Czech Republic Research Articles

The Changing Role of the Faculty of Military Leadership in Czech Military Education (2004–2018)

Educational mission of the Faculty of Military Leadership (until 2014 as Faculty of Economics and Management) of the University of Defence (Brno, Czech Republic) underwent since its origin in 2004 to 2018 number of changes. By analysing the structure of study programmes and the number of employees and students, the goal of this article is to identify the main periods in the development of the faculty as well as its role in the educational system. The results are as follows.The first period was a reaction to a process of professionalization of army, i.e., the replacement the conscript army by professionals that led into decrease of number of military students and parallel orientation towards civilian study programmes in national security. The second stage was influenced by the financial crisis of 2007–2008; that is why a gradual reduction of military study took place as well as serious considerations about the dissolution of the faculty and university, respectively. The third, final, period began in 2013–2014. Its main element was the change of characteristics of study programmes and their connection to the “militarization” of the faculty; reorganization of the structure of the faculty in 2014; the gradual increase of the number of military students at the expense of civilian students; and, finally, the cancelation of civilian study programmes. Year 2018, when personal changes in management of faculty took place together with a consideration about principles of a new study programme, could be regarded as the beginning of a qualitative new period in history of Faculty of Military Leadership that lasts until present day – and as such is out of focus of this study.

Impact of the War in Ukraine on the Ability of Children to Recognize Basic Emotions

ObjectivesThis study assessed emotion recognition skills in school-age children in wartime conditions in Ukraine.MethodsAn online survey based on the concept of basic emotions was administrated to a sample of 419 schoolchildren from Ukraine and a control group of 310 schoolchildren from the Czech Republic, aged 8 to 12.ResultsThere is no difference in judging the intensity of anger and fear by Ukrainian children, compared with the control group. There is no evidence that the emotions of anger, fear, and sadness were better recognized in the Ukrainian group. Children from Ukraine were better at recognizing positive emotions than Czech children.ConclusionIncreased risks of threats and wartime experience do not impair the accuracy of identification of emotions like fear or the assessment of intensity of basic emotions by children who experience war in Ukraine. Still, it is important to continue studying the long-term consequences of military conflicts in order to deepen the understanding of their impact on human mental functioning.

First occurrence of Melanoides tuberculata (O. F. Müller, 1774) in an open environment in the Czech Republic

The invasive species Melanoides tuberculata (O. F. Müller, 1774) is reported from the open environment from the Czech Republic for the first time. An abundant population was found in the artificially heated Skryjský potok, a stream which flows from the cooling reservoir below the Dukovany nuclear power plant. The species is unlikely to occur outside the heated water due to its affinity for warm water.

Factors Influencing Bachelor’s Degree Students’ Satisfaction

This study delves into the factors influencing the satisfaction of Bachelor's Degree students in Ostrava, Czech Republic. With a focus on scholarly quality, support, and social aspects, it investigates key determinants such as academic environment, faculty support, campus facilities, and social activities. Employing a quantitative research approach, survey data from 30 participants were analyzed. Results reveal that factors like teaching methods, learning environment, and program affordability significantly impact satisfaction levels. The findings highlight the multidimensional nature of student satisfaction. For clarity purposes, it is necessary to highlight that the results of this research paper are drawn from a preliminary research study that was conducted in 2024 in the City of Ostrava in the Czech Republic.

Cartographic analysis of two centuries of map printing using copperplates – examples from the Czech Republic and Malta collections

Abstract This paper provides a comprehensive description of preserved copper plates used for map printing in order to enrich the existing knowledge and, at the same time, contribute with new knowledge on the topic of the engraving of old maps. The dimensions, thickness, and weight of individual printing plates were measured. Qualitative indicators of the material were also examined. Printing plates originating from countries north of the Alps (former Czech lands) and from Mediterranean regions (Malta and Italy) are represented. For the purpose of the study, the term printing plate refers to a copperplate on which the engraving was made using the burin or line etching technique. These are some of the oldest reproduction techniques used for printing old maps. The period studied covers the 18th century, approximately. Studies dealing with a large set of printing plates and their classification are rather an exception (Hameleers 1989). The issue of the qualitative properties of printing plates has not yet been comprehensively addressed in the literature focusing on the history of cartography.

Differences in the body image based on physical parameters among young women from the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The increased prevalence of overweight and obesity in the Czech Republic and Slovakia has led to heightened emphasis on weight control, particularly among women. Our aim is to explore body image perceptions among women in both countries and compare their attitudes, focusing on the relationship between body image and body mass index (BMI), height, weight, body fat and the weight control. The cross-sectional study involved 358 female students from the University of Pardubice and Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, with equal representation from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Body parameters were assessed using anthropometric methods and the InBody 230 diagnostic device, while participants' perceptions of their bodies were evaluated using the Body Shape Questionnaire. The results confirmed that BMI did not significantly influence self-perception among Slovak students, while Czech participants with increasing obesity tended to perceive themselves more negatively. Significantly higher median values for BMI (p = 0.0509), weight (p = 0.0507), height (p = 0.05) and body image (p = 0.002) were observed in the Czech Republic compared with Slovakia. No significant difference was found in weight control and fat between participants from both countries. Although obesity was demonstrated in both nations, body satisfaction was different for participants from the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Changes in the Use of Resources in Teaching Physics Due to the Influence of Distance Learning

As part of the MaTeK project, involving researchers from Slovakia, Czech Republic, Italy, Norway, and Turkey, we carried out research on the use of resources by maths teachers for lesson preparation. The teachers were asked about if there had been any change in their use of resources due to Covid-19 pandemic. We noticed that multiple teachers stated that, due to Covid-19, they had found new resources, so we decided to investigate this topic further. In our research, with the cooperation of teachers in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, we focused not only on maths teaching but also on the teaching of physics. This paper describes the results of this research applied in Slovakia during physics lessons in primary and secondary schools. Our goal was to find out which resources had been used by physics teachers before and after distance learning and which new resources they had found. We were also interested in which resources they still use even now that distance learning is over.

Real-World Long-Term Effectiveness of Risankizumab Among Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis: Analysis from an International Medical Chart Review (RAPID) Study.

Real-world data on the efficacy of risankizumab (RZB) in clinical moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (PsO) are limited. The RAPID study assessed real-world clinical and patient-reported outcomes in RZB-treated PsO patients using data collected from dermatologists in Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, and Poland. This ongoing, retrospective chart review collected data from medical records of RZB-treated adults with moderate-to-severe PsO (09/2022-06/2023). Eligible patients received RZB, had ≥ 12months of medical records after RZB initiation (index date), and had Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), Investigator Global Assessment (IGA), or static Physician's Global Assessment (sPGA) scores ≥ 3months before and up to 18months after the index date. The proportion of patients achieving a clear/almost clear PsO (IGA/sPGA = 0/1), PASI ≤ 1, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) = 0/1, and a 90%/100% improvement from baseline in PASI as well as the mean changes in PASI, DLQI, itch, and skin pain scores at 12 and 18 months were reported for patients with non-missing assessments at baseline and 12months. Most patients (66.4%) were male, 74.0% were biologic naïve, and 73.0% had scalp PsO. Mean baseline IGA/sPGA was 3.7 ± 0.5, with a mean PASI of 23.3 ± 11.8. After 12months, 86.1% of patients reported IGA/sPGA ≤ 1, and 75.7% achieved PASI90; these further increased to 91.1% and 80.5% at 18months. DLQI, itch, and skin pain scores improved over time. These data demonstrated the durable, real-world effectiveness of RZB in patients with moderate-to-severe PsO through continued improvement in disease and symptom severity over 18months, with most of the patients reporting clear/almost clear skin.

Outcomes of elder abuse and neglect in Central Europe: exploring the link between EAN and well-being among non-institutionalized older adults

ABSTRACT Informed by existing gaps in the research of elder abuse and neglect (EAN) outcomes and very limited knowledge from Central-European cultural contexts, this paper analyzes the link between domestic-based EAN and three measures of well-being, namely subjective loneliness, sense of control over one’s life, and a broader outlook on life. To do this, we used recently (2022) collected EAN survey fielded among home-dwelling residents of the Czech Republic aged 65 + . The results show that there is a clear relationship between EAN and these selected outcomes. Controlling for several sets of potential modifying or confounding factors further indicates that this relationship is substantial and direct, rather than weak and indirect. Among controls, only variables related to disadvantage (health, income, dependency, history of abuse) partly account for the link between EAN and its outcomes due to their relation to both heightened risk of EAN and lower well-being.

Where have Ukrainian refugees gone? Identifying potential settlement areas across European regions integrating digital and traditional geographic data

AbstractThe escalation of conflict in Ukraine has triggered the largest refugee crisis in Europe since WWII. As of early April 2024, over 5.9 million people have fled Ukraine. Large‐scale efforts have been made to identify the major receiving countries. However, less is known about the subnational areas within host countries where refugees have migrated. Identifying these areas is key for the appropriate allocation of humanitarian aid. By combining digital Facebook API data and traditional data from Eurostat, this paper aims to identify and characterise potential settlement areas of Ukrainians across the main destination countries in Europe. We identify high concentrations of Ukrainians in urban areas with a preexisting diaspora and tight labour market conditions across southern, northern‐west and central Poland and the city of Prague in the Czech Republic. We also find potential settlements in key urban agglomerations with a moderate diaspora and high levels of unemployment in Spain. Only in Romania, refugees seem to have settled in rural areas which show a moderate diaspora but low levels of unemployment. Potential settlement areas in Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom are spread across the country. Surprisingly, we do not identify potential settlement areas in bordering regions with Ukraine within neighbouring countries, suggesting that refugees may have used them as transit points. Our findings point out that different packages of humanitarian assistance may be needed according to the number of refugees and the characteristics of settlement areas.

Viola suavis var. pannonica (Violaceae), a new white-flowered violet from central Europe

Viola suavis var. pannonica (Violaceae) from central Europe is described here as a new variety to science. It is most similar to the blue-flowered V. suavis var. suavis and the white-flowered V. suavis var. catalonica and V. suavis subsp. naqshii, but exhibits differences in several characters, such as petal colour, spur shape, fimbriae length on the stipules, bracteoles position on the peduncle and lamina sinus shape. Although the new taxon is often considered a colour mutation of V. suavis var. suavis, previous genetic analyses revealed that these white-flowered plants do not arise recurrently at different locations (having multiple origins), but rather form a monophyletic evolutionary lineage. To date, the occurrence of V. suavis var. pannonica has been reported in the Slovak Republic, the Czech Republic and western Ukraine. In this paper, we report its occurrence in Austria and Hungary. Notes on its etymology, distribution, ecology, origin and hybridization, as well as photographs of the new variety (including the holotype) are also provided.

Influence of land use enclave distribution on discharge in a small catchment

Abstract According to many authors, hydrological modelling is one of the fundamental techniques for determining the impacts of various environmental changes on the quantitative characteristics of the aquatic environment. This study examines the effects of landscape changes induced by the need to respond to climate change and the natural urban development of the rural setting on the discharge from the small catchment. The SWAT model was applied to a small catchment of Kopaninsky Stream in the traditional agricultural part of the Czech Republic. According to the results, the most effective approach for reducing the consequences of hydrological extremes in the catchment and retaining more water in the landscape is the properly spaced placement of grassland and forest enclaves in the developing urban structure. In practice, each land use category’s overall percentage of representation is less significant than its relative arrangement.

Research note: Gender and educational differences in childcare time: Evidence from the Czech Republic

Objective: This study explores the gender and educational differences in the time spent on childcare in the Czech Republic. In particular, we ask how gender and educational gradients in parenting time intersect and whether they vary by the child’s age. We consider the time parents spend in basic, interactive and focused childcare care as a way to address the intensive parenting model. Background: Prior research has documented an increase in parental time investment in childcare associated with changes in gender roles and the spread of norms of intensive parenting. However, it remains unclear whether educational and gender differences in parenting time are converging because of these changes and how they vary by the child’s age. Method: Using time-use data from the Czech Household Study Panel Study—a nationally representative sample from the Czech Republic (2015)—we applied mixed regression models to analyse time spent on three types of childcare activities. Results: The results indicate that highly educated parents allocate more time to basic and focused care, reflecting a commitment to intensive child-centred parenting. In addition, higher-educated fathers of preschoolers engage more in interactive care. Although gender disparities persist among higher-educated parents, the gap narrows for parents with children older than three years. Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of analysing parenting time across different activities and child ages to understand family dynamics and child opportunities.

Technological innovation and energy efficiency in central Eastern European countries

This study examines the causal relationship between technological innovation and energy efficiency in Central and Eastern European countries. The results indicate that technological innovation significantly impacts energy efficiency in the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, and Slovenia through various economic and political factors. Conversely, energy efficiency also significantly affects technological innovation in Estonia, Hungary, and Slovakia. These findings suggest that energy efficiency is a function of the rate of innovation adoption. It is recommended that these countries prioritize implementing reforms that bolster economic freedom and institutional quality to foster innovation.

Quarter century of mercury litterfall at a coniferous forest responding to climate change, Central Europe.

This work evaluated the 25-year-long trends (1994-2018) in mercury (Hg) concentrations and fluxes in spruce litterfall at a forest research plot Načetín (NAC) recovering from acidic deposition in the Ore Mountains, Czech Republic. The mean litterfall Hg deposition averaged 51 ± 18µgm-2year-1, which has been the highest litterfall Hg deposition reported up to date on the European continent. In contrast, the wet deposition (2017-2019) was an order of magnitude lower averaging at 2.5 ± 1.5µgm-2year-1. All the spruce litterfall components bark, twigs, needles, cones, and a mixture of unidentified fragments had elevated mean Hg concentrations relative to background sites averaging 256 ± 77, 234 ± 62, 119 ± 23, 95 ± 14, and 44 ± 15µg kg-1, respectively. Elevated litterfall Hg deposition and concentrations were attributed to the nearby local Hg emission source-coal-fired power plants. Temporally, the decrease of Czech Hg emissions since the 1990s was reflected by the decreasing trend of Hg concentrations in litterfall bark, cones, and twigs, while in needles and other material, Hg increased but insignificantly. Total litterfall ratios of Hg/C, Hg/N, and Hg/S were lower than those in soil O horizons averaging at 0.23 ± 0.04, 9.5 ± 2.0, and 170 ± 37μgg-1, respectively. Since the beginning of monitoring, total litterfall Hg/C exhibited no trend, Hg/N decreased, and Hg/S increased. The litterfall biomass deposition averaging at 469 ± 176gm-2year-1 increased through time resulting in an increased Hg litterfall deposition at NAC by 1.1µgm-2year-1 despite the decreases in Czech Hg emissions. Peaks of annual litterfall Hg deposition up to 96µgm-2year-1 at NAC during the 25years of monitoring resulted from weather extremes such as rime-snow accumulation, wind gusts, droughts, and insect infestation, which all significantly affected the annual biomass deposition. Based on our observations, further increases in biomass and litterfall Hg deposition rates can be expected due to the onset of bark beetle infestation and the increasing number of droughts caused by climate change.

Integrating depth-dependent protist dynamics and microbial interactions in spring succession of a freshwater reservoir

BackgroundProtists are essential contributors to eukaryotic diversity and exert profound influence on carbon fluxes and energy transfer in freshwaters. Despite their significance, there is a notable gap in research on protistan dynamics, particularly in the deeper strata of temperate lakes. This study aimed to address this gap by integrating protists into the well-described spring dynamics of Římov reservoir, Czech Republic. Over a 2-month period covering transition from mixing to established stratification, we collected water samples from three reservoir depths (0.5, 10 and 30 m) with a frequency of up to three times per week. Microbial eukaryotic and prokaryotic communities were analysed using SSU rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and dominant protistan groups were enumerated by Catalysed Reporter Deposition-Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (CARD-FISH). Additionally, we collected samples for water chemistry, phyto- and zooplankton composition analyses.ResultsFollowing the rapid changes in environmental and biotic parameters during spring, protistan and bacterial communities displayed swift transitions from a homogeneous community to distinct strata-specific communities. A prevalence of auto- and mixotrophic protists dominated by cryptophytes was associated with spring algal bloom-specialized bacteria in the epilimnion. In contrast, the meta- and hypolimnion showcased a development of a protist community dominated by putative parasitic Perkinsozoa, detritus or particle-associated ciliates, cercozoans, telonemids and excavate protists (Kinetoplastida), co-occurring with bacteria associated with lake snow.ConclusionsOur high-resolution sampling matching the typical doubling time of microbes along with the combined microscopic and molecular approach and inclusion of all main components of the microbial food web allowed us to unveil depth-specific populations’ successions and interactions in a deep lentic ecosystem.

Beyond warzones: conflict-stricken states as viewed by the Czech corpus collocations

Abstract The aim of the article is to observe how countries that have faced armed conflicts in the recent decades are perceived in a corpus of Czech, mostly journalism texts. We focus on eight countries where soldiers of the Czech Republic or the former Czechoslovak Republic have been deployed on the basis of a mandate after 1989 (Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Iraq, Kosovo, Kuwait, Mali, and Yugoslavia). The picture of each country is determined via a quantitative, corpus-based approach. First, a frequency analysis is conducted in an attempt to show whether texts tend to mention some conflict-affected countries more frequently than others. Second, a collocation analysis is carried out to identify the stereotypes associated with the studied countries. The results show very different perceptions of the states, ranging from those connected solely to warfare (Iraq, Afghanistan) to those that are nowadays mostly seen as holiday destinations (Croatia). Moreover, some countries do not seem to be paid much attention at all (Mali). The outcome of the research may be of use for journalists, political scholars, and geographers and provides the respective disciplines with a new methodological approach.

An attempt of interspecies mating between Phengaris nausithous and P. teleius (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae)

Interspecies mating is rarely observed even in the wild. Such a case in Lycaenidae is reported and photographically documented for the species pairing Phengaris teleius (Bergsträsser, 1779) and P. nausithous (Bergsträsser, 1779), which was observed on 19 July 2016 in northern Bohemia near the village of Hynčice, Czech Republic. Possible causes of this phenomenon are discussed.

Provenance of Some Iconographie Patterns of Christ’s Passion in Medieval Wall Painting in Slovakia and the Czech Republic

In the depictions presented in the article the gesture of raised hands expresses either Mourning or the feelings connected with Entombing, whose image is supplemented by the gesture of raised hands from the scene of Mourning, among others. The main source of illustration in these works seems to be Italian art, present in Western European painting. Its basis are iconographic solutions of the Byzantine art.

Multicriteria optimization of the composition, thermodynamic and strength properties of fly-ash as an additive in metakaolin-based geopolymer composites

This paper presents the construction of intelligent systems for selecting the optimum concentration of geopolymer matrix components based on ranking optimality criteria. A peculiarity of the methodology is replacing discrete time intervals with a sequence of states. Markov chains represent a synthetic property accumulating heterogeneous factors. The computational basis for the calculations was the digitization of experimental data on the strength properties of fly ashes collected from thermal power plants in the Czech Republic and used as additives in geopolymers. A database and a conceptual model of priority ranking have been developed, that are suitable for determining the structure of relations of the main factors. Computational results are presented by studying geopolymer matrix structure formation kinetics under changing component concentrations in real- time. Multicriteria optimization results for fly-ash as an additive on metakaolin-based geopolymer composites show that the optimal composition of the geopolymer matrix within the selected variation range includes 100 g metakaolin, 90 g potassium activator, 8 g silica fume, 2 g basalt fibers and 50 g fly ash by ratio weight. This ratio gives the best mechanical, thermal, and technological properties.