The accuracy and generalizability of the two models were evaluated using the abovementioned three test sets and an external test set (n = 256, all were Tibetan). Mean absolute difference (MAD) and accuracy within 1 year were used as indicators. Bias was evaluated by comparing the MAD between the demographic groups. Results: EVG-BANet outperformed BoNet in the MAD on the RHPE test set (0.52 vs. 0.63 years, p < 0.001), the local test set (0.47 vs. 0.62 years, p < 0.001), and the external test set (0.53 vs. 0.66 years, p < 0.001) and exhibited a comparable MAD on the RSNA test set (0.34 vs. 0.35 years, p = 0.934). EVG-BANet achieved accuracy within 1 year of 97.7% on the local test set (BoNet 90%, p < 0.001) and 89.5% on the external test set (BoNet 85.5%, p = 0.066). EVG-BANet showed no bias in the local test set but exhibited a bias related to chronological age in the external test set. Conclusion: EVG-BANet can accurately predict the bone age (BA) for both Han children and Tibetan children living in the Tibetan Plateau with limited healthcare facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High‐resolution present‐day earth surface deformation maps from satellites provide important data constraints, which help us better understand tectonic processes and analyze seismic hazards. Here, we use Sentinel‐1 Radar images (2014–2020) and accurate positioning measurements (2009–2019) to get a high‐resolution three‐dimensional earth surface velocity map for the northeastern Tibetan Plateau, and we invert the slip rate and coupling ratio of major regional faults. We find ∼4 mm/yr uplift along an arc from the Qilianshan to Lajishan, relative to the neighboring low‐elevation area to the east, which indicates ongoing rapid orogeny. We find transient deformation along the Laohushan and 1920 M8.5 Haiyuan rupture segments of the Haiyuan fault, whereas the western Haiyuan, southern Liupanshan, central Lajishan and central‐western West Qinling faults are essentially locked above 15–20 km, suggesting a potentially high seismic hazard. Plain Language Summary: The northeast Tibetan Plateau, which is impeded by the tectonically stable Ordos block, continues to grow in response to the far‐field India‐Eurasia collision. This region has several large‐scale active faults that hosted some destructive earthquakes in the last 100 years. Although intensively studied, the fault kinematics of those seismogenic faults are still not clear, mainly because of poor observational constraints. Hence, high‐resolution present‐day deformation maps are essential to answering this question, either of scientific or societal concern. We provide satellite‐based ground deformation rate maps with mm‐accuracy for this region. They show shallow fault creep along some segments of the Haiyuan fault which is better constrained than previous results, active tectonic uplift in the Lajishan. Our work gives new constraints for the seismic hazard for the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau case. Key Points: We derive a new high‐resolution three‐dimensional present‐day deformation map for the Northeastern Tibetan PlateauGeodetic data reveals ongoing rapid uplift along an accurate orogenic belt from the eastern Qilianshan and LajishanNew constraints for the seismic hazard analysis for the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rumen microbiota and metabolites play an important role in energy metabolism and immune regulation of the host. However, the regulatory mechanism of rumen microbiota and metabolite interactions with host on Tibetan sheep's plateau adaptability is still unclear. We analyzed the ruminal microbiome and metabolome, host transcriptome and serum metabolome characteristics of Tibetan sheep at different ages. Biomarkers Butyrivibrio, Lachnospiraceae_ XPB1014_group, Prevotella, and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group were found in 4 months, 1.5 years, 3.5 years, and 6 years Tibetan sheep, respectively. The rumen microbial metabolites were mainly enriched in galactose metabolism, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis and fatty acid degradation pathways, and had significant correlation with microbiota. These metabolites further interact with mRNA, and are co-enriched in arginine and proline metabolism, metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, propanoate metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, gap junction pathway. Meanwhile, serum metabolites also have a similar function, such as chemical carcinogenesis - reactive oxygen species, limonene and pinene degradation, and cutin, suberine and wax biosynthesis, thus participating in the regulation of the body's immune and energy-related metabolic processes. This study systematically revealed that rumen microbiota, metabolites, mRNA and serum metabolites of Tibetan sheep were involved in the regulation of fermentation metabolic function and immune level of Tibetan sheep at different ages, which provided a new perspective for plateau adaptability research of Tibetan sheep at different ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seismic b-value is one of the most important parameters for seismological research and seismic hazards assessment, while the accuracy of the b-value largely depended on the completeness of seismic catalog. This article compares eight methods for estimating the minimum magnitude of completeness (Mc). The results indicate that the modified maximum curvature method (MMAXC), exhibits greater stability and accuracy, closely approximating the standard M[sub c] obtained from the synthetic seismic catalogs. We then calculate the b-value using the instrumental seismic catalog from 2000-2023 in the eastern Tibetan Plateau. The results indicate that the five major earthquakes occur in regions with lower b-value. In addition, the temporal evolution of b-value before and after major earthquakes exhibits a common trend of decreasing before earthquakes, and increasing after earthquakes, which may reflect the stress accumulation and release during earthquakes. Combining the results of maximum shear strain rate and b-value, we identify five regions characterized by low b-value and high shear strain rate, indicating a higher potential seismic hazard in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This ethnographic article focuses on the performance of Alce Lhamo (Sister Goddess) in Lithang, a Tibetan town on the western tip of Sichuan Province in China. It explores the linkages between local ways of residing in the world, the cosmological universe, and cosmopolitan centers. With an analysis of the two local Sister Goddess troupes and their competing claims to authority and authenticity, interactions with the local government, manipulation of state policies, and engagement with the global world, it sheds light on how people incorporate merit, karma, profit, power, the state, and the market in their vision of the good life, and how aspirations to the good life extend beyond the local and the social to include the cosmopolitan and cosmological scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]