Fast, linked, and open – the future of taxonomic publishing for plants: launching the journal PhytoKeys

The paper describes the focus, scope and the rationale of PhytoKeys, a newly established, peer-reviewed, open-access journal in plant systematics. PhytoKeys is launched to respond to four main challenges of our time: (1) Appearance of electronic publications as amendments or even alternatives to paper publications; (2) Open Access (OA) as a new publishing model; (3) Linkage of electronic registers, indices and aggregators that summarize information on biological species through taxonomic names or their persistent identifiers (Globally Unique Identifiers or GUIDs; currently Life Science Identifiers or LSIDs); (4) Web 2.0 technologies that permit the semantic markup of, and semantic enhancements to, published biological texts. The journal will pursue cutting-edge technologies in publication and dissemination of biodiversity information while strictly following the requirements of the current International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN)

3D failure envelope of a single pile in sand

International audiencePile foundations are widely used in geotechnical and offshore engineering. When subjected to a combination of horizontal, vertical forces and bending moments, a 3D failure envelope is necessary in order to evaluate the safety of the pile-soil system. We present a study on the failure envelope of a single elastic pile in sand. In order to find it in the three-dimensional space (i.e. horizontal force H, bending moment M and vertical force V), the radial displacement method and swipe tests are numerically performed. An analytical equation providing good agreement with the 3D numerical results is finally proposed

Les extrêmes thermiques dans les Préalpes françaises : évolutions présentes (1961-90) et futures (de 2021 à 2100)

International audienceLes changements climatiques sont déjà perceptibles en montagne (GIEC, 2007), avec notamment un réchauffement dans les Alpes et les Préalpes double de celui enregistré à l'échelle de l'hémisphère nord. Cette étude, menée dans le cadre du programme GICC-DECLIC, examine l'intensité des extrêmes thermiques estivaux actuels et futurs dans les Préalpes françaises. Les données météorologiques sont issues de sorties des trois modèles numériques de climat (ALADIN, LMDz, MAR) utilisés par le projet ANR-SCAMPEI, calibrées par rapport aux observations à maille fine de 8 km (réanalyses de type SAFRAN de Météo-France). L'étude porte sur l'analyse des températures minimales et maximales d'été, pour la période de référence (1961-1990), les périodes simulées 2021-50 et 2071-2100. Les résultats montrent notamment l'intensification des extrêmes thermiques estivaux chauds (TN et TX) d'ici les années 2080, en particulier en zone collinaire en juillet avec +6,2°C pour les températures minimales et +7,5°C pour les maximales

Centrifuge modelling of inclined pile foundations under seismic actions

International audienceAlthough inclined pile foundations are sometimes used in civil engineering structures, their behavior under seismic loadings is not yet thoroughly understood. This paper presents an experimental work on inclined pile foundations under earthquake loadings. Dynamic centrifuge tests are performed to investigate the influence of inclined piles on the superstructures and to quantify the soil-structure interaction. Some key parameters are analyzed such as the residual bending moment, the total bending moment and the axial forces. It is found that in certain cases inclination plays a beneficial role to the seismic behavior of the pile foundation system and that the presence of inclined piles increases its natural frequency. Comparing to a vertical pile foundation, the residual bending moment envelope curve is different and larger values are observed. This novel experimental work provides significant data to understand the behavior of inclined pile foundations in seismic regions

Merton's Model Explaining CDS Spreads - a panel data study of OMX Stockholm traded firms

Credit risk arises in almost all financial activities. One way to hedge and trade risk is to use Credit Default Swaps that act like an insurance against credit events. The value of the CDS is related to the probability of the reference entity defaulting. In this paper we aimed to determine how well the variables implied by the Merton model explain the CDS spread. A panel data study of 16 companies belonging to the OMX Stockholm equity index shows that the variables have limited explanatory power. An increasing stock return is narrowing the credit default swap spread, but the time dummies account for most of the variation

“My Heart Jumped. Do I Have Cancer?”—Results of a Co-design Study with Cervical Cancer Screening Participants

Cervical cancer can be prevented by routinely taking cell samples from the cervix (screening). The frequency of screening is a crucial factor, and there is great potential to utilize the registry data from the cervical screening program for the benefit of both the screening participants and their doctors. However, with the constant emergence of new types of tests and guidelines, not only screening participants but also their doctors may become uncertain about what the test results mean and what follow-up procedures should be in place. The goal of this study was to explore how to present test results to participants in a way that supports optimal screening frequency without causing unnecessary worry. This chapter presents the results of co-design workshops engaging women in the target group. Through the use of personas, trigger questions, and trigger material, we explored the group’s current barriers and information needs. In all, 19 paper prototypes were produced during the workshops. Through a content analysis of the workshop material, we derived user requirements for a future digital tool intended to support optimal participation in the cervical screening program. We also report on lessons learned, threats to validity, and future research.acceptedVersio

Numerical study of the 3D failure envelope of a single pile in sand

International audienceThe paper presents a comprehensive study of the failure envelope (or capacity diagram) of a single elastic pile in sand. The behavior of a pile subjected to different load combinations is simulated using a large number of finite element numerical calculations. The sand is modeled using a constitutive law based on hypoplasticity. In order to find the failure envelope in the three-dimensional space (i.e. horizontal force H, bending moment M and vertical force V), the radial displacement method and swipe tests are numerically performed. It is found that with increasing vertical load the horizontal bearing capacity of the pile decreases. Furthermore, the presence of bending moment on the pile head significantly influences the horizontal bearing capacity and the capacity diagram in the H-M plane manifests an inclined elliptical shape. An analytical equation providing good agreement with the 3D numerical results is finally proposed. The formula is useful for design purposes and the development of simplified modeling numerical strategies such as macro-element

Using centrifuge tests data to identify the dynamic soil properties: Application to Fontainebleau sand

Knowledge of the dynamic properties of the soil is of great importance as the dynamic shear modulus and damping ratio are necessary input data in finite element modeling programs. This paper presents a post-processing strategy to identify the shear modulus and damping ratio vs. shear strain curves using the experimental results of a dynamic centrifuge program. Application is presented for the Fontainebleau sand. The proposed methodology is fast, robust and able to capture the nonlinear hysteretic behavior of the material. Based on the results, specific parameters for the Fontainebleau sand are identified for the empirical equation of shear modulus and damping ratio proposed by Ishibashi and Zhang. It is found that confining pressure has an important influence on both shear modulus evolution and damping ratio