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Copyright of Nachrichten aus der Chemie is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The prevalence and characteristics of household material hardship (HMH) in families of children with advanced cancer and its association with parent distress are unknown and herein described. Methods: Parents of children aged ≥2 years with advanced cancer at five cancer centers completed baseline surveys as part of the PediQUEST Response trial. HMH (housing, energy, and food) was operationalized as binary (≥1 HMH domains), ordinal (zero, one, or two or more HMH domains), and housing based (none, nonhousing [food and/or energy], only housing, or housing + other). Associations between HMH and parent distress measured by the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory–State and the 10‐item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale were estimated via linear models adjusting for confounders. Results: Among 150 parents, 41% reported ≥1 HMH (housing, 28% [only housing, 8%; housing + other, 20%]; energy, 19%; food, 27%). HMH was more prevalent among Hispanic, other non‐White race, Spanish‐speaking, and single parents and those with lower education (associate degree or less) or who were uninsured/Medicaid‐only insured. Parents endorsing HMH reported higher anxiety (mean difference [MD], 9.2 [95% CI, 3.7–14.7]) and depression (MD, 4.1 [95% CI, 1.7–6.5]) scores compared to those without HMH. Distress increased with the number of hardships, particularly housing insecurity. Specifically, parents experiencing housing hardship, alone or combined, reported higher distress (housing only: anxiety: MD, 10.2 [95% CI, 1.8–18.5]; depression: MD, 4.9 [95% CI, 1.3–8.6]; housing + other HMH: anxiety: MD, 12.0 [95% CI, 5.2–18.9]; depression: MD, 4.8 [95% CI, 1.8–7.8]). Conclusions: HMH is highly prevalent in pediatric advanced cancer, especially among historically marginalized families. Future research should investigate whether interventions targeting HMH, particularly housing stabilization efforts, can mitigate parent distress. Plain Language Summary: In our cohort of parents of children with advanced cancer, household material hardship (HMH) was highly prevalent and significantly associated with higher parent distress. Housing hardship was the primary driver of this association.Families of children with advanced cancer may benefit from systematic HMH screening as well as targeted HMH interventions, especially stabilizing housing. The prevalence and characteristics of household material hardship (HMH) in families of children with advanced cancer and its association with parent distress are unknown. This cross‐sectional analysis of 150 parents of children with advanced cancer with baseline data from a multisite parallel randomized controlled trial showed that HMH was highly prevalent and significantly associated with higher parent distress, and that housing hardship was the primary driver of this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nachrichten aus der Chemie is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Summary: Steroids are a mainstay in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in children and adolescents; however, their use can cause clinically significant steroid‐related neuropsychiatric symptoms (SRNS). As current knowledge on SRNS during ALL treatment is limited, we mapped the phenotypes, occurrence and treatment strategies using a database created by the international Ponte di Legno Neurotoxicity Working Group including data on toxicity in the central nervous system (CNS) in patients treated with frontline ALL protocols between 2000 and 2017. Ninety‐four of 1813 patients in the CNS toxicity database (5.2%) experienced clinically significant SRNS with two peaks: one during induction and one during intensification phase. Dexamethasone was implicated in 86% of SRNS episodes. The most common symptoms were psychosis (52%), agitation (44%) and aggression (31%). Pharmacological treatment, mainly antipsychotics and benzodiazepines, was given to 87% of patients while 38% were hospitalised due to their symptoms. Recurrence of symptoms was reported in 29% of patients and two previously healthy patients required ongoing pharmacological treatment at the last follow up. Awareness of SRNS during ALL treatment and recommendation on treatment strategies merit further studies and consensus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluate tropical cyclones (TCs) in a set of thermodynamic global warming (TGW) simulations over the continental United States (CONUS). A 12 km simulation forced by ERA5 provides a 40‐year historical (1980–2019) control. Four complimentary future scenarios are generated using thermodynamic deltas applied to lateral boundary, interior, and surface forcing. We curate a data set of 4,498 6‐hourly TC snapshots in the control and find a corresponding "twin" in each counterfactual, permitting a paired comparison. Warming results in an increase in mean dynamical TC intensity and moisture‐related quantities, with the latter being more pronounced. TC inner cores contract slightly but outer storm size remains unchanged. The frequency with which TCs become more intense is only moderately consistent, with snapshots having increased hazards ranging from 50% to 80% depending on warming level. The fractions of TCs undergoing rapid intensification and weakening both increase across all warming simulations, suggesting elevated short‐term intensity variability. Plain Language Summary: We examined how tropical cyclones (TCs) near the United States might change due to warmer climates. First, we recreated past weather conditions from 1980 to 2019 using a specialized climate model. Then, we predicted future changes in the same meteorology by modifying the model to include warmer temperatures and running four additional simulations. We tracked and analyzed over 4,000 instances of TCs from the past 40 years, ensuring that these TCs were all matched between all five simulations, and evaluated their changes under future warming conditions. Our findings suggest that TCs will become stronger on average as the world warms, with the most notable increases in TC moisture. Not every TC in our study becomes more intense with warming, however, highlighting the complexity of understanding how extreme weather will change in the future. We found that the chances of a TC rapidly intensifying or suddenly weakening both rise with higher levels of warming. These trends could complicate predictions of TC intensity in the future, presenting additional challenges for forecasting and preparation. Key Points: Thermodynamic global warming simulations provide a unique large‐sample size view into paired counterfactual tropical cyclones12 km simulations indicate future near‐United States cyclones will, on average, be wetter, slightly more intense, but similarly sizedPeriods of rapid intensification and weakening indicate increased tropical cyclone intensity variability in warmer climates [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetically encoded peptide libraries are at the forefront of de novo drug discovery. The RaPID (Random Nonstandard Peptides Integrated Discovery) platform stands out due to the unique combination of flexible in vitro translation (FIT) and mRNA display. This enables the incorporation of non‐canonical amino acids, improving chemical diversity and allowing macrocyclisation of the peptide library. The resulting constrained peptides are valued for their strong binding affinity and stability, especially in the context of protein‐protein interactions. In response to SARS‐CoV‐2, the causative agent of the COVID‐19 pandemic, the RaPID system proved valuable in identifying high‐affinity ligands of viral proteins. Among many peptide ligands of SARS‐CoV‐2 spike and main protease (Mpro), several macrocycles stand out for their exceptional binding affinities. Structural data showcases distinct binding modes in complex with the receptor‐binding domain (RBD) of the spike glycoprotein or the catalytic active site of Mpro. However, translating these in vitro findings into clinical applications remains challenging, especially due to insufficient cell permeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nachrichten aus der Chemie is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Biopolymers offer vast potential for renewable and sustainable devices. While nature mastered the use of biopolymers to create highly complex 3D structures and optimized their photonic response, artificially created structures still lack nature's diversity. To bridge this gap between natural and engineered biophotonic structures, fundamental questions such as the natural formation process and the interplay of structural order and disorder must be answered. Herein, biological photonic structures and their characterization techniques are reviewed, focusing on those structures not yet artificially manufactured. Then, employed and potential nanofabrication strategies for biomimetic, bio‐templated, and artificially created biopolymeric photonic structures are discussed. The discussion is extended to responsive biopolymer photonic structures and hybrid structures. Last, future fundamental physics, chemistry, and nanotechnology challenges related to biopolymer photonics are foreseen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural color originates from the interference of light with periodic structures that feature characteristic length scales on the order of the wavelength of visible light. Long‐range order in photonic structures usually causes iridescence, and increasing disorder renders colors angle‐independent. Random disorder distributes scattering intensity over all wavelengths, producing white in the absence of absorption. Various non‐iridescent, vivid color patterns are found in Sternotomini longhorn beetles. Herein, Sternotomis virescens is investigated, where elytral scales produce a green‐blue color pattern on otherwise black elytra. Combining focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB‐SEM) tomography, ultra‐small‐angle X‐ray scattering (USAXS), structural modeling, and full‐wave optical simulations, it is found that the color originates from amorphous photonic networks based on sub‐units resembling the I‐WP unit cell, a triply‐periodic minimal surface with body‐centered‐cubic symmetry. This work provides insights into how quasi‐order produces stable colors in S. virescens longhorn beetles, highlights the advantages of volumetric imaging using FIB‐SEM tomography of porous nanostructured materials, and raises interesting questions about the formation mechanisms of amorphous structures in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of novel antivirals is crucial not only for managing current COVID‐19 infections but for addressing potential future zoonotic outbreaks. SARS‐CoV‐2 main protease (Mpro) is vital for viral replication and viability and therefore serves as an attractive target for antiviral intervention. Herein, we report the optimization of a cyclic peptide inhibitor that emerged from an mRNA display selection against the SARS‐CoV‐2 Mpro to enhance its cell permeability and in vitro antiviral activity. By identifying mutation‐tolerant amino acid residues within the peptide sequence, we describe the development of a second‐generation Mpro inhibitor bearing five cyclohexylalanine residues. This cyclic peptide analogue exhibited significantly improved cell permeability and antiviral activity compared to the parent peptide. This approach highlights the importance of optimizing cyclic peptide hits for activity against intracellular targets such as the SARS‐CoV‐2 Mpro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calculations by aerospace and automotive engineers in the 1950s for industrial applications are usually viewed as the beginnings of the Finite Element Method (FEM). However, some of its basic ideas can already be found on earlier occasions. One of the examples already discussed in the literature is the treatment of the brachistochrone problem by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646–1716) in 1697, even if he did not rigorously prove his ideas there. The mathematics educator Karl Schellbach (1804–1892) appears to have provided the first proof for the brachistochrone problem using FEM‐like methods in an article of 1851. However, one has to look at the details: Schellbach certainly first solves some elementary problems of the calculus of variations in this article by discretizing the situation. But then he generalizes this method in order to derive the general Euler‐Lagrange equation. And only on the basis of this differential equation and by use of standard methods from differential calculus he deals with the problem of the brachistochrone. In the final sections of his article, Schellbach generalizes his method to higher dimensions, which makes his considerations appear even more FEM‐like. For example, in his treatment of Plateau's problem he begins by dividing the domain of definition into triangles, which is even shown in an illustration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper the meteorological drivers of North American Monsoon (NAM) extreme precipitation events (EPEs) are identified and analyzed. First, the NAM area and its subregions are distinguished using self‐organizing maps applied to the Climate Prediction Center global precipitation data set. This reveals distinct subregions, shaped by the inhomogeneous geographic features of the NAM area, with distinct extreme precipitation character and drivers. Next, defining EPEs as days when subregion‐mean precipitation exceeds the 95th percentile of rainy days, five synoptic features and one mesoscale feature are investigated as potential drivers of EPEs. Essentially all EPEs can be associated with at least one selected driver, with only one event remaining unclassified. This analysis shows the dominant role of Gulf of California moisture surges, mesoscale convective systems and frontal systems in generating NAM extreme precipitation. Finally, a frequency and probability analysis is conducted to contrast precipitation distributions conditioned on the associated meteorological drivers. The findings demonstrate that the co‐occurrence of multiple features does not necessarily enhance the EPE probability. Plain Language Summary: Extreme precipitation is of great importance for both geophysical and socioeconomic reasons. This study first identifies geographic subregions of the North American Monsoon within which extreme precipitation exhibits distinct characteristics. The extreme precipitation events in each subregion are then associated with at least one candidate atmospheric driver, revealing the dominant precipitation drivers among subregions. Depending on the subregions and driver, precipitation rates may increase or decrease when two candidate factors co‐occur. Several such double driver combinations are examined. Key Points: Seven subregions of the North American Monsoon with distinct precipitation characters are identifiedGulf of California moisture surges, mesoscale convective systems and frontal systems are primary drivers of extreme precipitationA probability analysis reveals the nonlinear and non‐additive characters of the interactions among extreme precipitation event drivers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nachrichten aus der Chemie is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease (PD) are defined by the accumulation and aggregation of the α-synuclein protein in neurons, glia and other tissues. We have previously shown that destabilization of α-synuclein tetramers is associated with familial PD due to SNCA mutations and demonstrated brain-region specific alterations of α-synuclein multimers in sporadic PD patients following the classical Braak spreading theory. In this study, we assessed relative levels of disordered and higher-ordered multimeric forms of cytosolic α-synuclein in blood from familial PD with G51D mutations and sporadic PD patients. We used an adapted in vitro-cross-linking protocol for human EDTA-whole blood. The relative levels of higher-ordered α-synuclein tetramers were diminished in blood from familial PD and sporadic PD patients compared to controls. Interestingly, the relative amount of α-synuclein tetramers was already decreased in asymptomatic G51D carriers, supporting the hypothesis that α-synuclein multimer destabilization precedes the development of clinical PD. Our data, therefore suggest that measuring α-synuclein tetramers in blood may have potential as a facile biomarker assay for early detection and quantitative tracking of PD progression. Synopsis: The α-synuclein protein exists in different structural forms primarily as monomers, dimers, and tetramers in different human tissues. In the brain, α-synuclein tetramer to monomer ratios are observed to be altered in sporadic Parkinson's disease (sPD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Chemical cross-linking using disuccinimidyl glutarate (DSG) and glutaraldehyde (GA), is used to stabilize α-synuclein tetramers in blood. The α-synuclein tetramer to monomer ratio is analyzed via SDS-Page and Western blotting. The α-synuclein tetramer to monomer ratios are altered in blood from sPD patients and patients with G51D α-synuclein mutations. This alteration is characterized by a reduction in tetramer to monomer ratios, indicating a disruption in the regular levels between these two physiological forms of α-synuclein. The α-synuclein protein exists in different structural forms primarily as monomers, dimers, and tetramers in different human tissues. In the brain and blood, α-synuclein tetramer to monomer ratios are observed to be altered in sporadic and familial Parkinson's disease (sPD), and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parents, especially mothers, and young women without children, face a subtle threat in job interviews: being asked inappropriate questions about parental status. In three vignette experiments (N = 760), we compared personal (perceived likability and likelihood of being hired) and social consequences (perceived chances that the interviewer will ask the inappropriate question again) of different response strategies. Results suggest that deflection (i.e., responding with another question) is a superior strategy at the personal level, as it increases the perceived chances to be hired in comparison to truth‐telling (Study 1) and confrontation (Studies 1–3) without hurting likability (Study 1). Confrontation (i.e., saying that the question is inappropriate) is a superior strategy at the social level, decreasing the perceived probability that the interviewer will keep asking inappropriate questions in comparison to deflection (Studies 2 and 3) and truth‐telling (Study 3). No gender differences were apparent. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Nursing home closures have raised concerns about access to post‐acute care (PAC) and long‐term care (LTC) services. We estimate the additional distance rural residents had to travel to access PAC and LTC services because of nursing home closures. Methods: We identify nursing home closures and the availability of PAC and LTC services in nursing homes, home health agencies, and hospitals with swing beds using the Medicare Provider of Services file (2008–2018). Using distances between ZIP codes, we summarize distances to the closest provider of PAC and LTC services for rural and urban ZIP codes with nursing home closures from 2008 to 2018 and no nursing homes in 2018. Findings: Compared to urban ZIP codes, rural ZIP codes experiencing nursing home closure had higher distances to the closest nursing home providing PAC (6.4 vs. 0.94 miles; p < 0.05) and LTC services (7.2 vs. 1.1 miles; p < 0.05), and these differences remain even after accounting for the availability of home health agencies and hospitals with swing beds. Distances to the closest providers with PAC and LTC services were even higher for rural ZIP codes with no nursing homes in 2018. About 6.1%–15.7% of rural ZIP codes with a nursing home closure or with no nursing homes had no PAC or LTC providers within 25 miles. Conclusions: Nursing home closures increased distances to nursing homes, home health agencies, and hospitals with swing beds for rural residents. Access to PAC and LTC services is a concern, especially for rural areas with no nursing homes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy precipitation, often associated with weather phenomena such as tropical cyclones, extratropical cyclones (ETCs), atmospheric rivers (ARs), and mesoscale convective systems (MCSs), can cause significant socio‐economic loss. In this study, we apply atmospheric feature trackers to quantify the contributions of these storm types in observational data sets and climate model short‐range hindcasts. We generate a global hourly storm data set at 0.25° spatial resolution covering 2006–2020, based on the tracking results from TempestExtremes and Python FLEXible object TRacKeR. Our analyses show that these four storm types account for 67% of global annual mean precipitation and 82% of top 1% precipitation extremes, with MCSs mainly over the tropics, and ARs and ETCs over the midlatitudes. The percentage of precipitation contributions from these storms also show strong seasonality over many geographical locations. We further apply the tracking results to the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) short‐range hindcasts and evaluate how well these storms are simulated. The evaluation show that E3SM, with ∼1° resolution, significantly underestimates storm‐associated precipitation totals and extremes, especially for MCSs in the tropics. Our analysis also suggests that model fails to capture the correct mean diurnal phases and amplitude of MCS precipitation. This phenomenon‐based approach provides a better understanding of precipitation characteristics and can lead to enhanced model evaluation by revealing underlying problems in model physics related to precipitation processes associated with the heavy‐precipitating storms. Plain Language Summary: Earth system models are immensely useful for understanding how the climate system works. However, it is important to recognize that they have limitations including wet or dry precipitation biases caused by complicated factors. On the other hand, different storm types contribute to regional precipitation differently under varying conditions. Attributing precipitation to sourced storm types is a new approach to understanding model precipitation biases. Here we build a new data set to study precipitation from several storm types including tropical cyclones, extratropical cyclones, atmospheric rivers, and mesoscales convection systems. We find that these four storm types explain 67% of global mean precipitation and 82% of extreme precipitation. We also demonstrate the application of this tool for understanding biases in modeled precipitation. The future application of this new tool will shed light on the causes of modeled precipitation biases and underlying model problems. Key Points: A global observational database for tracking four major heavy‐rain storm systems is established for the 2006–2020These four storm systems contribute to over 67% of global annual mean precipitation and over 80% of top 1% precipitation extremesClimate model short‐range hindcasts underestimate the storm‐associated precipitation, especially for heavy precipitation extremes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nervous system injuries, encompassing peripheral nerve injury (PNI), spinal cord injury (SCI), and traumatic brain injury (TBI), present significant challenges to patients' wellbeing. Traditional treatment approaches have limitations in addressing the complexity of neural tissue regeneration and require innovative solutions. Among emerging strategies, implantable materials, particularly electrospun drug‐loaded scaffolds, have gained attention for their potential to simultaneously provide structural support and controlled release of therapeutic agents. This review provides a thorough exploration of recent developments in the design and application of electrospun drug‐loaded scaffolds for nervous system repair. The electrospinning process offers precise control over scaffold characteristics, including mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and topography, crucial for creating a conducive environment for neural tissue regeneration. The large surface area of the resulting fibrous networks enhances biomolecule attachment, influencing cellular behaviors such as adhesion, proliferation, and migration. Polymeric electrospun materials demonstrate versatility in accommodating a spectrum of therapeutics, from small molecules to proteins. This enables tailored interventions to accelerate neuroregeneration and mitigate inflammation at the injury site. A critical aspect of this review is the examination of the interplay between structural properties and pharmacological effects, emphasizing the importance of optimizing both aspects for enhanced therapeutic outcomes. Drawing upon the latest advancements in the field, we discuss the promising outcomes of preclinical studies using electrospun drug‐loaded scaffolds for nervous system repair, as well as future perspectives and considerations for their design and implementation. This article is categorized under:Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanomaterials and ImplantsImplantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanotechnology in Tissue Repair and ReplacementTherapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In context of carbon capture and storage in cement and concrete industry, there is a strong demand for fast, reliable, and low-cost CO2 quantification methods. Attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR) in conjunction with multivariate calibration via partial-least-squares regression was applied to quantify CaCO3 in carbonated hardened Portland cement pastes, as this method shows great potential in the field of process control. Thermogravimetric analysis coupled with infrared spectrometry for the detection of the evolving gases was used as a reference for quantification. Three methods for the quantitative analysis with different partial-least-squares parameters were developed on a series of ground physicalmixtures of slightly carbonated and highly carbonated hydrated cement pastes that had absorbed up to 77% of the theoretical capacity for CO2. Additional samples for optimization and validation of the method were prepared by accelerated carbonation of cylindrical slices of hardened cement paste as a function of exposure time. In these experiments, the major CO2 uptake occurs in the first 60 min until the formation of CaCO3 layers limits the diffusion of CO2 and Ca2+ ions. The developed partial-least-squares models provided low estimation errors of max. 1.5 wt% and high correlation coefficients above 99.5%. The validation covers a concentration range of 20-48 wt% of CaCO3. Limitations of the method are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research suggests that positive contact with majorities may 'sedate' (undermine) minority support for social change, while negative contact may promote it. However, most studies to date have examined both forms of contact separately, which may not give an accurate picture of their effects. This study examines the joint effects and interplay of positive and negative contact on minority support for social change, and the role of system‐fairness beliefs across seven ethnic minority samples in six countries (N = 790). Multigroup Structural Equation Modelling showed that negative contact predicted higher minority support for social change. Positive contact predicted both less support for social change indirectly via enhanced system‐fairness beliefs, and more support for social change directly. Except for one national context, the total effects of positive contact were either non‐significant or significantly positive. This shows that increased system‐fairness beliefs can explain sedative effects of positive contact, and that positive contact may also promote support for social change. We conclude that sedative effects of positive contact may be overestimated by not considering negative contact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Telehealth has been proposed as one strategy to improve the quality of time‐sensitive sepsis care in rural emergency departments (EDs). The purpose of this study was to measure the association between telehealth‐supplemented ED (tele‐ED) care, health care costs, and clinical outcomes among patients with sepsis in rural EDs. Methods: Cohort study using Medicare fee‐for‐service claims data for beneficiaries treated for sepsis in rural EDs between February 1, 2017, and September 30, 2019. Our primary hospital‐level analysis used multivariable generalized estimating equations to measure the association between treatment in a tele‐ED–capable hospital and 30‐day total costs of care. In our supporting secondary analysis, we conducted a propensity‐matched analysis of patients who used tele‐ED with matched controls from non–tele‐ED–capable hospitals. Our primary outcome was total health care payments among index hospitalized patients between the index ED visit and 30 days after hospital discharge, and our secondary outcomes included hospital mortality, hospital length of stay, 90‐day mortality, 28‐day hospital‐free days, and 30‐day inpatient readmissions. Results: In our primary analysis, sepsis patients in tele‐ED–capable hospitals had 6.7% higher (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.1%–11.5%) total health care costs compared to those in non–tele‐ED–capable hospitals. In our propensity‐matched patient‐level analysis, total health care costs were 23% higher (95% CI 16.5%–30.4%) in tele‐ED cases than matched non–tele‐ED controls. Clinical outcomes were similar. Conclusions: Tele‐ED capability in a mature rural tele‐ED network was not associated with decreased health care costs or improved clinical outcomes. Future work is needed to reduce rural–urban sepsis care disparities and formalize systems of regionalized care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we construct and compare three different deep learning (DL) models for estimating daily snow water equivalent (SWE) from high‐resolution gridded meteorological fields over the Rocky Mountain region. To train the DL models, Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) station‐based SWE observations are used as the prediction target. All DL models produce higher median Nash‐Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) values than a conceptual SWE model and interpolated gridded data sets, although mean squared errors also tend to be higher. Sensitivity of the SWE prediction to the model's input variables is analyzed using an explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) method, yielding insight into the physical relationships learned by the models. This method reveals the dominant role precipitation and temperature play in snowpack dynamics. In applying our models to estimate SWE throughout the Rocky Mountains, an extrapolation problem arises since the statistical properties of SWE (e.g., annual maximum) and geographical properties of individual grid points (e.g., elevation) differ from the training data. This problem is solved by normalizing the SWE with its historical maximum value to alleviate extrapolation for all tested DL models. Our work shows that the DL models are promising tools for estimating SWE, and sufficiently capture relevant physical relationships to make them useful for spatial and temporal extrapolation of SWE values. Key Points: Three different deep learning models are assessed for daily snow water equivalent predictionSensitivity tests provide minimum set of input variables for snowpack modelingSnow water equivalent is normalized by its historical maximum value to alleviate problems with spatial extrapolation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bicyclic peptides have emerged as one of the driving forces within the constrained peptide family. Due to their unique pharmaceutical attributes, peptide bicycles have garnered a reputation as promising therapeutics of the future. Combining advantages of small molecule therapeutics and biologics, the target binding qualities of this highly constrained class of molecules have been likened to those of antibodies. Over the past 5 years, the field of bicyclic peptides has advanced significantly. New bicyclic secondary peptide metabolites have been discovered in aquatic organisms and, importantly, a diverse assortment of bicyclic peptides has been synthesized de novo, exploring new chemical scaffolds. Biocompatible synthetic strategies that are suitable for large library screening platforms have helped to progress bicyclic peptides into clinical trials. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the most recent progress in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nachrichten aus der Chemie is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Despite molecular selection, patients (pts) with RAS wildtype mCRC represent a heterogeneous population including diversity in metastatic spread. We investigated metastatic patterns for their prognostic and predictive impact on maintenance therapy with 5‐fluorouracil/folinic acid ± panitumumab. The study population was stratified according to (1) number of involved metastatic sites (single vs multiple organ metastasis), liver‐limited disease vs (2) liver metastasis plus one additional site, and (3) vs liver metastasis plus ≥two additional sites. Kaplan‐Meier method and Cox regressions were used to correlate efficacy endpoints. Single organ metastasis was observed in 133 pts (53.6%) with 102 pts (41.1%) presenting with liver‐limited disease, while multiple organ metastases were reported in 114 pts (46.0). Multiple compared to single organ metastases were associated with less favorable PFS (HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.13‐1.93; P =.004) and OS (HR 1.37, 95% CI 0.98‐1.93; P =.068) of maintenance therapy. While metastatic spread involving one additional extrahepatic site was not associated with clearly impaired survival compared to liver‐limited disease, pts with liver metastasis plus ≥two additional sites demonstrated less favorable PFS (HR 1.92, 95% CI 1.30‐2.83; P <.001), and OS (HR 2.38, 95% CI 1.51‐3.76; P <.001) of maintenance therapy. Pmab‐containing maintenance therapy appeared active in both pts with multiple (HR 0.58; 95% CI, 0.39‐0.86; P =.006) as well as to a lesser numerical extent in pts with single organ metastasis (HR 0.83; 95% CI, 0.57‐1.21; P =.332; Interaction P =.183). These data may support clinical decisions when EGFR‐based maintenance therapy is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine associations between neurologic late effects and attainment of independence in adult survivors of childhood cancer treated with central nervous system (CNS)‐directed therapies. Methods: A total of 7881 survivors treated with cranial radiation therapy (n = 4051; CRT) and/or intrathecal methotrexate (n = 4193; IT MTX) ([CNS‐treated]; median age [range] = 25.5 years [18–48]; time since diagnosis = 17.7 years [6.8–30.2]) and 8039 without CNS‐directed therapy reported neurologic conditions including stroke, seizure, neurosensory deficits, focal neurologic dysfunction, and migraines/severe headaches. Functional independence was assessed using latent class analysis with multiple indicators (independent living, assistance with routine and personal care needs, ability to work/attend school, attainment of driver's license, marital/partner status). Multivariable regression models, adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and chronic health conditions, estimated odds ratios (OR) or relative risks (RR) for associations between neurologic morbidity, functional independence, and emotional distress. Results: Among CNS‐treated survivors, three classes of independence were identified: (1) moderately independent, never married, and non‐independent living (78.7%); (2) moderately independent, unable to drive (15.6%); and (3) non‐independent (5.7%). In contrast to 50% of non‐CNS‐treated survivors and 60% of siblings, a fourth fully independent class of CNS‐treated survivors was not identified. History of stroke (OR = 2.50, 95% CI: 1.70–3.68), seizure (OR = 9.70, 95% CI: 7.37–12.8), neurosensory deficits (OR = 2.67, 95% CI: 2.16–3.31), and focal neurologic dysfunction (OR = 3.05, 95% CI: 2.40–3.88) were associated with non‐independence among CNS‐treated survivors. Non‐independence was associated with emotional distress symptoms. Interpretation: CNS‐treated survivors do not attain full independence comparable to non‐CNS‐treated survivors or siblings. Interventions to promote independence may be beneficial for survivors with treatment‐related neurological sequalae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: DELAY OF GERMINATION 1 is a key regulator of dormancy in flowering plants before seed germination. Bryophytes develop haploid spores with an analogous function to seeds. Here, we investigate whether DOG1 function during germination is conserved between bryophytes and flowering plants and analyse the underlying mechanism of DOG1 action in the moss Physcomitrium patens. Phylogenetic and in silico expression analyses were performed to identify and characterise DOG1 domain‐containing genes in P. patens. Germination assays were performed to characterise a Ppdog1‐like1 mutant, and replacement with AtDOG1 was carried out. Yeast two‐hybrid assays were used to test the interaction of the PpDOG1‐like protein with DELLA proteins from P. patens and A. thaliana. P. patens possesses nine DOG1 domain‐containing genes. The DOG1‐like protein PpDOG1‐L1 (Pp3c3_9650) interacts with PpDELLAa and PpDELLAb and the A. thaliana DELLA protein AtRGA in yeast. Protein truncations revealed the DOG1 domain as necessary and sufficient for interaction with PpDELLA proteins. Spores of Ppdog1‐l1 mutant germinate faster than wild type, but replacement with AtDOG1 reverses this effect. Our data demonstrate a role for the PpDOG1‐LIKE1 protein in moss spore germination, possibly alongside PpDELLAs. This suggests a conserved DOG1 domain function in germination, albeit with differential adaptation of regulatory networks in seed and spore germination. Significance Statement: Seed and spore germination are considered analogous because they occur in the sporophyte (seed plants) and gametophyte (bryophytes). Here we show that an ortholog of Arabidopsis DELAY OF GERMINATION 1 (DOG1) controls spore germination in the moss P. patens, suggesting deep evolutionary conservation of germination control of reproductive diaspores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Chlorella ohadii was isolated from desert biological soil crusts, one of the harshest habitats on Earth, and is emerging as an exciting new green model for studying growth, photosynthesis and metabolism under a wide range of conditions.Here, we compared the genome of C. ohadii, the fastest growing alga on record, to that of other green algae, to reveal the genomic imprints empowering its unparalleled growth rate and resistance to various stressors, including extreme illumination. This included the genome of its close relative, but slower growing and photodamage sensitive, C. sorokiniana UTEX 1663.A larger number of ribosome‐encoding genes, high intron abundance, increased codon bias and unique genes potentially involved in metabolic flexibility and resistance to photodamage are all consistent with the faster growth of C. ohadii. Some of these characteristics highlight general trends in Chlorophyta and Chlorella spp. evolution, and others open new broad avenues for mechanistic exploration of their relationship with growth.This work entails a unique case study for the genomic adaptations and costs of exceptionally fast growth and sheds light on the genomic signatures of fast growth in photosynthetic cells. It also provides an important resource for future studies leveraging the unique properties of C. ohadii for photosynthesis and stress response research alongside their utilization for synthetic biology and biotechnology aims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Determine the effect of incorporating mindfulness‐based activities into the recovery intervals of high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) on mindfulness induction and subsequent executive function performance. Designs: A within‐subject crossover trial. Methods: Forty adults participated in two experimental conditions, including a 30‐min bout of HIIT involving mindfulness recovery intervals (Mindful) and a 30‐min bout of HIIT without mindfulness recovery intervals (Non‐mindful), on two separate days in counterbalanced order. Before and after each condition, participants completed the flanker task, switch‐flanker task, and n‐back task to measure inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and working memory, respectively. Results: A higher level of mindfulness state was observed following the Mindful condition than the Non‐mindful condition. Dispositional mindfulness was positively correlated with the level of the mindful state only during the Mindful condition but not the Non‐mindful condition. The switch‐flanker response accuracy was improved from the pretest to posttest during the Non‐mindful condition but remained unchanged over time during the Mindful condition. Time‐related improvements in the flanker and n‐back task outcomes were observed for both the Mindful and Non‐mindful conditions and did not differ between conditions. Conclusion: Although incorporating mindfulness‐based activities during the recovery intervals of HIIT successfully led to greater state‐related mindfulness, such a heightened mindful state did not correspond with additional modulation in inhibitory control and working memory performance while attenuating HIIT‐related positive changes in task performance requiring cognitive flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wide‐bandgap hybrid halide perovskites are increasingly relevant in the fabrication of tandem solar cells. However, their efficiency and stability during operation are still limited by several factors, among which ion migration at the interface with charge‐selective extraction layers is one of the most detrimental ones. Herein, a host–guest complexation strategy is employed to control interfacial ion migration by using dibenzo‐21‐crown‐7 in wide‐bandgap hybrid halide perovskites based on methylammonium lead bromide. The capacity of the crown ether is demonstrated that affect the performances and stabilities of MAPbBr3 solar cells. As a result, power conversion efficiencies of up to 5.9% are achieved with an open circuit voltage as high as 1.5 V, which is accompanied by stability over 300 h at 85 °C under nitrogen atmosphere, as well as more than 300 h at ambient temperature, maintaining ∼80% of initial performance. This provides a versatile strategy for wide‐bandgap photovoltaic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People increasingly rely on social‐media platforms to access information; thus, understanding how platform characteristics influence belief in misinformation is important. Recent findings indicate perceived social endorsement of information (e.g., number of likes) can influence misinformation belief and correction acceptance. However, how the influence of endorsement may be modulated by concurrent disendorsement information (e.g., dislikes) is unclear. Across two experiments, we assessed the influence of relative endorsement on misinformation belief and correction acceptance. Experiment 1 exposed participants to claims and fact‐checks with a high or low likes‐to‐dislikes ratio. Experiment 2 simplified the relative‐endorsement information into a single value (i.e., a percentage). Results suggest high relative social endorsement of misinformation significantly increases misinformation belief, particularly when the endorsement information is presented as a single value. Conversely, relative endorsement had a negligible impact on correction effectiveness. This suggests perceived relative endorsement may influence belief primarily when other cues of information veracity are unavailable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helical ladder polymers are designed by connecting planar indenofluorene chromophores by chiral triptycene linkers. The resulting hexagonal helices exhibit a substantial degree of homoconjugation across the triptycene knots, with saturation above ≈20 repeat units. The chiroptical anisotropy values gabs = Δε/ε of the lower‐energy lobes of the red‐most couplets in the circular dichroism (CD) spectra arise from the π−π* transition of the planar indenofluorene chromophores and increase almost sevenfold when going from a model dimer to the corresponding polymeric helical ladder structures. This increase represents a signature of "chiral amplification" that is observed at the molecular, single‐chain level. Here, the incorporated chiral linker units determine the chiroptical properties of the helical polymer chain, with chiral interactions arising across many achiral indenofluorene building blocks (>12). This behavior is observed for a fully covalently bound single polymer chain, in contrast to the more commonly studied supramolecular assemblies of appropriate chiral molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Caregiving for a loved one is challenging and requires significant resources. Existential distress in family caregivers may include hopelessness, demoralization, fear of death, pre‐loss grief, or a sense of not being emotionally prepared. The aim of this systematic review is to synthesize the quantitative literature on existential distress among family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer, focusing on its prevalence, association with mental disorders, as well as with sociodemographic, disease, and treatment‐related factors. Methods: We systematically searched electronic databases for quantitative studies of the above‐described existential distress concepts in family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer. Two independent reviewers extracted data and evaluated study quality. Data were analyzed using random‐effects meta‐analysis. Results: We retrieved 17.587 records, of which 31 studies fulfilled inclusion criteria. 63% of the studies (n = 20) provided sufficient data for meta‐analysis for 5558 patients. We found an overall pooled prevalence of 30.6% for existential distress, 95% CI [24.2–37.0]. For existential distress subconcepts, prevalence rates were 57.0%, 95% CI [37.8–76.2], for death anxiety, 13.9%, 95% CI [10.8–17.0], for demoralization, 24.0%, 95% CI [18.0–30.0], for pre‐loss grief, 18.4%, 95% CI [4.0–32.7], for hopelessness, 35.2%, 95% CI [28.2–42.2], for loneliness, and 35.6%, 95% CI [13.0–58.3], for emotional unpreparedness. Conclusions: Approximately one third of the respondents were affected by high levels of existential distress. The review provides evidence for further development of support services that can reduce existential distress, focused on death anxiety, and improve the quality of life for family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, pruritic and inflammatory, dry skin condition with many known comorbidities. These include airway disease, food allergies, atopic eye disease and autoimmune conditions. Furthermore, there is often significant sleep disturbance as well as increased psychological distress and mental health problems. Severe AD therefore often has a significant impact on the quality of life of both patients and their families. In this review we discuss recent findings on the putative links between AD, its association with itch, sleep disturbance and neuropsychiatric morbidity, including the role of inflammation in these conditions. Itch was thought to predominantly drive sleep disruption in AD. We now understand changes in sleep influence immune cell distribution and the associated inflammatory cytokines, which suggests a bidirectional relationship between AD and sleep. We also increasingly recognize inflammation as a key driver in psychological symptoms and disorders. The link between cutaneous, systemic and possible brain inflammation could at least in part be driven by the sleep deprivation and itch‐driven neuronal proliferation seen in AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkane‐, arene‐, and perfluoroalkanesulfonyl groups are widely used in organic synthesis to protect amino functionalities or to facilitate their installation. Protection of amino functions by a sulfonyl group to form sulfonamides is advantageous as they are easy to purify and tolerate various reaction conditions. On the other hand, sulfonyl group removal is difficult. Herein, we present a versatile metal‐free photocatalytic reductive method for desulfonylation of sulfonamides and aryl sulfonates to the parent amines mediated by flavin derivatives, namely deazaisoalloxazines and deazaalloxazines, and visible light. Photocatalysis with 5‐deazalloxazines is shown to even mediate the cleavage of perfluoroalkanesulfonamides (triflylamides and nonaflylamides), which is significantly more difficult than that of other sulfonamides and has previously not been achieved by photochemical means. The method is shown to perform consecutive desulfonylation and dealkylation of N‐alkyl‐N‐phenylperfluoroalkanesulfonamides affording primary anilines. This occurs via consecutive reductive and oxidative catalytic cycles mediated by the flavin catalyst. The perfluoroalkylsulfonyl group fulfils a dual role serving as a protecting group and, after removal by the reductive cycle, as the species driving the oxidative dealkylation reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nachrichten aus der Chemie is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Summary: The oxygen isotope composition (δ18O) of tree‐ring cellulose is used to evaluate tree physiological responses to climate, but their interpretation is still limited due to the complexity of the isotope fractionation pathways.We assessed the relative contribution of seasonal needle and xylem water δ18O variations to the intra‐annual tree‐ring cellulose δ18O signature of larch trees at two sites with contrasting soil water availability in the Swiss Alps. We combined biweekly δ18O measurements of soil water, needle water, and twig xylem water with intra‐annual δ18O measurements of tree‐ring cellulose, xylogenesis analysis, and mechanistic and structural equation modeling.Intra‐annual cellulose δ18O values resembled source water δ18O mean levels better than needle water δ18O. Large parts of the rings were formed under high proportional exchange with unenriched xylem water (pex). Maximum pex values were achieved in August and imprinted on sections at 50–75% of the ring. High pex values were associated with periods of high atmospheric evaporative demand (VPD). While VPD governed needle water δ18O variability, we estimated a limited Péclet effect at both sites.Due to a variable pex, source water has a strong influence over large parts of the intra‐annual tree‐ring cellulose δ18O variations, potentially masking signals coming from needle‐level processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nachrichten aus der Chemie is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The water cycle is an important component of the earth system and it plays a key role in many facets of society, including energy production, agriculture, and human health and safety. In this study, the Energy Exascale Earth System Model version 1 (E3SMv1) is run with low‐resolution (roughly 110 km) and high‐resolution (roughly 25 km) configurations—as established by the High Resolution Model Intercomparison Project protocol—to evaluate the atmospheric and terrestrial water budgets over the conterminous United States (CONUS) at the large watershed scale. The warm season water cycle slows down in the HR experiment relative to the LR, with decreasing fluxes of precipitation, evapotranspiration, atmospheric moisture convergence, and runoff. The reductions in these terms exacerbate biases for some watersheds, while reducing them in others. For example, precipitation biases are exacerbated at HR over the Eastern and Central CONUS watersheds, while precipitation biases are reduced at HR over the Western CONUS watersheds. The most pronounced changes with resolution to the water cycle come from reductions in precipitation and evapotranspiration. The reduction in evapotranspiration reduces the biases across nearly all of the CONUS. Additional exploratory metrics show improvements to water cycle extremes (both in precipitation and streamflow), fractional contributions of different storm types to total precipitation, and mountain snowpack. Plain Language Summary: This study seeks to better understand how the U.S. DOE's Earth system model, Energy Exascale Earth System Model, simulates the conterminous United States (CONUS) water cycle. To accomplish this goal, we examine the atmosphere and land water budget terms at the watershed and seasonal space and time scales. At higher resolution and during the warm season, all of the terms in the water budget become smaller: precipitation, evapotranspiration, moisture convergence, and runoff. The reductions in evapotranspiration lead to improvements over nearly the entire CONUS, while other terms show mixed results when increasing resolution. We also examine exploratory metrics with expected resolution sensitivity—including precipitation and streamflow extremes, storm events, and snowpack—and find modest improvements. Key Points: The water cycle slows down (decreased fluxes) when grid spacing has a four times refinementHR generally improves evapotranspiration, but precipitation and other terms have mixed resultsHR improves precipitation extremes, storm event precipitation contributions, and mountain snowpack [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nachrichten aus der Chemie is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Colloidal crystals reflecting interference‐based structural colors have been reported in many organisms, but many are yet to be accurately described. Herein, the bright, iridescent scales of green and blue Glenea celestis beetles are investigated using optical and ultrastructural techniques. The ultrastructural studies based on focused ion‐beam scanning electron microscopy and synchrotron small‐angle X‐ray scattering data reveal the origin of the colors to stem from previously undocumented hexagonal‐close‐packed colloidal crystals within their scales. The optical properties of various colloidal structures are investigated using full‐wave optical simulations. The results highlight the need for further research regarding the development of structural color in beetles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 1997 New Year's flood event was the most costly in California's history. This compound extreme event was driven by a category 5 atmospheric river that led to widespread snowmelt. Extreme precipitation, snowmelt, and saturated soils produced heavy runoff causing widespread inundation in the Sacramento Valley. This study recreates the 1997 flood using the Regionally Refined Mesh capabilities of the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (RRM‐E3SM) under prescribed ocean conditions. Understanding the processes causing extreme events informs practical efforts to anticipate and prepare for such events in the future, and also provides a rich context to evaluate model skill in representing extremes. Three California‐focused RRM grids, with horizontal resolution refinement of 14 km down to 3.5 km, and six forecast lead times, 28 December 1996 at 00Z through 30 December 1996 at 12Z, are assessed for their ability to recreate the 1997 flood. Planetary to synoptic scale atmospheric circulations and integrated vapor transport are weakly influenced by horizontal resolution refinement over California. Topography and mesoscale circulations, such as the Sierra barrier jet, are better represented at finer horizontal resolutions resulting in better estimates of storm total precipitation and storm duration snowpack changes. Traditional time‐series and causal analysis frameworks are used to examine runoff sensitivities state‐wide and above major reservoirs. These frameworks show that horizontal resolution plays a more prominent role in shaping reservoir inflows, namely the magnitude and time‐series shape, than forecast lead time, 2‐to‐4 days prior to the 1997 flood onset. Plain Language Summary: The 1997 California New Year's flood event caused over a billion dollars in damages. This storm became a central part in guiding efforts to reduce flood risks. Earth system models are increasingly asked to recreate extreme weather events. However, the ability of Earth system models to recreate such events requires rigorous testing. Testing ensures that models provide value in anticipating and planning for future flood events. This is particularly important given the changing climate. We evaluated the Department of Energy's flagship Earth system model, the Energy Exascale Earth System Model, in its ability to recreate the weather and flood characteristics of the 1997 flood. The model resolution, important for resolving mountain terrain and storm interactions, and forecast lead time, important for storm progression accuracy, are assessed. The multi‐forecast average from the highest‐resolution model best recreates the observed precipitation, snowpack changes, and flood characteristics. Our findings provide confidence that the highest resolution model could be used to study how a 1997‐like flood event would be altered in a warmer world. Key Points: Energy Exascale Earth System Model forecasts at 3.5 km grid spacing skillfully recreate the hydrometeorology of California's 1997 floodHorizontal resolution alters the representation of key flood drivers such as the Sierra barrier jet, precipitation extremes, and snowmeltForecast lead time 2‐to‐4 days prior to the onset of the 1997 flood minimally influences forecast precipitation and snowmelt skill [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical point tracking is a core topic in scientific visualization for understanding the dynamic behaviour of time‐varying vector field data. The topological notion of robustness has been introduced recently to quantify the structural stability of critical points, that is, the robustness of a critical point is the minimum amount of perturbation to the vector field necessary to cancel it. A theoretical basis has been established previously that relates critical point tracking with the notion of robustness, in particular, critical points could be tracked based on their closeness in stability, measured by robustness, instead of just distance proximity within the domain. However, in practice, the computation of classic robustness may produce artifacts when a critical point is close to the boundary of the domain; thus, we do not have a complete picture of the vector field behaviour within its local neighbourhood. To alleviate these issues, we introduce a multilevel robustness framework for the study of 2D time‐varying vector fields. We compute the robustness of critical points across varying neighbourhoods to capture the multiscale nature of the data and to mitigate the boundary effect suffered by the classic robustness computation. We demonstrate via experiments that such a new notion of robustness can be combined seamlessly with existing feature tracking algorithms to improve the visual interpretability of vector fields in terms of feature tracking, selection and comparison for large‐scale scientific simulations. We observe, for the first time, that the minimum multilevel robustness is highly correlated with physical quantities used by domain scientists in studying a real‐world tropical cyclone dataset. Such an observation helps to increase the physical interpretability of robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The processing of belite cement clinker in a rotary kiln at about 1000°C in a CO2 atmosphere is a new recycling option for Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) waste that otherwise must be landfilled. Waste fine fractions from a sorting facility enriched in sulfate due to intermixing with waste plaster have been processed. During clinkering the cement clinker phase belite (Ca2SiO4) besides technical ellestadite, (Ca10(SiO4)3(SO4)3Cl2), or ternesite, (Ca5(SiO4)2SO4), are formed, depending on the addition of flux minerals. However, not all phases of the novel clinker react hydraulically. Whereas ternesite reacts with water, ellestadite forms complex solid solution series (Ca/Pb, SO4/PO4), which may be used as an insoluble reservoir mineral for undesirable constituents, such as phosphates and chlorides. The produced clinker has been successfully used to partially substitute OPC in AAC production in technical trials. Waste quantities and landfill costs are minimized, while at the same time, CO2 emissions and the primary resource consumption of AAC production are reduced. Joint work with industrial companies is underway to increase technology readiness. Particularly large reduction effects on CO2 emissions can be achieved through electrical heating of the rotary kiln. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peat and other organic soils (e.g., organo‐mineral soils) show distinctive volume changes through desiccation and wetting. Important processes behind volume changes are shrinkage and swelling. There is a long history of studies on shrinkage which were conducted under different schemes for soil descriptions, nomenclatures and parameters, measurement approaches, and terminologies. To date, these studies have not been harmonized in order to compare or predict shrinkage from different soil properties, for example, bulk density or substrate composition. This, however, is necessary to prevent biases in the determination of volume‐based soil properties or for the interpretation of elevation measurements in peatlands, in order to predict carbon dioxide emissions or uptake caused by microbial decomposition or peat formation. This study gives a comprehensive overview of shrinkage studies carried out in the last 100 years. Terminology and approaches are systematically classified. In part I, the concepts for shrinkage characteristics, measurement methods, and model approaches are summarized. Part II is a meta‐analysis of shrinkage studies on peat and other organic soils amended by own measurement data obtained by a three‐dimensional structured light scanner. The results show that maximum shrinkage has a wide range from 11% to 93% and is strongly affected by common soil properties (botanical composition, degree of decomposition, soil organic carbon, and bulk density). Showing a stronger correlation, bulk density was a better predictor than soil organic carbon, but maximum shrinkage showed a large spread over all types of peat and other organic soils and ranges of bulk density and soil organic carbon. Core Ideas: Shrinkage characteristics of organic and mineral soils differ strongly.Shrinkage of organic soils depends on botanical composition, degree of decomposition, and pedogenetic modification.Maximum shrinkage of organic soil varied between 11% and 93%.For all types of organic soil, bulk density was more suitable to explain maximum shrinkage than SOC.Neglecting shrinkage biases the determination of volume‐based soil properties (e.g., bulk density and porosity). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The industrialization of perovskite solar cells requires adequate materials and processes to make them economically viable and environmentally sustainable. Despite promising results in terms of power conversion efficiency and operational stability, several hole‐transport layers currently in use still need to prove their industrial feasibility. This work demonstrates the use of nanocrystalline nickel oxide produced through flash infrared annealing (FIRA), considerably reducing the materials cost, production time, energy, and the amount of solvents required for the hole transport layer. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals a better conversion to nickel oxide and a higher oxygen‐to‐nickel ratio for the FIRA films as compared to control annealing methods, resulting in higher device efficiency and operational stability. Planar inverted solar cells produced with triple cation perovskite absorber result in 16.7% power conversion efficiency for 1 cm2 devices, and 15.9% averaged over an area of 17 cm2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]