Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Industrial & Manufacturing Systems Engineering / Malgorzata J. Rys / This dissertation is the result of studying different methods of increasing guide sign visibility and legibility to drivers during nighttime, to increase safety on roadways. It also studies intersection lighting to indicate the lighting benefits on nighttime crash frequency reduction. From a survey conducted, practices related to overhead guide sign illumination and retroreflectivity in United States were summarized. A laboratory experiment was conducted to compare light distribution of five light sources: Metal Halide, Mercury Vapor, High Pressure Sodium, induction lighting, and Light Emitting Diode (LED). Cost analysis of the five light sources was performed. Combining results of the laboratory experiment and the cost analysis, induction lighting was recommended for states that want to continue external sign illumination. A retroreflectivity experiment was conducted to compare three types of retroreflective sheeting: Engineering Grade (type I), Diamond Grade (type XI), and High Intensity (type IV), to determine the sheeting that best increases visibility and legibility. Diamond Grade (type XI) was found to be the optimal sheeting that increases visibility and legibility to drivers during nighttime. A glare experiment was conducted to expand the retroreflectivity experiment results. Four sheeting-font combinations of High Intensity (type IV) and Diamond Grade (type XI) materials and Series E (Modified) and Clearview fonts were compared. Results revealed an optimal sheeting-font combination of Diamond Grade (type XI) sheeting and Clearview font which increases the visibility and legibility of guide signs to drivers under presence of oncoming glare source. The Highway Safety Information System (HSIS) database was used to study the effect of intersection lighting on the expected crash frequency. Illuminated intersections showed 3.61% and 6.54% decrease in the expected nighttime crash frequency as compared to dark intersections in Minnesota and California, respectively. In addition, partial lighting at intersections decreases the expected nighttime crash frequency by 4.72% compared to continuous lighting in Minnesota. The recommended sheeting-font combination for Departments of Transportation was Diamond Grade (type XI) and Clearview. This combination will increase signs’ visibility and legibility to drivers, and consequently increase safety on roadways. Adding partial lighting at intersections will reduce the expected nighttime crash frequency, and increase safety on roadways.

In this thesis I processed the options of support for women during pregnancy and maternity which could be offered by the legislation of the Czech Republic and also the possibilities which were connected with their accession to the European Union. I also mentioned planned law changes which the new government of the Czech Republic wants to get through in their election period of 2013-2017. The thesis is divided into two parts. The first part, "The Social Security of Women During Pregnancy and Maternity According to Czech Legislation" consists of four chapters: 'The Evolution of Social Security', 'The Social Security and Its Systems', 'The Social Security Within the Sickness Insurance' and 'The Social Security of Women Within the National Social Support'. In these individual chapters there are processed historical context of social security law evolution and then individual institutes serving for securing woman during pregnancy and maternity. The institutes consist of benefits in maternity and equalized contribution within the sickness insurance and also of child benefit, maternity grant and parental allowance within the national social support. The second part, 'The Social Security of Women During Pregnancy and Maternity According to European Union Legislation', consists of the following chapters:...

A violência contra a mulher tem se revelado uma importante questão de saúde pública, pois além de promover o aumento de morbidade e mortalidade quando relacionada à saúde da mulher, tem o potencial de provocar conseqüências ainda mais desastrosas, como ocorre na violência durante a gravidez, comprometendo também a saúde de seus descendentes. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a violência doméstica entre as mulheres que receberam assistência ao parto em uma maternidade de baixo risco de Ribeirão Preto - SP. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo do tipo transversal, realizado na Maternidade do Complexo Aeroporto (Mater). A amostra constituiu-se de 547 mulheres que receberam assistência ao parto no período de julho a setembro de 2006. Os dados foram coletados no puerpério, durante a internação no alojamento conjunto, em local privativo e sem a presença de acompanhantes, após assinatura do Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido. O instrumento utilizado para a coleta de dados foi um questionário contendo 41 perguntas, elaborado para ser utilizado em serviços de saúde. Os dados foram processados e analisados no programa Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS, versão 11.5). Na análise, realizou-se distribuição simples de freqüência, Teste Qui-quadrado (X2) ou Teste Exato de Fisher para verificar a associação entre as variáveis e Razão de Chance (RC) e intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95% para estimar a associação. Observou-se que 58,5% das mulheres entrevistadas sofreram algum tipo de agressão ao longo da vida pelo parceiro e 19,6% sofreram durante a gestação. Em relação à violência perpetrada por outras pessoas, notou-se que 52,3% sofreram algum tipo de agressão alguma vez na vida e 15,0% sofreram durante a gestação. A prevalência de mulheres que sofreram violência, alguma vez na vida, pelo parceiro foi maior entre as que: eram solteiras, separadas, divorciadas ou viúvas; não tinham um relacionamento na época ou tinham parceiros, mas não moravam juntos; pertenciam aos estratos econômicos D e E; engravidaram no mínimo três vezes; tiveram aborto; consumiram bebida alcoólica pelo menos uma vez por semana antes ou durante a gestação; usaram drogas ilícitas alguma vez na vida; agrediram fisicamente alguém; referiram medo de alguém próximo; se sentiam controladas pelo parceiro; viram o companheiro alcoolizado alguma vez durante a gestação e referiram que o companheiro usava ou usou drogas ilícitas. Além dos fatores de risco acima relacionados, a violência doméstica pelo parceiro durante o período gestacional também foi maior entre as mulheres que: consideravam-se negras ou pardas; iniciaram a vida sexual antes dos 15 anos e relataram que o companheiro usava bebida alcoólica pelo menos uma vez por semana. Portanto, o estudo comprovou a alta magnitude da violência doméstica entre as mulheres que receberam assistência ao parto em uma maternidade de baixo risco em Ribeirão Preto - SP e, dessa forma, espera-se que os resultados possam contribuir para uma maior visibilidade do problema, enfatizar a necessidade de se desenvolver uma assistência integral e auxiliar no adequado delineamento das políticas de saúde que envolvam a saúde da mulher. / Violence against women has revealed to be an important public health issue as, besides leading to increased morbidity and mortality in terms of women\'s health, it has the potential to provoke even more disastrous consequences. This is the case of violence during pregnancy, which also jeopardizes the children\'s health. This study aimed to analyze domestic violence committed against women who received delivery care at a low-risk maternity hospital in Ribeirão Preto - SP. A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out at the Airport Complex Maternity (Mater). The sample consisted of 547 women who received delivery care between July and September 2006. Data were collected in the puerperal period, during hospitalization at the rooming-in unit, in a private space and without the presence of companions, after the signing of the Free and Informed Consent Term. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire with 41 questions, elaborated for usage in health services. Data were processed and analyzed in Statistical Package for the Social Science software (SPSS, version 11.5). The analysis involved simple frequency distribution, the Chi- Square Test (X2) or Fisher\'s Exact Test to check for associations between the variables and a 95% Odds Ratio (OR) and confidence interval (CI) to estimate the association. It was observed that 58.5% of the interviewed women suffered some kind of aggression by their partner during their life, and 19.6% while pregnant. What violence committed by other people is concerned, it was found that 52.3% suffered some kind of aggression at some point in their life and 15.0% while pregnant. The prevalence of women who suffered violence committed by their partner at some point in their life was higher among: single, separated, divorced or widowed women; without a relationship at that time or with partners, but without living together; who belonged to economic groups D and E; got pregnant at least three times; had an abortion; consumed alcoholic beverages at least once per week before or during the pregnancy; used illicit drugs at some point in their life; physically attacked someone; indicated fear of a close person; felt controlled by their partner; witnessed their partner under the influence of alcohol at some point during the pregnancy and mentioned that their partners used or were using illicit drugs. Besides the above mentioned risk factors, domestic violence committed by the partner during pregnancy was also greater among women who: considered themselves black or mulatto; started sexual life before the age of 15 and mentioned that their partner used alcoholic beverages at least once per week. Thus, the study proved the great extent of domestic violence among women who received delivery care at a low-risk maternity in Ribeirão Preto - SP. Hence, it is expected that the results can contribute to a greater visibility of the problem, emphasize the need to develop integral care and help in the adequate outlining of health policies involving women\'s health.

Daugeliui moterų nėštumo laikotarpis gali būti konfliktiškas, jos gali jausti nerimą ar būti prislėgtos nuotaikos viso nėštumo metu. Žemas moterų savęs vertinimas, motinystės jausmo nebuvimas, nesugebėjimas adaptuotis prie besikeičiančios gyvenimo situacijos nėštumo metu, nėštumo komplikacijos gali apsunkinti moters psichologinę adaptaciją nėštumo laikotarpiu kas nepalankiai veikia nėštumo eigą, nėščios moters psichologinę savijautą nėštumo metu ar turi neigiamą įtaką gimdymui, moters psichologinei būsenai po gimdymo bei kūdikio vystymuisi. Tyrimo tikslas - nustatyti demografinių, socialinių bei sveikatos veiksnių ir psichologinės adaptacijos sąsajas nėštumo laikotarpiu. Tyrime dalyvavo 200 nėščių moterų. Tyrimas atliktas Kauno mieste. Respondentės buvo tiriamos Savęs vertinimo nėštumo metu klausimynu, Prisirišimo prie būsimo kūdikio skale, Edinburgo pogimdyminės depresijos skale ir Spilbergerio C. D. Nerimo skale. Nustatyta, kad vyresnio amžiaus, iškėjusių ir turinčių aukštąjį išsilavinimą moterų psichologinė adaptacija nėštumo laikotarpiu yra geresnė nei jaunesnio amžiaus, netekėjusių ir žemesnio išsilavinimo moterų. Moterys turinčios darbą, didesnes pajamas ir kitų vaikų šeimoje geriau adaptuojasi nėštumo laikotarpiu. Šių moterų nuotaika nėštumo laikotarpiu yra geresnė, jos nejaučia nerimo, jos pripažįsta savo nėštumą, jos jaučiasi geriau pasiruošusios gimdymui, jos nebijo skausmo, bejėgiškumo ir prarasti savitvardą gimdymo metu, jos yra stipriau prisirišusios prie... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The pregnancy period for the majority of women can be a disputed matter; they can feel anxiety or be in depressed mood during all the pregnancy. The low self-esteem of the women, absence of the sense of motherhood, inability to adapt to the changing life situation during the pregnancy, and the pregnancy complications may make the woman’s psychological adaptation during the pregnancy more difficult, which affects negatively the course of pregnancy, psychological condition of the pregnant woman, labor, woman’s psychological condition after the labor and the baby’s development. The aim of the study was to determine the links between psychological adaptation and demographical, social and health factors during the pregnancy. 200 pregnant women took part in the study. The study was done in Kaunas city. The respondents filled the Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire, Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, EPDS, Spielberger C.D. Stait Trait Anxiety Scale. It was determined that the psychological adaptation of elder, married women and women with high education during the pregnancy is better than that of the younger, single women or women with lower education. The women, who have job, receive bigger income and have more children in the family adapt themselves better during the pregnancy. Their mood in the pregnancy period is better, they do not feel anxiety, accept their pregnancy, feel more ready for labor, are not afraid of pain, helplessness... [to full text]

Bakgrund: Yoga under graviditet har blivit allt mer populärt i Sverige och västvärlden på senare tid. Tidigare studier föreslår att yoga för gravida kan ge ökat välmående under graviditet, minska förlossningsrädsla och öka prenatal anknytning. Idag finns yoga för gravida att tillgå på privata yoga- och träningscenter, samt på vissa mödravårdscentraler. Det verkar dock finnas en kunskapslucka i forskningen angående barnmorskors upplevelse av att arbeta med yoga för gravida. Syfte: Beskriva barnmorskors upplevelse av att arbeta med yoga för gravida. Metod: Åtta semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med barnmorskor som har erfarenhet av att leda klasser i yoga för gravida. Kvalitativ innehållsanalys användes för analys av materialet. Resultat: Fyra kategorier identifierades. Kategorierna var Förlossningsförberedelse, Välmående under graviditet, Prenatal anknytning samt Avrådan eller Anpassning. Vidare framträdde 11 underkategorier och ett övergripande tema: Trygghet och Tillit. Slutsats: Barnmorskorna upplever att yoga under graviditet kan bidra till ökat välmående både psykiskt och fysiskt, skapar möjlighet till prenatal anknytning samt förbereder de gravida inför förlossningen. Barnmorskorna betonar att deras erfarenheter från barnmorskeprofessionen ger en djupare dimension i yogaklasserna och gör att de kan leda yoga för gravida på ett säkert sätt. Klinisk tillämpbarhet: Studien kan inspirera barnmorskor till att arbeta med, eller rekommendera yoga för gravida samt inspirera till vidare studier. / Background: Yoga during pregnancy has become increasingly popular in Sweden and the western world in recent years. Earlier studies suggest that yoga for pregnant women may increase well-being during pregnancy, reduce fear for giving birth and increase prenatal attachment. Today, yoga for pregnant women is available at private yoga and fitness centres and at certain maternity clinics. However, there seems to be a gap of knowledge about midwifes experiences of working with yoga for pregnant women. Aim: Describe midwives experiences of working with prenatal yoga. Method: Eight semistructured interviews were conducted with midwives who have experience instructing yoga classes during pregnancy. Qualitative content analysis was used for analysis of the material. Result: Four main categories were identified. The categories were Birth Preparation, Well-being during Pregnancy, Prenatal attachment, and Contraindication or Adjustment. Furthermore, there were 11 subcategories and an overall theme: Sense of security and Trust. Conclusion: The midwives experience that yoga during pregnancy can contribute to increased well-being, both mentally and physically, establish prenatal attachment and prepare the pregnant women for childbirth. The midwives emphasize that their professional experiences in midwifery contributes to a deeper dimension in the yoga classes, enabling a safe practise during pregnancy. Clinical application: The study can inspire midwives to work with, or recommend prenatal yoga and inspire to further studies.

The purpose of this study is to provide knowledge about social services and women's shelter relate to and work with abused women during crises like Covid-19. The study is based on seven qualitative semiconstructed interviews with professional social workers and workers from women shelters on Gotland. The study shows that its difficult to come to a conclusion what the consequence for abused women have resulted in. The social services have experienced a challenge with a different way of practise and a closed society. Common for both social services and woman shelter is the worry about womens vulnerability. Rapports from the women shelter shows that more women requested aid while the social services states that they cannot see a distinct increase. There is no unambigious answer to if the abused women suffered more during the pandemic. It is only after the restrictions begin to disapear that it becomes clearer how Covid-19 has affected these  women

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Eksperimentai atlikti 2009–2010 m. Lietuvos žemės ūkio universiteto bandymų stotyje, kur dirvožemis karbonatingas sekliai glėjiškas išplautžemis (Calc(ar)i-Epihypogleyic Luvisol), o prieš sėją dirvožemio pH – 6,7, judriojo fosforo – 235 mg kg-1, judriojo kalio – 189 mg kg-1. Mūsų tyrimo tikslas buvo nustatyti sėjos laiko įtaką žieminių rapsų skrotelės formavimuisi rudenį ir peržiemojimui kintančio klimato sąlygomis. Atlikus tyrimus, nustatyta, kad pagal biometrinius parametrus, žieminiai rapsai, sėti rugpjūčio 20 d. – rugsėjo 5 d., buvo geriausiai pasiruošę žiemojimui: jie turėjo 6,4–9,6 lapus, šaknies kaklelio storis buvo 4,5–10,2 mm, viršūninio pumpuro aukštis buvo 9,1–45,6 mm. Žieminių rapsų hibridinės veislės 'Kronos', auginimas ir vystymasis rudenį bei peržiemojimas, buvo geresni, negu žieminių rapsų linijinės veislės 'Sunday'. Žieminai rapsai veislės 'Kronos' ir 'Sunday', sėti rugpjūčio 30 d. – rugsėjo 5 d. peržiemojo geriausiai. Hibridiniai rapsai buvo mažiau jautrūs sėjos laikui, nes jie tiek ankstyvesnės (rugpjūčio 10-20 d.), tiek vėlyvesnės (rugsėjo 10 d.) sėjos peržiemojo geriau už linijinius. Labai vėlyva rapsų sėja turėjo neigiamą įtaką žiemojimui. Pasėti rugsėjo 15 d. tiek ‘Sunday’, tiek ‘Kronos’ veislių žieminių rapsų pasėliai neperžiemojo. Rapsų žiemojimas priklausė nuo skrotelės lapų skaičiaus, šaknies kaklelio storio ir viršūninio pumpuro aukščio bei nuo temperatūrų, didesnių nei +2oC sumos, kuri stipriais koreliaciniais ryšiais tiesiogiai susieta su rapsų... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The experiment carried out in 2009–2010 in the Experimental Station of Lithuanian University of Agriculture, where is shallow calcareous luvisol (Calc(ar)i-Epihypogleyic Luvisol) and before sowing soil pH – 6.7, phosphorus 235 mg kg-1, potassium – 189 mg kg-1. Aim of our research was to determine the effect of sowing time of winter oilseed rape in autumn and during the winter changing climatic conditions. The research showed that according to biometric parameters, winter rape, sown on 20 August – 5 September, was best prepared for the winter: they had 6.4 - 9.6 leaves, root of the neck thickness was 4.5–10.2 mm, apical bud height was 9.1–45.6 mm. The growth and development in the autumn and during the winter, of hybrid winter rape variety 'Kronos', was better than the linear variety of winter rape 'Sunday'. Winter rape varieties 'Kronos' or 'Sunday', sown on 30 August – 5 September, over wintered best. Hybrid rape were less sensitive to sowing date, because they both of earlier (10–20 August) and late (10 September) sowing dates over wintered better than linear. Very late sowing date had a negative impact on the over wintering. Sown on 15 September 'Sunday' and 'Kronos' varieties of winter rape crop has not over wintered. Rape wintering depends on the number of rosette leaves, root collar thick ness, apical bud height and the sum of high temperatures, higher than +2oC the which is in the strong possitive correlation wish the rape crowns morphometric parameters.

Abstract   This thesis examines the role of women who went as missionaries to China between the 1890’s and the 1930’s, with a special regard to the Swedish missionary Sally Nordling. I think it is interesting to find out more about their motives. What made these women choose to go far away from their homes in Europe to live and work for God?   I have noted that there is not much written about these women and I hope that this thesis will shed light on this part of history, and that I will be able to give my own personal reflections. Through analysing different biographies written about female missionaries that lived in China I hope to be able to answer my hypothesis that women through their religious conviction were able to escape their restricted lives. The main research question for this thesis is whether female missionaries were allowed to do similar work as men when going to China.

Welfare of Women during Pregnancy and Maternity This thesis concernes welfare of pregnant women and women on maternity leave as well as other protection forms of families with children. The theme of this thesis was chosen due to importace of family for the whole society and because it is a often discussed topic, which is related to demografic development of society. The thesis constitutes of five chapters. The first chapter concerns historical development of social protection of pregnant women and women on maternity leave in Czech republic. Legal form of social protection of pregnant women and mothers is closely analyzed within the period of socialism. Second chapter focuses on influence of some international organisations on national systems of social protection of pregnant women and women on maternity leave. Third chapter considers theoretical questions of supporting families with children. Fourth chapter is focused on welfare of pregnant women and women on maternity leave itself. Fifth chapter complements the thesis with labour-law protection of pregnant women and of women taking care of small children. Sixth chapter outlines functioning of family policy in selected European states: in Great Britain, Germany, Sweden and in Italy. Conclusion sums up the received knowledge. The thesis describes...