http://hdl.handle.net/10563/1000009 2026-07-27T22:19:10Z http://hdl.handle.net/10563/1012850 Building safe and sustainable universities: An integrated governance framework for physical, cyber, and psychosocial security Betuš, Miroslav; Betušová, Ivanna; Wittenberger, Gabriel; Konček, Martin; Hnilica, Marek European universities are facing increasingly complex security risks, including physical threats, violence, cyberattacks, emergency situations, and the deterioration of the psychological well-being of students and staff. Rapid societal change, technological development, and increasing uncertainty place mounting pressure on higher education institutions to adopt a systematic approach to the protection of life, health, and property. Despite this, many universities continue to operate through fragmented and largely reactive measures that are insufficiently integrated into a coherent security management system. This paper presents an integrated conceptual framework for security management in higher education institutions, linking physical, cyber, organizational, and psychosocial dimensions of risk governance. By framing university security as a component of institutional sustainability and resilience, the paper situates safety governance within the broader context of sustainable higher education institutions. The framework is grounded in an analysis of existing legislative requirements, the principles of crisis management, and practical experience from the higher education sector. It identifies key sources of risk, core areas of responsibility, and preventive mechanisms that strengthen institutional resilience and emergency preparedness. Particular attention is given to the role of academic staff, institutional leadership, community engagement, and the development of digital security as fundamental pillars of a safe academic environment. By integrating security governance with institutional resilience, the framework supports the sustainable continuity of teaching and research under disruptive events. The proposed framework may serve as a methodological foundation for developing university security strategies and as a tool supporting the long-term organizational and social sustainability of higher education institutions. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10563/1012837 Feral pigeons as reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens in the urban environment: Spatial clustering and molecular evidence Dziedzinská, Radka; Králík, Petr; Zeman, Tomáš; Šerý, Omar; Jiří, Kamler; Homolka, Miloslav; Plhal, Radim; Drimaj, Jakub Feral pigeons ( Columba livia f. domestica ) are common inhabitants of cities and often come into close contact with humans. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and spatial distribution of zoonotic pathogens in feral pigeons, with emphasis on Chlamydia psittaci , Mycobacterium avium complex and Salmonella enterica . Given its emergence in passerine birds, Trichomonas gallinae was included, although it is not considered a zoonotic species. A total of 175 pooled faecal samples representing 875 individual droppings were collected from 35 localities across three urban zones. Two multiplex real-time PCR (qPCR) assays were developed and validated to detect the presence of target organisms. Spatial clustering of positive findings was analysed using hierarchical clustering based on geographic distances. C. psittaci was the most prevalent pathogen, found in 20.6% of faecal samples. T. gallinae was detected in 9.7%, S. enterica in 4.0%, and M. avium subsp. hominissuis in 1.1%. M. avium subsp. avium was not detected. Based on average pairwise geographic distances, statistically significant spatial clustering of C. psittaci -positive flock was shown, suggesting non-random distribution of infection. The study highlights urban feral pigeons as potential carriers of zoonotic pathogens, particularly C. psittaci , which shows spatial clustering in densely populated urban areas. The results support the need for monitoring potential zoonotic risks associated with urban pigeon excretions to human health. These findings provide essential baseline data for public health authorities and contribute to risk assessment and urban wildlife management strategies in Central European cities. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10563/1012845 Cognitive warfare: Some sceptical observations from general strategic theory and affective science Žilinčík, Samuel The article probes the analytical utility of the increasingly popular concept of ‘cognitive warfare’. It proceeds by reflecting writings associated with the concept’s mainstream meaning against selected insights from general strategic theory and affective science and finds cognitive warfare problematic in multiple aspects. From the perspective of general strategic theory, cognitive warfare misrepresents the nature of the challenge at hand, blurs the distinction between core aspects of strategic effort, and draws on questionable rather than sound strategic thought. From an affective science perspective, it relies on an increasingly outdated paradigm for explaining the human mind, provides little insight into how cognition shapes behaviour, and overlooks the beneficial roles of emotions in maintaining social cohesion. Integrating these perspectives, the article argues that information aggression is better understood as attempted subversion centred on specific emotions. The presented argument allows practitioners to better understand the nature of the challenges they face and to develop appropriate remedies, and academics to study the subject in a more focused manner. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10563/1012820 Environmental risk assessment of artillery-impacted soils contaminated by heavy metals using pollution indices Ivan, Jan; Niesner, Kryštof Bruno; Blaha, Martin; Doležalová Weissmannová, Helena; Adamec, Vladimír PurposeThis proof-of-concept study quantifies environmental and human health risks from heavy metal contamination generated by a single, well-documented artillery strike. Focusing on cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb), we collected paired soil samples from the explosion crater and an unimpacted reference area at a previously pristine site, enabling unambiguous source attribution.Design/methodology/approachSamples were digested and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy and evaluated using a suite of pollution indices (PIs) (Igeo, enrichment factor, contamination factor, Pollution Load Index, Nemerow PI and Cdeg/mCdeg) and ecological risk indices (Eri and Risk Index).FindingsCompared with reference soils, crater soils showed consistently higher Cd, Cr and Ni; the index ensemble classified the site as mildly to moderately impacted, while integrated ecological risk remained low to moderate. We discuss transport pathways (wind and overland flow) and implications for monitoring and management in conflict-affected landscapes. Because single-strike conditions establish a conservative lower bound for conflict-related contamination, repeated shelling would plausibly increase cumulative burdens and risk.Originality/valueWe outline a longitudinal and spatially replicated follow-up to track attenuation and secondary dispersion and to incorporate biomonitoring endpoints. These findings provide a rigorous baseline for risk communication and for designing targeted mitigation during and after armed conflict. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z