Using a sample of province-level panel data, this paper investigates the Granger causality associations among economic growth (GDP), foreign direct investment (FDI) and CO 2 emissions in China. By applying the bootstrap Granger panel causality approach (Kónya, 2006), we consider both cross-sectional dependence and homogeneity of different regions in China. The empirical results support that the causality direction not only works in a single direction either from GDP to FDI (in Yunnan) or from FDI to GDP (in Beijing, Neimenggu, Jilin, Shanxi and Gansu), but it also works in both directions (in Henan). Moreover, we document that GDP is Granger-causing CO 2 emissions in Neimenggu, Hubei, Guangxi and Gansu while there is bidirectional causality between these two variables in Shanxi. In the end, we identify the unidirectional causality from FDI to CO 2 emissions in Beijing, Henan, Guizhou and Shanxi, and the bidirectional causality between FDI and CO 2 emissions in Neimenggu.

Single molecule, real-time (SMRT) sequencing was used to characterize mitochondrial (mt) genome of Ophiocordyceps sinensis and to analyze the mt genome-wide pattern of epigenetic DNA modification. The complete mt genome of O. sinensis, with a size of 157,539 bp, is the fourth largest Ascomycota mt genome sequenced to date. It contained 14 conserved protein-coding genes (PCGs), 1 intronic protein rps3, 27 tRNAs and 2 rRNA subunits, which are common characteristics of the known mt genomes in Hypocreales. A phylogenetic tree inferred from 14 PCGs in Pezizomycotina fungi supports O. sinensis as most closely related to Hirsutella rhossiliensis in Ophiocordycipitaceae. A total of 36 sequence sites in rps3 were under positive selection, with dN/dS >1 in the 20 compared fungi. Among them, 16 sites were statistically significant. In addition, the mt genome-wide base modification pattern of O. sinensis was determined in this study, especially DNA methylation. The methylations were located in coding and uncoding regions of mt PCGs in O. sinensis, and might be closely related to the expression of PCGs or the binding affinity of transcription factor A to mtDNA. Consequently, these methylations may affect the enzymatic activity of oxidative phosphorylation and then the mt respiratory rate; or they may influence mt biogenesis. Therefore, methylations in the mitogenome of O. sinensis might be a genetic feature to adapt to the cold and low PO2 environment at high altitude, where O. sinensis is endemic. This is the first report on epigenetic modifications in a fungal mt genome.

Late‐season rice, a major contributor to the production of high‐quality rice in China, often experiences low temperatures during the flowering period. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of low temperature stress on grain quality and to identify related physiological factors in late‐season rice. Sink and source characteristics and grain quality traits of two high‐quality late‐season rice cultivars were compared between a year in which low temperatures occurred during the flowering period (2020) and a normal year (2019) under field conditions. Low temperatures during the flowering period in 2020 resulted in a reduction in spikelet filling and consequent increases in source–sink ratios and grain weight and N content compared to 2019. The head rice rate and protein content of the milled rice were increased in 2020 compared to 2019. Starch gel consistency and peak, trough, breakdown, final, and consistency viscosities were reduced while setback viscosity, paste temperature, and texture properties (hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, resilience, and chewiness) were increased for milled rice (or milled rice flour or cooked milled rice) in 2020 compared to 2019. The glucose production rate and total glucose production from in vitro digestion of cooked milled rice was reduced in 2020 compared to 2019. The results of this study suggest that low temperature stress during the flowering period can improve milling, nutritional, and health qualities but reduce the cooking and eating quality in late‐season rice by altering the source–sink relationship.

No abstract

No abstract