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Supply chain learning (SCL), which is reflected in organizational learning, referring to the learning between organizations in the supply chain, carries the promise to enable sustainable competitive advantages. Many large multinational companies, such as IKEA, Nestle, and Microsoft, have therefore integrated supply chain knowledge management and continuous learning into their corporate strategies. While there is evidence in extant research about a positive correlation between both the subjective attitude and learning ability of supply chain members and their performance improvement, areas where insight is still missing pertain to the relationship between supply chain members' subjective psychological factors, and their relationship network structures. This is a serious omission, since these dimensions likely play a key role in the dynamics underlying SCL. In order to alleviate this void, we consider a multi-tier SCL network and develop a model in which a supply chain member's attraction is weighted based on its previous learning experience. The game mechanism underlying SCL captured in this experience-weighted attraction (EWA) model is then tested using a simulation study of IKEA China's multi-tier supply chain network for its sustainable cotton initiative. The results suggest that learning costs can be reduced and learning spillover befits can be increased by the provision of rewards to network member companies and better communication. In addition, the perception of and preference for SCL by suppliers can be influenced by initiating sustainable advocacy and providing knowledge and technology training, as well as fostering a range of subjective factors we investigate in our study, such as the strategic attractiveness the decline ratio due to forgetting, the attractiveness improvement ratio due to preferences, and the response sensitivity to strategies. The findings offer insight into the influence mechanisms of the supply chain network structure and subjective attitude about SCL, which are especially applicable to large, multinational enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastics are an important basic material for national economic development. In the post-COVID-19 stage, green supply chain management has attracted widespread attention. In order to achieve carbon neutrality in the plastics industry, we explored the drivers of supply chain decarbonization in the plastics industry from a microlevel corporate supply chain perspective. Four primary factors and 21 subfactors were identified from the existing literature, and after validation by 12 experts, the causal relationships between the factors were analyzed using the Gray-DEMATEL method. The Gray-DEMATEL method was applied to analyze the causal relationships between the factors. The findings show that joint promotion by stakeholders is the most significant cause driver and market impact is the most prominent driver in the first-level indicator, both of which have a significant impact on low-carbon production. "Process optimization", "Top-management support", "Government regulations and support", and "Information disclosure" are the most significant cause secondary drivers under the corresponding Tier 1 indicator factors, respectively, to provide realistic guidance for companies engaged in the plastics industry to continue to develop a low-carbon circular economy to achieve net-zero emissions under the challenges of COVID-19. Therefore, companies need to focus on the drivers of most importance in this work and understand the interplay between factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermo-sensitive cytoplasmic male sterility (TCMS) plays a crucial role in hybrid production and hybrid breeding; however, there are few studies on molecular mechanisms related to anther abortion in the wheat TCMS line. In this study, FA99, a new wheat thermo-sensitive cytoplasmic male sterility line, was investigated. Fertility conversion analysis showed that FA99 was mainly controlled by temperature, and the temperature-sensitive stage was pollen mother cell formation to a uninucleate stage. Further phenotypic identification and paraffin section showed that FA99 was characterized by indehiscent anthers and aborted pollen in a sterile environment and tapetum was degraded prematurely during the tetrad period, which was the critical abortion period of FA99. The contents of O2−, H2O2, MDA and POD were significantly changed in FA99 under a sterile environment by the determination of physiological indexes. Furthermore, through transcriptome analysis, 252 differentially expressed genes were identified, including 218 downregulated and 34 upregulated genes. Based on KOG function classification, GO enrichment and KEGG pathways analysis, it was evident that significant transcriptomic changes in FA99 under different fertility environments, and the major differences were "phenylalanine metabolism", "phenylpropanoid biosynthesis", "cutin, suberine and wax biosynthesis", "phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis" and "citrate cycle (TCA cycle)". Finally, we proposed an intriguing transcriptome-mediated pollen abortion and male sterility network for FA99. These findings provided data on the molecular mechanism of fertility conversion in thermo-sensitive cytoplasmic male sterility wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to understand the source of China's global influence, the key sectors and important connections in China's economic and trade networks should be identified. Based on China's 2002–2018 input–output data, this study uses the entropy weight method to determine weights, and then combines the social network analysis method in order to construct a comprehensive index system for industry status evaluation. Research results indicate that the high-risk financial industry occupies the top position among all industries. Additionally, resource-consuming industries represented by the coal mining industry and highly polluting industries still occupy an important position in China's economy. Machinery, electronics manufacturing, and other real industries show increasing value-added products, steadily improving technology intensity, and continue to climb the industrial value chain. The conclusions of this study provide a comprehensive and detailed industrial understanding of the formulation of comprehensive and systematic national economic strategies as well as targeted industrial policies to achieve sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change threatens major global crops including wheat of subtropical regions, especially during critical developmental stages. To address this concern, researchers try to identify exotic genetic diversity with pronounced stress tolerance or avoidance or find improved genotypes with optimal sowing time. Current research evaluated seven exotic Chinese wheat genotypes (MY4094, MY1617, MY1416, MY2914, MY1501, MY1419, and MY902) for yield and associated characters along with a local check variety (PS-15) under optimal (1st November), moderate (16th November), and late sowing times (1st December) during both years. The result revealed that delayed sowing reduced yield and yield components of the tested genotypes, including the local check. Genotype MY1617 performed best under optimal sowing in terms of grain yield and yield attributes, with a 5% increase over the local check. MY902 had the highest seed yield among late-sown genotypes. Correlation analysis showed that grain yield was positively correlated with grains per spike, days to anthesis, booting, and heading. The current study provides important information for wheat breeders to exploit exotic genetic materials under a diverse sowing window and develop genotypes with improved traits that may boost wheat growers' production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature-sensitive genic male sterile (TGMS) line Beijing Sterility 366 (BS366) has been utilized in hybrid breeding for a long time, but the molecular mechanism underlying male sterility remains unclear. Expression arrays, small RNA, and degradome sequencing were used in this study to explore the potential role of miRNA in the cold-induced male sterility of BS366. Microspore observation showed defective cell plates in dyads and tetrads and shrunken microspores at the vacuolated stage. Differential regulation of Golgi vesicle transport, phragmoplast formation, sporopollenin biosynthesis, pollen exine formation, and lipid metabolism were observed between cold and control conditions. Pollen development was significantly represented in the 352 antagonistic miRNA-target pairs in the integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA profiles. The specific cleavage of ARF17 and TIR1 by miR160 and miR393 were found in the cold-treated BS366 degradome, respectively. Thus, the cold-mediated miRNAs impaired cell plate formation through repression of Golgi vesicle transport and phragmoplast formation. The repressed expression of ARF17 and TIR1 impaired pollen exine formation. The results of this study will contribute to our understanding of the roles of miRNAs in male sterility in wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anther dehiscence is an important process to release pollen and then is a critical event in pollination. In the wheat photo-thermo-sensitive genic male sterility (PTGMS) line, pollen cannot release from anther since the anther cannot dehisce during anther dehiscence stage in a sterile condition. In this study, we carried out RNA-sequencing to analyze the transcriptome of one wheat PTGMS line BS366 during anther dehiscence under fertile and sterile conditions to explore the mechanism. We identified 6306 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and KEGG analysis showed that DEGs were mainly related to "hormone signal transduction pathway" and "starch and sucrose metabolism". We identified 35 and 23 DEGs related hormone signal transduction and sucrose metabolism, respectively. Compared with conventional wheat Jing411, there were some changes in the contents of hormones, including JA, IAA, BR, ABA and GA3, and sucrose, during three anther dehiscence stages in the sterile condition in BS366. We performed qRT-PCR to verify the expression levels of some critical DEGs of the hormone signaling pathway and the starch and sucrose metabolism pathway. The results showed disparate expression patterns of the critical DEGs of the hormone signaling pathway and the starch and sucrose metabolism pathway in different conditions, suggesting these genes may be involved in the regulation of the anther dehiscence in BS366. Finally, we conducted a hypothesis model to reveal the regulation pathway of hormones and sucrose on anther dehiscence. The information provided new clues to the molecular mechanisms of anther dehiscence in wheat and improved wheat hybrid breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycoside hydrolase family 9 (GH9) is a key member of the hydrolase family in the process of cellulose synthesis and hydrolysis, playing important roles in plant growth and development. In this study, we investigated the phenotypic characteristics and gene expression involved in pollen fertility conversion and anther dehiscence from a genomewide level. In total, 74 wheat GH9 genes (TaGH9s) were identified, which were classified into Class A, Class B and Class C and unevenly distributed on chromosomes. We also investigated the gene duplication and reveled that fragments and tandem repeats contributed to the amplification of TaGH9s. TaGH9s had abundant hormone-responsive elements and light-responsive elements, involving JA–ABA crosstalk to regulate anther development. Ten TaGH9s, which highly expressed stamen tissue, were selected to further validate their function in pollen fertility conversion and anther dehiscence. Based on the cell phenotype and the results of the scanning electron microscope at the anther dehiscence period, we found that seven TaGH9s may target miRNAs, including some known miRNAs (miR164 and miR398), regulate the level of cellulose by light and phytohormone and play important roles in pollen fertility and anther dehiscence. Finally, we proposed a hypothesis model to reveal the regulation pathway of TaGH9 on fertility conversion and anther dehiscence. Our study provides valuable insights into the GH9 family in explaining the male sterility mechanism of the wheat photo-thermo-sensitive genetic male sterile (PTGMS) line and generates useful male sterile resources for improving wheat hybrid breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To combat global warming, "carbon neutrality" has gradually become a consensus. Some countries have constructed domestic and regional carbon trading markets, and links to global carbon markets are receiving increasing attention. Blue carbon, an important component of nature-based solutions (NbS), has not received the attention it deserves and is still isolated from the carbon trading market. Based on summarizing the existing achievements of blockchain application in carbon trading, this paper analyzes how to make each participating body provide services in the process of blue carbon production, circulation and trading, and designs the architectural diagram of the blue carbon system under peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions based on the theoretical framework of blockchain 3.0. Utilizing the advantages of decentralization, high transparency and non-tamperability of blockchain, we can realize a highly efficient, low-cost and intelligent blue carbon trading management system. Thus, we can make the world pay more attention to the development and utilization of marine resources and increase investment in blue carbon sink projects; and promote the development of blue carbon market, enrich the carbon trading market, and help achieve "emission reduction without reduction in production". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The calmodulin-binding transcription activator (CAMTA) is a Ca2+/CaM-mediated transcription factor (TF) that modulates plant stress responses and development. Although the investigations of CAMTAs in various organisms revealed a broad range of functions from sensory mechanisms to physiological activities in crops, little is known about the CAMTA family in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Here, we systematically analyzed phylogeny, gene expansion, conserved motifs, gene structure, cis-elements, chromosomal localization, and expression patterns of CAMTA genes in wheat. We described and confirmed, via molecular evolution and functional verification analyses, two new members of the family, TaCAMTA5-B.1 and TaCAMTA5-B.2. In addition, we determined that the expression of most TaCAMTA genes responded to several abiotic stresses (drought, salt, heat, and cold) and ABA during the seedling stage, but it was mainly induced by drought stress. Our study provides considerable information about the changes in gene expression in wheat under stress, notably that drought stress-related gene expression in TaCAMTA1b-B.1 transgenic lines was significantly upregulated under drought stress. In addition to providing a comprehensive view of CAMTA genes in wheat, our results indicate that TaCAMTA1b-B.1 has a potential role in the drought stress response induced by a water deficit at the seedling stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's waste plastic ban has sparked a discussion about how the global plastic waste trade (GPWT) will develop in the future. To answer this question, this article uses the link forecasting and QAP method to predict and analyze the possible development trend of the GPWT in the future. The research results show that GPWT has certain stability and sustainability; although plastic waste trade has narrowed under the ban, it still has the potential trend of reconnecting the same type of links. Specifically, from a regional perspective, the future trade of new plastic waste trade will be dominated by cross-regional trade. Plastic waste may continue to flow to countries in the Asian–Pacific, Middle East, and African regions, while European countries will strengthen the internal recycling and processing of plastic waste. From the perspective of the national income level, the establishment of the new relationship will show an evolutionary trend in which high-income countries are dominated and the scale of trade between non-high-income countries expands. In addition, the differences in the level of economic development, liner transport connectivity, and the proportion of mismanagement of plastic waste among countries has a positive effect on the establishment of a new relationship in the GPWT, while tariff rates have an inhibitory effect. In general, the GPWT will still exist in the future, which requires the international community to guide the GPWT to promote the recycling and reuse of plastic waste in a real sense and adjust the unreasonable trade model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocean pollution and global warming are two pressing environmental problems exacerbated by human economic behavior. Building a blue carbon cooperation platform along the Maritime Silk Road (MSR) to promote sustainable development of countries along the route is of practical value to solving these two problems. Based on the analysis and review of the latest research on blue carbon, cooperative game and MSR, Weber's law and regret theory are introduced to establish an economic model of blue carbon international cooperation, which proves the economic feasibility of blue carbon cooperation along MSR. The influence of psychological factors on the decision making of blue carbon international cooperation is also discussed. In addition, the measures to promote international cooperation are also discussed according to the current situation of marine blue carbon resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the background of COVID-19, the conditions and environment of international cooperation in Arctic sustainable fisheries have changed. Accurately predicting the impact of environmental changes on the evolution of Arctic fishery cooperation, identifying its key influencing elements, and formulating appropriate corresponding measures have practical value for the sustainable development of Arctic fisheries. Based on the collection of fisheries trade data in Arctic sustainable fisheries trade cooperation countries, this paper builds a trade cooperation network, identifies key influencing factors, establishes a network game model, and uses simulation methods to verify the variables. The results show that the reward value given by neighboring countries has a positive effect on such cooperation. The higher the reward value is, the more countries choose to cooperate. The cooperation cost has the opposite effect, the lower the cost, the more countries choose to cooperate. The impact of cost on cooperation is greater than the incentives. The game structure also affects the outcome of cooperation, and the number of countries participating in cooperation based on the Stag Hunt Model is the largest. The change of network structure will have an impact on cooperation, and the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced cooperation on Arctic sustainable fisheries trade cooperation in the short term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine plastic waste, global warming, and ozone holes have become global environmental problems that need to be resolved urgently. With the promulgation of plastic bans in many countries, the global plastic waste trade will undergo tremendous change. In order to explore the future evolutionary trend of the global plastic waste trade network, this paper focuses on the analysis of the import and export of plastic waste from major trading countries around the world. Based on the bilateral trade volume of plastic waste from 1990 to 2019, a global plastic waste trade network is constructed, and the structure and characteristics of the network are studied. The results show that the global plastic waste trade network has shifted its center of gravity, and the import center has gradually shifted from China to Southeast Asia. The global plastic waste trade network presents a sparse state. Moreover, the dependence of related countries on plastic waste trade decreases, whilst the closeness of trade links also decreases. Sudden factors such as plastic waste import bans have a disruptive impact on plastic waste management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces the asymmetric Quantal Response Equilibria (QRE) network game model to explain the influencing factors on the cooperative behavior of "The Belt and Road" countries. The findings suggest that the belief in the sensitivity to own payoff and counterparts, the reward for cooperation by neighbor nodes, the trade facilitation index, and the reduction rate of tariffs were incorporated to have a significant impact on the Belt and Road cooperation. Our findings provide important policy references to the belt and road countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blue carbon cooperation is a joint effort of the countries along the Maritime Silk Road (MSR) to utilize marine activities and organisms to absorb and store carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, an initiative that has great strategic value for coping with the most important environmental problems in the 21st century and promoting the building of a community with shared aspirations for mankind's future. This research combines the decision-making structure model with the reality of the blue carbon cooperation game of the MSR to make conditional assumptions and carry out model construction. It uses the simulation method to test the influencing factors such as decision-maker type, initial input cost, continuous input maintenance cost, rate of return, carbon tax rate and others. The results suggest that initial and continuous input costs, returns, and neighbor subsidies have positive impacts on blue carbon cooperation, while carbon tax rates and income discount rates have negative impacts on blue carbon cooperation. To promote blue carbon cooperation along the MSR, emphasis should be placed on the design of incentive and subsidy mechanisms, together with the appropriate punishment mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]