Territoires émergents de citoyenneté pour des jeunes des Premières Nations du Québec : contraintes et ouvertures de dialogues aux voix/es multiples

Les territoires et les relations sociospatiales liés au vivre-ensemble entre Autochtones et non-Autochtones au Québec sont en transformation. Ces bouleversements prennent place dans de nouveaux lieux de rencontre où s’ancrent des expériences de subjectivation politique et de citoyenneté. Le Wapikoni mobile, un atelier de création audiovisuelle qui visite les communautés des Premières Nations du Québec pour offrir une formation aux jeunes de 15 à 30 ans, semble s’inscrire dans ces processus. Depuis 2004, le Wapikoni mobile dénombre 2400 participants, 500 courts-métrages réalisés et une soixantaine de prix remportés. Ces vidéos de jeunes des Premières Nations sont projetées dans différents évènements au Québec et à l’étranger ; des lieux où les réalisateurs sont parfois invités à prendre la parole. Cette recherche étudie les pratiques, les relations et les lieux liés à ces actes de parole en personne, afin de dégager les transformations sociopolitiques auxquelles ils participent. Elle montre que les parcours de ces personnes sont limités par les contextes politicoéconomiques locaux, nationaux et mondiaux, mais qu’ils permettent néanmoins l’appropriation de lieux et l’apparition de relations qui reterritorialisent les espaces de représentation(s) et de visibilité. Ces mutations sont provoquées par la mise en place de dialogues aux voix et aux voies multiples qui participent à la formation de territoires émergents de citoyenneté.

Globalization and the collective action of the socially excluded in France : At the heart of the margins?

In this article, we consider the changing relationships between French ‘have-not’ movements (the unemployed, the homeless, undocumented persons) and the main organizations involved in the alter-globalization field from 1995 to 2005. We demonstrate how the building of the global space of protest in France was punctuated by two moments. The first corresponds to the gradual convergence of social actors around the issue of globalization, translated into a renewal of activists’ discourses, the development of multiple scales of mobilizations and a functional division of tasks among actors. The second moment corresponds more to the crystallization of divisions among them. These divisions are articulated around different conceptions of what the struggle's aims should be (a fight against liberalism or an alternative experiment) and differences regarding the sense of belonging to the global space of protest (transnational networks or national territory). The history of convergence placed the have-nots at the heart of alter-globalist mobilizations, whereas the history of divergence translated into a ‘decentering’ of the place of the have-nots within this space. Their progressive marginalization also reveals the transformations of struggles against globalization in France.

Photorealistic Surface Rendering with Microfacet Theory

La synthèse d'images dites photoréalistes nécessite d'évaluer numériquement la manière dont la lumière et la matière interagissent physiquement, ce qui, malgré la puissance de calcul impressionnante dont nous bénéficions aujourd'hui et qui ne cesse d'augmenter, est encore bien loin de devenir une tâche triviale pour nos ordinateurs. Ceci est dû en majeure partie à la manière dont nous représentons les objets: afin de reproduire les interactions subtiles qui mènent à la perception du détail, il est nécessaire de modéliser des quantités phénoménales de géométries. Au moment du rendu, cette complexité conduit inexorablement à de lourdes requêtes d'entrées-sorties, qui, couplées à des évaluations d'opérateurs de filtrage complexes, rendent les temps de calcul nécessaires à produire des images sans défaut totalement déraisonnables. Afin de pallier ces limitations sous les contraintes actuelles, il est nécessaire de dériver une représentation multiéchelle de la matière. Dans cette thèse, nous construisons une telle représentation pour la matière dont l'interface correspond à une surface perturbée, une configuration qui se construit généralement via des cartes d'élévations en infographie. Nous dérivons notre représentation dans le contexte de la théorie des microfacettes (conçue à l'origine pour modéliser la réflectance de surfaces rugueuses), que nous présentons d'abord, puis augmentons en deux temps. Dans un premier temps, nous rendons la théorie applicable à travers plusieurs échelles d'observation en la généralisant aux statistiques de microfacettes décentrées. Dans l'autre, nous dérivons une procédure d'inversion capable de reconstruire les statistiques de microfacettes à partir de réponses de réflexion d'un matériau arbitraire dans les configurations de rétroréflexion. Nous montrons comment cette théorie augmentée peut être exploitée afin de dériver un opérateur général et efficace de rééchantillonnage approximatif de cartes d'élévations qui (a) préserve l'anisotropie du transport de la lumière pour n'importe quelle résolution, (b) peut être appliqué en amont du rendu et stocké dans des MIP maps afin de diminuer drastiquement le nombre de requêtes d'entrées-sorties, et (c) simplifie de manière considérable les opérations de filtrage par pixel, le tout conduisant à des temps de rendu plus courts. Afin de valider et démontrer l'efficacité de notre opérateur, nous synthétisons des images photoréalistes anticrenelées et les comparons à des images de référence. De plus, nous fournissons une implantation C++ complète tout au long de la dissertation afin de faciliter la reproduction des résultats obtenus. Nous concluons avec une discussion portant sur les limitations de notre approche, ainsi que sur les verrous restant à lever afin de dériver une représentation multiéchelle de la matière encore plus générale.

La satisfacción del cliente bancario en Canadá: Diferencias entre canadienses e inmigrantes de la América Latina – Revisión y traducción

The measure of customer satisfaction level is one of the most important topics at present time in marketing science. In addition, its measure in the bank field takes force in view of the high level of competition inside it, even more so if the study counts “immigrants” as a variable in analysis, a much important variable in the demographic situation of Canada. Oliver (1980) proposes the model of “disconfirmation” to measure customer satisfaction level; this model confirms that the difference between customer perceived performance and customer expectations gives as result his satisfaction level (additional model). Presently multiple scales exist to evaluate and to quantify this satisfaction level, Parasuraman (1987) is the creator of the servqual scale, while Avkiran (1999) developed the bankserv scale in order to evaluate customer expectations and customer satisfaction level specifically inside the bank field; this scale was divided in four factors via factorial analysis. Literature suggests the presence of a relation between individual expectations and/or satisfaction level, and the individual tolerance level towards non-constructed situations (Newman, 2001). Hofstede (1980) developed five cultural dimensions worldwide; among these is the Uncertainty Avoidance Index (uai) that fits to the dimension directly related to customer expectations and customer satisfaction levels, since it measures the tolerance levels towards non-structured ituations. For this research I focused on the satisfaction model analysis proposed by Oliver (1980) based on Avkiran´s scale (1999), having the Latin American or Canadian origin as variables. The concept of Hofstede’s cultural differences leads me to propose two samples: 50 Canadian French speakers and 50 Latin American individuals (Canadian residents). Results demonstrate that in the Latin American group the expectations are in average higher that in the Canadian group, considering all four factors (Avkiran). Perceived performance and satisfaction level are higher in the Latin American group that in the Canadian group for “personal branch conduct” and “access to personalized services” factors, nevertheless, no statistically significant difference has been proved for “credibility” and “communication” factors. The expectations variable presents a mediating effect over the relation between variables uai (Latin American or Canadian origin) and satisfaction level. This effect is partial for “personal branch conduct” and perfect for “access to personalized services”.

Gobernanza Ambiental en América Latina: hacia una agenda de investigación integradora (Tema Central)

América Latina juega un papel importante en relación con la Gobernanza Ambiental. El conocimiento generado por estudios empíricos y teóricos sobre los desafíos ambientales del presente pueden apoyar los renovados esfuerzos de la región por alcanzar un uso de los recursos naturales que sea equitativo y sustentable. A pesar de que los vínculos entre las dimensiones social y ambiental han sido explorados por la academia desde los años noventa, las nuevas tendencias de la Gobernanza Ambiental en América Latina requieren una aproximación analítica comprehensiva. Los autores argumentan que, a fin de potenciar las “perspectivas latinoamericanas” para la solución de los dilemas socioambientales, algunas corrientes de investigación deben juntarse en marcos analíticos integradores que puedan generar complejas preguntas relacionadas con las interacciones a múltiples niveles entre Estado, sociedad civil y actores de mercado.

Making the most of PAS data: Macro- and micro-level studies of Romano-British settlement

The Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) database includes records of over 225,000 artefacts of Roman date, with a wide geographical coverage and the potential to contribute to our understanding of Romano-British landscapes and settlement at several scales of analysis. This paper draws upon the author’s doctoral research to describe regional case studies from six counties (Wiltshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, North Lincolnshire and Cumbria) on the use of PAS data. The data have value nationally and regionally as general guides to ancient settlement patterns, but it is arguably at the micro-scale that they have the most potential. With reference to detailed landscape studies from parts of Warwickshire and Wiltshire, the paper argues that sites represented by PAS data are often rural settlements that show evidence for continued activity throughout the Roman period. The paper demonstrates that with an appropriate methodology PAS data can be an immensely valuable archaeological resource, particularly when interpreted at multiple scales, and can be considerably more than a guide to broad distributions of Roman finds.

Diversity for resilience : multi-scale application of agro-ecology

The integration of ecological principles into agricultural systems presents major opportunities for spreading risk at the crop and farm scale. This paper presents mechanisms by which diversity at several scales within the farming system can increase the stability of production. Diversity of above- and below-ground biota, but also genetic and phenotypic diversity within crops, has an essential role in safeguarding farm production. Novel mixtures of legume-grass leys have been shown to potentially provide significant benefits for pollinator and decomposer ecosystem services but to realise the greatest improvements carefully tailored farm management is needed such as mowing or grazing time, and the type and depth of cutivation. Complex farmland landscapes such as agroforestry systems have the potential to support pollinator abundance and diversity and spread risk across production enterprises. At the crop level, early results indicate that the vulnerability of pollen development, flowering and early grain set to abiotic stress can be ameliorated by managing flowering time through genotypic selection, and through the buffering effects of pollinators. Finally, the risk of sub-optimal quality in cereals can be mitigated through integration of near isogenic lines selected to escape specific abiotic stress events. We conclude that genotypic, phenotypic and community diversity can all be increased at multiple scales to enhance resilience in agricultural systems.

Urban-scale Environmental Prediction Systems

Weather, climate, water and related environmental conditions, including air quality, all have profound effects on cities. A growing importance is being attached to understanding and predicting atmospheric conditions and their interactions with other components of the Earth System in cities, at multiple scales. We highlight the need for: (1) development of high-resolution coupled environmental prediction models that include realistic city-specific processes, boundary conditions and fluxes; (2) enhanced observational systems to support (force, constrain, evaluate) these models to provide high quality forecasts for new urban services; (3) provision of meteorological and related environmental variables to aid protection of human health and the environment; (4) new targeted and customized delivery platforms using modern communication techniques, developed with users to ensure that services, advice and warnings result in appropriate action; and (5) development of new skill and capacity to make best use of technologies to deliver new services in complex, challenging and evolving city environments. We highlight the importance of a coordinated and strategic approach that draws on, but does not replicate, past work to maximize benefits to stakeholders.

Fiedler trees for multiscale surface analysis

In this work we introduce a new hierarchical surface decomposition method for multiscale analysis of surface meshes. In contrast to other multiresolution methods, our approach relies on spectral properties of the surface to build a binary hierarchical decomposition. Namely, we utilize the first nontrivial eigenfunction of the Laplace-Beltrami operator to recursively decompose the surface. For this reason we coin our surface decomposition the Fiedler tree. Using the Fiedler tree ensures a number of attractive properties, including: mesh-independent decomposition, well-formed and nearly equi-areal surface patches, and noise robustness. We show how the evenly distributed patches can be exploited for generating multiresolution high quality uniform meshes. Additionally, our decomposition permits a natural means for carrying out wavelet methods, resulting in an intuitive method for producing feature-sensitive meshes at multiple scales. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Analytical study of the nonlinear behavior of a shape memory oscillator: Part II-resonance secondary

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Analytical study of the nonlinear behavior of a shape memory oscillator: Part I-primary resonance and free response at low temperatures

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

On an approximate analytical solution to a nonlinear vibrating problem, excited by a nonideal motor

This paper analyzes through Multiple Scales Method a response of a simplified nonideal and nonlinear vibrating system. Here, one verifies the interactions between the dynamics of the DC motor (excitation) and the dynamics of the foundation (spring, damper, and mass). We remarked that we consider cubic nonlinearity (spring) and quadratic nonlinearity (DC motor) of the same order of magnitude according to experimental results. Both analytical and numerical results that we have obtained had good agreement.

On the undamped free vibration of a mass interacting with a Hertzian contact stiffness

Three methods are used to determine the natural frequency of undamped free vibration of a mass interacting with a Hertzian contact stiffness. The exact value is determined using the first integral of motion. The harmonic balance method is used on a transformed equation for an approximate solution, and the multiple scales method is used on an approximate equation. The maximum initial displacement avoiding contact loss is also determined, and the corresponding exact natural frequency is also obtained analytically. The methods are evaluated by studying the free vibration of an elastic sphere on a flat rigid surface. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chaos suppression in NEMs resonators by using nonlinear control design

In this work the chaotic behavior of a micro-mechanical resonator with electrostatic forces on both sides is suppressed. The aim is to control the system in an orbit of the analytical solution obtained by the Method of Multiple Scales. Two control strategies are used for controlling the trajectory of the system, namely: State Dependent Riccati Equation (SDRE) Control and Optimal Linear Feedback Control (OLFC). The controls proved effectiveness in controlling the trajectory of the system. Additionally, the robustness of each strategy is tested considering the presence of parametric errors and measurement noise in control. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.

Local and regional ecological drivers of fish assemblages in Brazilian estuaries

Spatial patterns in assemblage structures are generated by ecological processes that occur on multiple scales. Identifying these processes is important for the prediction of impact, for restoration and for conservation of biodiversity. This study used a hierarchical sampling design to quantify variations in assemblage structures of Brazilian estuarine fish across 2 spatial scales and to reveal the ecological processes underlying the patterns observed. Eight areas separated by 0.7 to 25 km (local scale) were sampled in 5 estuaries separated by 970 to 6000 km (regional scale) along the coast, encompassing both tropical and subtropical regions. The assemblage structure varied significantly in terms of relative biomass and presence/absence of species on both scales, but the regional variation was greater than the local variation for either dataset. However, the 5 estuaries sampled segregated into 2 major groups largely congruent with the Brazilian and Argentinian biogeographic provinces. Three environmental variables (mean temperature of the coldest month, mangrove area and mean annual precipitation) and distance between estuaries explained 44.8 and 16.3%, respectively, of the regional-scale variability in the species relative biomass. At the local scale, the importance of environmental predictors for the spatial structure of the assemblages differed between estuarine systems. Overall, these results support the idea that on a regional scale, the composition of fish assemblages is simultaneously determined by environmental filters and species dispersal capacity, while on a local scale, the effect of environmental factors should vary depending on estuary-specific physical and hydrological characteristics © 2013 Inter-Research.