The role of antenatal education as a prevention of emerging disorders during pregnancy

Introduction. The presented work is the result of a literature`s studies in the field of feeding pregnant women and experimental analysis on their knowledge and health behaviors. The study highlighted the importance of preventive actions by medical staff and school instructors in giving birth to the education of future mothers. The aim of the study was to determine the knowledge of pregnant women about the principles of proper nutrition. The analysis verified the ability to use the obtained data in the daily life of the respondents. Materials and method. The research group consisted of 101 pregnant women, including 51 patients from one of the Poznan`s Hospitals of Gynecological and Obstetrics Department and 50 participants of Birth School in the same city. The research tool was an authoritative questionnaire that included questions about the knowledge of pregnant women about the impact of a rational diet for a developing fetus. Results. On the basis of the data obtained it can be stated that students of childbirth schools were more willing and more likely to undertake pro-health activities than those who were never participants in such courses. The effectiveness of knowledge transfer by professionals is an important element of prevention of disorders during pregnancy. In educational programs, emphasis should be placed on the practical application of the acquired knowledge. Conclusions. The future mother should have clearly defined goals and principles in the rush of all the information. Thanks to them she will be able to consciously and without risk of complications as a result of bad eating habits, survive the period of nine consecutive months and enjoy the correct course of pregnancy and its completion

Up-conversion luminescence in low phonon heavy metal oxide glass co-doped with Er3+/Ho3+ ions

In this paper, heavy metal oxide glasses co-doped with erbium and holmium ions have been synthesized. Glass composition, based on bismuth and germanium oxides, has been selected in terms of high thermal stability (∆T = 125 °C), high refractive index (n = 2.19) and low maximum phonon energy (hνmax = 724 cm⁻¹). Up-conversion luminescence spectra under the 980 nm laser diode excitation have been observed as a result of radiative transitions within the quantum energy level structures of Er³⁺ and Ho³⁺ ions. Optimization of rare earth ions content has been conducted, the highest emission intensity in the visible wavelength range has been observed in glass co-doped with molar concentration 0.5 Er2O3 / 0.5 Ho2O3

Opłacalność produkcji borówki wysokiej

Poland is a major producer of berries including highbush blueberry (American). The profitability of growing highbush blueberry depends, not only, on expenses incurred for the annual plantation, but also primarily, on the purchase price and yield quantity. Field experiments were conducted on a commercial plantation with an area of 1 hectare between the years 2008-2014. The research material consisted of data regarding the cultivation of an autumn highbush blueberry. The aim of the study was to determine the economic efficiency of highbush blueberry production on the basis of SGM (Standard Gross Margin). The results revealed that the production of highbush blueberry in 2008-2014 was profitable.Polska jest ważnym producentem owoców jagodowych, w tym borówki wysokiej (amerykańskiej). Opłacalność uprawy borówki wysokiej zależy nie tylko od nakładów pieniężnych poniesionych na coroczne prowadzenie plantacji, ale przede wszystkim od wielkości zbieranych plonów i cen skupu owoców. Oceny ekonomicznej dokonano na podstawie plantacji produkcyjnej o powierzchni 1 ha prowadzonej w latach 2008-2014, przy cenach z 2014 roku. Materiał badawczy stanowiły dane z gospodarstw gminy Adamów. Celem badań było określenie opłacalności uprawy borówki amerykańskiej na podstawie standardowej nadwyżki bezpośredniej (SGM – Standard Gross Margin). W wyniku przeprowadzonych badań stwierdzono, że produkcja borówki wysokiej w latach 2008-2014 była opłacalna

Optical characterization of nano- and microcrystals of EuPO4 created by one-step synthesis of antimony-germanate-silicate glass modified by P2O5

Technology of active glass-ceramics (GC) is an important part of luminescent materials engineering. The classic method to obtain GC is based on annealing of parent glass in proper temperature and different time periods. Generally, only the bulk materials are investigated as a starting host for further applications. However, the effect of an additional heat-treatment process on emission and structural properties during GC processing is omitted. Here, we focus on the possibility of obtaining transparent glass-ceramic doped with europium ions directly with a melt-quenching method. The influence of phosphate concentration (up to 10 mol %) on the inversion symmetry of local environment of Eu3+ ions in antimony-germanate-silicate (SGS) glass has been investigated. The Stark splitting of luminescence spectra and the local asymmetry ratio estimated by relation of (5D0→7F2)/(5D0→7F1) transitions in fabricated glass confirms higher local symmetry around Eu3+ ions. Based on XRD and SEM/EDX measurements, the EuPO4 nano- and microcrystals with monoclinic geometry were determined. Therefore, in our experiment, we confirmed possibility of one-step approach to fabricate crystalline structures (glass-ceramic) in Eu-doped SGS glass without additional annealing process

Spectroscopic properties of erbium-doped oxyfluoride phospho-tellurite glass and transparent glass-ceramic containing BaF2 nanocrystals

The ErF3-doped oxyfluoride phospho-tellurite glasses in the (40-x) TeO2-10P2O5-45 (BaF2-ZnF2) -5Na2O-xErF3 system (where x = 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, and 1.25 mol%) have been prepared by the conventional melt-quenching method. The effect of erbium trifluoride addition on thermal, structure, and spectroscopic properties of oxyfluoride phospho-tellurite precursor glass was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy as well as emission measurements, respectively. The DSC curves were used to investigate characteristic temperatures and thermal stability of the precursor glass doped with varying content of ErF3. FTIR and Raman spectra were introduced to characterize the evolution of structure and phonon energy of the glasses. It was found that the addition of ErF3 up to 1.25 mol% into the chemical composition of phospho-tellurite precursor glass enhanced 2.7 µm emission and upconversion. By controlled heat-treatment process of the host glass doped with the highest content of erbium trifluoride (1.25 mol%), transparent erbium-doped phospho-tellurite glass-ceramic (GC) was obtained. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the presence of BaF2 nanocrystals with the average 16 nm diameter in a glass matrix. Moreover, MIR, NIR, and UC emissions of the glass-ceramic were discussed in detail and compared to the spectroscopic properties of the glass doped with 1.25 mol% of ErF3 (the base glass)

Report on the analysis and critical assessment of EU engagement in UN bodies

The first deliverable of Work Package No 5 (WP 5) presents the outcome of the analysis and critical assessment of EU human rights engagement in UN bodies. The EU has committed itself in the Treaty on the European Union to ‘promote multilateral solutions to common problems, in particular in the framework of the United Nations.’ In light of this provision, and taking into account the considerable challenges the EU-UN cooperation encounters, the present report aims at four goals. Firstly, to map the long-standing and multifaceted engagement of the EU within and towards UN human rights bodies. Secondly, to critically assess the EU’s engagement in the UN from the perspective of both its policy and institutions. Thirdly, to identify specific and structural flaws in the EU’s approach to human rights at the UN. Fourthly, to find creative ways of enhancing the EU’s position, role, inclusion in and impact upon these UN bodies. The deliverable consists of seven chapters. The first chapter presents the aims of the report and the methodology of the research. It also explains the key concepts of the deliverable, such as coherence, leadership or mutual influence between the EU and the UN. The second chapter explores two of the guiding principles of the EU’s external policy: human rights and multilateralism. In particular, it contains an analysis of the Union’s commitment to ‘effective multilateralism’ and consistency of specific human rights priorities throughout the EU legislation and other documents. The third chapter presents the institutional framework of the EU-UN relations. As both, the EU and the UN, share a common trait – a high complexity of their organisational structure, chapter III begins with a detailed mapping of both organisations. It also explains the role of different stakeholders in the EU-UN cooperation. This chapter also tackles the relationships between stakeholders and the coordination of the EU’s position at the UN. The status of the EU in the UN is also explored from the point of view of the legal framework of both organisations. The fourth chapter presents the processes and dynamics behind the formulation of EU human rights aims, objectives and priorities at the UN. It indicates the critical factors, relevant actors and their roles as well as the overall characteristics of the process. The chapter also provides a detailed analysis of the EU’s specific goals and objectives at the UN as well as their consistency. The report focuses on the Union’s priorities with regard to (i) thematic human rights issues, (ii) its country-specific priorities, and (iii) its aims and objectives relating to the institutional architecture of the UN. The fifth chapter concerns the tools and methods deployed by the EU at the UN. Particular attention has been paid to the issue of the EU’s resolution initiatives in UN human rights fora: the UNGA Third Committee and the HRC. The analysis focuses on resolution initiatives tabled by the Union, but also tackles the national initiatives of the EU Member States and the co-sponsoring of resolutions by the EU/Member States. It also explores the EU’s involvement in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process. Taking into account that the EU does not formally participate in the UPR, the involvement of its Member States is analysed, also from the point of view of realisation of EU human rights priorities. This section also explains the notion of light-coordination. Finally, the fifth chapter explores the EU’s FRAME Deliverable No. 5.1 iii financial contribution to UN human rights activities, in particular to the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights. The deliverable is supplemented by four case studies included in chapter six of the deliverable. They are related to EU’s engagement in specific thematic topics at the UN covering the areas of: economic, social and cultural rights, human rights defenders, the right to development and counterterrorism. The final chapter presents the conclusions of the research. Due to the comprehensive nature of the analysis of the various dimensions of EU-UN interaction, the report seeks not only to advance the existing knowledge on the topic, but also to create a broad base for future research. In particular, the findings of this study will constitute the background for next deliverables of this work package on the Union’s engagement with regional multilateral organisations

Structure and luminescence properties of transparent germanate glassceramics co-doped with Ni2+/Er3+ for near-infrared optical fiber application

An investigation of the structural and luminescent properties of the transparent germanate glass-ceramics co-doped with Ni2+/Er3+ for near-infrared optical fiber applications was presented. Modification of germanate glasses with 10–20 ZnO (mol.%) was focused to propose the additional heat treatment process controlled at 650 C to obtain transparent glass-ceramics. The formation of 11 nm ZnGa2O4 nanocrystals was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. It followed the glass network changes analyzed in detail (MIR—Mid Infrared spectroscopy) with an increasing heating time of precursor glass. The broadband 1000–1650 nm luminescence ( exc = 808 nm) was obtained as a result of Ni2+: 3T2(3F) ! 3A2(3F) octahedral Ni2+ ions and Er3+: 4I13/2 ! 4I15/2 radiative transitions and energy transfer from Ni2+ to Er3+ with the efficiency of 19%. Elaborated glass–nanocrystalline material is a very promising candidate for use as a core of broadband luminescence optical fibers

Investigation of the TeO2/GeO2 Ratio on the Spectroscopic Properties of Eu3+-Doped Oxide Glasses for Optical Fiber Application

This study presented an analysis of the TeO2/GeO2 molar ratio in an oxide glass system. A family of melt-quenched glasses with the range of 0–35 mol% of GeO2 has been characterized by using DSC, Raman, MIR, refractive index, PLE, PL spectra, and time-resolved spectral measurements. The increase in the content of germanium oxide caused an increase in the transition temperature but a decrease in the refractive index. The photoluminescence spectra of europium ions were examined under the excitation of 465 nm, corresponding to 7F0 → 5D2 transition. The PSB (phonon sidebands) analysis was carried out to determine the phonon energy of the glass hosts. It was reported that the red (5D0 → 7F2) to orange (5D0 → 7F1) fluorescence intensity ratio for Eu3+ ions decreased from 4.49 (Te0Ge) to 3.33 (Te15Ge) and showed a constant increase from 4.58 (Te20Ge) to 4.88 (Te35Ge). These optical features were explained in structural studies, especially changes in the coordination of [4]Ge to [6]Ge. The most extended lifetime was reported for the Eu3+ doped glass with the highest content of GeO2. This glass was successfully used for the drawing of optical fiber

Fluoroindate glass co-doped with Yb3+/Ho3+ as a 2.85 μm luminescent source for MID-IR sensing

This work reports on the fabrication and analysis of near-infrared and mid-infrared luminescence spectra and their decays in fluoroindate glasses co-doped with Yb3+/Ho3+. The attention has been paid to the analysis of the Yb3+ ! Ho3+ energy transfer processed ions in fluoroindate glasses pumped by 976 nm laser diode. The most effective sensitization for 2 um luminescence has been obtained in glass co-doped with 0.8YbF3/1.6HoF3. Further study in the midinfrared spectral range (2.85 um) showed that the maximum emission intensity has been obtained in fluoroindate glass co-doped with 0.1YbF3/1.4HoF3. The obtained efficiency of Yb3+ ! Ho3+ energy transfer was calculated to be up to 61% (0.8YbF3/1.6HoF3), which confirms the possibility of obtaining an efficient glass or glass fiber infrared source for a MID-infrared (MID-IR) sensing application