Comenius University Bratislava

Inorganic nanoparticles (INPs) and nanomaterials (NMs) have a range of applications in various industries, including agriculture. Their small size, high surface-to-volume ratio, and unique physical and chemical properties make them suitable for use in different agricultural sectors. These materials have been recognized for their potential as nanofertilizers, enhancers of plant growth, and tools against plant pathogens. However, their long-term environmental and ecological impacts are still not well understood, particularly with regard to plant reproduction. This chapter focuses on (i) the classification of nanofertilizers, their commercial potential, and behavior in colloidal systems, specifically in the context of foliar application; (ii) the use of metal NPs, such as Au, Ag, ZnO, TiO2, and Fe2O3, in agriculture; (iii) the evaluation of INP uptake, distribution, and fate within the plant environment and their effects on field crop production, including yield, fruit quality, and physiological parameters; and (iv) the interaction of INPs and NMs with reproductive organs, flowers, and flowering and the impact on pollen quality and pollinators, as evaluated through agroecological assessments based on epigeic insect communities.

In the chapter, a theoretical link between the concepts of governance, state capacity, and resilience is presented. Adopting a state-centric view of governance and resilience, it is argued that the state remains at the forefront of addressing the impacts and adverse consequences stemming from social tipping points. What determines the success of the state in addressing social tipping points is according to our framework the state capacity, which consists of five critical subcomponents (i.e., administrative, legal, infrastructural, fiscal, and military). We then focus on the concept of resilience, which represents the flip side of the state capacity and is thus pivotal in determining the successful governance of social tipping points. Lastly, adopting a multilevel stakeholder agency perspective, we hypothesize about the role of non-state actors (transnational, private, and local) in governing social tipping points. A special emphasis is placed on the European Union as a transnational actor sui generis due to the integration of core state powers.

This chapter summarizes the theoretical concepts presented in previous chapters and introduces the conceptual framework of multilevel governance of social tipping points in social–ecological systems within the European Union’s (EU’s) periphery. Based on the deductive-nomological conceptual framework, an empirical strategy and methodology are devised. We then formulate the research question and research goals and state the hypotheses. To answer them, we employ a multi-case research design with three cases of potential social tipping points in the EU periphery, each with a different trigger: migration, climate change, and geopolitics.

The final section provides policy recommendations for dealing with social tipping points from the perspective of the EU periphery. First, we recommend not focusing on governing social tipping points per se, but rather on governing their side effects. Second, we recommend strengthening state capacity in all of its aspects. Third, we recommend that the state and society as a whole invest more resources into strengthening the resilience of transnational, private, as well as local non-state actors as it also enhances their respective capacities and resilience. Fourth, we advise pooling more resources into building a more resilient EU. Fifth, it is suggested that not only is the periphery dependent on the well-functioning EU, but the EU’s resilience also requires a fortified periphery given the deep interconnectedness between the geographical core and periphery. Lastly, we recommend that policymakers and key stakeholders alter their methodological starting points from purely social ones to ones taking into account the whole inter-dynamics of social–ecological systems.

Moving beyond the stakeholder agency perspective, it is argued in this chapter that the existing core–periphery imbalances within the European Union mirror themselves into the unequal distribution of resilience capacities. It is shown empirically that there is an association between the capacity to be resilient and the level of economic development across the European Union member states to the detriment of its eastern and southern periphery. Building on the literature on regional economic resilience, the main determinants of the geographical distribution of resilience are identified. In particular, we focus on compositional, collective, and contextual factors. It is then shown that the decisive structural drivers of the lack of resilience in the European Union’s periphery are particularly the economic diversity and knowledge capacity, social capital, and trust, as well as the institutional quality.

The chapter summarizes case study reports of three social tipping points with different triggers: migration, climate change, and geopolitics. For the migration-triggered tipping point, we assess the burning of the Moria camp on the Greek island of Lesbos. As a social tipping point with climate change as a trigger, we analyze the bark beetle epidemic in the Slovak Tatra Mountain. The last case study focuses on the war in Ukraine and the ensuing refugee crisis on the Polish–Ukrainian border. Based on the cross-case conclusions from these three case study reports, we reflect our theoretical conceptual framework. It is concluded that while state capacity and resilience are critical in addressing social tipping points, the collaboration of non-state actors (transnational, private, and local) with their respective capacities and resilience can mitigate some of the consequences resulting from social tipping points and help the state to prevent yet another tipping point from occurring.

In times when resilience in social and economic, geopolitical, green, and digital dimensions was introduced as an official compass for EU policymakers (EC, 2020a), the concept of resilience as the ability to withstand and cope with endogenous as well as exogenous challenges while undergoing transitions in a sustainable, fair, and democratic manner, secured its prominence in the EU policymaking. The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly unfolded the EU’s need to enhance its resilience. This becomes especially important for the EU’s southern and eastern periphery as well, arguably the most fragile parts of the EU. The ambition of this monograph was thus to fill the gap in the literature, which tends to overlook the EU’s peripheral countries in the east and south in terms of their resilience building against the abrupt nonlinear changes erupting in one system (e.g., climate) but having impacts beyond the system’s boundaries (e.g., society, economy, and politics). In order to analyze the resilience of the peripheral EU countries, we employed an interdisciplinary approach, combining theoretical intersections from the social tipping point literature, public policy, regional economic resilience, and European studies. This allowed us to shed light on two, still relatively understudied areas in the resilience literature – social tipping points and EU peripheral studies – and present a conceptual framework of governance of tipping points in the EU periphery. The conceptual framework links together the concepts of social tipping points, governance, state capacity, state resilience, and interactions between the state and non-state actors. Moreover, the multilevel governance approach is also complemented with a coherent description of the structural factors contributing to lower levels of resilience to the detriment of the EU periphery in the east and south. Subsequently, the conceptual framework is tested against three case studies, each social tipping point with a different trigger (migration, climate change, and geopolitics) and each social tipping point situated in a different EU peripheral country (Greece, Slovakia, and Poland). Such a multiple case study research design ensures greater robustness and validity of the results.

The chapter is devoted to surveying the literature on a still relatively understudied concept of social tipping points. In this chapter, we thus assess the origins of the concept and its usage in environmental and social sciences. We then point to differences and intersections of how these two broad fields of study understand and utilize the concept. A definition of social tipping points and their defining characteristics used throughout the book are presented. The definition follows up the literature on social–ecological systems with the aim of introducing interdisciplinarity into the study of social tipping point governance. Lastly, a visual depiction of social tipping points in social–ecological systems is introduced.

Platelets are essential in maintaining blood homeostasis and regulating several inflammatory processes. They constantly interact with immune cells, have immuno- regulatory functions, and can affect, through immunologically active substances, endothelium, leukocytes, and other immune response components. In reverse, inflammatory and immune processes can activate platelets, which might be significant in autoimmune disease progression and arising complications. Thus, considering this interplay, targeting platelet activity may represent a new approach to treatment of autoimmune diseases. This review aims to highlight the role of platelets in the pathogenic mechanisms of the most frequent chronic autoimmune inflammatory diseases to identify gaps in current knowledge and to provide potential new targets for medical interventions.

Ireland is home to only one native lizards’ species, the viviparous lizard and one of the few areas of the world where there are no native snakes. However, since the end of the 19th century, there have been reports indicating the presence of legless lizards, Anguis fragilis Linnaeus, 1758 population whose origin is unknown. As this genus has been intensively studied genetically and taxonomically in the past decade, we have decided to investigate newly obtained mtDNA sequences (ND2 gene) to trace affiliation of the Anguis population in Ireland. We genetically examined 12 individuals from the Burren area (western Ireland) and compared them to available data. The Irish population was identified as belonging to A. fragilis, specifically to the most common haplotype of the Illyrian-Central European haplogroup. This genetic affiliation is shared by populations across a wide European region, including the western Balkans, Spain, France, western Hungary, Austria, Germany, Latvia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Russia, Sweden, Norway, and Great Britain. Our findings showed that the Irish population does not exhibit unique mitochondrial variability. This haplotype is present across the range of the species, including Great Britain, which is not in contrast with the earlier hypothesis that nearby populations from this area, along with human-mediated introductions, could be the source of Anguis populations in Ireland. This is thus potentially the first documented case of Anguis introduction out of the native range. However, further research, including broader sampling in Great Britain and genomics, is required to determine and trace its exact origin.

In this work, the influence of aromatic rings on the local free volume of cured mixtures of acrylate epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) and vanillin dimethacrylate (VDM) was investigated. Cross-linking took place under the influence of UV light in the presence or absence of a photoinitiator. The local free volume and its homogeneity were characterized using the Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS) technique. It was found that increasing the content of VDM, which contains aromatic rings, caused a decrease in the local free volume of the cured polymer network, with consequences for the diffusion properties of the polymer, which were tested for the case of water. Another consequence of increasing the content of VDM was a decrease in the conversion of double bonds in the finally cured samples, characterized by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR). This finding illustrates a case where the decrease in free volume is not necessarily related to an increase in the crosslinking density of the polymer, but is a consequence of the presence of an increase in the occupied volume of aromatic rings in the volume of the polymer.

The isotopically chiral molecular ion CHDBrI ⁺ is identified as an exceptionally promising candidate for the detection of parity violation in vibrational transitions. The largest predicted parity-violating frequency shift reaches 1.8...

Objectives This study investigates the relationships between the COVID‐19 pandemic, lifestyle factors, and their impact on bone mineral density in the radius forearm bone and the total bone mineral content in young adults from Slovakia. Methods We assessed 773 Slovak young adults aged 18 to 30 years, divided into subgroups on their pandemic status. Bone mineral density (BMD) was analyzed by the QUS device (Sunlight MiniOmni™), and bone mineral content (BMC) and fat mass (FM) were measured by InBody 770 bioimpedance analyzer. Finally, linear regression analysis tested the associations. Results Statistically significant lower speed of sound (SOS) along the length of the forearm radius bone and Z‐score values was determined in participants during the COVID‐19 pandemic than before it, and statistically significant lower BMC values were observed in the male group during COVID‐19 than beforehand. Regression analysis confirmed the negative pandemic effect in the following indices: SOS ( p < .001 for women and p = .035 for men), Z‐score ( p < .001 for women and p = .003 for men), and BMC ( p = .024 for men). Vitamin D was a further significant SOS predictor in women at p = .029, but this association was not detected in men. In contrast, the significant male BMC predictors were pandemic presence ( p = .028), physical activity ( p = .028), and fat mass percentage ( p = .001). Conclusions Significant COVID‐19 pandemic effects on bone tissue were determined on bone mass density in the radius forearm bone and the total bone mineral content. These effects establish that the pandemic had a negative impact on both their bone quality and health.

Studies on the drivers of public sector wage setting (PSWS) within the broader political and economic conditions in Central and Eastern Europe are scarce. To fill this gap, the paper questions to what extent the export-led growth model, based on foreign direct investment as driver of economic growth, influenced PSWS in Czechia and Slovakia after the 2008–2009 crisis. The paper provides new evidence of the appropriateness of the growth model literature, integrated by consideration of global production chains integration, for understanding PSWS in CEE conditions. The analysis shows that PSWS followed institutional traditions and established practices that only indirectly related to the countries’ export orientation and integration into global production chains. The indirect growth model impact on PSWS in CEE conditions is channeled through a strong role of the statutory minimum wage, which serves as a wage benchmark both for the export sector and PSWS.

Background and Aims Bioremediation of soils contaminated with metal(loid)s is an attractive research area due to its sustainability and economic benefits. In the Slovak Republic, there are several abandoned mines containing high concentrations of arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb). This calls for new options for removing these hazardous metalloids from contaminated substrates. Studies on bioleaching of soils co-contaminated with both metalloids are very rare. This study aimed to test the effectiveness of bioleaching of soils heavily co-contaminated with As and Sb (up to 1463 mg.kg–1 and 5825 mg.kg–1, respectively) at a former stibnite mining site (Poproč, eastern Slovakia) through biostimulation and bioaugmentation. Methods Bioleaching of As and Sb from four soils was induced by biostimulation of autochthonous microflora with Sabouraud medium (SAB) and SAB+glucose, and bioaugmentation of the soil with bacterial strains Cupriavidus oxalaticus and Cupriavidus metallidurans. Soil samples were subjected to determination of physico-chemical properties, microbiological parameters, and additional mineralogical analysis. Results An inverse relationship between the total metalloid concentration and the microbial diversity was confirmed. In experiments with Cupriavidus metallidurans and Cupriavidus oxalaticus, mean bioleached As fractions were 37.6% and 41.3%, while Sb bioleaching was significantly lower, ranging between 17.0–26.2%. The mean bioleached fraction of As and Sb using SAB was 40.7% and 14.4%, respectively. The addition of glucose to SAB increased As bioleaching (50.7%) but not that of Sb. Conclusion Collectively, the results highlighted a role of microorganisms in the mobility of metalloids in soils with their prospective applications in remediation of contaminated sites.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the introduction of unprecedented safety measures, one of them being physical distancing recommendations. Here, we assessed whether the pandemic has led to long-term effects on two important physical distancing aspects, namely interpersonal distance preferences and interpersonal touch behaviors. We analyzed nearly 14,000 individual cases from two large, cross-cultural surveys – the first conducted 2 years prior to the pandemic and the second during a relatively stable period of a decreased infection rate in May-June 2021. Preferred interpersonal distances increased by 54% globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase was observable across all types of relationships, all countries, and was more pronounced in individuals with higher self-reported vulnerability to diseases. Unexpectedly, participants reported a higher incidence of interpersonal touch behaviors during than before the pandemic. We discuss our results in the context of prosocial and self-protection motivations that potentially promote different social behaviors.

Autonomic nervous system (ANS) abnormalities are associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) already at adolescent age. The majority of studies so far evaluated parasympathetic and sympathetic branches of ANS individually, although composite indices including cardiac autonomic balance (CAB) and cardiac autonomic regulation (CAR) seem to measure ANS functioning more comprehensively and thus could provide better psychopathologies’ predictors. We aimed to study CAB and CAR derived from high-frequency bands of heart rate variability and left ventricular ejection time during complex stress response (rest–Go/NoGo task–recovery) in MDD adolescents with respect to sex. We examined 85 MDD adolescents (52 girls, age: 15.7 ± 0.14 yrs.) and 80 age- and sex-matched controls. The MDD group showed significantly reduced CAB compared to controls at rest, in response to the Go/NoGo task, and in the recovery phase. Moreover, while depressed boys showed significantly lower CAB at rest and in response to the Go/NoGo task compared to control boys, depressed girls showed no significant differences in evaluated parameters compared to control girls. This study for the first time evaluated CAB and CAR indices in drug-naïve first-episode diagnosed MDD adolescents during complex stress responses, indicating an altered cardiac autonomic pattern (i.e., reciprocal sympathetic dominance associated with parasympathetic underactivity), which was predominant for depressed boys.

Aims Missed nursing care (MNC) significantly affects patient safety and quality of care. It is a widely used concept that has been studied in different settings, but research in paediatric care is quite limited. Therefore, this descriptive cross‐sectional study aimed to report the prevalence, patterns, correlates, factors and predictors of MNC in paediatric care units in two central European countries. Design A cross‐sectional comparative study. Methods Data collection was carried out between June and November 2021 using the MISSCARE Survey‐Pediatric. The study included 441 registered nurses working in paediatric care units in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics in the SPSS 25.0 statistical program. Results Almost all nurses, 92.7% of nurses missed at least one nursing activity during the last shift. The most missed care activity in both countries was the promotion of neuroevolutionary development, and the most prominent reasons were labour resources. MNC was weakly but significantly correlated with nurse experience in the current position and was predicted by the country, nurse education and overtime hours ( p ≤ .05). Differences in prevalence of MNC and reasons for MNC were identified based on several variables ( p ≤ .05). Conclusion The assessment of MNC in paediatric settings is often a neglected area, although the prevalence in this study was moderate. Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care Nurse staff shortages, as a global problem, have many impacts on patient outcomes in the delivery of nursing care. However, there are also many factors that can reduce the prevalence of MNC. More research should focus on a closer examination of these factors that involve hospital and nurse variables. Reporting Method The study was carried out according to the STROBE checklist and the RANCARE guideline. Patient or Public Contribution No patient or public contribution.

The development of methods for measuring blood pressure (BP) in newborns and small children has a rich history. Methods for BP measuring in adults had to be adapted to this age group. For measuring BP in direct invasive way, a suitable approach had to be found to access the arterial circulation through the umbilical and later radialis artery. Currently, results obtained from direct invasive BP measurement are considered the “gold standard”. The development of non-invasive methods for BP measuring in newborns and children began with the use of von Basch's sphygmomanometer (1880). In 1899, Gustav Gärtner constructed the device, which was the basis for the flush method. After the discovery of the palpation and auscultation methods, these methods were also used for BP measurement in newborns and children, however, the BP values obtained in these ways were typically underestimated using excessively wide cuffs. From the auscultation method, methods utilizing ultrasound and infrasound to detect arterial wall movement and blood flow were later developed. The oscillometric method for BP measurement was introduced by E. J. Marey so early as in 1876. In 1912, P. Balard used the oscillometric technique to measure blood pressure in a large group of newborns. Through different types of oscillometers using various methods for detecting vascular oscillations (such as xylol method, impedance and volume plethysmography, etc.), the development has continued to assessment of vascular oscillations by modern sensor technology and software. For continuous non-invasive blood pressure measurement, the volume-clamp method, first described by Jan Peňáz in 1968, was developed. After modification for use in newborns, application of the cuff to the wrist instead of the finger, it is primarily used in clinical physiological studies to evaluate beat-to-beat BP and heart rate pressure variability, such as in the determination of the baroreflex sensitivity.

Listening to music is experimentally associated with positive stress reduction effect on human organisms. However, the opinions of therapists about this complementary non-invasive therapy are still different. Purpose: The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of selected passive music therapy frequencies without vocals on selected cardio-vagal and complexity indices of short-term heart rate variability (HRV) in healthy youth, in terms of calming the human. Main methods: 30 probands (15 male, averaged age: 19.7±1.4 years, BMI: 23.3±3.8 kg/m2) were examined during protocol (Silence baseline, Music 1 (20-1000 Hz), Silence 1, Music 2 (250-2000 Hz), Silence 2, Music 3 (1000-16000 Hz), and Silence 3). Evaluated HRV parameters in time, spectral, and geometrical domains represent indices of cardio-vagal and emotional regulation. Additionally, HRV complexity was calculated by approximate entropy and sample entropy (SampEn) and subjective characteristics of each phase by Likert scale. Results: the distance between subsequent R-waves in the electrocardiogram (RR intervals [ms]) and SampEn were significantly higher during Music 3 compared to Silence 3 (p=0.015, p=0.021, respectively). Geometrical cardio-vagal index was significantly higher during Music 2 than during Silence 2 (p=0.006). In the subjective perception of the healthy youths evaluated statistically through a Likert scale, the phases of music were perceived significantly more pleasant than the silent phases (p<0.001, p=0.008, p=0.003, respectively). Conclusions: Our findings revealed a rise of cardio-vagal modulation and higher complexity assessed by short-term HRV indices suggesting positive relaxing effect music especially of higher frequency on human organism.