ABD Matrix of Single-Ply Triaxial Weave Fabric Composites

The linear-elastic response of single-ply triaxial weave fabric composites is modelled in terms of a homogenized Kirchhoff plate. The ABD matrix for this plate is computed from an assembly of transversely isotropic three-dimensional beams whose unit cell is analysed using standard finite-element analysis, assuming periodic boundary conditions. A subset of the analytical results is validated by means of careful experiments. It is shown that this simple unit cell beam model captures accurately the experimentally observed behaviour. I

A Pre-Landing Assessment of Regolith Properties at the InSight Landing Site

This article discusses relevant physical properties of the regolith at the Mars InSight landing site as understood prior to landing of the spacecraft. InSight will land in the northern lowland plains of Mars, close to the equator, where the regolith is estimated to be ≥3--5 m thick. These investigations of physical properties have relied on data collected from Mars orbital measurements, previously collected lander and rover data, results of studies of data and samples from Apollo lunar missions, laboratory measurements on regolith simulants, and theoretical studies. The investigations include changes in properties with depth and temperature. Mechanical properties investigated include density, grain-size distribution, cohesion, and angle of internal friction. Thermophysical properties include thermal inertia, surface emissivity and albedo, thermal conductivity and diffusivity, and specific heat. Regolith elastic properties not only include parameters that control seismic wave velocities in the immediate vicinity of the Insight lander but also coupling of the lander and other potential noise sources to the InSight broadband seismometer. The related properties include Poisson’s ratio, P- and S-wave velocities, Young’s modulus, and seismic attenuation. Finally, mass diffusivity was investigated to estimate gas movements in the regolith driven by atmospheric pressure changes. Physical properties presented here are all to some degree speculative. However, they form a basis for interpretation of the early data to be returned from the InSight mission.Additional co-authors: Nick Teanby and Sharon Keda

Phylogenomics and the rise of the angiosperms

Angiosperms are the cornerstone of most terrestrial ecosystems and human livelihoods1,2. A robust understanding of angiosperm evolution is required to explain their rise to ecological dominance. So far, the angiosperm tree of life has been determined primarily by means of analyses of the plastid genome3,4. Many studies have drawn on this foundational work, such as classification and first insights into angiosperm diversification since their Mesozoic origins5,6,7. However, the limited and biased sampling of both taxa and genomes undermines confidence in the tree and its implications. Here, we build the tree of life for almost 8,000 (about 60%) angiosperm genera using a standardized set of 353 nuclear genes8. This 15-fold increase in genus-level sampling relative to comparable nuclear studies9 provides a critical test of earlier results and brings notable change to key groups, especially in rosids, while substantiating many previously predicted relationships. Scaling this tree to time using 200 fossils, we discovered that early angiosperm evolution was characterized by high gene tree conflict and explosive diversification, giving rise to more than 80% of extant angiosperm orders. Steady diversification ensued through the remaining Mesozoic Era until rates resurged in the Cenozoic Era, concurrent with decreasing global temperatures and tightly linked with gene tree conflict. Taken together, our extensive sampling combined with advanced phylogenomic methods shows the deep history and full complexity in the evolution of a megadiverse clade

Whole-genome sequencing reveals host factors underlying critical COVID-19

Critical COVID-19 is caused by immune-mediated inflammatory lung injury. Host genetic variation influences the development of illness requiring critical care1 or hospitalization2,3,4 after infection with SARS-CoV-2. The GenOMICC (Genetics of Mortality in Critical Care) study enables the comparison of genomes from individuals who are critically ill with those of population controls to find underlying disease mechanisms. Here we use whole-genome sequencing in 7,491 critically ill individuals compared with 48,400 controls to discover and replicate 23 independent variants that significantly predispose to critical COVID-19. We identify 16 new independent associations, including variants within genes that are involved in interferon signalling (IL10RB and PLSCR1), leucocyte differentiation (BCL11A) and blood-type antigen secretor status (FUT2). Using transcriptome-wide association and colocalization to infer the effect of gene expression on disease severity, we find evidence that implicates multiple genes—including reduced expression of a membrane flippase (ATP11A), and increased expression of a mucin (MUC1)—in critical disease. Mendelian randomization provides evidence in support of causal roles for myeloid cell adhesion molecules (SELE, ICAM5 and CD209) and the coagulation factor F8, all of which are potentially druggable targets. Our results are broadly consistent with a multi-component model of COVID-19 pathophysiology, in which at least two distinct mechanisms can predispose to life-threatening disease: failure to control viral replication; or an enhanced tendency towards pulmonary inflammation and intravascular coagulation. We show that comparison between cases of critical illness and population controls is highly efficient for the detection of therapeutically relevant mechanisms of disease

Problems and unmet needs of patients discharged "home to self-care".

Purpose of Study: The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which patients discharged "home to self care" experienced problems and unmet needs. A secondary aim was to explore potential differences in problems and unmet needs between medical and surgical patients. Primary Practice Setting: The study setting was acute care in 2 hospitals that were part of a large academic medical center in the Midwest. Methodology and Sample: The prospective, cohort survey study was designed with a systematic sampling strategy to identify 130 cognitively intact adults hospitalized for either medical or surgical reasons who planned to return home after discharge without formal community services. The hospital information system was checked daily to verify whether dispositions were coded "home to self care," and to verify whether the patients were not seen by a discharge planner. The Problems After Discharge Questionnaire-English Version (PADQ-E) was then either mailed or administered via a phone interview approximately 1 week after discharge. Results: Overall, 73.8% wanted more information about one or more topics related to their care. Most frequently mentioned were "when they would be completely recovered" (38.0%) and "where and how they could get nursing care at home if they needed it" (36.9%). A majority (91.8%) reported difficulties related to at least 1 physical complaint. Pain was most frequently mentioned by surgical patients (88.1%). Getting tired quickly was an issue for both surgical (76.2%) and medical patients (62.8%). More than 85% received help at home from family or friends. Surgical patients received significantly more assistance than medical patients with personal care, household activities, and mobility. Approximately 1 in 4 surgical patients reported an unmet need within the Physical Complaints subscale on the PADQ-E. Implications for Case Management Practice: Potential problems that may occur after discharge have little chance of getting addressed if not identified during the discharge planning process. Standardized, early screening to accurately identify patients at risk for unmet needs after discharge is critical to the development and implementation of a quality discharge plan. The lack of time available to hospital clinicians to assemble and interpret extensive and complex information calls for improved methods to support identifying patients at risk for poor outcomes, engaging discharge planners efficiently and accurately, providing a standardized assessment to identify and address continuing care needs, and identifying patients who would benefit from post-acute care. Case managers advance their practice by advocating for and participating in the development of improved methods. (aut. ref.

The English translation and testing of the Problems After Discharge Questionnaire.

The quality of hospital discharge planning assessments determines whether patients receive the health and social services they need or are sent home with unmet needs and without services. There is a valid and reliable Dutch instrument that measures problems and unmet needs patients encounter after discharge. This article describes the translation and testing of the English version of the Problems after Discharge Questionnaire for use in evaluating hospital discharge planning. Internal consistency reliability of multiple item subscales was assessed with Cronbach's alpha (>.70 for four of six subscales where alpha could be computed [two others were single items only]). Subscales were correlated with similar constructs corresponding to the same problem areas in the theoretical model. The goal was to use the questionnaire with English-speaking patients to capture a comprehensive picture of physical, social, and psychological problems and unmet needs that patients encounter after hospital discharge. (aut. ref.