Microplastics (MPs), as new pollutants in agroecosystems, have already attracted widespread attention from scientists. However, our understanding of MP geographic distribution and its influencing factors across spatial scales remains poor. Here, a regional-scale field investigation was conducted to assess the distribution characteristic of MPs in five major rice-growing regions of China, and we explored the roles of biological and abiotic factors, especially stoichiometry and microbial influences on MP distribution. MPs were observed in all sampling sites, averaging 6,390 ± 2,031 items⋅kg-1. Sizes less than 0.5 mm and black and transparent MPs dominated. Fiber, classified as one of the MP shapes, occurred most frequently. MP community analysis, firstly used in paddy soil, revealed more black MPs abundance in Henan (HE), more rayon, blue, and other colors MPs in Hunan (HN), more transparent MPs in Tianjing (TJ), and more PE MPs in Heilongjiang (DB). Higher MP community diversity was found in most south paddy soils of this study, due to a broader range of sources. C/N showed a positive relationship with pellet-shaped MP abundance and MPs of size between 2 and 5 mm (P < 0.05). Chao1 index of soil microbial communities was positively correlated with the MP abundance, MPs of size less than 0.5 mm, and fiber abundance. The minimum temperature was positively correlated with MP abundance (P < 0.05), implying the potential effects of the freeze-thaw process might exist. The regression analysis highlighted the important role of population quantity in determining MP abundance (R = 0.421, P = 0.02). This study confirmed the wide distribution of MPs in different soil depths of paddy lands in China and demonstrated that its distribution was influenced by population quantity and environmental variables, such as microbiology. These findings could provide a basis for the toxicological behavior of MPs and the potential risk to human health.
Surface functional groups and the resultant changes in adsorption performance can be changed by long-term effects on pyrogenic organic matters with TBBPA, causing impacts to native vegetations.
This paper analyzed technical barriers for China's exports, from the perspective of different types of technical barriers, in different industries and in different countries, and examined the impact and coping strategy of technical barriers.Agricultural export from China encountered technical barriers for the reason of food security, based on SPS and regulation of import countries.Strategic industry encountered intellectual property barriers.Manufacturing exports is under scrutiny for personal and health safety.In European Union, RAPEX and RASFF hold higher standards than other regions.In the United States, FDA warned against certain food products, medical supplies and clinical appliances exported from China; CPSC recalled Chinese products for product quality and safety; 337 investigations emphasized on infringement of patent rights.Japan and other developed countries also recalled or notified warnings against manufacturing goods for safety and food products for pollution.With its discrimination feature, the negative impact of technical barriers could lead to distortion of trade and welfare, and impair economic growth in the long run.Coping strategies, such as warning system, legal expertise and technical support, cooperation amongst trade partners, could help mitigate technical barriers and facilitate international trade.
This paper analyzes the impact increased offshoring has on labor income risk. It is therefore distinct from a large number of studies explaining the level effects of globalization on the labor market in that it takes a look at effects on second moments, i.e. the variance of incomes. It provides an assessment that directly connects labor income risk and offshoring trends at the sector level. Importantly, we distinguish between transitory and permanent shocks to individual income. Permanent income risk is defined as variance of shocks to income that do not fade out over time and are assumed to be not self-insurable. It thus has a particular relevance for individual welfare. Our findings suggest that offshoring tends to lower permanent income risk. This effect is particularly strong for offshoring to low-income destinations. Hence, there could be potential welfare gains when domestic firms increasingly offshore production to foreign countries.
Independent intellectual property rights and famous brands of national enterprises not only affect their business survival and development, but also affect the whole country's economic and growth. At present, the development of China's independent intellectual property rights and well-known brands is still very weak. That is not commensurate to China's status in world trade. This paper focus on the analysis of status, quo problems and reasons of China's automobile enterprises' independent intellectual property rights, and proposes some countermeasures.
This paper analyses how increased offshoring impacts on labor income risk. It is therefore distinct from a large number of studies explaining the level effects of globalization on the labor market in that it takes a look at effects on the variability of incomes. It provides an assessment that directly connects labor income risk and offshoring trends in a panel setting at the industry level. Importantly, we distinguish between transitory and permanent shocks to individual income. Permanent income risk is defined as variance of shocks to income that do not fade out over time. Contrary to transitory short-term fluctuations, it is furthermore assumed to be uninsurable. It thus has a particular relevance for individual welfare. Our findings suggest that offshoring tends to lower permanent income risk. This effect is particularly strong for offshoring to low-income destinations. Hence, there could be potential aggregate welfare gains when domestic firms increasingly offshore production to foreign countries.