Out in the world, there are over a million colorblind developers and a lot more that are aspiring developers. Amongst them are colorblind developers that are hindered by their color blindness. Hindered in such ways as they do not have the confidence to design an application, due to them not being able to interpret colors in a similar way as other developers. There is also a fear of “can I be colorblind and be a programmer/web designer?”. With these walls stopping potential developers from advancing or doing certain things, we could lose out on some great developers for the future. In order to tackle this, I am creating a tool for colorblind developers to generate color schemes and mock color schemes in applications. As well as giving them a tool to look up RGB/HEX-values and receive the name of the color matching.

A complexidade inerente ao processo de produção de energia apresenta um desafio aos especialistas quando estes se deparam com o dimensionamento e operação de sistemas de recursos hídricos. A produção energética de um sistema hidroelétrico depende fundamentalmente das séries de vazões afluentes às diversas usinas hidrelétricas do sistema. No entanto, a incerteza das vazões futuras e sua aleatoriedade são obstáculos que dificultam todo o planejamento da operação do sistema energético brasileiro. A inexistência de um software específico para análise de séries de vazões ocorridas nas usinas hidrelétricas, associada à importância desse tipo de dado no contexto energético, motivou a concepção de uma ferramenta gráafica para visualização e previsão desses dados. Acredita-se que a visualização desses dados por meio de representações apropriadas e altamente interativas possa promover hipóteses e revelar novas informações dos fenômenos associados a essas quantidades, melhorando a qualidade das decisões de planejamento do sistema energético. Este trabalho de mestrado apresenta em detalhes o sistema desenvolvido, chamado Power Map Explorer, e das técnicas nele implementadas / The complexity inherent to the process of energy production introduces a challenge to the experts when they are faced with dimension and operation of water resources systems. The energy production of a hidroeletric system depends on streamflow time series from hydroelectric plants located on different rivers of the system. However, the uncertainty and randomness of future streamflow series impose difficulties to the planning and operation of the brazilian energy system. The lack of a software suite to support the analysis of inflow series from hydroelectric plants, and the importance of this data in the energy context motivated the conception and implementation of a graphical tool to visualize and forecast this type data. The appropriate level of visualization and interaction with this type of data can spring new hypotheses and reveal new information, leading to performance improvement of the task of energetic planning. This work presents a software for visualization and forecast of inflow data series, the Power Map Explorer, in detail

Os aços-ferramenta têm importante participação no mercado mundial de aços. São usados na indústria metal-mecânica como ferramentas de corte, moldes, punções, matrizes, etc. Devido ao uso de grande responsabilidade, é importante discutir a relação entre microestrutura e propriedades mecânicas, porque é uma prática comum na indústria especificar os tratamentos térmicos com base principalmente na dureza final do material, sem considerar que para um mesmo valor de dureza um aço-ferramenta pode apresentar diferenças nas propriedades mecânicas, dependendo do ciclo de tratamento térmico aplicado. Logo, esta seleção de tratamento térmico é um aspecto tecnológico relevante no desempenho de aços-ferramentas.Os materiais selecionados foram os aços VND, Calmax, VF-800 e Vanadis 10, sendo os três primeiros produzidos por fundição – rota convencional e o último produzido por processo de pressão isostática a quente (HIP) – rota sinterizada.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o tratamento térmico, a microestrutura e as propriedades mecânicas destes quatro açosferramenta para trabalho a frio, para determinar o tratamento térmico capaz de promover a melhor relação dureza-tenacidade. Os resultados mostraram para o aço VND a possibilidade de se trabalhar com nível de dureza um pouco superior ao recomendado pelo fabricante, com sensível melhora nos parâmetros de resistência sem, no entanto, a ocorrência de um decréscimo importante em termos de tenacidade. Para o aço Calmax os resultados mostraram a possibilidade de trabalhar com dureza um pouco inferior à recomendada pelo fabricante, com significativa melhora nos parâmetros de tenacidade, sem a ocorrência de um decréscimo na resistência. Para os aços VF-800 e Vanadis 10, os resultados obtidos utilizando-se temperatura de revenimento inferior à recomendada pelo fabricante mostraram um ótimo desempenho em todos os ensaios, com particular atenção aos resultados de energia absorvida. / Tool steels have important participation in the worldwide market of steels. They are used by metal-mechanical industry as cutting tools, molds, punches, dies etc.Due to the use of great responsibility, it is important to discuss the relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties because it is a common practice in industry to specify heat treatments based mainly in the final hardness of the material without considerations about that for the same value of hardness a tool-steel can present differences in mechanical properties, depending on the heat treatment cycle applied. Thus, the selection of the heat treatment is a relevant technological aspect in the performance of tool steels. The materials selected were VND, Calmax, VF800 and Vanadis 10, being the three first produced by hot ingot casting followed by hot working - conventional route, and the last one by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) process – sintering route. The aim of this work was to evaluate the heat treatment, microstructure and mechanical properties of these four tool steels for cold work application in order to determine the heat treatment able to promote the best relationship hardness-toughness. The results have shown for VND steel the possibility of working with hardness slightly higher than that recommended by the manufacturer, with sensible improvement of strength without, however, the occurrence of an important decrease in toughness. For the Calmax steel the results have shown the possibility of working with hardness values slightly lower than that recommended by the manufacturer, with significant improvement in toughness, without the occurrence of a strength decreasing. For the steels VF-800 and Vanadis 10, the results of lower temperature of tempering than the recommended by the manufacturer have indicated good performance in all mechanical tests, with attention to the absorbed energy results.

We have built an application that integrates a technical editor feature and a custom real-time strategy game. The end users are able to use the technical editor feature for tweaking and customizing the unit attributes and progressions in the game using simple mathematical formulas, and they can play or test their tweaked formulas within the game. Various game modes in the software, which are Single Player, Multiplayer, and Simulation, can help display to the end users the results of their tweaked formulas, or users can just have fun by playing the game. The software was evaluated to see whether the software with the editor feature enabled is more attractive and appealing to the end users than the software with the editor feature disabled. The evaluation is based on the players’ feedback on the game with or without the editor. A total of 50 testers were randomly assigned into 2 groups evenly, the Tool group and the Game group. Testers assigned to the Tool group were able to customize the game unit attributes via the editor and play, while the testers in the Game group only play the game. The results from the post-test survey show both versions of the software are highly appealing to the testers, and there is no significant difference in game appeals between the Tool version and the Game version.

Introduction: La dépression est un motif fréquent de consultation en médecine générale. Sa variabilité rend son diagnostic difficile. Un outil diagnostique efficace, stable et ergonomique serait une aide en recherche en médecine générale. L’objectif de cette étude était de trouver un outil consensuel entre médecins généralistes (MG) et psychiatres sur plusieurs pays européens. Méthodes: Une revue systématique de littérature été entreprise pour trouver les outils validés en médecine générale contre le psychiatre. Un consensus selon une RAM en a sélectionné un. Il a été traduit selon une procédure garantissant la stabilité du transfert et l’écologie en médecine générale. Un protocole de validation a été produit pour s’assurer de la conservation des qualités psychométriques. L’étude de validation externe française a été réalisée.Résultats: Sept outils ont été extraits : CESD-R, GDS 5-15-30 questions, PSC-51, HADS, HSCL-25. Les données psychométriques d’efficacité (Se, Sp,VPP, VPN) ont été colligés. La HSCL-25 a été sélectionnée pour ses hautes qualités combinées d’efficacité, de stabilité et d’ergonomie. Elle a été traduite en 9 langues relatives à 3 groupes linguistiques : le grecque, les langues romanes et slaves. L’étude de validation française a prouvé que la forme française de la HSCL-25 (F-HSCL-25) a de hautes performances diagnostiques (Se 59,4%, Sp 91,4%, VPP 69,8%, VPN 86,9%) adaptées à la recherche en médecine générale.Implication: la HSCL-25 est un outil valide et efficace pour le diagnostic de la dépression en soins primaires. Ils pourraient augmenter les performances diagnostiques des MG et favoriser des recherches collaboratives. / Depression is a common reason for consultation in general practice. Its variability makes its diagnosis difficult. An effective, reliable and ergonomic diagnostic tool would be an aid to research in general practice. The aim of this study was to find a consensual tool between general practitioners (GPs) and psychiatrists in several European countries.Methods: A systematic literature review was undertaken to find validated tools in general practice against the psychiatrist. A consensus according to a RAM (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method) has selected one. It has been translated according to a procedure guaranteeing the stability and the ecology in general practice. A validation protocol has been produced to ensure the retention of psychometric qualities. The French external validation study was carried out.Results: Seven tools were extracted: CESD-R, GDS 5-15-30 items, PSC-51, HADS, HSCL-25.Psychometric effectiveness data (Se, Sp, VPP, VPN) were collected. The HSCL-25 has been selected for its high combined qualities of effectiveness, reliability and ergonomics. It has been translated into 9 languages relating to 3 linguistic groups: Greek, Romance and Slavic languages. The French Validation Study has proven that the French form of HSCL-25 (F-HSCL-25) has high diagnostic performance (Se 59.4%, Sp 91.4%, VPP 69.8%, and VPN 86.9%) adapted to research in general practice.Implication: HSCL-25 is a valid and effective tool for diagnosing depression in primary care. They could increase the diagnostic performance of GPs and foster collaborative research.

In a changing climate with an increasing risk of flooding, developing a sustainable approach to flood management is paramount. Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) present a change in thinking with regards to drainage; storing water in the urban environment as opposed to rapidly removing it to outflows. The Non-Statutory Standards for SuDS (DEFRA 2015a) presented a requirement for all developments to integrate SuDS in their design to reduce runoff. This research models the impact on water quantity of combining different SuDS devices to demonstrate their success as a flood management system, as compared to conventional pipe based drainage. The research uses MicroDrainage®, the UK industry standard flood modelling tool which has an integrated SuDS function, to simulate the role of SuDS in a management train. As space is often cited as the primary reason for rejecting SuDS, determining the most effective technique at reducing runoff is critical. Detention basins were concluded as being highly effective at reducing peak flow (150 l/s when combined with swales), however Porous Pavement Systems (PPS) was nearly twice as effective per m3, reducing peak flow by up to 0.075 l/s/m3 compared to 0.025 l/s/m3. This therefore suggests that both detention basins and PPS should be high priority devices when developing new sites, but that no matter what combination of modelled SuDS are installed a reduction in runoff in comparison to conventional drainage can be achieved. A SuDS decision support tool was developed to assist design in MicroDrainage® by reducing the time spent determining the number of SuDS required for a site. The tool uses outputs from MicroDrainage® to rapidly predict the minimum and maximum peak flow for a site, in comparison to greenfield runoff, based on the site parameters of area, rainfall rate, infiltration, combined with the planned SuDS. The tool was underpinned by a model analysis for each site parameter and each SuDS device, which produced r2 values >0.8, with 70% above 0.9. This ensured a high level of confidence in the outputs, enabling a regression analysis between runoff and each site parameter and SuDS device at the 99% confidence level, with the outputs combined to create the tool. The final aspect of the research validated MicroDrainage® to analyse the accuracy of the software at predicting runoff. Using field data from Hamilton, Leicester, and laboratory data for PPS and filter drains, a comparison could be made with the output from MicroDrainage®. The field data created a Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) of 0.88, with filter drains and PPS providing an NSE of 0.98 and 0.94 respectively. This demonstrates the success with which MicroDrainage® predicts runoff and provides credibility to the outputs of the research. Furthermore, it offers SuDS specialists the confidence to use MicroDrainage® to predict runoff when using SuDS.

Esta tese tem por objetivo estudar a precisão de uma nova estrutura robótica para operações de fresamento, em substituição às convencionais maquinas-ferramentas seriais, especialmente as fresadoras e os centros de usinagem CNC. A estrutura proposta está baseada no conceito da cinemática paralela, tendo a análise da precisão sido realizada em função do mapeamento dos erros de posicionamento da ferramenta de corte dentro do espaço de trabalho disponível, durante operação de fresamento de acabamento, aplicando modelagem matemática. A motivação está na busca por altos desempenhos e as estruturas robóticas paralelas possuem diversas vantagens perante as estruturas seriais: construção modular, massa reduzida, altas velocidades/acelerações. Por outro lado, há ainda problemas a serem solucionados, como: garantia da precisão, otimização do espaço de trabalho e redução/eliminação de singularidades. A metodologia aplicada no desenvolvimento deste trabalho compreende quatro etapas: a proposta de uma nova estrutura robótica desenvolvida a partir de métodos de síntese existentes; o desenvolvimento de modelos matemáticos para caracterizar o seu comportamento cinemático; a identificação das fontes de erro que influenciam no desvio de posição da ferramenta; a elaboração de modelos matemáticos e algorítmos computacionais para analisar o grau de influência de cada fonte de erro identificada. Desenvolvemos uma estrutura robótica de topologia assimétrica 2UPS+PRP, com as seguintes características: mobilidade 3 com três translações no espaço, reduzido número de componentes e movimento na direção z independente dos movimentos nas direções x e y. Apresentamos os algoritmos computacionais para mapear os erros cinemáticos, geométricos e elásticos através da discretização do espaço de trabalho disponível, baseado nas matrizes Jacobianas e no princípio do trabalho virtual. Com relação aos mapeamentos dos desvios de posição da ferramenta obtidos, chegamos a algumas conclusões. Os maiores erros cinemáticos ocorreram quando as imprecisões impostas aos dois membros motores laterais tinham sinais contrários. Os erros geométricos com tolerâncias dimensionais na classe de trabalho IT5, foram os mais relevantes dentre os erros considerados. Os erros elásticos, considerando forças de usinagem de acabamento, foram os menos relevantes entre os erros considerados, sendo expressiva a influência da rigidez das juntas universais e esféricas. A utilização do princípio do trabalho virtual, com parâmetros de rigidez concentrados, mostrou ser eficaz e eficiente, comparado ao SMA (análise da matriz estrutural) e ao FEM (método dos elementos finitos), devido ao menor trabalho para o desenvolvimento da sua formulação e ao tempo computacional reduzido para o seu processamento. / This thesis has the purpose to study the precision of a new robotic structure for milling operations, in substitution to the conventional serial machine-tools, specialy the CNC milling machines and cutting centers. The proposed structure is based on the parallel kinematics concept and the precision analysis was realized, applying mathematical models, to obtain the positioning errors mapping of the cutting tool in the available workspace, during finishing milling operations. The motivation is on the search higher performances and the parallel robotic structures have several advantages to the serial structures: modular construction, lightness, high velocities/acelerations. Otherwise, there are still problems to be solved, like: guaranty of precision, workspace optimization and reduction/elimination of singularities. The methodology applied for the development of this work involves four steps: the proposal of a new robotic structure developed using existing synthesis methods; the development of mathematical models to characterize its kinematic behavior; the error sources identification that influences the deviation of the tool position; the elaboration of mathematical models and computer algorithms to analyse the influence level of each identified error source. We developed one assymmetric robotic structure 2UPS+PRP, with the following characteristics: mobility 3 with three translations in the space, reduced number of componentes and displacement in z direction independent from the displacents in the x and y directions. We presented the computer algorithms to map the kinematic, geometric and elastic errors, throw the discretization of the available workspace, based on the Jacobian matrices and the virtual work principle. With regard to the tool position deviation mappings obtained, we reach to some conclusions. The major kinematic errors occurred when the imprecisions imposed to the two lateral actuatores had opposed signals. The geometric errors with dimensional tolerances in the IT5 work class, were the more relevant among the considered errors. The elastic errors, considering finishing manufacturing forces, were the less relevent among the considered errors, being expressive the influence of the rigidity of the universal and spherical jounts. The utilization of the virtual work principle and concentrated rigidity parameters, showed to be efficacious and efficient, compared to the SMA (astructural matrice analisis) and the FEM (finite elements methode), because of the minor work to develop its formulations end the reduced computer time to its prosecution.

Background: Fear of birth (FOB) is becoming increasingly recognised as a clinical issue that can have profound effects on the mother and her experience of pregnancy and birth. Failure to identify women with FOB could potentially lead to them feeling isolated and unsupported, and impact on their psychological health and the health of their baby. Aim: The main aim of this study was to gain an understanding of FOB and the associated impact on health professional practice, clinical outcomes and women's experiences of birth. The objectives were to: identify the most effective way of measuring FOB in clinical practice; investigate the most appropriate antenatal intervention to support women who fear childbirth; inform the study design for an RCT to assess the effectiveness of the intervention; and assess the most meaningful outcomes to include in future work. Methods: An explanatory mixed-methods study design was used. The first phase was a two-part online survey sent to Heads of Midwifery at 202 maternity units in the UK via Survey Monkey. Respondents were asked to give details of their unit in part 1 and service provision and evaluation for women with FOB in part 2. The second phase was a prospective cohort study of 148 women who had not experienced childbirth who were consecutively attending the Elisabeth Garrett Anderson and Obstetric Hospital, London or St Mary's Hospital, Manchester. Demographic data and details of sources of information on pregnancy were collected from participants in the first trimester along with their score on the tool chosen to measure FOB, the Fear Of Birth Scale (FOBS), and a saliva sample to measure cortisol level. In the third trimester, a second FOBS score and saliva sample were collected, and the Personal Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) were administered to measure depression and anxiety respectively. Birth outcomes for the participants were collected from clinical records. In the third phase, 15 women participating in the second phase were purposively selected to reflect a range of FOBS scores and interviewed by telephone using a semi-structured interview to find out their experiences of pregnancy, being part of the study and service provision. Results: Response rates for the online survey were 63% for part 1 and 54% for part 2. Consultant obstetricians 25% had the most involvement in the care of women with FOB, followed by consultant midwives 21% and 30% had a designated midwife for dealing with FOB and only 32% provided specialist midwifery-led services for women with FOB, with 16% referring to a consultant obstetrician and 47% providing no specialist provision. No unit provided an evaluation of their services, although 19% had undertaken local audits. In the cohort study, using a cut-off of 54 for the FOBS, 30/148 (20%) had a FOB in the first trimester while 21/80 (26%) had a FOB in the third trimester. Compared with the first trimester, 51/80 women showed an increase in FOBS score, with 14 gaining and 7 losing a FOB. FOBS scores were not correlated with salivary cortisol in either trimester but they were correlated with PQH-9 and GAD-7 scores in the third trimester. They were also associated with a previous history of depression but only in the first trimester (p=0.011). FOBS scores showed considerable variability and a high measurement error, indicating a need for further refinement and psychometric testing. The qualitative interviews identified three themes underlying FOB: fearing the worst (pain, fear for the baby and fear of the unknown and complications), pathways to fear (friend-induced fear, mother-induced fear or reassurance and media-induced fear) and igniting or reducing fear (sources of information, support and communication). Conclusions: The FOBS is a potentially effective way of measuring FOB in clinical practice and research, but it requires enhancement informed by the themes identified by this study and psychometric testing in all three trimesters. An enhanced version of the FOBS could be used as the primary outcome to measure FOB during pregnancy in an RCT assessing the effectiveness of a suitable intervention, with the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 as secondary outcomes to measure depression and anxiety during pregnancy. An intervention to support primiparous women with FOB should be developed informed by the findings of this study, including components such as psychological education, relaxation, social support, reliable information sources and continuity of carer.

A complexidade inerente ao processo de produção de energia apresenta um desafio aos especialistas quando estes se deparam com o dimensionamento e operação de sistemas de recursos hídricos. A produção energética de um sistema hidroelétrico depende fundamentalmente das séries de vazões afluentes às diversas usinas hidrelétricas do sistema. No entanto, a incerteza das vazões futuras e sua aleatoriedade são obstáculos que dificultam todo o planejamento da operação do sistema energético brasileiro. A inexistência de um software específico para análise de séries de vazões ocorridas nas usinas hidrelétricas, associada à importância desse tipo de dado no contexto energético, motivou a concepção de uma ferramenta gráafica para visualização e previsão desses dados. Acredita-se que a visualização desses dados por meio de representações apropriadas e altamente interativas possa promover hipóteses e revelar novas informações dos fenômenos associados a essas quantidades, melhorando a qualidade das decisões de planejamento do sistema energético. Este trabalho de mestrado apresenta em detalhes o sistema desenvolvido, chamado Power Map Explorer, e das técnicas nele implementadas / The complexity inherent to the process of energy production introduces a challenge to the experts when they are faced with dimension and operation of water resources systems. The energy production of a hidroeletric system depends on streamflow time series from hydroelectric plants located on different rivers of the system. However, the uncertainty and randomness of future streamflow series impose difficulties to the planning and operation of the brazilian energy system. The lack of a software suite to support the analysis of inflow series from hydroelectric plants, and the importance of this data in the energy context motivated the conception and implementation of a graphical tool to visualize and forecast this type data. The appropriate level of visualization and interaction with this type of data can spring new hypotheses and reveal new information, leading to performance improvement of the task of energetic planning. This work presents a software for visualization and forecast of inflow data series, the Power Map Explorer, in detail

The quest towards sustainable development, both nationally and globally, puts the construction industry in the foreground as the main consumer of natural resources. The industry has profound economic, social and environmental impacts. Sustainable construction is one of the most important challenges faced by the construction industry today. In the UK, sustainability is being driven and enforced by the government through stringent fiscal policies and regulations, voluntary initiatives combined with naming and shaming strategies. Stakeholders are becoming more aware of the global challenges and are using their power to exert pressure on companies. Increasingly, construction clients are demanding that their business partners submit: their corporate sustainability policies with tender packages to demonstrate their performance in dealing with opportunities and risks stemming from economic, environmental and social aspect of sustainability. However, the lack of understanding of the concept and its practical application has been a recurrent problem. The conceptual confusion; its vagueness and ambiguity, the complexity of the myriad of challenges and fluidity of the sustainability concept, compounded with the myopic attitude of the industry, lack of clear-cut and practical framework are causing frustration in the construction industry. Consequently, a number of sustainability management frameworks have been proposed. There are probably more than one hundred frameworks for sustainable business strategy. However, the majority of these are either complicated to implement or lack sound theoretical base, effective change management and completeness. These, therefore, do not make the situation any easier. Many are still baffled as to what they should do and how they should go about affecting change. Corporate sustainability in the construction industry is a challenge to many companies. The industry is still under-performing in each of the key themes of sustainable construction and this has lead to a 'blame culture' where each sector of the industry allocates responsibility for its current failings to others (CIRIA C563, 2001). Such a situation poses a need for a comprehensive, practical and easy to use tool that would aid the implementation and management of sustainability at the core of business process. The tool will complement the existing frameworks, which breaks down the strategic and management issues into manageable components. This will enable companies to focus on individual areas and identify actions needed to facilitate change. The problem is that such a tool is virtually non-existent. The main focal point of this research is the development of a tool to facilitate the implementation, management and integration of sustainability issues at the strategic level and promote wider uptake of the concept in the construction industry. This requires a thorough understanding of the concepts of sustainable development, sustainable construction and related issues as well as drivers, benefits, barriers and enablers for achieving corporate sustainability. It also demands an examination of existing management frameworks and collation of case studies from the early adopters to establish critical factors for strategic and management issues involved in achieving corporate sustainability. Through, diverse research epistemologies (quantitative, qualitative and triangulation methods), the research established four main critical factors and thirty-six sub-critical factors for achieving corporate sustainability. These factors underpinned the development of a web-based prototype software (ConPass). This thesis presents the development and evaluation ConPass Model and the prototype software.