Academic literature on the topic 'Paradoxe taille'

La connaissance des marchés a souvent été mise en évidence comme étant indispensable à la réussite internationale. Les structures exportatrices de taille moyenne sont particulièrement sensibles à ce problème : leur besoin informationnel est rendu important par des marchés géographiquement dispersés, alors que leurs systèmes d'information sont le plus souvent peu formalisés, peu sophistiqués et vite surchargés. La tentation d’un discours normatif est alors grande et de nombreux conseils de gestion de Information, soutenus par les informaticiens, sont mis en place. La problématique abordée est celle d'une performance sur le marché international soumise à des conditions de traitement de l'information sur les marchés. Cet article présente une recherche destinée à décrire le comportement informationnel des entreprises de taille moyenne en vue d'un développement international plus ou moins intense. Une étude a été réalisée dont la méthodologie repose sur des méthodes descriptives mettant en évidence les caractéristiques de comportement informationnel d'entreprises exportatrices de taille moyenne. Deux catégories de résultats, issus de deux phases méthodologiques, ressortent de cette étude : La conclusion de l’article oriente le lecteur vers la validation de l’importance des systèmes d’information marketing dans les PME, mais aussi vers la prise en compte des spécificités de la PME pour dénouer le paradoxe informationnel évoqué en introduction.

Résumé Dans la théorie de l’information probabiliste comme dans la théorie des algorithmes de programmation, l’on n’a pas à s’occuper de la question de savoir comment nous comprenons ni comment les significations sont créées. Dans ces deux cas de complexité, nous rencontrons le même paradoxe : une identité formelle entre complexité maximale et aléatoire (c’est-à-dire désordre avec homogé-néité statistique maximale). Et, dans les deux cas, la solution du paradoxe consiste à l’ignorer en supposant qu’un sens et une signification existent a priori, ce qui élimine de ce fait l’hypothèse de l’aléatoire. Ce n’est que très récemment qu’on a tenté de résoudre vraiment ce paradoxe par des travaux sur la complexité algorithmique tenant compte d’une définition de la complexité porteuse de signification. Une première approche concerne le principe de complexité par le bruit. Une seconde, plus récente, utilise des simulations de réseaux d’automates pour tenter de surprendre l’émergence de significations fonctionnelles dans les réseaux d’automates à propriétés auto-organisatrices. Parmi les résultats obtenus, on trouve une large sous-détermination des théories par les faits, et la petite taille de ces réseaux permet d’en analyser clairement l’origine et même de la quantifier. Cette sous-détermination des théories apparaît comme l’expression probablement la plus spectaculaire de ce qu’est la com-plexité naturelle.

Les conséquences de la sélection du poulet de chair pour une croissance rapide sont examinées à l’aide d’un modèle basé sur 6 équations développées dans une publication précédente (Carré et Méda 2015). Pour un poids à l’abattage de 2,5 kg, on calcule que l’indice de consommation est réduit linéairement par la diminution de l’âge d’abattage d’une valeur allant de 0,031 à 0,036 par jour de réduction dans la durée d’élevage. D’après ce calcul, la sélection pour une croissance rapide paraît être de loin le moyen le plus efficace pour améliorer l’efficacité alimentaire du poulet de chair. On calcule avec ce modèle que les économies d’aliment associées à de futures accélérations dans la vitesse de croissance concerneront à la fois les ressources énergétiques et protéiques. Cependant, ces économies de protéines proviendront essentiellement d’une augmentation de l’utilisation des acides aminés purs et non de l’accélération de la vitesse de croissance. Chez le poulet de chair moderne, la réduction de la taille relative des organes résultant de l’accroissement du rendement en viande s’est trouvée à l’opposé de ce que l’on pouvait attendre d’un accroissement de la consommation alimentaire relative au poids vif. Ce paradoxe a été rendu possible par une amélioration de l’efficacité des organes, ou par une disparition de fonction, comme illustré par des publications antérieures décrivant des études sur la taille et l’efficacité du tractus digestif chez des poulets de chairs d’origine commerciale ou provenant des lignées génétiques expérimentales D+ et D- sélectionnées d’une manière divergente sur l’efficacité digestive.

Prey animals can reduce their risk of predation by detecting potential predators before encounters occur. Some animals gain information about nearby predators by eavesdropping on heterospecific alarm calls. Despite having well-developed ears, most lizards do not use vocal information for intraspecific communication, and few studies have shown practical use of the ears in wild lizards. Here, we show that the Madagascan spiny-tailed iguana ( Oplurus cuvieri cuvieri ) obtains auditory signals for predator detection. The Madagascan spiny-tailed iguana and the Madagascar paradise flycatcher ( Terpsiphone mutata ) are syntopic inhabitants of the Ampijoroa dry deciduous forest of Madagascar. The iguana and the flycatcher have neither a predator–prey relationship nor resource competition, but they have shared predators such as raptors and snakes. Using playback experiments, we demonstrated that the iguana discriminates mobbing alarm calls of the flycatcher from its songs and then enhances its vigilance behaviour. Our results demonstrate the occurrence of an asymmetrical ecological relationship between the Madagascan spiny-tailed iguana and the paradise flycatcher through eavesdropping on information about the presence of predators. This implies that indirect interspecific interactions through information recognition may be more common than generally thought in an animal community.

Raptors - falcons, hawks and eagles in this study - such as peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) that attack distant prey from high-speed dives face a paradox. Anatomical and behavioral measurements show that raptors of many species must turn their heads approximately 40 degrees to one side to see the prey straight ahead with maximum visual acuity, yet turning the head would presumably slow their diving speed by increasing aerodynamic drag. This paper investigates the aerodynamic drag part of this paradox by measuring the drag and torque on wingless model bodies of a peregrine falcon and a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) with straight and turned heads in a wind tunnel at a speed of 11.7 m s(−)(1). With a turned head, drag increased more than 50 %, and torque developed that tended to yaw the model towards the direction in which the head pointed. Mathematical models for the drag required to prevent yawing showed that the total drag could plausibly more than double with head-turning. Thus, the presumption about increased drag in the paradox is correct. The relationships between drag, head angle and torque developed here are prerequisites to the explanation of how a raptor could avoid the paradox by holding its head straight and flying along a spiral path that keeps its line of sight for maximum acuity pointed sideways at the prey. Although the spiral path to the prey is longer than the straight path, the raptor's higher speed can theoretically compensate for the difference in distances; and wild peregrines do indeed approach prey by flying along curved paths that resemble spirals. In addition to providing data that explain the paradox, this paper reports the lowest drag coefficients yet measured for raptor bodies (0.11 for the peregrine and 0.12 for the red-tailed hawk) when the body models with straight heads were set to pitch and yaw angles for minimum drag. These values are markedly lower than value of the parasite drag coefficient (C(D,par)) of 0.18 previously used for calculating the gliding performance of a peregrine. The accuracy with which drag coefficients measured on wingless bird bodies in a wind tunnel represent the C(D,par) of a living bird is unknown. Another method for determining C(D,par) selects values that improve the fit between speeds predicted by mathematical models and those observed in living birds. This method yields lower values for C(D,par) (0.05-0.07) than wind tunnel measurements, and the present study suggests a value of 0.1 for raptors as a compromise.

Depuis quelques temps déjà, les vertus de produits manufacturés dans des conditions plus respectueuses de l'environnement sont sans cesse mises en avant auprès des consommateurs. Des biens biens plus écologiques sont aujourd'hui considérés comme indispensables par les firmes afin de participer aux efforts de préservation de notre environnement mais aussi, il faut bien l'avouer, de garantir ou développer leurs parts de marché. Il est évident que la fabrication de ces derniers entraîne une reconfiguration des flux et une modification de leur gestion dans les entreprises. Même si une logistique plus écologique est alors souvent présentée comme un atout, la complexité de sa mise en oeuvre est susceptible de générer surcoûts, gaspillages et non-qualité. Au travers de l'analyse du cas d'une usine de fabrication de moteurs destinés à l'industrie automobile, ce papier a pour objectif de mieux appréhender les problématiques ainsi que les solutions employées par une unité industrielle de grande taille dans le champ de l'écologistique. Il tente également de montrer qu'un pilotage des flux dans une optique de durabilité peut certes entraîner une amélioration globale de la performance logistique et industrielle, mais peut aussi générer des effets antagonistes constatés notamment dans la phase de lancement en production d'un produit plus écologique. L'article revient bien évidemment sur une revue détaillée de la littérature afin d'étayer et de valider cet exemple.

The distinctive and divergent courtship phenotypes of the birds-of-paradise make them an important group for gaining insights into the evolution of sexually selected phenotypic evolution. The genusAstrapiaincludes five long-tailed species that inhabit New Guinea’s montane forests. The visual and acoustic components of courtship amongAstrapiaspecies are very poorly known. In this study, we use audiovisual data from a natural history collection of animal behavior to fill gaps in knowledge about the visual and acoustic components ofAstrapiacourtship. We report seven distinct male behaviors and two female specific behaviors along with distinct vocalizations and wing-produced sonations for all five species. These results provide the most complete assessment of courtship in the genusAstrapiato date and provide a valuable baseline for future research, including comparative and evolutionary studies among these and other bird-of-paradise species.

Context The band-tailed pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata) is a migratory species occurring in western North America with low recruitment potential and populations that have declined an average of 2.4% per year since the 1960s. Investigations into band-tailed pigeon demographic rates date back to the early 1900s, and existing annual survival rate estimates were derived in the 1970s using band return data. Aims The primary purpose of the paper was to demonstrate that the apparent paradox between band-tailed pigeon population dynamics (long-term steady decline) and breeding season survival rates (very high) can be explained by changes in survival probability during the remainder of the year. Methods We trapped Pacific coast band-tailed pigeons during two separate periods: we equipped pigeons with very high frequency (VHF) radio-transmitters in 1999–2000 (1999 = 20; 2000 = 34); and outfitted pigeons with solar powered platform transmitting terminal (PTT) transmitters in 2006–08 (n = 20). We used known fate models to estimate annual survival rates and seasonal survival variation among four periods based on an annual behavioural cycle based on phenological events (nesting, autumn migration, winter and spring migrations). We used model averaged parameter estimates to account for model selection uncertainty. Key results Neither body condition nor sex were associated with variation in band-tailed pigeon survival rates. Weekly survival during the nesting season did not differ significantly between VHF-marked (0.996; CI = 0.984–0.999) and PTT-marked pigeons (0.998; CI = 0.990–1.00). Model averaged annual survival of PTT-marked pigeons was 0.682 (95% CI = 0.426–0.861) and was similar to annual survival estimated in previous studies using band return data. Survival probability was lowest during both migration periods and highest during the nesting period. Conclusions Our survival estimates are consistent with those of prior studies and suggest that mortality risk is greatest during migration. Weekly survival probability during winter was nearly the same as during the nesting season; however, winter was the longest period and survival throughout winter was lower than other seasons. Implications We present the first inter-seasonal analysis of survival probability of the Pacific coast race of band-tailed pigeons and illustrate important temporal patterns that may influence future species management including harvest strategies and disease monitoring.

Abstract Hybrid male Vidua were observed in the field and recorded to document host song mimicry. The mtDNA of one male was sequenced to identify the maternal parent. The hybrid males mimicked songs of Melba Finch (Pytilia melba), the usual host of Long-tailed Paradise Whydah (V. paradisaea), but the mtDNA matched that of indigobirds (V. chalybeata or another species), which parasitize and mimic other estrildid finches. This combination of song behavior and genetics is consistent with a two-generation history that began with a female indigobird (e.g. V. chalybeata) laying in a Melba Finch nest rather than in a nest of her usual host (e.g. Red-billed Firefinch [Lagonosticta senegala]). Her daughter, genetically an indigobird, imprinted on her Melba Finch foster parents and then mated with a male paradise whydah mimicking Melba Finch song. She also laid eggs in Melba Finch nests. Her son, the male hybrid carrying his grandmother's indigobird mtDNA, learned and later mimicked Melba Finch song. Genetic identification of the maternal species origin of this hybrid supports a model of mate choice based on mimetic song in the Vidua finches.

Cette thèse se propose d’étudier la difficulté de l’estimation de la distance dans le cadre de la géométrie de l’espace visuel. En philosophie de la perception, cette thèse est d'abord discutée au plan épistémologique : comment savoir que cette distance n'est pas connue ou connaissable, quoique perçue et discutée. Les travaux de Berkeley nous servent de point de départ et fixent un cadre spéculatif, puisque Berkeley soutient en effet que le jugement porté sur la distance résulte entièrement de l'expérience, quoique cette distance ne puisse être vue phénoménalement. La thèse se propose d'examiner une question essentielle supportée par cette alternative centrale mais au plan ontologique cette fois : comme déterminer de quel type est la distance : est-elle inconsciemment visible ? tangible ? ou visible et tangible à la fois ? Peut-elle être une entité assignable dans un espace hyperbolique, ou sphérique, un espace strictement euclidien, ou hyperbolique et sphérique en même temps qu'euclidien ? Pour appuyer notre propos et notre recherche nous mettrons à l’épreuve différents textes et expériences en passant de Berkeley à I. Rock ou de T. Reid à M. Wagner. Notre but aura été d'explorer les limites argumentatives et de montrer ce qui est impliqué par ces différentes appréciations et assignations de la distance dans tel ou tel espace déterminé. A chaque fois s'affrontent la géométrie de l’espace visuel et l’optique physiologique, mais au sein d'un même débat de fond qui consiste à savoir comment définir philosophiquement l’estimation de la distance ?
This thesis examines the difficulties in estimating the geometrical distance of visual space. Submitted in the field of Philosophy of Perception, this thesis is first discussed from an epistemological standpoint: how does one know that this distance is unknown or unknowable despite being perceived and discussed. The various works of Berkeley serve as a point of depart and establish a speculative framework as Berkeley held that judgment of distance results entirely from experience despite the fact that this distance cannot be seen in a phenomenal way. This thesis examines an essential question supported by this central problem, this time from an ontological position: how is the type of distance to be determined: is it unconsciously visible?tangible? or both visible and tangible at the same time? Can it be categorized in a hyperbolic space, or spherical space, or a strictly Euclidean space, or hyperbolic and spherical at the same time as Euclidean? In support of the thesis and research, various texts and experiences have been examined and contrasted, including those of Berkeley and I. Rock as well as T. Reid and M. Wagner. The goal has been to explore the limits of argumentation and to show what is implicated by these different accounts and assignment of distance in one, versus another, determined space; additionally studying subjects including the experience of the alleys or the so-called the moon illusion, which appeared to be demonstrative examples. In each instance, geometry of visual space and physiological optics confront one another, but at the center of this same fundamental debate is the question of how to define the estimation of distance philosophically?

Abstract The purpose of this research is to explore the issue of organizing work for creative individuals, particularly to explore the influence of creativity on emergence of creative companies and to understand the way of managing creative individuals from those companies. The emergence of creative companies is investigated from the motivational perspective, especially the intrinsic motivation and inner drive. The management aspect is studied from the perspective of both managers and employees. Prior literature on creativity demonstrates that creativity has become an important element of human existence. Most of the creativity research has been done on individual creativity, organizational creativity, creative processes, motivation and social influences on creativity. Despite the recent tendency to study creativity from various perspectives, few scholars have approached this phenomenon from the perspective of emergence of creative companies. This study examines that and explores the motivational aspects of creativity seen from the angle of the paradox between art and business. Creativity and motivation in creative companies are contemplated with a case study method. The empirical context of the research is creative industries: games, films, visual and performing arts. The results of this study show that motivational features of creativity (love and passion to create, curiosity, desire to create, choice to be creative) have an influence on creative individuals from the perspective of emergence of new creative companies. The analysis further indicates the importance of acknowledgement of creativity and creative work of individuals in games industries. The new concept of ”the need to be creative” is introduced in this research in the context of a new product or idea being created. In addition, this research concludes that there is a paradox between creative freedom and control when managing creative individuals. This study shows that both of those elements are critical managing practices in the creative companies. Based on theories of creativity and management combined with empirical analysis of film companies, this research also suggests that managing of creative individuals is focused on allowing creative freedom at work while providing control by the manager as well as providing the right work-life balance in creative work settings
Tiivistelmä Tämän tutkimuksen tarkoituksena on tarkastella luovuuden vaikutusta luovien alojen yritysten syntymiseen sekä ymmärtää luovien yksilöiden johtamista. Luovien yritysten syntyä tutkitaan motivationaalisesta, erityisesti sisäisen motivaation ja -halun näkökulmasta. Johtamista tarkastellaan sekä johtajan että työntekijän näkökulmasta. Aikaisempi luovuuskirjallisuus osoittaa, että luovuudesta on tullut tärkeä ihmisyyden ja olemassaolon osa-alue. Suurin osa luovuustutkimuksesta on tehty yksilön luovuudesta, organisatorisesta luovuudesta, luovista prosesseista, motivaatiosta sekä sosiaalisten tekijöiden vaikutuksista luovuuteen. Vaikka luovuustutkimusta on tehty viime aikoina monista eri näkökulmista, harvat tutkijat ovat lähestyneet ilmiötä luovien yritysten syntymisen näkökulmasta. Tässä tutkimuksessa tutkittiin luovuuden motivationaalisia elementtejä taiteen ja liiketoiminnan ristiriidan näkökulmasta. Luovien yritysten luovuutta ja motivaatiota tarkasteltiin käyttäen tapaustutkimusmenetelmää. Tämän tutkimus on tehty luovien alojen, kuten peli-, filmi-, visuaalisen- ja esittävän taiteen kontekstissa. Tutkimustulokset osoittavat, että luovuuden motivationaalisilla piirteillä (kuten intohimo luomista kohtaan, uteliaisuus, halu luoda ja olla luova) on vaikutusta luoviin yksilöihin luovien yritysten syntymisen näkökulmasta. Analyysi osoittaa myös, että peliteollisuudessa on tärkeää tunnistaa yksiön luovuus ja luovan työn merkitys. Tämä tutkimus esittelee uuden ”tarve olla luova”- käsitteen kontekstissa, jossa luodaan uutta tuotetta tai ideaa. Tämän lisäksi tutkimus osoittaa, että johdettaessa luovia yksiöitä luovuuden vapaus ja kontrollin tarve ovat ristiriidassa. Tutkimus kuitenkin osoittaa, että molemmat elementit ovat kriittisiä johtamiskäytäntöjä luovissa yrityksissä. Johtamisen- ja luovuuden teoriat sekä tutkimuksen empiirinen analyysi osoittavat, että luovien yksilöiden johtaminen perustuu luovuuden vapauden mahdollistamiseen, riittävään kontrolliin sekä työelämän tasapainoon

碩士
國立中興大學
生物物理學研究所
99
Male paradise fishes Macropodus opercularis L. fight for territory during breeding season. During fighting a distinctive behavior, so-called “Head-Tail Display” (HTD), can be observed and characterized by the opponents following the other’s tail leading to swimming in a rotational fashion, with bodies oriented in parallel and bended in J-shape. After several rounds of HTD, the dominant fish might be determined; but previous studies never investigated the role of HTD during fighting. It is also unclear how flapping of pectoral fins might affect the motion of two fishes during HTD. In this study, I examined the behavioral patterns and kinematics of pectoral fin flapping during HTD, and assessed the physical factors that might determine the results of fighting. To this end, the fighting behaviors were recorded from the top using a regular speed DV (30 fps) and a high-speed video camera (500 fps), from which the flapping frequency and amplitude of pectoral fins were analyzed. The period of HTD could be determined quantitatively as the time between maximum and minimum angular velocity of the pectoral fins. My results show that: (1) Despite lower moving speed (0.73±0.26 BLs-1, N=20) than that of swimming (1.37±0.37 BLs-1, N=17), during HTD the flapping frequency, position, and amplitude of pectoral fins are significantly greater. During swimming, the pectoral fins flapped at 4.11±1.51 Hz, with amplitude of 30.38±3.68° from the position of 32.56±3.52°. But during HTD, the pectoral fins flapped at 8.52±1.34 Hz, with amplitude of 48.91±6.05° from 84.23±13.45°, a position farther away from the body. (2) During HTD, the flapping frequency and amplitude were not significantly different between two fishes. However, whether it started HTD earlier (the attacker, A) or later (the defender, D), the pectoral fin of the inner side (near the opponent) flapped at an angle (A: 92.06±10.94°; D: 94.45±8.73°) significantly greater than that of the outer side (far from opponent; A: 75.83±8.78°; D: 74.58±11.84°). Therefore, the inner fins flapped at an angle close to 90° would have greater opportunity to touch its opponent’s body, while the outer fins provided the force (and moment) to maintain rotational motion. (3) The dominances and submissions had similar flapping frequency and amplitude, but the dominances spent more power (0.89±0.55 x 10-4 J/s) flapping the inner fins than the submission do (0.70±0.36 x 10-4 J/s). The dominances flapped their inner fin from a position of 93.60±6.90°, making them easier to transmit mechanical signals to the opponents than the submissions do (119.04±7.40°). Furthermore, the dominances had different flapping angles between two sides allowing it to rotate; while the submissions had similar angles, both greater than 90°, for backward retreat from the HTD pairing. (4) Observations of the whole fighting periods show that in some cases, the dominance could be determined in less than three HTD events and no fish was injured; however, when HTD events were greater than eight times fishes would begin more aggressive behaviors like biting or mouthlocking, increasing the risk of injury. In conclusion, during HTD, the male paradise fishes could control flapping of their pectoral fins to adjust their motion and relative position to each other, and could also affect the transmission efficiency of mechanical signals. Hence HTD provides both functions in display and mechanical rivalry that can reduce injury from aggressive fighting.

The object of this case study is a marketing and sales information system in two local offices of a regional telephone company. A unified, advanced client/server system was needed due to the merging of three companies into a bigger regional company, keener competition, and the growing complexity of the services provided. The system is tailor-made to meet the needs of the industry and it was developed by a software vendor in close cooperation with the nation-wide alliance of regional telephone companies. This study illustrates the difficulties in simultaneously aligning an organization and implementing a new information system. Views on the skills and competence needed in using the system vary, and lead to the negligence of education and training. The consequent lack of skills and knowledge of some users, especially of those not using the system regularly, create profound problems in the whole work process and in productivity as the first, obvious work practices become the dominant mode of operation bypassing the desired integrated workflow. The findings are discussed and reflected to concepts of institutionalization, positive reinforcement, and productivity paradox. This case emphasizes the importance of the organizational implementation and adaptation process which ought to begin after the implementation of the technical system.

Businesses need to understand privacy conditions and implications to ensure that they are in compliance with legal constraints and do not step on consumers’ rights for privacy. Personal identifiable information (PII) and data can have innate importance to an organization. Some organizations view certain privacy features as essential components of their product or services; for example, profile data is often used to tailor products specifically for their customers’ likes and needs. PII can also be used for less-honorable endeavors such as identity theft, phishing, political sabotage, character annihilation, spamming, and stalking. One of the core issues of privacy is: Who actually owns the data, the holder of the data, or the subject (persons) of the data? The answer depends on many criteria: the users’ perspective, the environment that privacy is addressed, and how the data are collected and used. Privacy issues arise because nearly every activity on the Internet leaves traces somewhere. This audit trail has caused many people to be concerned that this data may be inappropriately used. The paradox is that many businesses are also concerned for a different reason. In this age of legislation and litigation, a “minor” misstep or software glitch could easily put businesses in a position of extreme jeopardy. A data breach at T.J. Maxx that allowed hackers to download over 45 million credit/debit card numbers could literally bankrupt the organization. The damage and fines could easily total more than $4.5 billion; some have the figure as high as $8 billion (Ou, 2007). It is important to state that the governments’ approach to the protection of personal privacy is neither equal nor universal. Some localities extend protection much further than others. In 1972, California amended its constitution to specifically include the construct of “a resident’s inalienable right to privacy.” Within the United States, court decisions dealing with privacy have fairly closely upheld two principles (Freedman, 1987): 1. The right to privacy is NOT an absolute. An individual’s privacy has to be tempered with the needs of society; and 2. The public’s right to know is superior to the individual’s right of privacy. However, some large communities were very slow in becoming involved; Japan did not pass its major protection law (“the Act on the Protection of Personal Information”) to protect consumers and to regulate business until 2005 (Yamazaki, 2005).

Ceramic matrix composites (CMC) have been widely studied to tailor desired properties at high temperatures. However, research applications involving design tool development for multi-phase material design are at an early stage of development. While numerical CMC modeling provides significant insight on the material performance, the computational cost of the numerical simulations and the type of variables involved in these models are a hindrance for the effective application of design methods. This technical challenge heightens with the need of considering the uncertainty of material processing and service. For this reason, few design researchers have addressed the design paradox that accompanies the rapid design space expansion in CMC material design. The objective of this research is to establish a tractable approach for CMC design considering uncertainty. Traditionally, surrogate models of statistical data are incorporated in the design strategy. An alternative to surrogate modeling is the use of lower fidelity models, which captures some of the physics of the problem and avoids the generation of uncertainty quantification. A variable fidelity optimization (VFO) management framework is incorporated in this research. In the proposed VFO method, a high-fidelity, cohesive, finely meshed finite-element model guides the coarsely meshed, low-fidelity model towards the optimal material design. Uncertainty in CMC material processing (multiphase nucleation and growth) is quantified using a stochastic material microstructural lattice model. The lattice model is verified with laboratory processed microstructures. Dimension reduction for reduction of the number of random variables under consideration. Linear data transformation and principal component analysis (PCA) is traditionally used in dimension reduction. However, nonlinear dimension reduction techniques are better handle complex nonlinear data. This work incorporates Maximum Variance Unfolding (MVU) that preserves global properties of the original data in the low-dimensional representation. The proposed methodology is applied to the optimal distribution of the matrix and the disperse phases in the composite structure. Results are demonstrated in the design of silicon carbide (SiC) fibers in a silicon-nitride (Si3N4) matrix for maximum fracture energy. The results provide a reference for SiC-Si3N4 nanocomposite.