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Molecular Dynamics-Based Study of the Effect of Hydrogen on the Mechanical Properties of Fe-C System
Get PDFHydrogen embrittlement (HE) significantly impacts high-strength steels by reducing ductility and promoting brittleness. Research has shifted towards multifaceted approaches, with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations at the atomic scale being crucial. In this research, MD was employed using two interatomic potentials to investigate the role of hydrogen in Fe-C systems. The atomic models maintained a consistent carbon concentration while varying concentrations of hydrogen and progressed from single-crystalline through bicrystalline to polycrystalline models, increasing complexity and incorporating grain boundaries (GBs). Results showed a general decline in mechanical properties of the Fe-C system with increasing hydrogen content, with the failure outcome being influenced by simulation boundary conditions such as fully-periodic compared to shrink-wrapped in the pulling direction. The impact of hydrogen varied by crystal direction, highlighting anisotropy. Hydrogen significantly increased local vacancy and void formation, leading to earlier fracture initiation, and strongly suggesting the hydrogen-enhanced strain-induced vacancies (HESIV) mechanism among those commonly proposed for HE. Although evidence for the hydrogen-enhanced decohesion (HEDE) mechanism was limited, a potential synergistic effect with HESIV was suggested. The influence of hydrogen on dislocation density varied, and phase transformations (BCC to FCC/HCP) were frequent, driven by stress, crystal orientation, and potential type. Despite limitations, MD provides key insights into HE, underscoring the need to integrate simulation results with experimental data for a comprehensive understanding
« La réalité a besoin de la fiction » : Les dédoublements et les niveaux narratifs dans le cinéma de Pedro Almodóvar
Get PDFCe mémoire de maîtrise propose une analyse narratologique de l’univers filmique almodóvarien à partir des relations entre deux aspects importants de la filmographie du cinéaste : les dédoublements ainsi que son utilisation complexe des niveaux narratifs.
M’appuyant principalement sur le travail théorique de Gérard Genette et de Christian Metz sur la diégèse, je démontrerai que ces dédoublements, lorsqu’à l’intérieur d’un même film, agissent comme motifs pour assurer une cohésion formelle tout en soulignant les enjeux thématiques et narratifs de l’œuvre. Les dédoublements intertextuels entre les films d’Almodóvar, quant à eux, forment un univers dans lequel les frontières entre les niveaux narratifs sont si ambiguës qu’il en devient impossible d’en déterminer la structure exacte. Ce constat suggère que l’univers almodóvarien est, un peu à la manière des Drawing Hands de M.C. Escher ou du 8 1/2 de Fellini, une grande mise abyme aporétique : elle se met continuellement en scène en train de se mettre en scène, dans le but de remettre en question notre vision du monde et de se forcer à le voir d’un autre œil
The Effects of Social Responsibility on Consumption Choices
No full textIn two essays, this dissertation examines the effect of socially responsible consumer behavior on subsequent consumption of conventional as well as socially responsible products.
The first essay focuses on socially responsible behavior and subsequent consumption of conventional products and demonstrates that socially responsible behaviors increase the consumption amount of such conventional products. This effect is mediated by perceived effort associated with behaving socially responsibly. This research also shows that the effect is attenuated when consumers experience higher perceptions of control and when consumers are exposed to prosocial behavior conformity cues. This research expands the literature by identifying a novel contributor to overconsumption and highlights an unexpected consequence of socially responsible behavior.
The second essay focuses on the consumption of socially responsible products. It shows that consumers are more likely to defer consumption of socially responsible products. It also finds that this effect is mediated by perceived effort, which generates positive inferences about the products’ specialness, resulting in consumption deferral. This research also demonstrates that the effect is attenuated by consumption goals and perceptions of low environmental benefits of socially responsible behaviors. This research contributes to the literature by identifying a novel contributor to consumption deferral and reveals an additional unexpected consequence of socially responsible products.
Overall, this reach enhances understanding of how consumers make decisions after their initial choice to behave socially responsibly, both in terms of conventional and socially responsible products. Furthermore, it clarifies the underlying process, showing that effort perceptions drive these effects
Exploring speech expectations during the hiring process and perceived accent discrimination in the workplace: Outcomes for L2 French job applicants and employees in Québec
Get PDFBecause people often infer a person’s personal and professional characteristics such as intelligence and competence from that person’s accent, employers, colleagues, or customers may react negatively toward speakers who display second language (L2) speech, which can be detrimental to those speakers’ chances of obtaining a job, their prospects of job advancement, and their sense of belonging to their workplace community. However, the majority of research on accent bias in the workplace focuses on L2 English accents and relies on first-impression listener judgments. This dissertation addresses these shortcomings by providing a comprehensive listener- and speaker-focused perspective through two complementary studies that explore how L2 French speakers are evaluated during extended job interviews and how L2 French speakers experience workplace accent discrimination in Québec.
Study 1 explored whether L1 French listeners’ evaluations of L1 and L2 French-speaking job applicants would differ under various expectation conditions (congruent, incongruent, no-expectancy). A typical interview process was emulated by presenting 55 HR-experienced listeners first with job applicants’ resumes, then with audio-recorded interview excerpts, which captured how employability evaluations and speech perception might evolve dynamically throughout the interview process. The L2 applicants were perceived as less employable than the L1 applicants. When an applicant was presumed to be an L2 speaker based on her resume, her employability was subsequently upgraded when she spoke L1 French. Lower employability evaluations of L2 applicants were related to their accent being perceived as less prestigious and more difficult to understand than expected.
Study 2 investigated perceived accent discrimination and its possible consequences from the perspective of 60 L2 French-speaking employees. Participants provided anecdotes and responded to surveys about how they are treated at work due to their French accent and how willing they are to engage in certain work interactions. Having more frequent experiences with accent discrimination in the workplace was associated with employees avoiding taking on leadership roles, participating at meetings, and applying to certain jobs. Common stereotypes mentioned by employees were being labeled as foreigners, perceived as incompetent and unwilling to learn French, and identified as a threat to the survival of French in Québec
Streamlining scheme theory with topoi
Get PDFThe aim of the script is to act as a course on Scheme theory from the internal perspective
of the topos Sh(X), therefore showing that the internal logic of sheaf topoi is a strong
enough foundation to build the whole theory on without necessarily referring back to the
usual methods.
In this thesis we define what it means to work from the internal perspective:
We define elementary topoi and how to build and interpret formulas in the internal
logic.
After, we move to the specific case that is the category of sheaves on either a topological
space or a locale, and explicit the semantics of that language.
Weshow that the logic is intuitionistically solid and prove some results about geometric
formulas that apply to later constructions.
When that is done, we procede to rebuild some theory of schemes from this perspective:
First we define abelian groups, rings, local rings and modules over sheaves, and some
special cases.
Then we build the basics of scheme theory by defining affine schemes, general schemes,
coherent modules, and some special classes of morphism of schemes,
In the end we attempt to talk about relative schemes from this perspective and what
is needed to build the theory, then procede to show that it is well suited for a synthetic
approach to schemes through some exercises from Hartshorne’s Algebraic Geometry
chapter I
Multidisciplinary optimization of shoe midsole structures using swarm intelligence
No full textCreating functional midsoles for shoes is a challenging task that involves considering different aspects such as stability, comfort, manufacturability, and aesthetics. No single approach exists to design a midsole that meets all these objectives effectively. Therefore, this study aims to introduce a multidisciplinary optimization method to develop custom shoe midsole structures. Our approach involves utilizing generative methods to generate diverse structures and leveraging swarm intelligence to search for optimal designs. Without loss of generality, we use tetrahedral mesh generation to create midsole structures because tetrahedral structures are renowned for their exceptional strength. To enhance the swarm’s exploration of the design space and discover more local optima, we developed a swarm behavior that promotes diversity. Furthermore, we created a quantitative measurement tool to evaluate various objectives. In order to test the effectiveness of our generative approach, we analyzed the midsoles generated from our design exploration that performed the best and the worst in relation to each objective. Our findings revealed a substantial difference between them, with scores differing by two to four times. Additionally, when compared to other lattice structures, the tetrahedral midsole structure created by our method demonstrated superior compliance with the foot and better redistribution of plantar stress. The multidisciplinary optimization technique we have proposed is a valuable resource for engineers and designers in the footwear industry, allowing them to develop high-performance midsole structures that meet the needs of both consumers and athletes. Furthermore, this method can be applied to optimize other complex structures in various industries, such as civil, automotive, and aerospace engineering
Collective Autonomy in Action: From the Autonomous Social Centre to Building 7
Get PDFAbstract for the entire book:
An investigation of how social movements and activists can undermine structures of political power by redefining participation.
The past decade has witnessed the resurgence of autonomy-inspired movements in many countries across Europe, North America, and Latin America. From the Indignados to the Occupy Movement and Antifa, from Indigenous mobilizations at Standing Rock to Black Lives Matter, and from radical feminists to climate justice activists, the influence of the ideals and practices of autonomy seem more alive and pervasive than ever. Subverting Politics explores how autonomous social movements navigate the state despite overwhelming tides of corporate and political dominance. Featuring essays from various scholars and academics such as Jason Del Gandio, AK Thompson, Miguel A. Martínez, Émeline Fourment, Rachel Sarrasin, and others, this investigation into the rise and resurgence of social movements is extremely timely for readers seeking new political inspirations
Of Formless Formations: Inner Landscapes of the Listening Body
Get PDFOf Formless Formations is the culmination of a material research completed over the course of the MFA program. The text is structured to explain the methodologies discovered and projects created, working together to create a spatialized sound installation activated by a dance performance that tells of the artists research with river ecologies. Also included is photo documentation of the individual works featured in the thesis show held at the Black Box
electric vehicles effects on the power grid considering smart charging/discharging: montréal case study
Get PDFElectric vehicles (EVs) are increasingly recognized for their potential to save energy, reduce pollution, and protect the environment. This makes the promotion and adoption of EVs crucial for decreasing our reliance on oil, enhancing energy security at national and regional levels, and supporting sustainable economic and social development. Acknowledging these benefits has led to a strategic focus on encouraging the widespread use of EVs. In this regard, countries around the world have begun to implement policies aimed at accelerating the adoption of EVs. These policies range from incentives for EV purchases to investments in charging infrastructure, reflecting a commitment to transition to cleaner forms of transportation. As a part of these efforts, the Government of Canada has introduced new regulations that establish mandatory Zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales targets for manufacturers and importers of new passenger cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks. These regulations require that a minimum of 20 percent of new vehicles sold in Canada must be zero-emission by 2026, escalating to at least 60 percent by 2030 and reaching 100 percent by 2035.
In accordance with these new laws and policies, the province of Québec has set its own ambitious target of having two million EVs on the road of Québec by 2030. This goal has led to the need for this study to measure and analyze the impact of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) charging demand on both the current and future power network of Montréal, the largest city in the province of Québec. In this regard, this study considers the integration of Québec's ZEV policy on the city's grid and will evaluate how the expected growth in the number of PHEVs will affect the network's stability and efficiency. Therefore, a multi-objective problem has been presented in this research study to simultaneously maximize the benefits for PHEV owners while minimizing the power loss in the system for the current and future network of the city of Montréal. The proposed multi-objective problem is also developed using the Epsilon-Constraint technique, which facilitates solving the complex multi-objective function problem. In this regard, the load profiles of three different parts of the city of Montréal have been considered for specific reasons. The downtown area of Montréal has been chosen as it serves both commercial and residential purposes. To analyze the impact of PHEV charging in residential areas, Cote Saint Luc and Notre-Dame-de-Grâce have been included in the study, where both are considered primarily residential neighborhoods. Additionally, Montréal is well-known for its festivals and events, which led individuals to spend considerable time in the city for leisure. As a result, Quartier des Spectacles and the Old Port have been selected as essential areas where people gather during their leisure time. To address the above-mentioned issue and analyze the effect of PHEVs on the network of Montréal, two different phases and approaches were considered in this study: Immediate Charging, which only uses the Grid-to-Vehicle (G2V) charging strategy, and Smart Charging, which uses both G2V and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) strategies with the assistance of an EV aggregator. Additionally, to validate the effectiveness of the Smart Charging results, an alternative approach known as Basic V2G was implemented. This Basic V2G approach serves as a basic V2G concept to evaluate and verify the advantages of using the Smart Charging scenario
Optimization of Pre-Operative Planning in Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgeries with Deep Learning-based Patient-Specific 3D Modeling and Intuitive VR Interaction
Get PDFThis thesis explores the application of deep learning algorithms within extended reality to enhance preoperative planning in minimally invasive video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). VATS faced technical challenges, such as a limited field of view and complex anatomical structures, which require precise, patient-specific 3D modeling and intuitive data interaction for effective planning.
While deep learning, particularly U-shaped architectures, has emerged as a powerful approach for generating these models through automated segmentation of preoperative medical images, the growing number of U-shaped models with diverse network configurations and attention mechanisms requires systematic evaluation.
Our first contribution addresses this need through a comprehensive benchmark study of U-shaped models, focusing on their segmentation accuracy and computational complexity. The study reveals the effectiveness of CNN-based U-shaped architectures for thoracic anatomical segmentation, with residual blocks playing a crucial role in enhancing network performance. These findings provide essential guidance for model selection and development in surgical planning applications, where the balance between accuracy and computational efficiency is important.
Building upon these segmentation capabilities, our second contribution introduces an innovative extended reality system for optimizing trocar placement in VATS procedures. Optimal trocar placement is crucial to ensuring comprehensive thoracic cavity access, maintaining panoramic endoscopic visualization, and preventing instrument crowding. Our system features tailored visualization and interaction designs that enable surgeons to explore trocar configurations preoperatively using patient-specific 3D models. Preliminary evaluation demonstrates the system's efficiency, robustness, and user-friendliness, establishing its potential for clinical implementation while offering valuable insights for future surgical XR system development