Our article examines selected technologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (specifically the so-called base technologies) and their extent of utilization within business processes. The research was conducted on a sample of companies operating in the Slovak Republic. Based on data from 180 companies, we assessed the extent of implementation of these technologies. The results of our study show that some Industry 4.0 technologies have already been successfully implemented in most of the surveyed companies (in particular cloud computing for data storage, cloud networks for remote access to resources, and the Internet of Things). An especially positive finding is that cybersecurity measures have been implemented to the greatest extent, which is crucial for the successful and sustainable functioning of the entire Industry 4.0, with the importance of this area continuing to grow each year. On the other hand, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning are not widely used in most companies, nor do companies currently plan to adopt them. This field, however, provides significant potential for productivity growth and process optimization, and in recent years we have also observed a marked increase in the adoption of artificial intelligence within the general population. At present, only 14% of companies have successfully implemented these technologies. According to our findings, companies that do employ artificial intelligence and machine learning use them primarily in business processes to facilitate the analysis and evaluation of large datasets.

Canine hookworms represent some of the most globally prevalent parasitic nematodes affecting dogs and pose a significant zoonotic risk to humans, in whom they can induce cutaneous larva migrans. Infection with these parasites may lead to blood loss, anaemia, and, in severe cases, mortality—particularly in young puppies. The present study reports a confirmed case of Ancylostoma caninum infection in a 15-month-old dog in the Slovak Republic. The infected dog presented with severe, persistent diarrhoea, and haematological examination revealed a decrease in erythrocyte and haemoglobin levels, as well as mild eosinophilia. Coprological examination confirmed the presence of nematodes belonging to the family of Ancylostomatidae. Following the initiation of anthelmintic therapy, adult individuals were recovered from the faeces. Based on distinct morphological characteristics, the parasites were presumptively attributed to the species A. caninum. Subsequent molecular analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (COX1) and the ribosomal ITS regions definitively confirmed the species A. caninum. Our findings confirm that this is the first molecularly confirmed case of this species in Central Europe. This hookworm is predominantly found in warm and humid climatic regions. Its recent detection in Slovakia, a country characterised by a temperate climate, may suggest a northward expansion of its geographic range, potentially facilitated by ongoing climatic shifts associated with global climate change.

The article provides a perspective on the expansion of the powers of the Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic. This is possible when the complainant, together with the constitutional complaint, petitions the Senate of the Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic to submit a proposal to the plenary to initiate proceedings on the compliance of legal regulations. This power brings an expansion of the powers of the constitutional judiciary in proceedings on individual constitutional complaints. Although, generally, there are mostly critical voices calling for the powers of the Constitutional Court not to be further increased, it can be assumed that this change has positive potential, because it will create a corridor allowing complainants to challenge legal regulations. Aware of the competence imbalance, the authors in the article also formulate considerations towards the disposal of some of the powers of the Constitutional Court. In line with the study’s research focus, the authors also advance de lege ferenda proposal to improve legal-normative regulation in the realm of legal consciousness.

This article focuses on the application of behavioural economics and its nudge theory in unused medicine disposal. Although regulated by law, some users ignore these regulations, which brings social losses, resulting in increased consumption, excessive accumulation and negative externalities due to environmental contamination. The research examines the impact of nudging by additional information on the return of unused medicines to the pharmacy in the Slovak Republic. Based on the empirical analysis, this article concludes that nudging had a positive impact on users’ behaviour. Respondents who were provided with additional information on drug handling showed a 10% increase in the claimed return on unused and expired medicine compared to the control group, which was not nudged. The outcomes show that nudging by additional information can be a supporting instrument how to increase the efficient handling of unused medicines.

The aim of this contribution is to analyze the efficiency of value added tax in the conditions of the Slovak Republic based on the application of a modified methodology for calculating VAT efficiency according to Mendoza-Razin-Tesar. The Mendoza – Rasin – Tesar methodology is a widely used methodology for examining the tax efficiency of a selected tax. This work is also based on publicly available data from the Institute of Financial Policy of the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic for the period from 2005 to 2019. Based on the chosen methodology and data, we determined the effective VAT rate for the conditions of the Slovak Republic, which ranged from 13.35% to 17.47% for the selected period. The findings were subsequently compared with other countries, primarily the V4 countries.

Background: In recent years, climate change and environmental degradation have given rise to new forms of civic activism aimed at pressuring governments and corporations to take urgent action to protect the environment. While most environmental movements operate within the bounds of the law and democratic principles, a minority of activists resort to more radical and disruptive methods when they perceive existing legal and political processes as too slow or ineffective. This phenomenon, commonly referred to as ecological extremism, does not typically aim to overthrow democratic governance but rather seeks to accelerate environmental policy changes through acts of civil disobedience and sometimes illegal direct action. Despite its growing relevance, the legal aspects and boundaries of ecological extremism remain underexplored, particularly in the context of Central and Eastern Europe. Methods: This article employs traditional methods of legal scientific (jurisprudential) research, combining general scientific methods with methods specific to the field of legal science. Among the general scientific methods applied in this article are primarily logical methods, namely the methods of analysis, synthesis, and description. The method of analysis was used in relation to relevant legal provisions, mainly Section 140, 140a and 140b of the Slovak Criminal Code, and also in relation to doctrinal sources such as various legal commentaries and monographs, studies, scientific articles, and relevant reports. The method of synthesis is closely related to the method of analysis and complements the analytical approach. The descriptive method was employed to define and clarify the concept of ecological extremism. As for the special methods of legal science, the comparative method was predominantly used, facilitating the exploration of the relationship between extremism and terrorism, as well as the concept of ecological extremism and related terms. Results and Conclusions: For the purposes of further research on ecological extremism, it was first necessary to address the concept itself and related concepts such as ecoterrorism, ecofascism, as well as contrasting concepts like environmental terrorism and ecocide. For the purposes of this article, it is concluded that ecological extremism should be understood as a form of ecologically motivated conduct that exceeds the boundaries of lawful activism but does not necessarily meet the criteria for terrorism. It is distinguished from ecological activism primarily by its radicalised ideology, the use of illegal methods, and the rejection of institutional forms of environmental protection. To illustrate and clarify the distinctions between concepts related to ecological extremism, an overview table has been presented. As for the criminal law classification of ecological extremism, it has been concluded that it is difficult to envisage ecological extremism falling within the scope of crimes classified as extremism under the Slovak Criminal Code. However, it is conceivable that any crime committed with an ecological motive could be included among crimes of extremism. Currently, however, Slovak criminal law does not recognise such a specific motive. An ecological motive itself does not alter the legal qualification of the act, but it may be relevant when assessing the nature of the crime and determining the sentence. De lege ferenda, the ecological motive could form part of a privileged element of a crime, thus lowering the applicable sentence, or it could be explicitly recognised as a mitigating circumstance.

Internal migration plays an increasingly important role in the spatial redistribution of population and has become a key component of this process. To fully understand these dynamics, it is essential to analyse migration trends across various spatial levels, from regional to local, while also examining the main directions and intensity of migration flows. This study identifies and evaluates the dominant intraregional (within functional urban regions – FURs) and interregional (between FURs) migration flows in Slovakia between 1996 and 2022, based on anonymised microdata from the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. For cartographic interpretation, the Line Density tool was employed, enabling effective visualisation of the spatial aspects of migration processes.

Bankruptcy prediction in Slovakia’s industrial manufacturing sector is vital due to its significant role in the national economy. This study aims to develop a predictive model for forecasting corporate bankruptcy within the industrial manufacturing sector in Slovakia. The novelty of this study lies in developing a model tailored to crisis conditions, validated using COVID-19 data, and adapted to the Central European context for greater accuracy and relevance. The model is constructed using financial data extracted from the Orbis database, based on company financial statements from 2020 and 2021, and encompasses firms of various sizes. Employing backwards binary logistic regression, five statistically significant predictors were identified, enabling the model to forecast impending bankruptcy with a one-year lead time. The model was trained on a sample of 1305 companies and achieves an overall prediction accuracy of 83.78%, with an AUC (Area Under the Curve) value of 91.7%, indicating strong discriminative power. The resulting model demonstrates robust predictive capability and may serve as a practical decision-support tool for managers, investors, creditors, and other stakeholders assessing the financial health of firms.

Purpose: The main objective of this study is to assess the level of implementation of a selected element of the SMART concept within the context of the 2030 Agenda goals across individual NUTS 3 regions of the Slovak Republic, using various analytical methods. The study specifically focuses on the development and evaluation of the indicator “employment in research, development and high-tech,” which represents a crucial component of SMART concept implementation from the labour market perspective. Methodology/Approach: To fulfil the study’s objective, in addition to analysing development trends using available statistical data, the shiftshare analysis method will be applied. This method enables the identification and comparison of regional employment growth or decline in the research, development and high-tech sector in relation to national development trends in the given sector. Another method employed is the analysis of the sector through the lens of the so called “export base theory,” which examines its export potential. Through this approach, it is possible to identify the strength of representation and the influence of a given sector in the labour market on the region’s economy. Findings: The research findings indicate that job creation in the research, development and high-tech sector does indeed reflect the implementation of the SMART concept, and in most regions, positive employment growth trends have been recorded. Despite support for employment in this sector in the Slovak Republic, only two regions—Bratislava and Košice—demonstrate a capacity to significantly contribute to the economic and social growth and competitiveness of the region by supporting this sector. Practical Implications: The study concludes by offering several options for discussing how to support the creation of space for expanding this sector or other soft sectors in the regions. This would enable regions to generate greater added value than they currently do, as the prevailing dominance of manufacturing offers limited potential for sustainable development. Originality/Value: The value of the study lies in the findings derived from the application of a wider range of research methods focused on examining the level of regional development (shift-share analysis and export base theory). The study identifies the results of the current level of implementation of the SMART concept in regions in terms of labour market transformation, and offers a perspective on further possibilities for supporting regions in this transformation. The focus is on smart and sustainable sectors that will drive the economies of regions and the country as a whole.

The paper analyzes regional disparities in wage levels among the population of Slovakia, focusing on differences between regions. The aim of the paper is to analyze changes in the level and structure of household income in the regions of the Slovak Republic in the period 2014 - 2024, with particular emphasis on comparing income from work and social transfers. The analysis is based on data from the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic and Eurostat, employing comparative and descriptive methods. The results indicate that despite overall growth in gross income, significant regional disparities persist. The Bratislava region maintains a dominant position, while the eastern regions, particularly Prešov and Košice, continue to lag behind. The increasing share of social income (to 36,7% in Prešov region) in less developed regions signals a growing and critical dependence of households on state transfers, eroding the primary labor income. The findings confirm that regional differences remain a major barrier to sustainable development and call for targeted policies aimed at promoting income convergence and reducing inequality.

Abstract The article focuses on the identification of factors related to job satisfaction among employees in the social sector in the conditions of the Slovak Republic. It defines fundamental concepts related to a job satisfaction and the working conditions of helping professions in the social sector in Slovakia. Subsequently, interprets the results of quantitative research aimed at assessing the level of perceived job satisfaction among employees in the social sector, using the Job Satisfaction Scale (Spector, 1985). The research sample consisted of 101 respondents (88.1% women, age: 23–70). The results indicate that 16.8% of the respondents experienced job dissatisfaction, 71.3% fell into the sphere of ambivalence, and 11.9% reported overall job satisfaction. Statistically significant differences were identified among different categories of employees in factors related to satisfaction with salary, satisfaction with superiors, satisfaction with recognition, working conditions, workplace relationships, and the nature of the work. Moreover, several interesting and statistically significant relationships were identified between various factors of job satisfaction and the sociodemographic characteristics of employees in the social sector.

Abstract Background and Aims The current hemoglobin (Hgb) target range for US hemodialysis (HD) patients with renal anemia who are treated with erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESAs), is 10–11 g/dl. Recent publications of retrospective analyses have shown that slightly higher and wider target ranges may be warranted given values of 10.3 to 12.3 g/dl were associated with decreased mortality and hospitalization rates. We aim to replicate these analyses on a European HD cohort as ESA treatment target range in Europe is 10 to 12 g/dl. Method We studied incident HD patients who were treated with short acting ESAs for anemia. Patients had to receive their first ESA dose within 90 days of starting dialysis and survived the following 6-month “baseline period”. Deaths were observed for 18 months thereafter. Patient-specific mean Hgb was calculated over the baseline period. We fit a Cox proportional hazard model for all-cause mortality during the follow-up period. The hazard ratio was plotted as a univariate spline function, adjusting for sex, baseline phosphate, and cumulative baseline ESA dose sum. Results 3643 incident HD patients from France, Spain, Slovak Republic, and Poland were included. Mean baseline Hgb was 10.6 ± 0.5. The Hgb range associated with a lower hazard ratio for all-cause mortality was 10.6 to 12.2 g/dl. Conclusion The current US guidelines of 11 g/dl as the target Hgb range may not be associated with the optimal patient outcomes. Our observational studies indicate that a higher and wider range, such as the European guidelines, are associated with decreased mortality risk. This was also seen in our analysis of the US population. Clinical trials are necessary to determine the optimal target range and ESA dose for HD patients being treated with ESAs.

The research focuses on analysing the attitudes and opinions of educational and professional staff in preschools regarding the work of school support teams, with an emphasis on their roles and functions at the pre-primary level of the educational system. It is a question of research conducted among specialists in the Slovak Republic. A questionnaire of the researcher’s own design was used, completed by 83 respondents from 79 preschools. The study confirmed that an essential and extremely important determinant of an inclusive approach to the education of preschool children is the effective work of members of school support teams, particularly special education teachers, not only in relation to children with special educational needs but also in the education of all children

This article uses thematic discursive analysis to examine selected pro-Kremlin populist politicians in Slovakia. The enforcement of one-sided propagandist thoughts and opinions, primarily through radical anti-system politicians and 'alternative' media outlets freely available on the internet, has become one of the most important aspects of hybrid warfare in today's world. This paper aims to identify the specific goals of Russian propaganda and clarify how populist politicians spread propaganda on social media through language resources. The results of the analysis are presented at the end of the paper, along with the word resources used by these politicians. The results prove that pro-Kremlin populist politicians use word and language manipulation to help spread unilaterally focused and distorted information in Slovakia. This article aims to build on and complement existing research on pro-Kremlin anti-system politicians and their role in Russia's hybrid warfare in Europe.

Transportation systems are particularly vulnerable to disruptions such as pandemics, which create significant challenges for maintaining efficiency, safety, and service quality. This study focuses on rail passenger transport in the Slovak Republic and develops a simulation framework to evaluate system performance under crisis conditions. Weekly data from the national rail operator for the period 2019–2021 were combined with information on governmental restrictions, standardized into a five-level framework. A nonlinear autoregressive model with exogenous inputs (NARX), implemented and validated in MATLAB R2021b (MathWorks, Natick, MA, USA), was applied to simulate the impact of restrictive measures on passenger demand. The results revealed a strong relationship between the severity of measures and ridership levels, with the most significant effects observed in education, workplace access, movement limitations, and retail. For instance, during complete school closures, passenger volumes declined by up to 75% relative to the pre-pandemic baseline. Based on the simulation outcomes, recommendations were formulated for adapting railway operations, including dynamic adjustments of transport capacity (10–40%) according to restriction levels. The proposed modelling and simulation approach offers transport authorities a cost-effective tool for scenario testing, disruption management, and the design of resilient passenger rail systems capable of adapting to crises and uncertainties.

Intense rivalry today forces businesses and brands to strive for differentiation. Employing marketing strategies that can engage consumers is one way to differentiate yourself from your competitors. Sensory marketing is one way to achieve this. The main goal of the publication is to examine the influence of individual types of sensory marketing on the purchasing behaviour of consumers. Data was collected via online questionnaire. A total of 401 people completed the questionnaire. There were 27 questions on the survey. Pearson’s χ2 test was used in the study to determine the dependence of the investigated variables in contingency tables. The results demonstrated that the gender of the respondent has an effect on influencing the respondent if the product smells pleasant. Sight is the sense that affects the respondents the most. Subsequently, they were hearing, touch, smell, taste. If customers have the opportunity to taste the product, almost half of them are willing to buy it. The survey shows that up to 45% of respondents do not notice music while shopping. The uniqueness of the research lies in the examination of intellectual marketing and its individual components in terms of age or gender among a sample of respondents in the territory of the Slovak Republic. The limitations of the research can be categorized as the uneven age distribution of the research sample.

Railway accidents, particularly suicides and suicide attempts, significantly disrupt operations, cause delays in passenger and freight services, and result in varying degrees of infrastructure damage. This study focuses on identifying the relationship between suicide-related railway incidents, as the most frequent type of railway accidents, and socio-economic factors, utilising data from 2015 to 2022 provided by the Railways of the Slovak Republic. Using a data mining approach, a logistic regression model was developed to predict the accident rate based on key socio-economic factors. This model demonstrates high prediction performance, with significant predictors including interest, marriage, and fertility rates. The data mining approach allows for the efficient extraction of relevant patterns and relationships and ensures that the model can be easily adjusted in response to significant changes in input factors or conditions. The findings contribute to understanding railway safety, offering practical insights for improving safety measures and aiding suicide prevention efforts. The high explanatory power of the predictive model underscores the critical role of societal influences in the dynamics of railway-related suicides and suicide attempts, providing valuable guidance for enhancing safety protocols and planning.

Railway accidents, particularly suicides and suicide attempts, significantly disrupt operations, cause delays in passenger and freight services, and result in varying degrees of infrastructure damage. This study focuses on identifying the relationship between suicide-related railway incidents, as the most frequent type of railway accidents, and socio-economic factors, utilising data from 2015 to 2022 provided by the Railways of the Slovak Republic. Using a data mining approach, a logistic regression model was developed to predict the accident rate based on key socio-economic factors. This model demonstrates high prediction performance, with significant predictors including interest, marriage, and fertility rates. The data mining approach allows for the efficient extraction of relevant patterns and relationships and ensures that the model can be easily adjusted in response to significant changes in input factors or conditions. The findings contribute to understanding railway safety, offering practical insights for improving safety measures and aiding suicide prevention efforts. The high explanatory power of the predictive model underscores the critical role of societal influences in the dynamics of railway-related suicides and suicide attempts, providing valuable guidance for enhancing safety protocols and planning.

Electoral reforms are often the subject of political debate, as their implementation can significantly affect political entities, voter behaviour, as well as the representativeness of political processes. The current political scene in Slovakia is marked by intense debates over possible changes to the electoral system, highlighting the need to make democracy and political processes more effective. The aim of the article is to analytically examine the proposal for modifying the electoral quorum, promoted by the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic following the parliamentary elections in 2023. The article also assesses the potential political and systemic consequences of implementing this reform for the stability and functioning of the Slovak political system.

Introduction: Students of performing arts, in particular, music students, are vulnerable to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) because of prolonged static postures and asymmetrical loading associated with instrument playing.Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of 10-week physical program in improving thoracolumbar spine in female university-level students of performing arts.Materials and Methods: A true experimental design was used with 25 female students of performing arts, divided into an experimental group (n = 15, 60%) and control group (n = 10, 40%). Pre- and post-intervention evaluations were conducted using Schober’s, Stibor’s, and Otto’s tests. Non-parametric statistical analyses were applied. This work was supported by the Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic – Grant No. 1/0512/24: Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Students of Performing Arts.Results: The experimental group showed statistically significant improvements in all three spinal function tests: Schober’s (from 3.06 0.60 cm to 5.40 0.82 cm), Stibor’s (from 6.46 0.64 cm to 9.20 0.86 cm), and Otto’s (from 4.12 0.98 cm to 5.86 0.36 cm), all with p < 0.01. No changes were observed in the control group. Between-group comparisons at Week 10 confirmed significant functional improvements in the experimental group (all p < 0.01).Conclusions: 10-week physical program significantly enhanced thoracolumbar spine (function) in students of performing arts. These findings suggest that low-cost, targeted interventions can effectively address posture-related musculoskeletal risks in this population and should be integrated into performing arts curricula.