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Premise of research. Roses have been horticulturally important for centuries, but their biogeographic history has remained largely unresolved. Fossil occurrences indicate that the genus was present in North America by the late Eocene and in Europe and Asia by the Oligocene. Given the age and importance of this genus, it is desirable to update as new fossils are uncovered and technologies advance. Methodology. Specimens preserved in lacustrine shales were studied by reflected light microscopy and micro–computed tomography scanning. Pivotal results. The fossil record of roses is summarized based on stipulate compound leaves and fruiting remains from western North America. Diagnostic characters of foliage and fruiting receptacles confirm identifications of Rosa from late Eocene, Oligocene, and Miocene sites in western North America and distinguish them from European and Asian fossil species. Rose hip species were found to vary in body shape and length of the apical neck. The hips from Colorado and Montana lacked prickles, while those from Oregon bore small prickles on the pedicel. Conclusions. A single largely uniform foliage type, R. hilliae Lesquereux, is recognized in the late Eocene and early Oligocene of western North America, while fruiting remains allow discrimination of two species, R. ruskiniana Cockerell from the late Eocene and early Oligocene of Colorado and Montana and R. mariae sp. nov. from the early Oligocene of Oregon. Another new species, R. packardae sp. nov., is recognized based on hips from the middle Miocene of Oregon. Reproductive structures were distinguished on the basis of differences in calyx lobing, receptacle shape, and epidermal projections on the pedicel. Among extant Rosa species, hip shapes are most commonly globose or subglobose, whereas North American fossils mostly display elliptical or urceolate hips. Urceolate hips in extant species are found in the subgenus Rosa , sections Cinnamomeae or Canieae, indicating potential infrageneric affinities for these fossils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presented work is focused on the palaeopathological analysis of the skeletal remains of 22 individuals (11 adults, two adolescents, nine children) from Modřice (Brno-Country District, Czech Republic) dated to the period of the FunnelBeaker Culture (4000--3700 BC). It represents a group of settled farmers. Compared to similarly dated groups, the Modřice skeletons had a very high rate of tooth decay. Of the congenital malformations, skeletal (scaphocephaly) and spinal (vertebral synostosis, spondylolysis) disabilities were found here. Most of the inflammatory changes on the bones were observed in connection with dental diseases; two cases of otitis media and inflammatory foci on the cranial vault of one of the females were also recorded. Manifestations of chronic inflammation of unknown aetiology were noted in two individuals on the long bones of the limbs. Although the presented research was limited by the small number of examined skeletons, it presents new information about the health status of the studied population group and enriches the existing knowledge about this important Eneolithic population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a story of costs of 114 million EUR incurred by stubbornness and unwillingness to cooperate, or, in other words, by sticking to dead ends in discussions where parties disagree strongly enough that they cannot find common ground. This paper proposes an approach to analyzing such cases of disagreement by employing a multidimensional model involving deontic, ontological, and ethical axes. We use an example of the Turów coal mine disputes, which, from March 2020 to February 2022, involved the governments of the Republic of Poland, the Czech Republic, and the European Court of Justice. Our model results in a tree-like structure of the consecutive issues being considered, represented by questions, governed by the dependency between questions and external actions and events related to the dispute. We aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics and resolution paths in such complex disagreements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central and Eastern European countries (CEE), compared to common law countries but also other civil law countries of Europe, are known for a strikingly high representation of women within judiciaries. This, however, does not mean that equality has been achieved, as women judges do not reach leadership positions at the same rate as their male peers. Taking the Czech Republic as a case study, this contribution explores the barriers women judges face within a CEE judiciary and analyses their reflections on their positions. The interviews with women judges show that while they are well aware of what is holding them back, most of them do not perceive the structurally unequal position of men and women in Czech society and in the judiciary as a problem and accept the consequences as being part of women's destiny. This means that the system currently lacks bottom-up incentives and pressure for change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence on how journalistic role performance changes in time and in relation to which factors is largely missing. This study investigates the presence of civic, infotainment, and service roles in the news, and examines whether their presence varies in time given the worsening economic conditions on the press market and changes in ownership type. A longitudinal content analysis of a representative sample of news (N = 1871) published in four Czech quality dailies during three year-long periods (i.e., 2006–2007, 2011–2012, 2016–2017) was conducted. Bivariate analyses showed that the presence of the roles varied in time for all of the newspapers but to a relatively small extent. Ridge logistic regressions revealed that the presence of all three audience-related roles was associated with specific dailies and ownership types, but not with worsening economic conditions. As compared to privately-owned newspapers, likelihood for the presence of the service role was bigger in corporate-owned newspapers, and for the civic role it was bigger in oligarchic-owned newspapers. The findings suggest that corporate-owned dailies responded to worsening economic conditions by preferring a service role rather than an infotainment role, and that the effects of oligarchic ownership on journalism practice are complex and far from being straightforward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Seasonal influenza vaccination rates among the elderly in the Czech Republic are alarmingly low, making it one of the least vaccinated countries in Europe. This study explored the role of vaccine literacy and insurance coverage on vaccination status. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in Summer 2023 using a self-administered questionnaire covering vaccine literacy (functional, interactive, and critical skills), negative perceptions towards influenza vaccination, and the 5C model (confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation, and collective responsibility). Individuals aged 55 and older were included in the study. Mediation analyses assessed the indirect effects of insurance coverage on vaccination status. Results: Significant differences were noted in vaccination rates based on insurance coverage, chronic diseases, regular medication use, and previous COVID-19 and pneumococcal vaccinations. Vaccine literacy, especially interactive and critical skills, was higher among vaccinated individuals. Confidence and collective responsibility were significant promoters, while complacency and constraints were barriers to vaccination. Mediation analyses indicated that negative perceptions, confidence, and collective responsibility significantly mediated the relationship between insurance coverage and vaccination status. Conclusion: Enhancing vaccine literacy and addressing psychological antecedents are crucial for improving influenza vaccination rates among the elderly. Policy measures should include improving vaccine literacy, building public confidence, and addressing negative perceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The oculo-facio-cardio-dental syndrome (OFCD) is an ultra-rare multiple congenital anomaly. This report describes clinical findings emphasising dental phenotype in five, molecularly confirmed, female cases from two Czech families. Case presentation: Dental examinations were carried out. An orthopantomogram was taken in three patients, and all patients' intraoral cavities and teeth were photographed. Exome sequencing was performed in both probands. Results were validated by Sanger DNA sequencing which was also used to follow segregation of the variants in first-degree relatives. Dental abnormalities and congenital cataracts were present in all five cases, whilst other signs were variable and included facial dysmorphism, microphthalmia, and cardiac and skeletal abnormalities. Two individuals had cleft lip and/or cleft palate. Radiculomegaly occurred in three patients with permanent teeth and was diagnosed on orthopantomograms. Two patients had agenesis of permanent teeth. Malocclusion was also present in two patients due to crowding and a Class III malocclusion and mandibular overjet. De novo novel pathogenic variants in the BCOR gene were identified; c.2382del p.(Lys795Argfs*12) and c.3914dup p.(Gln1306Alafs*20) and co-segregated with the disease in each family. Conclusions: The OFCD syndrome has a unique dental phenotype and dentists should be aware of signs of this ultra-rare genetic disorder. All patients with congenital cataracts and dental abnormalities, including those without a family history, should be referred for genetic testing and indicated to specialised dental care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a methodology for the management of repairs to property damaged by a disaster. The article describes the procedure for the development of an organizational layout, along with planning and managing activities leading to the restoration of damaged property. Last but not least, the article deals with financial planning. The methodology presented was applied to a case study that was conducted in the village of Hrušky, South Moravian region, the Czech Republic, which was hit by a tornado in 2021. More than three years have passed since this tragedy, and repairs to the village's property are still planned to continue until the middle of 2025. Qualitative approaches to data collection and evaluation were used for data collection, especially in-depth interviews related to the given issue. The mayor of the village, the village management, and representatives of construction companies were involved in the in-depth interviews. Another important source of data was the project documentation and the municipality's accounting records. The main outputs include a list of construction works, which served as a basis for the financial damages; the municipality's participation in state subsidy programs for the financing of the restoration; and, last but not least, a list of works that was used to create the project documentation for the reconstruction of individual buildings. Other outputs of the work include a structural plan, which has been developed for the purposes of planning and managing activities leading to the restoration of the damaged area, and a financial plan, which contains information on expenses and funding sources. The key contribution of the paper is a methodical procedure for the identification, the design, and the execution of crucial activities connected with the restoration of the territory after a disaster. The methodological procedure is designed considering the experience associated with a specific disaster, namely, a tornado in the southeastern part of the Czech Republic, which served as the basis for this case study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study explores the phenomenon of envy directed towards the opposite sex. Envy is a complex emotion that can manifest in various forms, often reflecting societal and biological influences. Previous research suggests a potential imbalance in the domains where men and women experience envy. Methods: The research was conducted in the Czech Republic using a demographically representative sample of 1,769 individuals (867 men and 902 women). Respondents were asked what they envied about the opposite sex, and qualitative analysis was performed on their answers. A total of 32 distinct categories of envy were identified. Results: The analysis revealed significant differences between men and women in the nature of their envy. Women expressed envy towards men in domains linked to biological conditions and social advantages, such as salary, prestige, physical strength, and the absence of menstruation, childbirth, and menopause. Men, on the other hand, envied women for their physical attractiveness, ease of seduction, ability to perform traditionally female tasks, and motherhood. Some categories, such as safety and tolerance, were shared by both genders, but the underlying reasons differed. For instance, women envied men for not having to fear being alone, while men envied women for being protected by men. Discussion: These findings confirm existing evidence of a gender imbalance in envy. The study also uncovered a novel form of envy, termed “ablative envy”, which refers to the desire for the absence of an unpleasant quality. This suggests that envy between the sexes is deeply rooted in both biological and social factors, offering new insights into gender dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in the Czech Republic by analyzing adverse events (AEs) reported in connection with different vaccine batches. Data from the State Institute for Drug Control of the Czech Republic was used to compare the findings with a previous study from Denmark. The analysis revealed batch-dependent safety signals, with early vaccine batches associated with higher numbers of AE reports. The study also highlighted differences in AE reporting systems between the Czech Republic and Denmark, suggesting potential underreporting in the Czech system. [Extracted from the article]

According to UNESCO, educating all children in the same classrooms, with adequate support and taking into consideration their different needs, provides benefits for everyone. However, public opinion about inclusive education is rarely uniform and often unsupportive. While public support for placing pupils with special needs in regular classes is crucial for both legislation and the implementation of effective inclusive practices, knowledge about the predictors of this support is limited. Additionally, we know relatively little about how support for inclusion varies depending on the type of disadvantage. In this study, we examine the role of different empathy-related processes (perspective taking, empathic concern, personal distress) in public support for the inclusion of six different groups involving pupils disadvantaged by their social background, physical disabilities, and intellectual disabilities. Using data from a Czech nationally representative survey (2022), and multilevel ordinal logistic models, we found differences in the effects of empathy on the support for inclusion depending on the type of pupils' disadvantage. While perspective taking is not associated with support for any group, and personal distress lowers the support for inclusion, individuals with higher levels of empathic concern are more supportive of inclusion regardless of the type of disadvantage. Furthermore, we found that extended contact with a disadvantaged child increases support for inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, many European governments have passed pension reforms to incentivise participation in private pension plans. However, we still have minimal understanding of whether participation in such plans is concentrated in certain groups or spread uniformly across society, or what their stability over time is. To illuminate the social selectivity of these plans and potential changes in that selectivity over time, we analyse six waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) in ten European countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Specifically, we focus on participation gaps in individual and occupational plans of workers across six dimensions: gender, education, age, social class, income, and risk preference. The results indicate large and persistent social divides in participation rates. As expected, rates are significantly higher among workers who are not close to retirement, those with an upper service occupation and those with high income. Importantly, these divides did not shrink significantly over the period considered – 2006 to 2021. Social selectivity is not consistently smaller in contexts of more mature private pension provision, whereas it is consistently smaller in countries with more generous public pensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first Federation of European Biochemical Societies Advanced Course on macromolecular crystallization was launched in the Czech Republic in October 2004. Over the past two decades, the course has developed into a distinguished event, attracting students, early career postdoctoral researchers and lecturers. The course topics include protein purification, characterization and crystallization, covering the latest advances in the field of structural biology. The many hands‐on practical exercises enable a close interaction between students and teachers and offer the opportunity for students to crystallize their own proteins. The course has a broad and lasting impact on the scientific community as participants return to their home laboratories and act as nuclei by communicating and implementing their newly acquired knowledge and skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in women. Recent research indicates that human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) may be linked to carcinogenesis, but the data remain controversial. Methods: HERVs' expression was evaluated to show the differences between breast cancer and control samples, and their associations with clinicopathological parameters. Gene expression of 12 HERVs, i.e., ERVE-4, ERVW-1, ERVFRD-1, ERVV-1, ERV3-1, ERVH48-1, ERVMER34-1, ERVK-7, ERVK13-1, ERVK11-1, ERVK3-1, and HCP5, was analyzed by qPCR and/or TCGA datasets for breast cancer. Results: ERV3-1, ERVFRD-1, ERVH48-1, and ERVW-1 provided data to support their tumor suppressor roles in breast cancer. ERV3-1 evinced the best performing diagnostic data based on qPCR, i.e., AUC: 0.819 (p < 0.0001), sensitivity of 72.41%, and specificity of 89.66%. Lower levels of ERV3-1 were noted in advanced stage and higher grades, and significant negative association was found in relation to Ki-67 levels. Oncogenic roles may be inferred for ERVK13-1, ERVV-1, and ERVMER34-1. Data for ERVK-7, ERVE-4, ERVK11-1, and HCP5 remain inconclusive. Conclusion: Differential HERV expression may be applicable to evaluate novel biomarkers for breast cancer. However, more research is needed to reveal their real clinical impact, the biological roles, and regulatory mechanisms in breast carcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the leadership culture within the Czech Republic, using a survey of 389 participants to examine factors that influence leader behavior preferences. The study addresses the gap in specific research on Czech leadership, seeking to reveal employee preferences in leadership behaviors and how these may be connected to national cultural values. It tests hypotheses related to the influence of culture, region, age, gender, education, and organizational type on preferred leadership behaviors. Findings indicate notable regional differences in leadership preferences, with more subtle variations observed across gender, educational background, and types of organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the relationships between societal cultures and preferred leadership behaviors across seven Slavic nations: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Czech Republic, North Macedonia, Poland, Russia (in two regions), and Serbia. The results depict variations in the associations between cultural dimensions and leadership behaviors within the Slavic context, revealing both consistent patterns and intriguing differences across countries, underscoring their cultural diversity. The obtained results contribute to the field of cross-cultural leadership and provide deeper insights into leadership dynamics within Central and Eastern European countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the Skalička Waterwork (SWW), a largely debated and media-covered water-related/flood-protection project in the Czech Republic. Relying primarily on stakeholder interviews, we traced back and reconstructed the project's development, including its key tipping points reflecting the changing societal preferences for particular measures, yet also the involvement of individual actors/stakeholders, and their differing views. The case eventually crystallized into the "dam versus polder" dispute; concerned by the repercussions for the local landscape, a joint initiative of NGOs, local activists, and politicians not only opposed the dam variant proposed by the state river basin administration but also succeeded in pushing through the alternative scheme of side dry polder. While in many ways specific (e.g. not entailing local resistance), the case exemplifies recent shifts (and respective struggles) within flood risk management, including the increasing importance attributed to complex, catchment-wide perspectives, joint local and scientific knowledge, participatory decision-making processes, or implementation of nature-based and hybrid solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental exposure is associated with increased incidence of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and reduced fertility. Exposure to air pollution can influence gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms. In this study, we analysed gene-specific CpG methylation in spermatozoa of city policemen occupationally exposed to air pollution in two Czech cities differing by sources and composition of the air pollution. In Prague, the pollution is mainly formed by NO2 from heavy traffic. Ostrava is a hotspot of industrial air pollution with high concentrations of particular matter (PM) and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). We performed genome-wide methylation sequencing using the SureSelectXT Human Methyl-Seq system (Agilent Technologies) and next-generation sequencing to reveal differentially methylated CpG sites and regions. We identified differential methylation in the region chr5:662169 – 663376 annotated to genes CEP72 and TPPP. The region was then analysed in sperm DNA from 117 policemen using targeted methylation sequencing, which proved its hypermethylation in sperm of Ostrava policemen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alcohol use is one of the leading public health concerns in the Czech Republic. Drinking motives play a vital role in both initiation and subsequent alcohol use. A revised version of the self-report Drinking Motives Questionnaire (DMQ-R) has been proposed to assess these motives. The present study aims to validate the DMQ-R in the Czech general population. Methods: A total sample of 1,784 Czech participants completed a national survey. For the analysis, only a sub-sample of the past 12 months alcohol users was used: N = 1,123; 52.8% male; mean (SD) age = 40.2 (13.3). Drinking motives were assessed by the adopted Czech version of the DMQ-R. Both confirmatory (CFA) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were conducted to examine the factorial structure of the instrument. The age of the participant was additionally considered in the analysis (15–24 years as opposed to 25–64 years). Results: The CFA supported the four-factor model in the 25–64 age group. The analysis supported the construct validity of the Social, Conformity, and Coping factors. The Enhancement factor retained only two items and was found to refer more to a domain of 'Pleasant Feeling'. For the 15–24 age group, the hypothesised four-factor structure was not corroborated. Conclusions: The Czech version of the DMQ-R was found to be a reliable measurement tool of the Social, Conformity, and Coping motives. Future research should investigate the dimensionality of the instrument items presumed to correspond to the Enhancement motives. This should be conducted particularly among adolescents and young adults aged 15–24 years, where administering the DMQ-R with a large enough sample is also needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Delivering serious news is usually challenging for healthcare professionals and the pandemic of COVID-19 and related restrictions brought additional challenges in this process. Aims: To explore the experience of bereaved relatives with receiving serious news from healthcare professionals during the pandemic COVID-19. Design: A qualitative study using thematic analysis and a codebook approach of data collected in semi-structured interviews with bereaved relatives. Setting/participants: Data were collected from July to August 2022 in person/via phone with bereaved relatives who lost their relatives during the pandemic (from March 2020 to March 2022). Participants were recruited using a convenience sample and snowball method through social media and through one university hospital palliative care unit that invited bereaved relatives of deceased patients treated at the unit to participate in this study. Results: A total of 22 participants, consisting of 4 men and 18 women, were interviewed for this study. Most of the participants were sons or daughters of individuals who had died (5 grandchildren, 14 sons/daughters, 2 spouses, 1 great-niece). Six themes were identified: Burden caused by visit ban, Fear of COVID-19, Inappropriate behaviour and communication of healthcare professionals, High need for emotional support, Need for detailed and honest communication, Tendency to make excuses for mistakes and lapses by healthcare professionals. Conclusions: Delivering serious news during a pandemic was negatively influenced by a lack of contact with patients and a lack of support and empathetic communication with staff. Overcoming these circumstances can be achieved by frequent communication using various communication tools (such as videoconferences or phone calls), and maintaining empathy and honesty in the communication process. Key message: This article describes results from a qualitative study with bereaved relatives focused on their experience with communication with physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Relatives lacked empathetic communication, they also experienced fear of getting infected and they tended to express understanding for the challenging circumstances faced by the healthcare staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An investor exploiting their trade secret in a foreign territory puts it at risk of disclosure, use, or regulation by the host State. If the risk materializes, a foreign investor may seek to mitigate the impacts with the protections afforded by an investment treaty. As investors in the Czech Republic, Kenya, Pakistan, and Venezuela have sought to do. While the protection of trade secrets has been noted by commentators, a detailed analysis of the protection of trade secrets under international investment law is yet to be offered. In this article, I outline how trade secrets amount to an 'investment', the types of risks to a trade secret, and how the protection against expropriation can mitigate four risks for a foreign investor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The lack of transparency contributes to the growing corruption problem in various spheres of society. This paper aims to analyse the sustainability report disclosures published by Czech companies in 2021 and registered by the Association of Social Sustainability of the Czech Republic. Design/methodology/approach: Based on three hypotheses, the relationships between the level of disclosed anti-corruption information and selected variables related to the corporate environment are tested using content analysis and the Mann–Whitney test. Findings: This paper reveals that Czech firms provide more information if they operate in a higher-risk environment (energy, materials and financial services) or are state-owned (or with a state ownership stake). It also reveals that companies participating in corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives (UN Global Compact and Global Reporting Initiative) increase their credibility and social responsibility with more disclosed information. Research limitations/implications: A limitation of this paper is the smaller number of selected companies matching the chosen criteria. In addition, a certain degree of subjectivity is likely to have manifested in the process of coding the reports and in the use of the content analysis method. Originality/value: The paper contributes to research that addresses the fight against corruption and CSR issues with a specific study in a small, Central European country and provides new empirical data on the anti-corruption fight problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We summarize the published data on occurrence of Fagivorina arenaria (Hufnagel, 1767) in the Czech Republic. The species belongs to the European endangered moths. It occurs only very locally and rarely in the Czech Republic. Published records come mainly from the border mountain ranges. Newly we present records from the Beskydy Mts. and the Hrubý Jeseník Mts. On the basis of our observations and published data, F. arenaria can be considered as a representative species of preserved mountain herb-rich beech forests. Due to the very local occurrence of the species, particular associations with mountain primeval forest and decline from some former localities, we argue that the species should be listed in the Red List of Invertebrates of the Czech Republic in the higher categories of threat, i.e. endangered or critically endangered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) is one of the most used instruments for depression assessment. Stepankova Georgi, H., Vlckova,H., Lukavsky, K., Kopecek, J., M., & Bares, M. (2019). Beck Depression Inventory-II: Self-report or interview-based administrations show different results in older persons. International Psychogeriatrics, 31(5), 735–742.) found that BDI-II yielded lower scores when administered to elderly participants in the interview form after previous questionnaire form. Stepankova Georgi et al. imply that some participants misunderstand the instructions, which inflates their score, and that the interview form of BDI-II has a potential to prevent such bias thanks to the interviewer's feedback. However, many studies have found a decrease in BDI-II scores simply due to the repeated administration. Our study aims to test whether the hypothesis of Stepankova Georgi, H., Vlckova, H., Lukavsky, K., Kopecek, J., M., & Bares, M. (2019). Beck Depression Inventory-II: Self-report or interview-based administrations show different results in older persons. International Psychogeriatrics, 31(5), 735–742.) is plausible by using a sample of young adults without cognitive impairment. We administered the Czech version of BDI-II in both the questionnaire and the interview form to a convenience sample of 125 young adults (Mage = 22.3, 60% women) and performed a Wilcoxon signed-rank test to within-subject compare mean scores. We show that both administration forms yield similar mean scores. The results imply that BDI-II can be administered to young adults without cognitive impairment in either form without the risk of substantial bias, but the interview form can still prevent misunderstanding of instructions in some respondents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the relationship between human capital development and competitiveness in selected European countries. Topics include an analysis of human capital levels in the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Sweden, the impact of education and health investments on economic performance, and the statistical methods used to evaluate changes in these variables over time.

The article focuses on the economic impacts of the energy crisis (2022-2023) on local governments in the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic, specifically analyzing the budgets of the Trenčín and Zlín self-governing regions. Topics include the extent of budget limitations faced by local governments, the suspension of development activities due to high energy prices, and the effectiveness of governmental support in mitigating these impacts.

The article focuses on the integration of management games in the educational process of future managers at universities in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Topics include the evolving demands of management education, the benefits of active learning methods, and the current status of management game implementation in higher education institutions.

The article focuses on the changing importance of supplier-customer relationships during crises, especially highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics include the influence of firm profitability and industry type on relationship dynamics, the challenges encountered by Czech businesses, and the potential long-term effects on value chain management practices.

This paper describes research on the didactic design of teaching materials created by Czech future teachers in their university theses. The results of the research indicate that the teaching materials for future teachers are far from achieving the highest level of didactic design. The average value of the coefficient of the total didactic design is only 26%. The weakest aspect of the teaching materials is the component of the learning management system. This fact implies a significant underestimation of the learning process. Students preparing for the teaching profession have not demonstrated the ability to compile didactically well-developed teaching material in their final theses. They use only a limited number of structural components, and therefore the basic function of teaching materials, the didactic function, is not fully fulfilled. The didactic function ensures the effective usability of textbooks and similar texts in actual education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use the synthetic control method to examine whether land-based gambling ban has an effect on crime in a given city. In a sample of four Czech cities where the ban was introduced, we show that these cities had roughly the same crime rate development in the years after the ban as the control cities without the ban, showing that there is no significant impact. As this is, to our knowledge, the first use of the synthetic control method in the context of gambling, the main contribution of this study lies in demonstrating the possibilities in its use. Employing this versatile method may improve the current situation where many gambling impact studies suffer from the absence of a control group or an identification strategy to confirm causal relationship. Last but not least, the results of this study make an important contribution to the debate on blanket measures in gambling regulation; although pathological gambling is linked to crime, banning this activity may not lead to the expected consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Secure forensic hospital treatments are resource-intensive, aiming to rehabilitate offenders and enhance public safety. While these treatments consume significant portions of mental health budgets and show efficacy in some countries, their effectiveness in Czechia remains underexplored. Previous research has highlighted various factors influencing the likelihood of discharge from these institutions. Notably, the role of sociodemographic variables and the length of stay (LoS) in the context of forensic treatments has presented inconsistent findings across studies. Methods: The study, part of the 'Deinstitutionalization project' in Czechia, collected data from all inpatient forensic care hospitals. A total of 793 patients (711 male, 79 female and 3 unknown) were included. Data collection spanned 6 months, with tools like HoNOS, HoNOS-Secure, MOAS, HCR-20V3 and AQoL-8D employed to assess various aspects of patient health, behaviour, risk and quality of life. Results: The study revealed several determinants influencing patient discharge from forensic hospitals. Key assessment tools, such as HoNOS secure scores and the HCR-20 clinical subscale, showed that higher scores equated to lower chances of release. Furthermore, specific diagnoses like substance use disorder increased discharge odds, while a mental retardation diagnosis significantly reduced it. The type of index offense showed no influence on discharge decisions. Conclusion: Factors like reduced risk behaviours, absence of mental retardation diagnosis, social support and secure post-release housing plans played significant roles. The results underscored the importance of using standardized assessment tools over clinical judgement. A standout insight was the unique challenges faced by patients diagnosed with mental retardation, emphasizing a need for specialized care units or tailored programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge is an essential determinant and component of the international development cooperation agenda and projects. Therefore, it is vital to understand and reflect on how knowledge in international development cooperation is created, what knowledge counts, and how it influences the planning, implementation, and outcomes of international development cooperation projects. In this paper, we critically examine the knowledge system of the development cooperation of the Czech Republic, an emerging donor country, by applying system theory and utilizing system properties as an analytical tool. To this end, we carried out a multi-phase qualitative research with actors from the Czech Republic and Zambia. Subsequently, we analysed the knowledge system properties and identified those often overlooked by development actors, such as taboos, mistrust, and development burden, revealing how knowledge flows can be obstructed by these characteristics. In addition, we compiled a set of suitable interventions to tackle the overlooked system properties and foster knowledge cross-fertilisation. These interventions include, among others, active engagement of traditional leaders, active work with narratives of success, and introducing action-reflection-reaction cycle into the development practice. Furthermore, the proposed interventions clearly emphasize the need for more collaborative and transdisciplinary processes. Finally, we discuss that it is essential to uncover deep layers of the international development cooperation knowledge system to shift and leverage it towards more inclusive and just outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our goal was to analyse the effects of performance funding in the specific conditions of Czech and Slovak institutions of higher education, based on the assumption that the key motive for introducing performance funding is to increase accountability. The article confirms that NPM tools still co-exist with other reform trajectories and framings and provides a detailed explanation of how performance funding schemes work in financing higher education-based science in selected transition countries. Finally, we observe that the effects of performance funding on accountability differ depending on the funding parameters and context. We also identified forms of adaptation not previously reported in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The difficulties faced by youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) and their families as they move into adulthood are widely documented. The aim of the paper is to explore the current situation in terms of transition processes and outcomes in four countries (the US, UK, Australia and Czech Republic) and identify commonalities and differences that help elucidate what might determine different outcomes. Two research methods—expert knowledge and rapid literature review—were combined to identify sources from which information on transition policy, processes, support practices and outcomes was extracted and synthesised. This review identified gaps in the research evidence including inadequate collection and use of data to drive policy and determine effectiveness, limited evidence‐based models or frameworks for successful transition. There was little transition research that included the voices of young people with IDD. More research is necessary to study the practices of highly successful programmes, and to explore the impact of transition programmes and disability support services on a broader range of outcomes, capturing the experiences of young people themselves and identifying factors that determine successful outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robotised propaganda has become a new stage in the dissemination of manipulative content online, exploited for its low entry costs and high effectiveness. State actors, non-state actors, and politically and business-focused actors can spread ideas, share thoughts or sow half-truths and lies with the help of hundreds of automatised accounts and contribute to the manipulation of people's minds. In a short time, robotised propaganda gained the attention of academics as well as international organisations. Especially, Russian influence operations utilising the newest advantages of technological development stand at the epicentre of research interests in the Central and Eastern European region. In our research, we aim to test the hypothesis that information from media which are presented as pro-Russian were connected to a higher percentage of accounts classified as bots. The research sample covers all the media categories in the Czech Republic, as stated by the Political Capital study 'The Weaponization of Culture: Kremlin's traditional agenda and the export of values to Central Europe'. For robotised accounts activity analysis, we use a script based on a tweetbotornot R package by Kearney. As the results show, pro-Russian positive media have a statistically significant higher probability for bot account activity than media expressing neutral opinions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The relevance of the use of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in cardiogenic shock (CS) has been discussed over the past years. The aim of this study is to describe a singlecentre 10-year experience with IABP and analyse the risk factors for 30-day mortality. METHODS: The data for this single-centre, observational, retrospective study were drawn from records dated from January 2012 to May 2022 pertaining to patients presenting with CS, treated with IABP and hospitalised at the Department of Acute Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague. RESULTS: Among the patients included in the study, 87% patients presented with newly developed heart failure. The leading cause of CS was acute myocardial infarction accounting for 86% of cases. Hospital mortality was recorded at 39% and the 30-day mortality reached 43%. Upon multi-variable analysis, only the vasoactive inotropic score on day 5 emerged as a statistically significant predictor for 30-day mortality (p=0.0055). Cox regression analysis revealed that the presence of mechanical complications was the only variable identified as yielding a statistically significant impact on the 30-day survival (Log-rank p=0.014, HR 2.19, 95% CI: 1.15--4.15). There was no statistically significant difference in the 30-day mortality across the SCAI classes. CONCLUSION: The main cause of CS was a newly developed acute heart failure secondary to acute myocardial infarction. Despite the implementation of mechanical circulatory support, both in-hospital and 30-day mortality rates remained high. Increased vasoactive inotropic score and presence of mechanical complications were identified as significant predictors the 30-day survival [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Czech Republic there has been a growing interest in education in nature [výchova v přírodě] in connection with accreditation as a field of study. Outdoor experiential educator Jan Neuman, who died in April 2021, was instrumental in the development and formalisation of Czech education in nature programmes over the past 50 years. The aim of this review is to highlight the culturally unique, holistic and multi-disciplinary approaches of the concept of education in nature within the Czech environment, comparing this term with outdoor education internationally. Such cross-referencing of different cultural and indigenous variants aims to enhance outdoor physical activity opportunities in natural environments. We define education in nature in the Czech Republic and highlight the historical development of education in nature, with a focus on turistika activities, summer camps [tábory], and holistic dramaturgy approaches that elaborate on the cultural heritage and unique Czech approach to education in nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding inter-annual variation in the density of young-of-the-year fish is an important tool for assessing stock status and guiding management decisions. We analyzed data spanning from 2003 to 2022 collected at Lipno Reservoir in Czechia. The study aimed to identify factors influencing the density of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca), a valuable predatory fish species in European waters. A bimodality test for the size class distribution has revealed the existence of two distinct YOY cohorts: extremely small (ES) and ordinary fingerlings. Using the Bayesian horseshoe prior method with 37 potential predictors, followed by linear regression, we observed that certain environmental factors similarly influenced both cohorts. Higher temperatures during spring and summer, coupled with increased densities of large and medium-sized cladocerans, positively affected the density of both cohorts. However, distinct influences were observed: for ordinary fingerlings, increased summer precipitation and a lower abundance of predators were beneficial, whereas, for ES fingerlings, summer copepod density emerged as an additional positive factor. This study emphasizes the importance of a detailed investigation of factors influencing pikeperch recruitment. Examining these drivers provides a clearer insight into the causes of variations in the early life stage, which is crucial for monitoring and managing populations in temperate reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Evidence regarding the incarceration of women generally indicates significant mental health challenges, particularly elevated depression and reduced self-esteem. However, in the Czech Republic, little research has been undertaken on the birth experiences of women in this population, and indeed, more generally, there is little research undertaken on this specific group of women. METHODS: A quantitative questionnaire-based cohort study was undertaken in a major women's prison in the Czech Republic. The Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) were administered to participants. Comparisons with normative data using the one-sample t test, comparisons between depression screen positive/negative groups using the independent t test, and correlational analysis were conducted. A measure of postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder (PP-PTSD) was also administered. RESULTS: BSS-R subscale scores were observed to be either similar or higher than the noncustodial population. High screen-positive rates of EPDS-assessed depression were observed, and the study cohort was characterized by low RSES-assessed self-esteem. PP-PTSD levels approximated the noncustodial population. CONCLUSIONS: Women in the Czech prison system report levels of birth satisfaction equal to or better than noncustodial women. However, the mental health of this group is comparatively impoverished, thus presenting a complex relationship between birth experience and mental health during the prison sentence. Limitations of the research are discussed, and the direction of future research is indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has become the greatest public health challenge worldwide. Soon after the appearance of the virus in 2019, intensive efforts to develop vaccines were initiated, and by late 2020, delivery of vaccines for the targeted population as a campaign had started. Aim: Collect information from European Union countries regarding how and to what extent were family physicians (FPs)/general practitioners (GPs) involved in the vaccination campaigns in 2021 and how these were organized at the national level. Method: A short questionnaire was distributed through the secretariats of WONCA (World Organization of Family Doctors) Europe and the European Forum for Primary Care (EFPC). Results: In most of the countries, participation of FPs/GPs was compulsory. The vaccination was usually centrally organized by governmental authorities. In the beginning, registration (web-based) of patients was required, mainly at the national level. By the middle of 2021, vaccination on a walk-in basis became available in almost every country for the first immunization as well as for the booster injections. The remunerations of GPs/FPs differed; in some countries, no extra payments were offered. The Pfizer vaccine was used in all countries, while in nine countries, non-European Medicines Agency (EMA)-approved vaccines were also given in primary care settings and at vaccination centers. In some countries, professional homepages helped the GPs. The involvement of primary health care (PHC) providers did not correlate to the vaccination coverage of the entire population of the respective countries. It was the highest in the more developed countries with higher living standards, where participation of GPs was voluntary and appropriate financial incentives were offered to them. Conclusions: The vaccination campaign was a professional and logistic challenge and an excellent performance of PCH providers. Experiences gained could be used in the future to manage similar pandemic challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The topic of adolescent mental health is currently a subject of much debate due to the increasing prevalence of mental health problems among this age group. Therefore, it is crucial to have high-quality and validated mental well-being measurement tools. While such tools do exist, they are often not tailored specifically to adolescents and are not available in Czech language. The aim of this study is to validate and test the Czech version of the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS) on a large sample of Czech adolescents aged 15 to 18 years. Methods: The analysis is based on data from the first wave of the Czech Education Panel Survey (CZEPS) and was mainly conducted using Item Response Theory (IRT), which is the most appropriate method for this type of analysis. Specifically, the Graded Response Model (GRM) was applied to the data. This comprehensive validation study also included reliability and three types of validity (construct, convergent and criterion) testing. Results: The study found that the Czech version of the SWEMWBS for adolescents aged 15 to 18 years (N = 22,498) has good quality and psychometric properties. The data was analysed using the GRM model as it met the assumptions for the use of IRT. The estimated parameter values by GRM demonstrated good discriminant and informative power for all items, except for item 7, which showed poorer results compared to the others. However, excluding it from the scale would not enhance the overall quality of the scale. The five-category response scale functions effectively. Additionally, the results demonstrated high reliability, and all types of validity tested were also confirmed. Conclusions: The Czech version of the SWEMWBS for adolescents has been validated as a psychometrically sound, reliable and valid instrument for measuring mental well-being. It can therefore be used with confidence in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to create a Czech questionnaire for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (POSA) risk screening, a first of its kind in the Czech Republic, where options for child polysomnography are limited. Compiling items from established English questionnaires and supplementing them with additional items, we designed the first version of the Czech questionnaire and tested it in a pilot study with parents of 30 children. After pilot feedback, a revised version with dichotomous and 5-item Likert scale questions was tested on 71 children's parents. All children (7–12 years old) underwent a home sleep apnea test to record their apnea–hypopnea index (AHI). The second (40-item) version showed high reliability (93%), with 17 items identified as the most significant. Findings from the final 17-item SEN CZ questionnaire correlated positively with AHI (p < 0.001), demonstrating 84% sensitivity, 86% specificity, and 93% reliability. Three factors, namely breathing problems, inattention, and hyperactivity (characterized by multiple items), were identified to form a higher-order factor of POSA risk, which was further supported by the correlations of their total scores with AHI (p < 0.001). The resulting SEN CZ questionnaire can serve as a tool for POSA risk screening in the Czech Republic without the need to involve medical professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]