On the motivations for Merleau-Ponty’s ontological research

This paper attempts to clarify Merleau-Ponty’s later work by tracing a hitherto overlooked set of concerns that were of key consequence for the formulation of his ontological research. I argue that his ontology can be understood as a response to a set of problems originating in reflections on the intersubjective use of language in dialogue, undertaken in the early 1950s. His study of dialogue disclosed a structure of meaning-formation and pointed towards a theory of truth (both recurring ontological topics) that post-Phenomenology premises could not account for. A study of dialogue shows that speakers’ positions are interchangeable, that speaking subjects are active and passive in varying degrees, and that the intentional roles of subjects and objects are liable to shift or ‘transgress’ themselves. These observations anticipate the concepts of ‘reversibility’ and ‘narcissism’, his later view of activity and passivity, and his later view of intentionality, and sharpened the need to adopt an intersubjective focus in ontological research

Validation of the SOPLAY direct observation tool with an objective accelerometry-based physical activity monitor

The System for Observing Play and Leisure Activities (SOPLAY) is a direct observation instrument designed to facilitate observation of groups and environmental contexts. To date, no field-based studies have been done to test validity of SOPLAY using objective criteria. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the validity of the SOPLAY with corresponding data from an accelerometry-based activity monitor (Biotrainer pro) in a sample of 9-12 years old children. Methods: Data was collected from 19 different physical activity sessions with a total of 160 children (mean age 10.5y0.8). The SOPLAY direct observation tool and activity monitors were used to evaluate the activity levels of the groups on two different occasions. The agreement between instruments and the influence of SOPLAY sampling rate on its validity were tested. The primary outcome measure for all comparisons was the percent of youth categorized as being active but different measures were used to reflect this variable. One measure (MVPA1) used the sum of walking + very active to reflect activity while another measure (MVPA2) was based on the percentage of youth coded as very active . Results: Difference between observed and recorded activity levels varied depending on what coding was used. There were large and significant differences when the standard scoring system was used for interpreting the SOPLAY (MVPA1: 50.55y26.41%, p-value\u3c0.001). There was an overall better agreement (non-significant, p-value\u3e0.01) when the alternative measure was used (MVPA2: 1.33y22.06%). The combination of walking and very active was found to have good correspondence when compared with a parallel measure from the accelerometer based on the sum of light and moderate to vigorous activity (MVPA3: -2.02y29.00%). Correlations for the different MVPA classifications followed the same pattern (MVPA1: 0.404, MVPA2: 0.562, MVPA3: 0.575). Evaluation of the impact of scan rate on validity was evaluated by comparing agreement with different number of scans. Although observation scans every 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 20 had systematic increases in error, there was a substantial absolute error (21.76%) associated when there was only 1 scan per session (20 minutes scans). Conclusions: Observations provide valid indicators of MVPA if coding is based on the percentage of youth classified as very active . The results demonstrate that more frequent scans can improve the validity of the estimations

Validation and calibration of self-report methods: the Youth Activity Profile

The development of more accurate and precise methods of assessing physical activity behavior is an important public health research priority. Objective monitoring devices have advantages but the high cost and burden of data processing make them impractical for large scale applications. Subjective (survey-based) tools are inexpensive and easy to use but these suffer from questionable validity. Objective measures are often used to validate less accurate measures such as subjective instruments but this does not directly improve the accuracy or precision of the self-report instrument. The proposed line of research developed and tested a calibration equation approach that enabled data from a self-report instrument to be linked to, and scaled from, data from an objective monitoring device. This line of research was developed in a series of three studies and culminated with the development and calibration of a new self-report tool: the Youth Activity Profile. This work provides good evidence that the utility of self-report tools can be improved. Minutes of activity can be directly obtained from these tools if researchers select adequate calibration procedures. To our knowledge the Youth Activity Profile is the first self-report instrument designed to facilitate recall in youth while providing detailed information about activity patterns during important periods of the week (e.g., school time, home, weekend)

Analysis of a system of description of odors by means of four different multivariate statistical methods

In order to analyze the relationships among 32 descriptors of odors (notes), similarity coefficients were calculated using a data bank of 628 odoriferous products. The simple examination of the similarity matrix (32,32) has shown notes selectively and strongly associated (e.g. camphoraceous-piney and musky-powdery) and others less selectively associated (e.g. floral, green and herbaceous). This analysis was completed by four multivariate statistical methods. Non-linear mapping (NLM) proved to be more efficient than principal coordinates analysis for planar representation of olfactory notes, and has given results similar to those previously obtained using other data and other methods (similar disposition of notes around the central note ‘floral'). Furthermore, the ascending hierarchical taxonomy and the minimal spanning tree were coherent with the NLM representation. These three methods complete each other and constitute a convenient system to analyze odor description

Variações sobre o tema da “intricada comunhão entre Bíblia e Cultura” - Nelly Sachs e Fernando Pessoa

Neste ensaio, interessar-nos-á demonstrar a permanência de uma herança cultural comum, de raízes bíblicas, que influenciou a Literatura ao longo dos tempos, mesmo que em diferentes ritmos de diálogo com essa herança. Nesta breve reflexão acerca da Bíblia como fundamental sustentáculo de um imaginário cultural, analisaremos alguns poemas de dois autores novecentistas, Nelly Sachs e Fernando Pessoa (em particular do “Guardador de Rebanhos”, de Caeiro), nos quais se percebe, mesmo quando com intenção paródica, um diálogo produtivo com o Velho Testamento e o Novo Testamento.In this paper, we aim to demonstrate the permanence of a common cultural heritage, with biblical roots, which influenced Literature across time, even if with different rhythms of dialogue with that heritage. In this brief reflection about the Bible, in its underpinning function of cultural imaginary, we will analyze some poems of two twentieth century authors, Nelly Sachs and Fernando Pessoa (specifically Caeiro’s “Guardador de Rebanhos”), in which is notorious, even if with a parodic intention, a fruitful dialogue with the Old and New Testaments.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Extension de l'approche X-FEM en dynamique rapide pour la propagation tridimensionnelle de fissure dans des matériaux ductiles

The current development of the industry focus on structural integrity over time or in the case of extremes stresses. Risks related to the cracks propagation in the event of shocks or impacts are still difficult to predict. Computing codes in this area groups several methods of simulation within the same computer software. To present the various numerical methods used, this thesis was divided into three distinct parts. In the first part we present the literature. Then, in second part, our contribution to the numerical simulation methods are presented by applying it to the case of dynamic crack propagation. Finally the results obtained from the proposed methods are described. We compare these simulations with experimental results or 2D simulations found in the literature. Through the first part, we present the theory of fracture mechanics to reach a criterion of crack propagation adapted to the transient dynamics. This criterion has been used for dynamic cracks in two dimensions. We describe the extended finite element method mainly used for quasi-static problems. We give the advantages but also the limits of this method: the choice of enrichment and the integration method are particularly important. The level-sets method is then presented: it allows to describe and develop the crack regardless of the structure. It highlights the need of robustness due to explicit dynamics scheme. The second part is devoted to the development and extension of the method in 3D. After reminding the propagation criterion in 3D, we try to offer more economic patterns of spatial integration. A new strategy of level-sets propagation based on geometrical approach is proposed for the explicit dynamic and applied in 3D. In the third part, we apply the methods to the case of two-dimensional crack propagation and three-dimensional. We initially simulate 2D mode I then mixed mode, to ensure that we arrive at results close to earlier 2D simulations. To finish, we present three-dimensional simulations of crack propagation with stopping and restarting crack. All these developments have been implemented in the computing software EUROPLEXUS , co-owned by the CEA and the European Commission.Le développement actuel de l’industrie vise à prévoir l’intégrité des structures dans le temps ou dans le cas de sollicitation extrême. Les risques liés à la propagation des fissures dans le cas de chocs ou d’impacts sont encore difficiles à prévoir. Les codes de calcul dans ce domaine regroupent plusieurs méthodes de simulation au sein d’un même code de calcul. Afin de présenter les différentes méthodes numériques mises en oeuvre, ce mémoire a été découpé en trois parties distinctes. Dans la première partie, nous présentons la bibliographie, puis notre apport aux méthodes de simulation numérique en l’appliquant au cas de la propagation de fissure dynamique et enfin les résultats obtenus à partir des méthodes proposées. Nous comparons ces simulations à des résultats expérimentaux ou à des simulations 2D trouvés dans la littérature. À travers la bibliographie, nous présenterons la théorie de la mécanique de la rupture pour arriver à un critère de propagation de fissure adapté à la dynamique transitoire. Ce critère a déjà été utilisé pour la fissuration dynamique en 2 dimensions. Nous décrirons la méthode des éléments finis étendus utilisée jusqu’ici principalement en quasi-statique. Nous donnerons les avantages mais aussi les limites de mise en oeuvre de cette méthode, notamment à travers le choix des enrichissements et de l’intégration des éléments coupés par la fissure. La méthode des level-sets est ensuite présentée : elle permet de décrire et faire évoluer la fissure indépendamment de la structure. On met en évidence le besoin de robustesse pour faire évoluer la fissure en dynamique explicite. La seconde partie est consacrée au développement et à l’extension de la méthode en 3D. Après avoir rappelé le critère de propagation en 3D fragile et avec plasticité, on cherche à proposer des schémas d’intégration spatiale plus économiques. Une nouvelle stratégie de propagation des level-sets basé sur la géométrie est proposée pour la dynamique explicite 3D. Enfin dans la troisième partie, nous appliquerons les méthodes à des cas de propagation de fissure bidimensionnelle puis tridimensionnelle. Nous simulerons dans un premier temps des cas 2D en mode I puis en mode mixte, afin de vérifier que l’on arrive à résultats proches des cas déjà simulés en 2D. Pour terminer par des simulations de propagation tridimensionnelle de fissure avec arrêt et redémarrage de la fissure. Tous ces développements on été implémentés dans le code de calcul de dynamique explicite EUROPLEXUS, co-propriété du CEA et de la Commission Européenne

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Merleau-Ponty and the Measuring Body

In recent years a growing number of scholars in science studies and related fields are developing new ontologies to displace entrenched dualisms. These efforts often go together with a renewed interest in the roles played by symbolisms and tools in knowledge and being. This article brings Maurice Merleau-Ponty into these conversations, positioning him as a precursor of today’s innovative recastings of technoscience. While Merleau-Ponty is often invoked in relation to his early work on the body and embodiment, this article focuses on his later work, where the investigation of perception is integrated with an ontological exploration. The resulting approach revolves around the highly original idea of the body as a standard of measurement. We further develop this idea by coining the term ‘the measuring body’, which to a greater extent than did Merleau-Ponty accentuates the relative autonomy of symbolisms and tools and their capacity to decentre the perceiving body

Construção das identidades de jovens de origem imigrante em Europa: resultados dum projeto Europeu

Este artigo descreve e analisa alguns dos elementos que influenciam a construção das identidades dos jovens de origem imigrante na Europa. Os resultados derivam dum projeto de investigação europeu intitulado “Rumo à construção social duma juventude europeia: a experiência de inclusão e exclusão na esfera pública dos jovens migrantes de segunda geração”1, desenvolvido entre 2006 e 2009 em nove cidades localizadas em cinco países: Espanha (Madrid e Barcelona), Itália (Génova e Roma), Portugal (Lisboa e Porto), França (Metz), Alemanha (Berlim) e Holanda (Utrecht). A primeira parte analisa os dados quantitativos recolhidos nos contextos de estudo, comparando os jovens descendentes de imigrantes com os jovens autóctones, focando a questão da identidade como um assunto central no processo de inclusão dos jovens imigrantes. A segunda parte aborda alguns dos marcadores identitários presentes nos jovens descendentes de imigrantes em Portugal, à luz de dados etnográficos recolhidos especificamente para o caso dos jovens na Área Metropolitana de Lisboa focando as questões de identidade, género e discriminação