Western Part Of Slovakia Research Articles

Two different soil erosion modeling approaches in a small experimental area

AbstractThe models compared in this study were applied to a catchment located in the western part of Slovakia in order to analyze and compare the amount of soil loss in different periods. Using of the empirical model universal soil loss equation, the average annual soil loss in the pilot basin was modeled for 2015–2020. The universal soil loss equation includes a topographic factor modeled using the USLE2D external model. In order to compare the empirical model and the physically-based model a continual sequence of individual rainfall events was created and used as an input to the physically-based EROSION-3D model. The results reflect different behaviors of erosion processes in a catchment together with a comparison between empirical and physically-based approaches.

Analysis of Risk of Burn Out at Workers in the Field ff Social Services and Health Care

Aim. The aim of the research was to analyse the burnout rate of these social workers and nurses, as well as to determine the relationship between burnout syndrome and other important factors, including lifestyle, stress, resistance to stress and other selected demographic indicators. Methods. The Maslach Burnout Inventory was used to collect burnout data in 2021 during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. The research sample consisted of 623 women aged 35-55 who work in social services facilities for the elderly and nurses working in the geriatrics department at a hospital in the western part of Slovakia. Results. Research has shown that lifestyle has a significant impact on the development of burnout syndrome in connection with the quality of work and personal relationships, which can help eliminate feelings of frustration, exhaustion and personal failure in the workplace. Burnout affects social workers regardless of age and education, but with older age and length of practice in the same facility, the risk of manifestations of burnout increases. Significant differences in burnout rates between social workers and nurses in the individual dimensions of exhaustion, depersonalisation and professional attitudes were confirmed. High levels of exhaustion have even shown an increased risk of alcohol consumption among these workers. Conclusion. The development of chronic stress in health care workers can put them at risk of burnout, which is characterized by emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP) in interactions with patients and social clients, and low levels of personal accomplishment (PA) in social work and health care.

Comparison of Health Literacy of the Population Regarding Healthy Diet and Chronic Liver Diseases – West vs. East of Slovakia

Introduction: The health status of the population is aresult of the complex action of several components of society. Chronic non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of death. They are often aresult of smoking, alcohol consump- tion, poor diet and lack of exercise. Objectives: To obtain and compare information on health lit- eracy of the population (Western versus Eastern Slovakia) re- garding the most common liver diseases, risk factors for chronic liver diseases and healthy diet. Research sample group and methodology: Aself-designed questionnaire was composed of 30 questions. 400 respondents helped us to carry out the research: 145 men and 255 women. 200 respondents came from Western Slovakia and 200 respon- dents from Eastern Slovakia. Results: We established several hypotheses, based on which we determined health literacy of the population in Eastern and Western Slovakia. Health literacy is statistically significantly higher in aselected sample of respondents from the western part of Slovakia. Conclusions: In order to improve the health of the population, it is necessary to pay great attention to the education of the population about chronic diseases and healthy diet by all, the public health authorities, medicine and nursing. Close coop- eration with general practitioners is abasic prerequisite for the successful solving of this problem.

Evaluation of Linear and Machine Learning Models for Determining Pedotransfer Functions

Modelling of water content and the transport of water in soil has become a useful tool in simulating agricultural productivity or in solving various hydrological analyses. For instance, optimum irrigation management requires a systematic estimation of the soil-moisture to determine both the appropriate amount and timing of irrigation. Soil characteristics appear as an essential input in the numerical simulation of a soil-water regime. A critical physical property used in the description of a soil-water regime in such modelling is a soil water retention curve. This paper aims to evaluate so-called pedotransfer functions, which helps to assess the soil water retention curve easier than by standard complex and lengthy procedure involving both field and laboratory work. As a case study Zahorska Lowland, which is located in central Europe in the western part of Slovakia, was selected. The frequent occurrence of dry years in this area results in the necessity to construct irrigation systems in this area, so modelling water content in the soil is an important task here. This study aims to support such modelling with determining pedotransfer functions. Authors compare linear methods (multiple linear regression, LASSO regularized regression) and CatBoost machine learning model.

Spatial Autocorrelation of Breast and Prostate Cancer in Slovakia.

Cancer is one of the dominant causes of death in the Slovak population. Monitoring the course of the cancer death rate in Slovakia can be considered as a relevant subject for geographical research. Relatively little is known about the geographic distribution of breast and prostate cancer incidence in Slovakia. In the submitted paper, it is hypothesized that breast and prostate cancer in the examined territory are characterized by different intensities, incidences, and spatial differences. The spatial patterns of breast and prostate cancer in Slovakia were examined by means of spatial autocorrelation analyses with the Local Moran’s I and Anselin Local Moran’s statistics. Data on standardized death rates of breast and prostate cancer in Slovakia between 2001 and 2018 were used. Prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women show a positive statistically significant Global Moran’s I, whose values indicate a tendency to cluster. The Anselin Local Moran’s I analysis indicates significant clusters of breast cancer in the western part of Slovakia, and prostate cancer clusters mostly in the central part of Slovakia. The findings we have obtained in this study may help us investigate further hypotheses regarding the causes and identification of spatial differences in breast and prostate cancer incidence. Our findings might stimulate further research into the possible causes which underlie the clusters.

First Documented Cases of Pearsonema Plica (syn. Capillaria Plica) Infections in Dogs from Western Slovakia.

SummaryThree clinical cases of dogs with Pearsonema plica infection were detected in the western part of Slovakia. All cases were detected within five months. Infections were confirmed after positive findings of capillarid eggs in the urine sediment in following breeds. The eight years old Jack Russell Terrier, one year old Italian Greyhound, and eleven years old Yorkshire terrier were examined and treated. In one case, the infection was found accidentally in clinically healthy dog. Two other patients had nonspecific clinical signs such as apathy, inappetence, vomiting, polydipsia and frequent urination. This paper describes three individual cases, including the case history, clinical signs, examinations, and therapies. All data were obtained by attending veterinarian as well as by dog owners.

Assessment of Small Sacral Objects in the Senica Region, Slovakia

Abstract The sacral objects have great meaning in the cultural landscape in Slovakia. There are several types according to the significance, size and location, which could be identified in the countries, where the major religion is Christianity. The paper deals with the assessment of the sacral objects from architectural and urban point of view and also according to the presence of greenery accompanying the object. The surveyed area was the Senica region, located in the western part of Slovakia. The hidden symbolism and meaning of these objects could be find in their formation and precise placement. The greenery, which was planted by them – the type and number – has also significant meaning. The group of trees draws attention to a small sacral object, which could be noticed from distance, they protect it and support it. There are descriptions and explanations in stories and memories. Obviously, in the past, these objects did not have only symbolic meaning, but also a concrete spiritual significance for society. The field survey was carried out in 2017. Several criteria were evaluated: the location of the objects, the architectural background and the trees inventory.

Experimental modal analysis of diagonal members

Truss bridges are integral part of the transport network, mainly railroads and partially road bridges. The investigated bridge is located in the western part of Slovakia, and it crosses the Vah River. Density of traffic on the bridge is not so high, so the bridge is accessible for repeating dynamic measurements. Many load situations were simulated. Among of them also a case, where one diagonal member was excited by an electromagnetic exciter during the measurements and the influence on other diagonals have been also analyzed. Results of dynamic measurements are shown in this paper in comparison to analytical solution and to FEM calculations.

Evaluation of Effect of Different Crop Types On Soil Water Erosion: Case Study of the Myjava Hill Land, Slovakia

The main objective of the study is to model and evaluate the effect of different types of crops on soil water erosion by using the physically-based EROSION-3D model. The EROSION-3D model is based on physical principles and simulates surface runoff, erosion, the deposition of material, and the detachment of soil particles for a single rainfall event. The erosion model was applied to a small catchment of Svacenicky Creek (6.86 km2), which is situated in the Myjava Hill Land in the western part of Slovakia; it is known for its quick runoff responses and related erosion processes. The parts most prone to erosion processes are located in the northern part of the Svacenicky Creek catchment on slopes with a more than 20% angle. Three crop types (winter wheat, silage corn and sugar beets) were chosen in consideration of their growing periods in order to assess the dynamic character of the erosion processes, especially during the growing period of each single crop. The modelling was performed for design rainfall events that were derived separately for each month and which were inputs to the model according to the growing period of the selected crops; six scenarios of the initial soil moisture in a range of 10-40% were designed. The results demonstrated the differences between the erosive effects of the crops selected during their growing periods. Finally, the results were statistically evaluated to determine the differences between the various scenarios of the initial moisture, different rainfall events, and selected crop types.

Comparison of two concepts for assessment of sediment transport in small agricultural catchments

Abstract The erosion, transport and deposition of sediments in small valley reservoirs represent a significant impact on their operations, mainly with regard to reducing the volume of their accumulation. The aim of this study is a comparison and uncertainty analysis of two modelling concepts for assessment of soil loss and sediment transport in a small agricultural catchment, with an emphasis on estimating the off-site effects of soil erosion resulted in sedimentation of a small water reservoir. The small water reservoir (polder) of Svacenicky Creek which was built in 2012, is a part of the flood protection measures in Turá Lúka and is located in the western part of Slovakia, close to the town of Myjava. The town of Myjava in recent years has been threatened by frequent floods, which have caused heavy material losses and significantly limited the quality of life of the local residents. To estimate the amount of soil loss and sediments transported from the basin, we applied two modelling concepts based on the USLE/SDR and WaTEM/SEDEM erosion models and validated the results with the actual bathymetry of the polder. The measurements were provided by a modern Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) hydrographic instrument. From the sediment data measured and the original geodetic survey of the terrain conducted at the time of the construction of the polder, we calculated changes in the storage volume of the polder during its four years of operation. The results show that in the given area, there has been a gradual clogging of the bottom of the polder caused by water erosion. We estimate that within the four years of the acceptance run, 10,494 m3 of bottom sediments on the Svacenicky Creek polder have accumulated. It therefore follows that repeated surveying of the sedimentation is very important for the management of the water reservoir.

Analysis of change of retention capacity of a small water reservoir

This study is focused on the analysis of the changes of retention capacity of a small water reservoir induced by intensive erosion and sedimentation processes. The water reservoir is situated near the village of Vrbovce in the Western part of Slovakia, and the analysis is carried out for a period 2008-2017. The data used to build a digital elevation model (DEM) of the reservoir’s bed came from a terrain measurement, utilizing an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) to measure the water depth in the reservoir. The DEM was used to quantify the soil loss from agricultural land situated within the basin of the reservoir. The ability of the water reservoir to transform a design flood with a return period of 100 years is evaluated for both design (2008) and current conditions (2017). The results show that the small water reservoir is a subject to siltation, with sediments comprised of fine soil particles transported from nearby agricultural land. The ability of the water reservoir to transform a 100-year flood has not changed significantly. The reduction of the reservoir’s retention capacity should be systematically and regularly monitored in order to adjust its operational manual and improve its efficiency.

The effect of dha omega-3 feeding in the high yielding holstein herd

The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of supplementary feeding of DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) rich algae product (Algae STM Alltech Inc.) on production of milk, fat and protein as well as on reproduction of high yielding Holstein dairy herd. Field trial was set up on Top 10 dairy farm in western part of Slovakia, under commercial conditions. The data of high yielding dairy cows, separated in two groups of 30 (control) and 29 (trial) animals, were recorded for period of 3 subsequent months from October to December 2015. Animals were fed once a day Total Mixed Ration based diet with different feed mixture composition in trial group (+100 g Algae STM Alltech Inc. per cow and day). Performance data were collected in accordance with official milk recording system of Breeding Services of Slovak Republic s. e. and milk samples were collected once per month according to the A4 standard methodology. The control group showed higher level of milk production compared to trial. Our study indicated that the feeding of algae caused milk fat depression and generally lower protein content in milk. Significant impact of algae feeding was found also for the level of urea in milk. In addition, the supplementary feeding of DHA may represent effective strategy to increase the percentage of pregnancies per inseminations in lactating dairy cows.

Prosocial moral reasoning and behaviours: the role of ethics education

W niniejszym tekście przeanalizowano związek zachodzący między oceną lekcji etyki przez uczniów a typem rozumowania moralnego, który oni prezentują. W celu zbadania tej zależności posłużono się trzema kwestionariuszami: kwestionariuszem prospołecznego rozumowania moralnego, kwestionariuszm zachowań prospołecznych w szkole i opracowanym przez autora niniejszej publikacji kwestionariuszem oceny lekcji etyki. Próba badawcza obejmowała uczniów klas szóstych z dwudziestu sześciu szkół podstawowych z zachodniej części Słowacji w liczbie 579 uczestników (49,7 % dziewcząt, średnia wieku wyniosła 11,27, SD =0.71). Badanie dostarczyło dowodów na prawdziwość tezy, że pozytywne nastawienie do lekcji etyki wiąże się z wyższym poziomem rozumowania moralnego i powszechniejszym przejawianiem zachowań prospołecznych.

Prosocial moral reasoning and behaviours: the role of ethics education

The relationship between students´ evaluation of the school subject Ethics Education and students´ type of prosocial moral reasoning and behaviours is described in the study. Prosocial moral reasoning, prosocial behaviour in the school questionnaire, and our own Ethics Education evaluation measure was used in the study. Research sample included students of 6th grades of 26 primary schools from the western part of Slovakia: 579 participants (49,7% female, Mage = 11,27; SD = .71). There is evidence which supports the idea that the positive attitude to Ethics Education is linked to developmentally higher types of reasoning and higher prevalence of prosocial behaviours.

Multifunctionality – Interactions and Implications: The Case of the Podkylava Village (Western Slovakia)

Abstract Multifunctionality is one of the most important aspects of the sustainable development. There are essentially two approaches to the analysis of multifunctionality. One is to interpret multifunctionality as a characteristic of an economic activity. The second way of interpreting multifunctionality is in terms of multiple roles assigned to agriculture. In this view, agriculture as an activity is entrusted with fulfilling certain functions in society. Social functions are linked to employment and income generation in rural areas and hence sustaining the viability of rural communities and maintaining rural society. The study focuses on social aspect of multifunctional agriculture in Kopanice region located in western part of Slovakia near borders with Czech Republic. The region is according to OECD regional typology being considered as intermediate one approaching the category of predominantly rural region. In spite of the fact, that the share of the primary sector in economy of the region is decreasing, the agriculture still plays an important role from aspects of employment and building of social capital. The paper evaluates the influence of external and internal factors on the development of social capital in the selected region and authors will focus mainly on the impact of local stakeholders and policy measures. The interaction between relevant stakeholders as public sector, civil society, local business sector and primary sector is expected to be beneficial for development of social capital.

In Scale Model of the Bridge for System Identification

The article deals with a part of structural health monitoring (SHM) of in scale model. Investigated experimental model is similar to the bridge situated in the western part of Slovakia. After laboratory tests, the work continued with in-situ monitoring of original bridge. During the first stage of testing only the basic dynamic characteristics - mass and stiffness have been verified. Therefore, the different boundary conditions were assumed and namely boundary conditions for cantilever beam instead of those for simply supported beam. This set up allowed for easier construction of boundary conditions. Many difficulties have occurred during the preparation and validation, e.g. different thickness of individual cross-sections, modelling of hinge joints according to the experimental model, modelling of real supports, appropriate parameters of bolts, etc. It was necessary to measure every single cross-section because of the big variation between them. The emphasis was done to modelling of the selected joints especially of the set of 6 bolts on two diagonals of the bridge. The changes in dynamic characteristics according to the different numbers of bolts in a joint have been measured. At the beginning, the natural frequencies were calculated and compared with the test for both cases of model boundary conditions. Modal analysis of the structure was performed in FEM software ANSYS. After a few steps of tuning, the result was sufficiently precise and the difference between measured and analyzed results was small. Finally, the test set up and numerical model similarity was quite acceptable. The next step which is currently being started is the investigation of the damage in joints of two diagonals. The methodology of dynamic testing appropriate for the identification is now being verified.

Multivariate paleoecological analyses of Badenian and Sarmatian molluscan assemblages from the NW Vienna Basin (Rohožník-Konopiská, Slovakia)

Middle Miocene marine sediments in the Vienna Basin provide opportunities for analyses of spatial and temporal variation in the composition of molluscan communities, especially across the Badenian/Sarmatian boundary. In this study, we describe variation in composition of molluscan assemblages with multivariate analyses (cluster and ordination analyses). In ongoing analyses, we test whether Badenian and Sarmatian assemblages (distinguished on the basis of foraminiferal assemblages) significantly differ in their taxonomic and life habit composition. We focus on a unique set of samples recovered by 80 closely-located borehole cores in 1963 near Rohoznik-Konopiska (Rohalova and Hash 2000), penetrating to ~30-100 m depth in the western part of Slovakia. These cores capture sediments of the Studienka (Badenian) and Halic (Sarmatian) formations that consist of clays, sands and silts. Cierna (1974) studied foraminiferal assemblages in these cores and found that they correspond mainly to the Upper Badenian and Sarmatian. The boundary between the Badenian and Sarmatian sediments is located at ~~206 m.a.s.l. in the SW part and at ~~180 m.a.s.l. in the NE part of the study area. Diverse molluscan assemblages in this area were described by Svagrovský (1971, 1981), Mesaros (1986) and Hladilova (1991). A well preserved shelly material from 80 borehole cores of Rohožnik contains presently more than 6000 individuals (mainly of Badenian age), with ongoing screening of additional samples. They correspond to 156 gastropod, bivalve, and scaphopod taxa at species and genus-level resolution. 72 samples were subjected to preliminary multivariate analyses. A cluster analysis is based on a Bray-Curtis distance and square-root transformed proportional abundances. Ordination analyses are represented by non-metric multidimensional scaling and by principal coordinate analysis. The cluster analysis discriminated five major sample groups with a recurrent taxonomic composition, although ordination analyses show that some of these groups do not form discrete clusters in a multivariate space but rather continuously grade into each other. Mohrensternia sp and Bittium reticulatum are dominant in the first group. These taxa represent herbivorous euryhaline gastropods, who preferred muddy bottoms (Svagrovský, 1971; Kowalke and Harzhauser, 2004). Nassarius illovensis , Acteocina lojankeriana , Nuculana fragilis and Clithon pictus dominate in the second group. N. fragilis represents an infaunal, mobile, asiphonate deposit-feeder, gastropods are represented by mobile taxa with different food requirements that lived in photic zone (Leonard-Pingel et al., 2012). The third group is dominated by Corbula gibba and Nucula nucleus . C. gibba and N. nucleus represented opportunistic bivalve species that indicate unstable habitats with muddy bottoms, frequently characterized by low-oxygen concentrations and by organic enrichment (Holmes 2002; Hrs-Brenko 2006; N´Siala et al. 2008). The fourt h group is dominated by Alvania curta , accompanied with Amalda gladiformis , Cerithium europaeum, and by Aporrhais pespelecani and Acanthocardia turonica that occur exclusively in the Badenian (Harzhauser et Piller 2007; Studencka et Popov 1996). A. turonica prefers sandy bottom, gastropods are represented by herbivore taxa (Svagrovský 1981, Studencka 1986). The fifth group can be characterized as Diloma and Cerithium -dominated association. It mainly consists of gastropods. Diloma occurs in sandy littoral environments (Kroh and Harzhauser, 1999). This discrimination of samples fits with the result of principal coordinate analysis where these taxa group similarly. Associations of molluscs indicate that sedimentation occurred in the photic zone because the determined molluscs predominantly occupied to shallow subtidal environments. The high abundance of Corbula gibba and Nucula nucleus shows a possibility of stratification of water column, with low content of O 2 on the bottom. Some samples in the uppermost parts of cores imply brachyhaline conditions.

Movements of imperial eagle Aquila heliaca juveniles and description of monitored areas in the border zone between Austria, Hungary and Slovakia

Abstract Five juveniles of the imperial eagle were tracked during 2011-201 2. Movements were monitored in the western part of Slovakia and in the border area between Austria, Hungary and Slovakia. Three eagles came from the Záhorská nížina Lowlands and the others from the Malé Karpaty Mts and the Podunajská nížina Lowlands. Post-fledging movements were recorded in areas around the nests. Post-fledging areas covered a large territory (minimum convex polygons - 89, 941 , 969 km2). During the postfledging period the eagles carried out exploratory flights (1 2-33 km from the nest). One temporary settlement area (TSA) was identified in the border area between Austria, Hungary and Slovakia (minimum convex polygon - 68 km2). Two eagles with radio transmitters were recorded in this area. In the TSA and the post-fledging areas two habitat categories were dominant: arable land and forests. Heterogeneous agricultural areas were also important in the TSA (8%).

THE IMPACT OF ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE ON THE ECONOMIC LEVEL OF THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC REGIONS

The main purpose of the paper is to refer to the impact of road infrastructure on the economic and social level of the regions in the Slovak Republic (SR). Theoretical basis is the level of road infrastructure in the regions of Slovak Republic disaggregated by category of roads. The economic performance of the Slovak Republic regions we measure using the gross domestic product per capita, unemployment rate and the average monthly wage. We examine the impact of road infrastructure on the economic level of regions by the scoring method.We use the method of analysis, synthesis, comparison and scoring method in this paper. Method of analysis was employed to analyse the road network and the economic level of the regions of Slovak Republic. The method of comparison was used for comparing the road infrastructure and economic level in the regions of Slovak Republic. The method of synthesis was used to draw conclusions resulting from the analysis. The scoring method is used for the studying the impact of the road infrastructure on economic level in the regions of Slovak Republic. Data used in the analysis were obtained from national and regional statistics.The best level of the roads is in the western part of Slovakia. Similarly the western regions have the highest economic level, especially the region of Bratislava. Using a scoring method, we found that road infrastructure most affects the economic level of the regions of Trencin, Nitra, Bratislava and Trnava. We also admit influence of other factors on economic level of regions. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.em.18.3.4254

Succession Model with Corynephorus Canescens in Abandoned Sandy Fields (W Slovakia)

Succession Model with Corynephorus Canescens in Abandoned Sandy Fields (W Slovakia)The succession of vegetation on acidic sandy fields after abandonment was studied and obtained results were compared with similar data from eastern part of Europe. The vegetation changes head towards oligotrophic Corynephorus-grasslands, because nutrients from the upper layer of soils are gradually washed out. Dry, occasionally blowing sand enables the growth of psammophytes very well. The paper compares the succession models on abandoned sandy fields, and semi-natural acidic sandy dunes in western part of Slovakia, southern Moravia, Hungary and Croatia. In spite of amazing similarities, some differences are displayed using spectra of life forms and presentation of weeds.