Autour des années 1930, Léopold Sédar Senghor, Aimé Césaire, Léon Gontran Damas et les autres lancent le mouvement de la Négritude. Leur lutte s’oriente vers une convocation poétique et une réappropriation de l’Afrique. En effet, après la prise en compte des valeurs africaines et leur mise en pratique, il faut donc penser et écrire à la manière africaine. Les créations littéraires issues de ce mouvement littéraire étaient donc essentiellement orientées vers l’Afrique, vers cet espace topographique connu et fixe. Dans cette revendication légitime, l’identité du sujet nègre est à rechercher en Afrique, la Négritude participe donc à une sorte de « fixité identitaire ». Les années 1990 voient l’émergence d’une nouvelle génération d’écrivains africains francophones qui, pour la plupart, vivent et mènent leurs activités littéraires en Europe (Bessora, Alain Mabanckou, Kossi Efoui, Calixte Béyala, etc.). Cette quatrième génération d’écrivains africains francophones lutte contre une sorte « d’assignation à résidence » et revendiquent une littérature ouverte sur le monde. À ce sujet, Bessora, comme beaucoup d’autres écrivains de sa génération, évolue en marge d’un espace géographique fermé, elle assume son appartenance à un monde qui abolit les frontières géographiques, esthétiques et même genrologiques. Bien qu’assumant ses origines africaines, Bessora coupe tout lien avec son espace géographique pour inventer et conquérir de nouveaux territoires. Dès lors, Bessora n’écrit plus l’Afrique dans une posture figée et afro-centrée, mais elle invite plutôt à la réalisation du « Tout-Monde » glissantien. / Around Around the 1930s, Léopold Sédar Senghor, Aimé Césaire, Léon Gontran Damas and others launched the Negritude movement. Their struggle is a poetic evocation and a reappropriation of Africa. Indeed, after the taking into account of African values and their implementation, one must think and write in the African way. The literary creations resulting from this literary movement were therefore essentially oriented towards Africa, towards this fixed and known topographic space. In this legitimate claim, the identity of the Negro subject is to be sought in Africa; Negritude is therefore involved in a kind of “fixed identity”. The 1990s saw the emergence of a new generation of francophone African writers who mostly live and conduct their literary activities in Europe (Bessora, Alain Mabanckou, Kossi Efoui, Calixte Béyala, etc.). This fourth generation of francophone African writers struggle against a kind of "house arrest" and advocate a literature open to the world. In this regard, Bessora, like many other writers of her generation, evolves on the fringe of a closed geographical space; she assumes membership in a world that abolishes geographic, aesthetic and even genrologicals frontiers. While not denying her African origins, Bessora cuts all ties with her geographical space in order to invent and conquer new territories. Consequently Bessora no longer writes about Africa from a frozen and African-centered position, but rather calls for the realization of “All-World” of Glissant.

La créativité occupe une place centrale dans la conception. Dans une perspective de conception participative, de co-conception, cette créativité est d’autant plus importante qu’elle est celle des futurs utilisateurs, permettant alors d’aboutir à de l’innovation utile. Notre thèse est qu’il est possible d’améliorer la pensée innovante des utilisateurs en quantité (nombre de propositions) et en qualité (degré d’originalité des propositions) en ayant une méthode d’interrogation des participants-utilisateurs basée sur le contrefactuel. En s’intéressant à la Créativité-Utilisateur dans les processus de co-conception sous l’angle de l’optimisation de ces processus, cette thèse s’inscrit dans une approche psycho-ergonomique de l’innovation avec l’objectif d’étudier la possibilité de favoriser la créativité chez les utilisateurs grâce à l’utilisation du raisonnement contrefactuel.Basée sur un modèle de l’apport du contrefactuel à la créativité et à l'innovation, notre hypothèse générale est que (i) la fixité fonctionnelle est un obstacle cognitif majeur dans des tâches nécessitant la créativité mais (ii) elle peut être contrariée par l’utilisation du raisonnement contrefactuel. Ainsi, de la forme « si [OBJETi] alors [pour ACTIONi ] », - par exemple « si Boîte d’allumettes alors Pour Allumer du feu » -, la fixité fonctionnelle serait contrariée en demandant aux participant d’envisager le cas où « si [OBJETi] et [ NON pour ACTIONi ] alors [pour quelles AUTRES ACTIONS] » par exemple « si Boîte d’allumettes et non Pour Allumer du feu ; alors Pour Quoi faire d’autre ? ». En appliquant cette consigne, on devrait voir émerger plus d’idées créatives que dans des tâches habituelles de production d’idées innovantes. La thèse restitue la menée de série de six études, avec la participation d’utilisateurs finaux adultes et enfants, en situation de co-conception créative, allant du plus conceptuel (concevoir les propriétés sur de futurs objets) au plus pratique (la réalisation d’un prototype). Les deux premières études montrent l’apport de la pensée contrefactuelle à la technique de l’entretien semi-direct de recherche (sections 1.1 et 1.2) lorsque des items contrefactuels y sont intégrés. La deuxième et la troisième étude évaluent l’apport de la pensée contrefactuelle à la technique du Focus Group (sections 2.1 et 2.2) ; des items contrefactuels étant intégrés au guide des questions adressées au Focus Group. La quatrième et la cinquième étude analysent l’apport de la pensée contrefactuelle au Brainstorming (sections 3.1 et 3.2) en intégrant des contextes contrefactuels lors des séances de brainstorming et de brainwriting.En résumé, les travaux de thèse mettent en évidence que l’utilisation du raisonnement contrefactuel dans des tâches de créativité amoindrit la fixité fonctionnelle relative à une catégorie en optimisant la production d’idées créatives issues d’autres catégories. / Creativity has a core function in design. Creativity is even more important in the perspective of a participatory design, «co-design», when it comes from future users as it leads to useful innovation. By focusing on users’ creativity in the co-conception processes in terms of the optimization, this thesis is part of a psycho-ergonomic approach to innovation with the objective of studying the possibility of fostering creativity among users. Our proposal is that it is possible to improve users' innovative thinking in quantity (number of proposals) as well as in quality (degree of originality of the proposals) by using a counterfactual-based method for participant-user queries.Based on a model of counterfactual contribution to creativity and innovation, our general assumption is that (i) functional fixity is a major cognitive obstacle in tasks requiring creativity and (ii) functional fixity may be counteracted by the use of counterfactual reasoning. Thus, from rules such as "if [OBJETi] then [for ACTIONi]" - (for instance "if Matchbox then to ignite"), functional fixity would be thwarted by asking participants to consider the following counterfactual " If [OBJETi] and [NOT for ACTIONi] then [for what OTHER ACTIONS] (for instance " if Matchbox and not to ignite; Then for what else? "). By applying this guideline, more creative ideas should emerge than in usual tasks of producing innovative ideas.The thesis is reporting a serie of six studies, with the participation of adult and child end-users embedded in creative co-design situations, ranging from conceptual (designing functional and procedural properties on future objects) to the most practical (the making of a prototype). The first two studies show the contribution of counterfactual thinking to the technique of semi-directed research interviewing (sections 1.1 and 1.2) when counterfactual items are integrated into it. The second and third studies evaluate the contribution of counterfactual thinking to the Focus Group technique (sections 2.1 and 2.2) with counterfactual items included in the questions list. The fourth and fifth studies analyze the contribution of counterfactual thinking to Brainstorming (sections 3.1 and 3.2) by integrating counterfactual contexts during brainstorming and brainwriting sessions.In summary, the thesis works show that the use of counterfactual reasoning in tasks of creativity reduces the functional fixity relative to a category by optimizing the production of creative ideas coming from other categories.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the footing fixity effect on the lateral deflection of a bridge pier for different types of soil. Generally, the rotational restraint coefficient at top and bottom of pier (degree of fixity of the pier) is used to compute the effective length factor of pier which is in turn used to determine the pier deflection. The magnitude of the deflection is used to determine whether the p-delta force effect should be considered while designing the pier. However, the pier deflection is usually computed by assuming that the pier footing is completely fixed to the ground. In case of soil under footing, rotational restraint coefficient is taken as five for all types of soils. In this study, finite element analysis method was used to determine the pier deflection by providing three actual soil environments and compare the results with the traditional approach. Hence, the rotational restraint coefficient will be modified according to the deflection computed from the finite element analysis.

In recent decades, the global impacts of unsustainable consumption and production patterns have become a leading topic of sustainability, and more recently, climate action discourse. At the policy level, green consumerism – an element of green capitalism – has been positioned as the pathway to more sustainable consumption and production (SCP) practices. Within this model, eco-labeling schemes are used to communicate various sustainability attributes, or conditions of production, to the consumer. This study set out to investigate whether SCP is achievable through green consumerism using a two-part case study that centers around the egg industry and specific hen welfare standards. The case study examines the effectiveness of egg eco-labeling schemes and related statements and images placed on egg packaging in informing consumers' purchasing decisions. It also examines the impacts of green consumerism on organic egg production in the presence of strong consumer demand for enhanced hen welfare standards. The results of the case study demonstrate that in the egg industry, green consumerism is not highly effective because consumers' purchasing decisions are often informed by vague and misleading information about conditions of production. Moreover, the presence of strong consumer demand has not resulted in enhanced hen welfare standards in organic production. In interpreting these findings through the lens of David Harvey's theory of the spatial fix, I argue that the true role of green consumerism is to facilitate a spatial fix to resolve the chronic crisis of overaccumulation in the conventional egg industry. Furthermore, that the limitations and contradictions within green consumerism (e.g. vague or insignificant eco-label claims) aid in removing the barrier of capital fixity so that the spatial fix can occur.

<p>Currently, there is significant divergence in scholarly opinion as to whether or not human nature exists. In my PhD thesis, I argue for the existence of human nature. In so doing, I critique rival views on human nature and orthodox entry points into the issue. I also offer a partial explanation as to why such a strong divergence of expert opinion may exist, and argue that accuracy on the issue is important with respect to individual and collective problem solving. The view of human nature I defend is what I call ‘ecological.’ This construct aligns with the fact that biological systems exist at multiple levels of organization and relative to varying ecologies, developmental stages, frames of reference, and viable systems of orientation. Given this, I contend human nature is not something that ‘inheres’ and projects out from the organism; rather, human nature is diffuse and exists at simultaneous levels of biological organization, and at the intersection of genetic and epigenetic factors, past and present, and scientific truth and pragmatism.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

No description available.

Three components, a pallet, packaging, and material handling equipment, of the unit load portion of the supply chain are physically and mechanically interacting during product storage and shipping. Understanding the interactions between two primary components, a pallet and packaging, in a unit load is a key step towards supply chain cost reduction and workplace safety improvement. Designing a unit load without considering physical and mechanical interactions, between those two components, can result in human injury or death caused from a unsafe workplace environment and increased supply chain operating costs, due to product damage, high packaging cost, disposal expense, and waste of natural resources. This research is directed towards developing predictive models of the compressive stress distributions using the principle of the beam on an elastic foundation and experimentally quantifying the compressive stress distributions. The overall objective of this study is to develop a model that predicts compressive stress distributions at the interface between a pallet deck and packaging as a function of: pallet deck stiffness, packaging stiffness, and pallet joint fixity. The developed models were validated by comparison to the results of physical testing of the unit load section. Design variables required for modeling included Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) of pallet deckboards, Rotation Modulus (RM) for nailed joints, and packaging stiffness. Predictive models of the compressive stress distributions were non-uniformly distributed across the interface between pallet deckboards and packaging. Maximum compressive stresses were observed at the deckboard ends over stringer segments. All predictive compressive stress distributions were influenced by pallet deck stiffness, packaging stiffness, and joint fixity. The less the joint fixity the greater the pallet deck deflection. The stiffer deckboards are more sensitive to joint fixity. For predictive compressive stress distribution models, the measure of the stress concentrations was the Compressive Stress Intensity Factor (SIF), which was the ratio of the estimated maximum compressive stress to the applied stress. Less stiff pallets and stiffer packaging resulted in greater SIF for all end condition models. SIF was reduced by stiffer joint, stiffer pallet deck and more flexible packaging. The stiffer the pallet deck and pallet joint the greater the effective bearing area. The lower stiffness packaging resulted in the greater effective bearing area with all three packages. The predicted effective bearing area was more influenced by pallet deck stiffness than the packaging stiffness. The developed prediction models were validated by comparison to experimental results. All prediction models fell within 95% confidence bounds except the 3/8-inch deck with free ends and 3/4-inch deck with fixed ends. The difference between predicted and measured results was due to a limitation in pressure sensor range and test specimen construction for the free end model and fixed end model, respectively. The results show effects of pallet deck stiffness and packaging stiffness on SIFs with percentage changes ranging from 2 to 26% (absolute value of change) for all three end conditions. The sensitivity study concluded that changing both pallet deck stiffness and packaging stiffness more significantly influenced the SIFs than bearing areas. / Ph. D.

Les polymères à mémoire de forme (SMP) sont des matériaux qui peuvent revenir à leur forme d'origine lorsqu'un stimulus approprié (par exemple de la chaleur) est prévu. Ces polymères sont programmés par cycle de mémoire de forme qui se compose de deux parties: une partie de la programmation qui donne un effet mémoire de forme (SME) à savoir la forme temporaire pour le polymère et la partie de récupération où il revient à sa forme initiale. Les SMP ont une faible rigidité, donc, produisent de grandes déformations récupérables, mais produisent des forces de récupération faibles. Cependant, les composites SMP produisent des forces de récupération plus grandes car ils sont relativement rigide mais ont des souches moins récupérables. En outre, de forts actionneurs à mémoire de forme peuvent être produits si deux effets différents peuvent être combinés dans une structure unique. Une structure déjà active (par exemple des alliages à mémoire de forme) peut être intégré dans SMP. Par conséquent, un fort actionneur couplé peut être obtenu. [...] / Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are the materials which can return to their original shape when a suitable stimulus (e.g. heat) is provided. These polymers are programmed through shape memory cycle that consists of two parts: programming part which gives shape memory effect (SME) i.e. temporary shape to the polymer and the recovery part which return it to its original shape. SMPs have low stiffness, therefore, produce large recoverable strains, but produce low recovery forces. However, SMP composites produce larger recovery forces as they are relatively rigid but have less recoverable strains. Moreover, strong shape memory actuators can be produced if two different effects can be combined in a single structure. An already active structure (e.g shape memory alloys) can be embedded in SMP. Consequently, a strong coupled actuator can be obtained. In this work, the shape memory property of CBCM composite (an active composite that works on bimetallic affect) has been studied. CBCM stands for controlled behavior of composite material. CBCM activeness and its SM property has been coupled together to obtain a strong actuator. SM property has been obtained through thermo-mechanical programming at a temperature higher than glass transition temperature (Tg) of Epoxy resin used for its fabrication. The CBCM actuating properties have been studied through different one-step recoveries (unconstrained, constrained and recovery under load). Moreover, different asymmetrical CBCM composites have been developed by changing the position and orientation of the different layers used. These have been studied for their different actuation properties. Similarly, multi-step recoveries (unconstrained and constrained) have also been performed to show multi step actuation capabilities in CBCM. The actuating properties of CBCM have also been compared with symmetrical composite (SYM) to show the advantage of coupled properties in CBCM. It has been found that CBCM has the ability to give high strain, high recovery forces. Also, it can recover under load and recover to its original position at the temperatures lower than the deforming temperature used in the programming cycle.