It focuses on the areas of social, natural, and theological sciences, sport, arts, management, and health care. It was established by law in December 1996 by splitting the University of Pavol Jozef Šafárik in Košice into the University of Pavol Jozef Šafárik in Košice and Prešov University in Prešov. It was officially established on 1 January 1997. The outcomes of its active education and research programmes stretch significantly beyond the borders of Eastern Slovakia. Among its organizational units are three centres of excellence:Through bilateral agreements, the university cooperates with 75 higher education institutions from more than 20 countries, while Presov students and teachers can spend time at one of more than 300 universities across Europe under the framework of the Erasmus programme. In addition, staff members present the results of their studies in articles that are published at home and abroad, as well as at various scientific events in countries such as Russia, South Africa, Singapore, Switzerland and the UK..
Digital transformation is increasingly reshaping how tourism destinations manage quality, sustainability, and competitiveness. This study examines these relationships in the context of a developing European economy (Slovakia), focusing on the mechanisms through which digital technologies enhance destination performance. The empirical research was conducted at the national level within the Slovak Republic. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected through a survey of 276 key tourism stakeholders. The analysis applies reliability testing, regression analysis, variance analysis, and an indirect-effect analytical framework to examine the proposed relationships. Digital Transformation (DT) does not generate competitiveness in isolation but acts as a strategic catalyst that enhances destination competitiveness primarily through improvements in Quality and Environmental Responsibility (QTS). Additional findings reveal significant differences in Quality and Environmental Responsibility (QTS) across destinations with varying levels of digital maturity within the examined national context. The study contributes to tourism research by integrating digital transformation and environmental responsibility into a unified framework of destination competitiveness, using Slovakia as a representative case of a transitional European economy. While the findings may offer indicative insights for similar transitional contexts, the study primarily reflects the structural specificities of the Slovak tourism sector. From a practical perspective, the findings emphasize the need for strategic alignment between digital investments, quality management, and sustainability objectives to achieve long-term competitive advantage.
In her book Hans Jonas’s Ethic of Responsibility: From Ontology to Ecology (2013), Theresa Morris explores many aspects of Jonas’s ethics of responsibility, including his focus on the potential negative consequences of human scientific and technological progress for the future. Morris argues that Jonas’s understanding of consequences should not be equated with consequentialism, which she associates with classical utilitarianism and its Greatest Happiness Principle. Unlike Morris, I concluded that, when analyzing Jonas’s view of consequences and his value structure, Jonas’s ethics of responsibility aligns more closely with the ethics of social consequences, a type of non-maximizing consequentialism.
The topic of sustainability is currently a major focus, particularly in its connection to e-commerce. This research aimed to explore differences in consumer perceptions of various aspects of sustainability within the e-commerce sector and analyzed according to specific socio-demographic characteristics. Primary data was gathered through a questionnaire survey conducted with a sample of 506 respondents. Following data collection, descriptive analysis, and difference-in-difference analysis were performed. The majority of respondents demonstrated positive attitudes toward digitalization in green marketing and environmentally oriented lifestyles. The findings also revealed significant gender differences in environmental attitudes, with females exhibiting more positive attitudes compared to males. However, no generational differences were observed in any of the aspects studied. The chapter presents original and novel contributions to the growing intersection of sustainability and e-commerce by offering fresh insights into consumer perceptions across socio-demographic lines, a relatively underexplored area. The study’s use of a socio-demographic lens—particularly analyzing differences in gender and generational attitudes toward sustainability in e-commerce—is a unique contribution of the chapter. The results offer valuable insights for both theoretical exploration and practical application.
Oncorhynchus mykiss is among the most extensively farmed fish species globally and simultaneously ranks as one of the most invasive aquatic taxa. Despite its non-native status in Europe, it remains a valued species in recreational fisheries and is frequently used to supplement streams with declining native Salmo trutta populations. In Slovakia, the presence of O. mykiss dates back to the late nineteenth century, with historical introductions into the Okna River basin and Lake Vihorlat occurring in the early twentieth century. Here, we present fish stock data and report the first documented occurrence of natural spawning redds of O. mykiss in the Okna River recorded in April 2025. This evidence confirms the existence of a self-reproducing, spring-spawning population, possibly descended from the original introductions. The spawning redds were located in gravel-sand substrates in shallow, low-flow areas after the period of rising water temperature and during stable discharge. Stock-assessment data indicate that O. mykiss is currently dominant over S. trutta, and comparisons with historical records suggest altered relative abundances of B. barbatula and Phoxinus sp. populations. These findings highlight, ongoing ecological interactions between non-native O. mykiss and native fish fauna in the Okna River.
Deer keds are ectoparasitic flies of wild ruminants and are increasingly recognised as potential vectors of various pathogens. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of selected vector-borne pathogens in wingless deer keds collected from 13 red deer and 2 fallow deer, as well as in host-seeking keds across multiple localities in Slovakia. In total, 240 flies identified as Lipoptena spp. were obtained from cervids, and 542 host-seeking deer keds were collected. Individual flies were screened using molecular methods for the presence of Borrelia spp., Bartonella spp., Rickettsia spp., haemotropic Mycoplasma spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, piroplasmids, and Kinetoplastida. In wingless Lipoptena spp., high DNA prevalence rates were detected for Bartonella spp. (88.33%), piroplasmids (60.83%), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (24.58%), and Kinetoplastida (20.42%). Haemotropic Mycoplasma spp. DNA was confirmed in 4.56% of flies, while DNA of Borrelia spp. and Rickettsia spp. was not detected. Among host-seeking keds, Bartonella spp. DNA was detected in 7.38%, Rickettsia spp. DNA in 0.92%, and haemotropic Mycoplasma spp. DNA in 0.37%, whereas the remaining pathogens were not detected. Regression analysis indicated significantly greater pathogen-group richness in deer keds collected from cervids, as host-seeking keds harboured an average of 1.76 fewer pathogen types than host-derived individuals. The probability of detecting Bartonella spp. and haemotropic Mycoplasma spp. was markedly lower in host-seeking keds. Overall, this study highlights the epidemiological relevance of Lipoptena spp. and underscores the need for further research on their vector competence and potential implications for animal and public health.
