This paper describes the first implementation of the d x=3.25 km version of the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) global atmosphere model and its behavior in a 40 day prescribed-sea-surface-temperature simulation (Jan 20-Feb 28, 2020). This simulation was performed as part of the DYnamics of the Atmospheric general circulation Modeled On Non-hydrostatic Domains (DYAMOND) phase 2 model intercomparison. Effective resolution is found to be $\sim 6x the horizontal grid resolution despite using a coarser grid for physical parameterizations. Despite this new model being in an immature and untuned state, moving to 3.25 km grid spacing solves several long-standing problems with the E3SM model. In particular, Amazon precipitation is much more realistic, the frequency of light and heavy precipitation is improved, agreement between the simulated and observed diurnal cycle of tropical precipitation is excellent, and the vertical structure of tropical convection and coastal stratocumulus look good. In addition, the new model is able to capture the frequency and structure of important weather events (e.g. hurricanes, midlatitude storms including atmospheric rivers, and cold air outbreaks). Interestingly, this model does not get rid of the erroneous southern branch of the intertropical convergence zone nor the tendency for strongest convection to occur over the Maritime Continent rather than the West Pacific, both of which are classic climate model biases. Several other problems with the simulation are identified, underscoring the fact that this model is a work in progress.

Heat stress alters photosynthetic components and antioxidant scavenging system, negatively affecting plant growth and development. Plants overcome heat stress damage through an integrated network involving enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. The aim of the study was to assess physiological and biochemical responses in contrasting thermotolerant wheat varieties exposed to 25°C (control) and 35°C (heat stress), during seedling stage. Our results revealed a substantial decrease in the photosynthetic pigments, carotenoids, anthocyanin content, and increased membrane injury index, malondialdehyde, lipoxygenase, methylglyoxal and H2O2 contents compared to non-stress wheat seedlings. Comparatively the heat tolerant variety BG26 maintained a high level of stability compared to the heat susceptible variety Pavon, perpetuated by higher accumulation of proline, glycine betaine, ascorbate-glutathione cycle associated enzymes, reduced glutathione and ascorbate contents. In addition, significantly lower MG detoxification and activities of antioxidant system and ascorbate-glutathione cycle related enzymatic activities lead to increased susceptibility in Pavon. Hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis revealed BG26 possessing a combination of biochemical responses that induced higher level of tolerance. Taken together, our results provide a reference for utilizing BG26 and Pavon as highly contrasting heat-responsive varieties for comparative genomics and translational research to unravel underlying mechanisms to better adapt wheat to heat stress.