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Biomass partitioning has been explored across various biomes. However, the strategies of allocation in plants still remain contentious. This study investigated allocation patterns of above- and belowground biomass at the community level, using biomass survey from the Tibetan Plateau. We explored above- and belowground biomass by conducting three consecutive sampling campaigns across shrub biomes on the northeast Tibetan Plateau during 2011-2013. We then documented the above-ground biomass (AGB), below-ground biomass (BGB) and root: shoot ratio (R/S) and the relationships between R/S and environment factors using data from 201 plots surveyed from 67 sites. We further examined relationships between above-ground and below-ground biomass across various shrub types. Our results indicated that the median values of AGB, BGB, and R/S in Tibetan shrub were 1102.55, 874.91 g m-2, and 0.85, respectively. R/S showed significant trend with mean annual precipitation (MAP), while decreased with mean annual temperature (MAT). Reduced major axis analysis indicated that the slope of the log-log relationship between above- and belowground biomass revealed a significant difference from 1.0 over space, supporting the optimal hypothesis. Interestingly, the slopes of the allometric relationship between log AGB and log BGB differed significantly between alpine and desert shrub. Our findings supported the optimal theory of above- and belowground biomass partitioning in Tibetan shrub, while the isometric hypothesis for alpine shrub at the community level.
Though aboveground biomass (AGB) has an important contribution to the global carbon cycle, the information about storage and climatic effects of AGB is scare in Three-River Source Region (TRSR) shrub ecosystems. This study investigated AGB storage and its climatic controls in the TRSR alpine shrub ecosystems using data collected from 23 sites on the Tibetan Plateau from 2011 to 2013. We estimated the AGB storage (both shrub layer biomass and grass layer biomass) in the alpine shrubs as 37.49 Tg, with an average density of 1447.31 g m<sup>-2</sup>. Biomass was primarily accumulated in the shrub layer, which accounted for 92% of AGB, while the grass layer accounted for only 8%. AGB significantly increased with the mean annual temperature (<i>P</i> < 0.05). The effects of the mean annual precipitation on AGB were not significant. These results suggest that temperature, rather than precipitation, has significantly effects on of aboveground vegetation growth in the TRSR alpine shrub ecosystems. The actual and potential increase in AGB density was different due to global warming varies among different regions of the TRSR. We conclude that long-term monitoring of dynamic changes is necessary to improve the accuracy estimations of potential AGB carbon sequestration across the TRSR alpine shrub ecosystems.
This study using traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support software(TCMISS) to analyze the prescription rules of Tibetan medicine containing Terminalia chebula in the Encyclopedia of Chinese Medicine-Tibetan Medicine, Tibetan Medicine Composition Preparation of Modern Research and Clinical Application and Common Interpretation of Tibetan Medicine and so on. TCMISS(V2.5) was used to build a prescription database of Tibetan medicine containing T. chebula.The software statistical statement module, association rules and improved mutual information method and other data mining technologies were adopted to analyze the common herbs, combination rules and core combination of prescriptions containing T. chebula.Total 502 prescriptions containing T. chebula were analyzed and 14 common herbal combinations were summarized, whose ingredients mostly had the functions of clearing heat and detoxicating, promoting blood circulation and stopping pain, warming the middle-jiao and promoting the circulation of Qi. Prescriptions containing T. chebula were commonly used to treat 640 kinds of diseases, there are 22 kinds with high frequency(≥12) in which the representative "Tripa" disease, antiquated febrile symptoms, food poisoning had the highest frequency.T. chebula had different therapeutic effects through different compatibility.The complex composing and medication regularities of Tibetan medicine containing T. chebula have been clarified by TCMISS. That will provide reference for the clinical application of T. chebula and the new development.
A new RP-HPLC method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 5 active constituents, including loganic acid, swertiamarin, gentiopicroside, sweroside, isoorientin in aerial part of Gentiana straminea. Analysis was achieved on a Hypersil ODS analytical column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) eluted with methanol and water containing 0.02% phosphoric acid in gradient elution. The flow rate was 1 mL x min(-1), the column temperature was set at 35 degrees C and detection wavelength was set at 254 nm. The results showed that 5 active components were separated well and showed good linearity. The corelation coefficints and concentration ranges of the calibration curves were as follow: r = 0.999 9, 0.364-2.18 microg for loganic acid. r = 0.999 9, 0.275-1.65 (microg for swertiamarin. r = 0.999 9, 0.614-3.68 microg for gentiopicroside. r = 0.999 9, 0.065 6-0.394 microg for sweroside. r = 0.999 9, 0.089 9-0.539 microg for isoorientin. The contents of loganic acid and gentiopicroside far exceed that of the other 3 active components, and made up 60% in the total contents. The developed method was proved to be rapid, sensitive, accurate, credible and repeatable. It can be applied to quality control of aerial part of Tibetan medicine Gentiana straminea.
Soil respiration (Rs) is an important source of atmospheric CO2 flux and is sensitive to changes in soil nutrient and water contents. Despite extensive studies on the effects of enhanced atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition and changes in precipitation (P) on Rs, few studies have taken into account the effects of interactions between these factors on Rs of alpine grasslands. To address these questions, we investigated the effects of N addition (10 g N m-2 yr-1), changes in precipitation (±50% precipitation), and their interaction on soil respiration and its components, including heterotrophic respiration (Rh) and autotrophic respiration (Ra),in a Tibetan alpine steppe during three consecutive growing seasons. We found that Rs differed in its response to N addition and precipitation regimes. Specifically, decreased precipitation led to a significant reduction in Rs during the last two years, whereas N addition minimally impacted Rs. Another important finding was that soil respiration components differed in their response to N addition and precipitation regimes. Nitrogen addition significantly enhanced Ra, whereas Rh was not altered in response to N addition. By contrast, the precipitation regime led to marked changes in Rh, but exhibited marginally significant effects on Ra. Therefore, our findings highlighted that soil respiration differed in its response to N addition and precipitation regimes mainly due to the different responses of soil respiration components to these factors. Therefore, carbon dynamics should take soil respiration components into account under global change scenarios.
Although large amounts of soil organic carbon (SOC) stored in the shrublands, information about SOC storage was little on the Tibetan Plateau. This study aims to evaluate the spatial patterns and storage of SOC in the shrublands and the relationships of climatic variables and soil pH on the Tibetan Plateau.<br>We used 177 profiles of soil samples obtained from 59 shrubland sites on the northeast Tibetan Plateau from 2011 to 2013. Ordinary least squares regressions, curve estimation, and multiple linear regressions were used to evaluate controlling factors on SOC stock. Kriging interpolation was used to upscale sit-level measurements to the whole study area.<br>We found that SOC storage in the northeast Tibetan shrublands was 1.36 Pg C in the top 1 m with an average SOC stock of 12.38 kg m<sup>−2</sup>. SOC stock decreased from east to west and south to north but generally increased significantly with the mean annual temperature (MAT) and the mean annual precipitation (MAP), and tended to decrease with soil pH. Although similar relationships were also observed in alpine shrublands, the trends among SOC stock, MAP, and MAT were not observed in desert shrublands. Our results indicate that a reduction in soil pH accelerates the C sequestration potential. Furthermore, global warming contributed to C sequestration in alpine shrublands, specifically, SOC stock increased 8.44 kg m<sup>−2</sup> with an increased unit of MAT in alpine shrublands just considering temperature effects. Meanwhile, the C sequestration was different among different regions due to the uneven increases in precipitation. However, in desert shrublands, MAP and MAT did not significantly affect SOC stock.<br>The results indicate that though a reduction in soil pH could contribute to C sequestration, MAT and MAP have different effects on SOC stock in different Tibetan Plateau shrublands. Increased MAT and MAP were 0.05 °C and 1.67 mm every year on the Tibetan Plateau, which will increase C sequestration in alpine shrublands, but might have limited impacts on desert shrublands, which help us comprehend soil C cycling in the global climate change scenario.
Background Rheum tanguticum Maxim. ex Balf is one of the plants generically known as rhubarb, a culinary vegetable that has long been used as a herbal remedy both in China and Europe. Increasing demand for rhubarb has triggered the overexploitation of Rh. tanguticum. Cultivation is therefore necessary for quality control and protection of wild resources. Nitrogen fertilizer plays an important role in cultivation. This study aimed to explore how nitrogen fertilizer affects the growth and quality of rhubarb on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. Results Nitrogen fertilizer promoted growth but had no significant influence on the active compounds of Rh. tanguticum. Generally, the N2 (150 kg ha(-1)) and N3 (225 kg ha(-1)) levels showed the most improved growth indexes, with no significant differences between them. The growth index and the amounts of eight of the nine studied active compounds in Rh. tanguticum increased from each year to the next and differed among growth stages. The contents of the active compounds were higher at the green stage and lower at the growth stage, which was opposite to the seasonal trends in root dry matter ratio. Gallic acid levels decreased with the growth of the plant. Conclusion The N2 level (150 kg ha(-1)) was the recommended nitrogen fertilizer level in this study. It was revealed that seasonal changes rather than nitrogen fertilizer influenced active compounds in the root of Rh. tanguticum. (c) 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
We examined self-esteem as a mediator of the relationship between mindfulness and social anxiety in a Chinese cultural context. Participants comprised 508 Chinese undergraduate students, who completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Interaction Anxiousness Scale. Results showed that social anxiety was negatively correlated with mindfulness and self-esteem, and that mindfulness was positively correlated with self-esteem. Mediation analysis revealed that self-esteem partially mediated the association between mindfulness and social anxiety. Thus, we suggest that mindfulness decreases social anxiety because high mindfulness fosters high self-esteem. Mindfulness practice, for example, meditation, can be used as a preventive therapy to help Chinese adults to reduce their social anxiety, and can also enhance the self-esteem of socially anxious Chinese adults.
Alpine shrubland ecosystems in the Three Rivers Source Region (TRSR) store substantial soil organic carbon (SOC), but the storage, patterns and control of SOC in those ecosystems have rarely been investigated. In this study, using data from 66 soil profiles surveyed from 22 sites between 2011 and 2013, we estimated the storage and patterns of SOC, and their relationships with climatic factors, elevation, ground cover and slope. Our results showed that SOC storage in the top 100 cm across the TRSR shrubland was 0.68 ± 0.38 Pg C, with an average SOC density (soil carbon storage per area) of 26.21 ± 14.58 kg m−2. Spatially, SOC density increased with longitude and latitude. Vertically, SOC in the topsoil at 30 cm and 50 cm accounted for 56% and 75%, respectively, of the total at 100 cm. SOC density showed a decreasing trend with increasing elevation, but it was greater in regions of higher ground cover. The density had no relationship with either mean annual precipitation or slope. Increasing mean annual temperature had positive effects on SOC density, which is inconsistent with the global trend. With increasing soil depth, however, the effects of temperature on SOC density were not significant. Therefore, in a global warming scenario, increasing temperature gives shrubland considerable C sink potential on the topsoil, and the regions of C sequestration differ as a result of uneven increases in temperature. Hence, further monitoring of dynamic changes is necessary to provide a more accurate assessment of potential C sequestration in TRSR shrubland.<br>• Storage and patterns of SOC were investigated in the TRSR shrubland. • SOC has no relationship with both precipitation and slope. • SOC was decreasing with elevation, but larger with both ground cover and temperature.
Traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support system (TCMISS, V2.5) was used in this study to analyze the common medicines, frequency of medicine combination, core herbal combinations and new prescriptions for the treatment of plateau disease from the Four-Volume Medical Code, Mannose Herbal Mirror and other related books. TCMISS V2.5 software was used to construct the database of drug treatment for plateau disease. The frequency analysis and association rules apriori algorithm, improved mutual information method and other data mining methods were used to explore the law of drug compatibility. After the analysis of 531 prescriptions for plateau disease, 20 common symptoms of plateau disease were summarized such as insomnia and tinnitus. There were 539 kinds of herbs in the plateau disease prescriptions, including 33 kinds of herbs whose medicinal frequency>=50, such as Terminalia chebula and Myristica fragrans, and T. chebula had the highest medicinal frequency; 14 commonly used herbal combinations, and "Aucklandia lappa-T. chebula" had the highest frequency; 13 core herbal combinations were obtained after entropy clustering analysis, including 8 combinations of three herbs such as "Allium sativum-Carum carvi-Ferula sinkiangensis" and 5 combinations of four herbs such as "A. lappa-Aquilaria sinensis-Ewgewia caryophyllata-Myristica fragrans", and 5 new prescriptions such as "A. sativum-C. carvi-F. sinkiangensis-A. lappa-Choerospondia axillaris-A. sinensis-M. fragrans". The main symptom of "insomnia" was chosen to analyze the treatment of insomnia, and the core herbal combinations mainly including A. sinensis, T. chebula, and C. axillaris as well as the new prescriptions mainly containing Carthamus tinctorius, Meconopsis horridnla, and Punica granatum were obtained. The prescriptions for the treatment of plateau disease were clarified by TCM inheritance system, and the clinical prescription regularity and characteristics of the combination of common medicines were summarized, to provide reference and new ideas for its clinical application and development of new drug research.; Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.
India and China face the same challenge of having too few trained psychiatric personnel to manage effectively the substantial burden of mental illness within their population. At the same time, both countries have many practitioners of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine who are a potential resource for delivery of mental health care. In our paper, part of The Lancet and Lancet Psychiatry's Series about the China-India Mental Health Alliance, we describe and compare types of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine in India and China. Further, we provide a systematic overview of evidence assessing the effectiveness of these alternative approaches for mental illness and discuss challenges in research. We suggest how practitioners of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine and mental health professionals might forge collaborative relationships to provide more accessible, affordable, and acceptable mental health care in India and China. A substantial proportion of individuals with mental illness use traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine, either exclusively or with biomedicine, for reasons ranging from faith and cultural congruence to accessibility, cost, and belief that these approaches are safe. Systematic reviews of the effectiveness of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine find several approaches to be promising for treatment of mental illness, but most clinical trials included in these systematic reviews have methodological limitations. Contemporary methods to establish efficacy and safety-typically through randomised controlled trials-need to be complemented by other means. The community of practice built on collaborative relationships between practitioners of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine and providers of mental health care holds promise in bridging the treatment gap in mental health care in India and China.