Matej Bel University

Remote mountain lakes experience accelerating ecological change worldwide due to the ongoing warming. In this study, we analyze two alpine lakes, Lake Ana (1940 m) and Lake Peleaga (2122 m), from the Retezat National Park in Romania. The sediment cores cover ~ 400 years, and our aim is to reconstruct critical transitions, the rate of ecosystem change and its driving factors. The extent of human disturbance is weak at these lakes today. Therefore, we assumed the principal role of summer warming in potential ecosystem reorganizations. For verifying this assumption, we use a multi-proxy approach including Pb²¹⁰/Cs¹³⁷ dating, chironomid, pollen, Cladocera analyses, SPDU, element concentration, organic matter, total nitrogen, C/N ratio and δ¹⁵N measurements, chord-distance-analysis (RoC) and chironomid-based temperature reconstruction. The assemblages indicated cold, oligotrophic environment and remained relatively stable despite climate change and human pressure, in contrast to assemblages studied from higher altitude (> 2300 m) lakes in the Alps. Our temperature reconstructions show warming from the 2000’s, but the results are influenced by fish introduction in the 1990s. We conclude that chironomid communities have not yet passed critical thresholds; the fauna reacted with restrained alterations, which is exceptional in the region, and highlight the importance of altitude and environmental protection.

A novel strategy has been developed for the selective transformation of amide groups to CF 3 or OCF 3 functionalities.

Introduction and aim The aim of this study was to explore the significance of monitoring training processes using the Hooper Index (HI) and its impact on performance optimization and injury prevention among soccer players. Materials and Methods A systematic approach was used to identify and review studies focusing on the application of HI in soccer. Databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar were searched using keywords like “soccer,” “training,” “Hooper Index,” and “sports performance.” Studies were selected based on their focus on competitive soccer players and their analysis of HI values in relation to sleep quality, stress, fatigue, and delayed onset muscle soreness. This review provided a foundation for interpreting the role of HI in optimizing training processes. Results Monitoring the training process is key to optimizing performance and preventing injuries in soccer. The HI is a reliable tool for assessing players’ fatigue, stress, and recovery. Regular monitoring enables dynamic training adjustments, reducing the risk of overload and improving readiness. High HI values negatively affect speed, strength, and endurance, emphasizing the importance of balancing training and recovery. Factors such as fatigue, poor sleep, and muscle soreness are closely linked to injury risk, especially during intense match schedules or intense training periods. Lower training loads before matches enhance performance, while sudden increases in intensity elevate injury risks. HI trends indicate that players well-being is lowest during preparatory phases, with increased stress and slower recovery observed after away games. Adjusting training based on HI ensures readiness and supports sustained performance throughout the season. Conclusion In conclusion, HI is a practical and accessible tool for effectively managing the training process. It supports players’ physical readiness and well-being while reducing injury risks and enhancing long-term performance outcomes on the field.

Proper edge 3-coloring of a cubic graph is an NP-complete problem, which can be used in order to model several interesting practical problems. A method for correct and efficient assigning of variables used in the program to registers of the system, scheduling of a set of tasks to a set of processors while each task has to be executed on a number of processors simultaneously, or frequency assignment of radio stations without interference are all typical instances of problems modelled by graph coloring. When considering cubic graphs, which consist of vertices incident to precisely three edges, we can identify two distinct graph groups divided by their chromatic index, a minimal number of colors needed for the proper coloring of such graph. In the research presented in this article, we conduct a comparative study of the effectiveness of machine learning classifiers in the task of determining the chromatic index of cubic graphs, present an evaluation of the accuracy and precision of these models, and use the Shapley Additive Explanations model for the identification of graph attributes and their values crucial in the models’ decision making.

This paper deals with the assessment of the demand for cultural using participatory mapping in the Local Action Group (LAG) ties of the White Carpathians and Trenčín Microregion and the Bošáčka vakia. CES as non-material services provided by ecosystems are development. While, tourism is not very developed in the case study of residents and visitors to the area were investigated and compared. per is to map the demand for CES, both from the perspective of and to propose appropriate forms of tourism for LAG municipalities ferent demand for CES. We collected the data using a questionnaire locations in the territory of the LAG from July to October in 2023, target groups (n=100 and n=108). Participatory mapping helped to locations in the country. Based on the results, we established a tance of locations in terms of tourism interest. The survey shows is influenced by the availability of the location as well as the about the area. In the case of attractive locations, both residents to tolerate the lack of tourism services such as small number of ing facilities, incomplete information or worse transport that high demand for CES prevails among residents and visitors in residents identified more locations where demand for CES occurs. search are of considerable importance in the implementation of the tem services in the territory development documents, since on their to strengthen and especially optimise the development of tourism Highlights for public administration, management and planning: This paper assesses demand for cultural ecosystem services (CES) tory mapping within specific regions of Slovakia, with a focus velopment in less-visited areas. Data collected from residents and visitors shows shared interest CES locations, where limited tourism infrastructure is tolerated natural and cultural appeal. Findings provide insight for integrating CES demand into plans, aiming to enhance and optimize tourism sustainably based tor preferences.

National sports associations are private-sector sports organisations with an exclusive, monopoly position for a particular type of sport within individual countries. This monopoly position is done by the internal regulations of international sports associations, of which only one entity for a given country can become a member, which its country represents at the international level. The legislation of individual countries also regulates National sports associations. The main aim of this contribution is to assess and benchmark the technical efficiency of 70 sports associations offering their services in Slovakia by a set of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) models and to consider fairness in the financing of Slovak national sports associations. It is important to note that all models used have different premises in their modelling, each of them solves optimisation problems of real live under specific conditions. The arguments for evaluating fairness in financing are based on the methodology of the breakdown of financial subsidies for sport and on controlled interviews with experts of the state administration and national sports associations. Based on our analysis, we can state that the system of financing Slovak national sports associations is neither efficient nor fair in the redistribution of public funds from the point of view of meeting the goals of public policy in the field of sport. The outcome of the research may be of interest to regulatory institutions, as well as to the management of individual national sports associations.

This review summarizes the impact of nickel (Ni) in hydroponics on the growth, basic biochemical parameters and oxidative balance in angiosperms using data from 66 papers (and 181 treatments). Generally, changes in biomass, pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids) and proteins were negative when comparing concentration (≤100 and >100 μM) and time (≤14 and >14 days). However, we could deduce a higher tolerance to Ni excess in dicots than in monocots. Growth and basic metabolites were often significantly positively correlated. In contrast to proteins, amino acids were positively affected by Ni, indicating proline accumulation and/or protein catabolism. The increase in hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) content was stimulated by time and Ni concentration, and it is higher in dicots and usually negatively correlated with basic metabolites. An increase in Ni concentration stimulates the increase of thiols, but a longer exposure has a neutral or negative effect. On the contrary, the amount of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is positively influenced by the dose of Ni in roots and the duration of excess Ni in shoots, which points to dynamic changes of this antioxidant in individual organs. Soluble phenols were not as affected, but their importance appears especially in shoots during long‐term exposure to Ni with a simultaneous increase in H 2 O 2 content, confirming their antioxidative role. We emphasize that due to the significant quantitative variability in the published studies, we analyze the presented parameters as a percentage change.

Innowacje odgrywają kluczową rolę w napędzaniu postępu i kreowaniu odpowiedzi na zmieniające się potrzeby i wyzwania, przed którymi stają współczesne gospodarki w wymiarze ekonomicznym, społecznym czy technologicznym. Celem niniejszego artykułu jest ocena innowacyjnej efektywności 11 postkomunistycznych krajów członkowskich UE w celu zidentyfikowania tych, które osiągają najsłabsze wyniki w przekształcaniu proinnowacyjnych nakładów w innowacyjne rezultaty. Jako narzędzie do oszacowania efektywności została zastosowana metoda DEA. W badaniu dokonano analizy dwóch modeli: Modelu A – obejmującego 28 krajów członkowskich UE oraz Modelu B – obejmującego 16 krajów UE i 12 krajów z Europy, Azji i Ameryki Południowej, które są bardziej podobne pod względem rozwoju ekonomicznego mierzonego PKB na mieszkańca. Wykorzystane w badaniu dane dotyczące mierników nakładu i rezultatu pochodzą z raportów Global Innovation Index z lat 2015-2020. Główne ustalenia wskazują, że wśród postkomunistycznych krajów członkowskich UE, Polska i Litwa osiągają najniższe wyniki DEA-efektywności w przekształcaniu proinnowacyjnych nakładów w innowacje.

Alcohol consumption can influence an individual's quality of life, with the impact varying based on several factors such as the amount of alcohol consumed, frequency of consumption, individual tolerance, and overall health. Slovakia is among the countries with the highest incidence of liver cirrhosis in the world, with alcohol representing a significant risk factor. Therefore, it is important to identify at-risk groups and the potential impact of various factors. The primary objective of this study is to examine the relationship between alcohol consumption and quality of life among college students in the Slovak Universities. A cross-sectional study was conducted in December 2021 and January 2022. The study included college students with an average age of 22.3 years. Participants were surveyed about their alcohol consumption and quality of life using the standardized Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) questionnaires. These questionnaires were distributed through online school systems. In the study, 88.7% of the students reported drinking alcohol. A low AUDIT score was recorded for 67.1% of the total participants (2573 students). A medium score was found in 23.3% of the participants (893 students). High scores were identified in 2.4% of the participants (92 students), and very high scores were found in 2.2% of the total participants (86 students). Mild pain was reported in 33.8% of cases, while moderate pain was reported in 5.2% of cases. Mild depression and anxiety were reported in 31.1% of the cases, and moderate depression and anxiety were reported in 13.5% of the cases. There is a statistically significant relationship between AUDIT and EuroQOL variables (p < 0.001). This suggests that the association between alcohol use (measured by AUDIT) and health-related quality of life (measured by EuroQOL) is unlikely to be due to chance. Higher alcohol consumption was associated with a poorer quality of life in Slovak college students. Our results suggest a meaningful connection between alcohol consumption behaviors and overall quality of life, highlighting the potential impact of alcohol use on health outcomes. Further research is warranted to explore the nature and causality of this relationship, which could inform interventions aimed at improving health-related quality of life through alcohol use reduction strategies. The association between higher alcohol consumption and poorer quality of life in Slovak college students raises important questions about causality and the complex interplay between alcohol consumption and one’s overall well-being. The significant relationship between higher alcohol consumption and poorer quality of life suggests the need for targeted public health interventions aimed at reducing alcohol consumption among college students. Programs focusing on awareness and education about the negative impacts of excessive drinking could be implemented to promote healthier lifestyles.

Rationale Severe alcohol-associated hepatitis (SAH) is the most critical, acute, inflammatory phenotype within the alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) spectrum, characterized by high 30- and 90-day mortality. Since several decades, corticosteroids (CS) are the only approved pharmacotherapy offering highly limited survival benefits. Contextually, there is an evident demand for 3PM innovation in the area meeting patients’ needs and improving individual outcomes. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has emerged as one of the new potential therapeutic options. In this study, we aimed to address the crucial 3PM domains in order to assess (i) the impact of FMT on mortality in SAH patients beyond CS, (ii) to identify factors associated with the outcome to be improved (iii) the prediction of futility, (iv) prevention of suboptimal individual outcomes linked to increased mortality, and (v) personalized allocation of therapy. Methods We conducted a prospective study (NCT04758806) in adult patients with SAH who were non-responders (NR) to or non-eligible (NE) for CS between January 2018 and August 2022. The intervention consisted of five 100 ml of FMT, prepared from 30 g stool from an unrelated healthy donor and frozen at − 80 °C, administered daily to the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. We evaluated the impact of FMT on 30- and 90-day mortality which we compared to the control group selected by the propensity score matching and treated by the standard of care; the control group was derived from the RH7 registry of patients hospitalized at the liver unit (NCT04767945). We have also scrutinized the FMT outcome against established and potential prognostic factors for SAH — such as the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD), Maddrey Discriminant Function (MDF), acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), Liver Frailty Index (LFI), hepatic venous-portal pressure gradient (HVPG) and Alcoholic Hepatitis Histologic Score (AHHS) — to see if the 3PM method assigns them a new dimension in predicting response to therapy, prevention of suboptimal individual outcomes, and personalized patient management. Results We enrolled 44 patients with SAH (NR or NE) on an intention-to-treat basis; we analyzed 33 patients per protocol for associated factors (after an additional 11 being excluded for receiving less than 5 doses of FMT), and 31 patients by propensity score matching for corresponding individual outcomes, respectively. The mean age was 49.6 years, 11 patients (33.3%) were females. The median MELD score was 29, and ACLF of any degree had 27 patients (81.8%). FMT improved 30-day mortality ( p = 0.0204) and non-significantly improved 90-day mortality ( p = 0.4386). Univariate analysis identified MELD ≥ 30, MDF ≥ 90, and ACLF grade > 1 as significant predictors of 30-day mortality, ( p = 0.031; p = 0.014; p = 0.034). Survival was not associated with baseline LFI, HVPG, or AHHS. Conclusions and recommendations in the framework of 3PM In the most difficult-to-treat sub-cohort of patients with SAH (i.e., NR/NE), FMT improved 30-day mortality. Factors associated with benefit included MELD ≤ 30, MDF ≤ 90, and ACLF < 2. These results support the potential of gut microbiome as a therapeutic target in the context of 3PM research and vice versa — to use 3PM methodology as the expedient unifying template for microbiome research. The results allow for immediate impact on the innovative concepts of (i) personalized phenotyping and stratification of the disease for the clinical research and practice, (ii) multilevel predictive diagnosis related to personalized/precise treatment allocation including evidence-based (ii) prevention of futile and sub-optimally effective therapy , as well as (iii) targeted prevention of poor individual outcomes in patients with SAH. Moreover, our results add to the existing evidence with the potential to generate new research along the SAH’s pathogenetic pathways such as diverse individual susceptibility to alcohol toxicity, host-specific mitochondrial function and systemic inflammation, and the role of gut dysbiosis thereof.

Land users and policy makers recognize importance of soil health and these types of evaluations are welcomed within sustainable land management. The aim of this study was to establish minimum and maximum values of soil health index across the breadth of agricultural used soils of Slovakia. Core objectives included (1) identifying the range of soil health benchmarks; (2) defining benchmarks for different land uses, and (3) defining benchmarks of soil health index for main groups of agricultural soils in Slovakia. These benchmarks represent the first soil health metrics of their kind in Slovakia using data from 266 locations. The soil health index (SHI) approach has been used as a quantitative tool to establish linkage between soil health and soil ecosystem services. We recorded the highest average SHI value in the very warm climatic region of the Slovak Republic, where the majority of agriculturally used arable soils (with an optimal pH value without contamination) are located. The locality with lowest SHI value is in a slightly warm area on soil used as arable soil with a very small depth of humus horizon, with by the pH value in an acidic area, and with a high content of clay. The typical SHI in humus-rich soil groups of Slovakia (Mollic Fluvisols, Chernozems and Cutanhic Luvisols) is higher contrasted with the typical SHI in other soil groups of Slovakia.

In the context of education, motivation and self-regulation of learning are dominant issues. The degree of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to learn is related to students’ academic achievement and literacy development. This study aimed to research the regulatory styles and motivation to learn among homeschooled students, with a particular focus on those who practice unschooling, a form of self-directed learning. A quantitative research strategy was employed, and data were collected using the standardised SQR-Academic questionnaire adapted for the homeschooling context. The questionnaire was completed by 143 homeschooled children (4th to 9th grade), of whom 10.88% reported engaging in unschooling or self-directed learning. The results indicated that identified regulation was prevalent among homeschooled students, who tended to exhibit intrinsic rather than extrinsic motivation. This contrasts with full-time attending students, who generally display a more external regulation style. Among unschoolers, identified regulation was equally prevalent, but the Relative Autonomy Index (RAI) values were higher, indicating a stronger inclination towards intrinsic motivation. Despite these differences in RAI between unschoolers and other homeschoolers, the differences were not statistically significant. The findings are consistent with relevant research from other countries. Future research should explore the factors that influence the degree of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in homeschooled students. Keywords: homeschooled students, intrinsic motivation, lower secondary education students, primary education students, regulation of learning, unschooled students

Xenotime-(Gd), ideally GdPO4, is a new mineral of the xenotime group. It was discovered at the Zimná Voda REE–U–Au occurrence near Prakovce, Western Carpathians, Slovakia. It forms rare crystal domains (≤20 μm, usually ≤10 μm in size) in Gd-rich xenotime-(Y) crystals (≤100 μm in size), in association with monazite-group minerals, uraninite, fluorapatite and uranyl arsenates–phosphates. The hydrothermal REE–U–Au mineralisation occurs in a quartz–muscovite vein, hosted in Palaeozoic phyllites near exocontact with Permian granites. The density is 5.26 g/cm3, based on calculated average empirical formula and unit-cell parameters. The average chemical composition (n = 6) measured by electron microprobe is as follows (wt.%): P2O5 30.1, As2O5 0.5, SiO2 0.2, UO2 0.3, Y2O3 15.7, (La, Ce, Pr, Nd)2O3 0.5, Sm2O3 5.7, Eu2O3 1.4, Gd2O3 29.2, Tb2O3 3.9, Dy2O3 10.4, Ho2O3 0.4, (Er, Tm, Yb, Lu)2O3 2.1, (Ca, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ba)O 0.1, total 100.5. The corresponding empirical formula calculated on the basis of 4 oxygen atoms is: (Gd0.37Y0.32Dy0.13Sm0.08Tb0.05Eu0.02Er0.01Tm0.01Nd0.01…)Σ1.01(P0.98As0.01Si0.01)O4. The empirical formula of the Gd-richest composition is: (Gd0.38Y0.31Dy0.13Sm0.08Tb0.05Eu0.02Er0.01Nd0.01Ho0.01…)Σ1.01(P0.98As0.01Si0.01)O4. The ideal formula is GdPO4. The xenotime-type structure has been confirmed by micro-Raman spectroscopy and a Fast Fourier-Transform pattern using HRTEM. Xenotime-(Gd) is tetragonal, space group I41/amd, a = 6.9589(5) Å, c = 6.0518(6) Å, V = 293.07(3) Å3 and Z = 4. The new mineral is named as an analogue of xenotime-(Y) and xenotime-(Yb) with Gd dominant among the REE. The middle REE enrichment of xenotime-(Gd) is shared with the associated monazite-(Gd) and Gd-rich hingganite-(Y). This exotic REE signature and precipitation of Gd-bearing minerals is a product of selective complexing and enrichment in MREE in low-temperature hydrothermal fluids by alteration of uraninite, brannerite and fluorapatite on a micro-scale. The existence of xenotime-(Gd) and monazite-(Gd) is the first naturally documented dimorphism among REE phosphates. In addition, xenotime-(Gd) is only the third approved Gd-dominant mineral, after lepersonnite-(Gd) and monazite-(Gd).

The main objective of the present work was to assess the ecotoxicological safety of the use of thermochemically treated sewage sludge from the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) of a distillery plant as a soil additive in agricultural soils based on its physicochemical characteristics and the bioaccumulation of selected elements in the plant tissues of maize (Zea mays). We have carried out physicochemical characterization (pH, EC, C org , C inorg , CEC, N, H, ash content, PAHs) of sewage sludge feedstock (SS) and sludge-derived biochar (BC) produced by slow pyrolysis at a temperature of 400 • C. The effect of 1% (w/w) amendment of SS and BC on soil physicochemical properties (pH, EC, C inorg), germination of ryegrass, soil rhizobacteria and microorganisms, as well as on the accumulation and translocation of selected elements in maize (Zea mays) was studied. The results show that pyrolysis treatment of distillery WWTP sludge at 400 • C increases pH (from 7.3 to 7.7), C org (from 28.86% to 36.83%), N (from 6.19% to 7.53%), ash content (from 23.59% to 50.99%) and decreases EC (from 2.35 mS/cm to 1.06 mS/cm), CEC (from 118.66 cmol/kg to 55.66 cmol/kg), H (from 6.76% to 1.98%) and 18 PAHs content (from 4.03 mg/kg to 3.38 mg/kg). RFA analysis of SS and BC showed that pyrolysis treatment multiplies chromium (Cr) (2.2 times), nickel (Ni) (2.96 times), lead (Pb) (2.13 times), zinc (Zn) (2.79 times), iron (Fe) (1.26 times) in the obtained BC, but based on an ecotoxicological test with earthworms Eisenia fetida, we conclude that pyrolysis treatment reduced the amount of available forms of heavy metals in BC compared to SS. We demonstrated by a pot experiment with a maize that a 1% addition of BC increased soil pH, decreased EC and C inorg and had no significant effect on heavy metal accumulation in plant tissues. According to the results of the three-level germination test, it also does not affect the germination of cress seeds (Lepidium sativum). There was a significant effect of 1% BC addition on soil microbial community, and we observed a decrease in total microbial biomass and an increase in fungal species variability in the soil. Based on these results, we conclude that BC represents a promising material that can serve as a soil additive and source of nutritionally important elements after optimization of the pyrolysis process.

Various anthropogenic activities, e.g. construction, soil disturbance, and introducing artificial plant mixtures on newly-created ski slopes after forest clearing are significant interventions in ecosystems. These drastic acts influence the species composition of vegetation cover in the landscape. Although synanthropic species are typically infrequent in mountainous areas, they tend to flourish in disturbed environments; ski slopes are no exception to this pattern. Here we assessed the composition of vascular plants in three distinct ski slope habitats across 30 Slovak ski resorts: the ski lift entrance areas, the ski lift exit areas, and the central areas of the ski slopes. To gain insights into the dynamics of the spreading of synanthropic species on ski slopes, we used selected species traits, synanthropization indices for both flora and vegetation, and considered specific disturbance criteria. The outcomes of our study confirmed that the highest richness of synanthropic species was observed in plots located at the ski lift entrance areas, while the lowest in the central areas of the ski slopes. This difference could be attributed to the proximity of anthropogenically-disturbed zones, which act as propagule sources for synanthropic species into these mountainous habitats. At the same time, elevation also plays an important role in limiting spread of synanthropic plants on ski slopes. The study of synanthropic plant species distribution on ski slopes provides valuable insights into the complex interactions between human activities and the environment.

This study aims to present an analysis of co-creation initiatives in selected sectors of public administration (welfare, healthcare, education, and environment protection) in the context of the Slovak Republic. The primary method used is a case study. We identify shared processes and possible success factors by presenting five selected case studies. The findings indicate that co-creation initiatives are primarily focused on minorities in society, the initiators being mainly citizens cooperating with non-governmental organizations. The main barrier is mostly the bureaucratic administration culture and low political support.