ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SLOVAK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES FOR 2005

CONTENTS

Chapter I PRESIDENT’S REPORT Appendices to Chapter I Appendix 1 Academy’s Activities Relating to European Integration Appendix 2 An Overview of Distinctions, Awards, and Prizes Awarded by the Academy in 2005 Appendix 3 An Overview of Distinctions, Awards, Prizes Awarded to the Academy’s Staff Employees in 2005

Chapter II SCIENTIFIC PERFORMANCE The Most Substantial Scientific Results in: A/ Advancement of Scientific Knowledge B/ Application in Social Practice C/ International Scientific Projects D/ Editorial and Publishing Activity E/ Centres of Excellence at the Academy F/ Participation in Science and Technology Support Programmes

Chapter III DOCTORAL STUDY PROGRAMME AND PEDAGOGICAL ACTIVITY Chapter IV INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CO-OPERATION Chapter V CO-OPERATION WITH UNIVERSITIES Chapter VI ACCREDITATION AND EVALUATION OF SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTES Chapter VII ACTIVITY OF THE ASSEMBLY Chapter VIII ACTIVITY OF THE SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL Chapter IX ACTIVITY OF THE LEARNED SOCIETY Chapter X ACTIVITY OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES Chapter XI SPECIALISED AND SERVICE ORGANISATIONS Chapter XII ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE Chapter XIII SYSTEM OF CONTROL AND/OR OVERSIGHT Chapter XIV PROVISION OF INFORMATION IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW ON FREE ACCESS TO INFORMATION

Appendices to Chapter II Appendix 1 Patenting and Licensing Activity Appendix 2 List of Scientific and Popular Science Publications Published by VEDA, Publishing House of the SAS Appendix 3 List of Other Monographs and Professional/Specialised Publications Appendix 4 Periodicals and Yearbooks Published at and/or Edited by the Academy Appendix 5 Contractual Co-operation of the Academy, Based on Inter-Academic Agreements Appendix 6 List of Scientific and Scholarly Societies, Unions and Associations Affiliated with the Academy Appendix 7 Membership of the SR in International Non-Governmental Scientific and Scholarly Organisations Supported from the Academy’s Budget

PHOTOGRAPHIC SUPPLEMENT

I. PRESIDENT’S REPORT

The present Annual Report contains core information on the activities and performance of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Academy’ or ‘SAS’ as acronym) in 2005. In the previous years we often devoted our attention to legislation and we pointed out to the problems of funding science in Slovakia. In this respect, the year 2005 brought about a certain movement and a promise for the future. With a due amount of compromise, a new Act on Organisation of State Support for Research and Development (172/2005 Coll.), which accentuates system of grants, was passed. The Minerva programme was worked out. It reflects the requirements for competitiveness of Slovakia within the frame of the EU Lisbon Strategy and, inter alia, opens up a space for the establishment of the first national centres of excellence in 2006. It assigns a task to pay yet more attention also to science popularisation. The Eurobarometer survey data document that Europe lags behind the USA also in this respect. The previously cancelled call for new projects launched by the Science and Technology Assistance Agency was reopen; the projects are due to start in the first half of 2006. The Academy has recorded success in the competition for the European Social Fund projects. In 2005 we received the first grants in the sum total SKK 65 mil. Last, but by no means the least important fact is that the ad-lib situation in appointment to the post of director-general of the science and technology section at the Ministry of Education of the SR was terminated. In 2005, accreditation of the Academy’s scientific organisations within the cycle 2003 – 2005 was completed. The remaining five organisations were granted accreditation; three of such organisations were ranked into category A and two organisations were ranked into category B. The principal intra-academic events of the year were the elections to membership in the Academy’s Presidium, Scientific Council, and Assembly for the 2005-2009 term of office. The Presidium’s membership was altered by 60% (9 new members). The first half of the year of the activities of the newly elected bodies was marked by setting out programmes and plans for reaching their objectives. The new persons in the authority at the respective Academy section got acquainted with the current situation at individual institutes. As regards allocation of budget funds to individual institutes, the new Presidium accentuates achievements; an indicator for measuring such achievements are the results of evaluation and accreditation. In his respect, the first step adopted was to re-establish the ad-hoc committee for remuneration reform. The committee came up with a proposal to distribute a part of the wage fund proportionately to accreditation scores for the period of 2003-2005. (In 2006 this was realised in the range of up to ± 3% of the wage fund of the respective institute.) In an effort to accentuate the reality of such intention, already by the end of 2005 the Presidium allocated ca SKK 6 mil. on wages (including mandatory deductions), pro rata to accreditation scores of individual organisations. Those funds were obtained by swopping them for unspent sources of other type. In deliberations with the Ministry of Finance of the SR, our argument in this matter was the remuneration reform. In December 2005 the Academy’s Presidium and Assembly approved the principles for allocation of budget funds for 2006 on budgetary organisations, and determination of the amount of contribution for Academy’s contributory organisations. The principles open up further space for redistribution of up to ± 1% of the wage-fund on the grounds of annual evaluation in the subsequent year. This incentive was applied at the beginning of 2006, too. Further adjustments of the budget will be possible after the new accreditation of Academy’s scientific institutes scheduled for 2007. Its criteria will be announced a year ahead so that the institutes could make the necessary arrangements. It should be noted here that the primary objective of the Academy is not mere redistribution of resources according to the present level of excellence and effectiveness; rather, its goal is to reach a frontal increase in these parameters. Pay rewards or other financial motivations are instruments to achieve the purpose. In the long-term, the mechanism for the distribution of budget funds, which is presently based on relative approaches, will have to be backed by absolute values of resources in proportion to performance. An increase in the Academy’s budget for 2006, the institutional component of which amounts to SKK 1.545 billion, was a relative success achieved in 2005. The initial budget of the Academy, as of January 2005, was SKK 1.481 billion. Such increase, however, does not solve the persisting problem of inadequate funding of research, particularly in the category of running costs. To make matters worse, the outlook for the period 2007 – 2009 remains stagnatory. It fails to take into account the concept for increasing funding for science and technology in the SR to 1.8% GDP by 2010. The objective of the Academy is to acquire the final budget (including research grants) in the amount of approximately SKK 2 billion, which corresponds to the ratio of grants to institutional component 25% : 75%. (At the Hungarian Academy of Sciences they have gone further, the ratio there is 38%: 62%) In the doctoral study and training programme, which in the academic year 2005/2006 undergoes a change to a new system, we have recorded a temporary decline in the number of new enrolled students. This situation stems from the fact that our institutes, particularly those grouped in the Section III, have still not yet been accredited to supervise doctorate study programmes; this is also related to accreditation of the respective universities and their faculties. As yet, 33 Academy institutes were granted accreditation status in 43 study programmes, and 120 new applicants were accepted to carry out projects on the topics designated by the Academy. In 2005, the number of doctoral students pursuing their doctoral studies at the Academy totalled 793; of those, 378 full-time. The number of students whose graduate theses were supervised at the Academy stood at 600. In 2005, the Štefan Schwarz Fund was fully operative, providing for 50% of salaries for 20 winners/ nominees of a competition for the best graduates of the doctoral programme, who could remain at their respective training institutes. Thereby post-doctorate posts were established for a four-year period. The year 2005 was marked by completion of projects under the EU 5th Framework Programme. Overall, during the entire period of the Programme, the Academy recorded 100 participants in such projects. As for EU 6th Framework Programme, in 2005 the number of Academy’s participants in the projects reached 76. Thus, the Academy is the most successful subject in the SR in these Programmes. Preparations for the 7th Framework Programme are currently underway, even though the recently approved European financial perspective for 2007-2013 brought disappointment to science. Initially intended investment of ca EUR 70 billion was temporarily cut down to approximately EUR 55 billion. The most important source for further development of our science will be EU funds for research infrastructures. As of January 15, 2006, the reservoir of projects was built up. If an exception is granted for the Bratislava region, the investments could reach SKK 30 billion. In 2005 and in early 2006 the Academy concluded its role of an administrator of state programmes (including orders) and the related agenda is being transferred to the Ministry of Education of the SR. The real time schedule for proceeding with the state programmes under these new conditions is unfortunately not yet known. From among accomplishments in 2005 in the domain of international co-operation, in which the Academy had its share, of note is the acceptance of application for membership of the Slovak Republic into the European Molecular Biology Conference as well as membership of Science and Technology Assistance Agency in the European Science Foundation. In addition to international co-operation, excellence is yet another important pillar of the Academy. It was expressed in the activities carried out by 12 Centres of Excellence at the Academy in 2005. Their performance is rigorously reviewed and evaluated. On the basis of such actions, in the early 2006 one Centre was disestablished. A reference to the Academy’s output of scientific publications represents yet another expression of excellence. The number of indexed citations in 2004 was 10,804; the total number of all citations (indexed and other non-indexed combined) was 18,058. This number increases also due to access to new databases, e.g. SCOPUS. In the past year, the number of indexed citations was 12,804 and the total number of all citations was 18, 440. A project “Profily excelentnosti SAV” [Profiles of Excellence at SAS] will be launched in 2006. The Academy is involved in three orders commissioned by the government, in particular: the Unabridged Dictionary of the Slovak Language, Encyclopaedia BELIANA, and Library of Slovak Literature (the first three book publications have already been released); each of these orders is funded via the Ministry of Education of the SR, or Ministry of Culture of the SR. The Academy has been involved in the design and elaboration of projects on post-calamity rehabilitation of the High Tatras through two of its institutes, particularly the Institute of Landscape Ecology and the Institute of Forest Ecology. In 2005 we have recorded a positive shift in the area of application of scientific achievements in practice, which resulted from deliberations with the automobile industry on the Academy’s engagement in this pivotal economic sector of the SR. The Academy acquired 6.8% of its budget overall from extra-budgetary sphere. Returns and receipts relating to research activities reached SKK 321 mil.; they represent the extent of usefulness of the Academy for the extra-academic sphere. From among activities included into scientific service provided by the Academy, of note are the following: the completion of the Slovak National Corpus, operation of an upgraded and updated SR National Seismic Network, and operation of the National Reference Laboratory for BSE. The Academy’s research staff members were actively engaged in pedagogical activities (the total number of lectures and practicums held in 2005 has stabilised to 36,200 hours). The Academy and the higher education establishments maintain 34 joint facilities. The Academy’s scientific output was published in 87 monographs. Further, the Academy publishes or edits 55 professional scientific journals and 8 yearbooks. The grants awarded to VEGA projects amounted to SKK 53.804 mil. (compared to 2004, they increased by 6.3%). Presently there are 51 scientific societies, unions and associations affiliated with the Academy. The year 2005 was marked by a successful European Science Week. Within its scope, an exhibition titled Zázračný rok vedy [Miraculous Year of Science] was launched in the Slovak National Museum, attracting 9,000 visitors; it is bound to change into a touring exhibition. A Press Department was established at the Academy’s Office. The overall number of popularising and/or promoting media presentations of the Academy’s accomplishments in 2005 reached 4,050. In 2005 the Academy’s Scientific Council awarded 12 degrees of DrSc. (higher doctorate). The degree of Doctor of Science honoris causa was awarded to Prof. Satya N. Atluri, PhD., from the USA. In 2005 the SAS International Prize was awarded for the ninth consecutive time. It was bestowed upon Prof. Susan McKenna Lawlor from Ireland. The first SAS Prize for building research infrastructure was awarded to the Slovak National Corpus, developed at the Ľ. Štúr Institute of Linguistics SAS. The Academy’s institutes and individual research staff members were awarded a number of prestigious international and domestic awards. A survey of distinctions, awards, prizes, decorations and honorary degrees is presented in Appendix 2 to this Report.

The SAS Prize for Accomplishments in Scientific Research Pursuits in 2005 was awarded to: a) RNDr. Peter Markoš, CSc. from the Institute of Physics SAS for the work Teoretický výskum transportu kvantových a klasických vĺn v nehomogénnych systémoch [Transport properties of disordered and heterogeneous systems] b) a team of research scientists from the Institute of Molecular Biology SAS, namely: Ing. Jozef Ševčík, DrSc., RNDr. Ľubica Urbániková, CSc., Mgr. Vladena Hlinková, PhD., Ing. Radovan Dvorský, CSc. for the work Výskum trojrozmerných štruktúr ribonukleáz [Investigation of Three-dimensional Structures of Ribonucleases] c) PhDr. Milan Hanuliak, CSc. from the Archaeological Institute SAS for the work Veľkomoravské pohrebiská (Pochovávanie v 9. – 10. storočí na území Slovenska) [Burial Grounds from the Great Moravia Period. Burials in the 9th and 10th Century on the Territory of Slovakia].

The SAS Prize for Accomplishments in International Scientific Co-operation was awarded to: a team of research scientists from the Institute of Geography SAS, namely: doc. RNDr. Ján Feranec, CSc., doc. RNDr. Ján Oťahel, CSc., Mgr. Tomáš Cebecauer, PhD., Ing. Ján Pravda, DrSc., RNDr. Karol Husár, CSc. za prácu Krajinná pokrývka Slovenska a jej zmeny v období 1990 – 2000 v kontexte projektu Image and CORINE Land Cover 2000 [Land Cover Changes in Administrative Regions of Slovakia in 1990 - 2000.

The SAS Prize for a Young Research Scientist was awarded to: Mgr. Marián Zouhar, PhD. from the Institute of Philosophy SAS for the work Podoby referencie [Forms of Reference].

The Special Award for Accomplishments in Scientific Research Activity was presented to: Ing. Pavel Diko, DrSc. from the Institute of Experimental Physics SAS for the work Kryštálové defekty v monokryštalických masívnych REBCO supravodičoch [Processing and Application of Superconducting (RE)BCO Large Grain Materials].

The SAS Prize for Science Popularising and Promoting Activities in 2005 was awarded to: A team of research scientists from the Astronomical Institute SAS, namely: Mgr. Július Koza, PhD., RNDr. Aleš Kučera, CSc., RNDr. Ján Rybák, PhD., RNDr. Vojtech Rušin, DrSc., RNDr. Richard Komžík, PhD., Ing. Jaroslav Ambróz, RNDr. Daniel Novotný, CSc. for the project – prechod Venuše pred slnečným diskom [Venus Transit 2004]

Basic problems germane to science and technology that need to be addressed are the following:

1. Achievement of the Lisbon objective in funding science and technology in the SR at the level of 1.8% of GDP in 2010 (0.6% of which from the state budget). 2. Establishment of national centres of excellence in the period of 2006-2007. Commencement of assignments set out in the new state programmes for research and development (by 01.01.2007 at the latest). 3. Improvements ensuring greater efficiency and effectivity of Science and Technology Assistance Agency and the relating stable annual increase in its budget. 4. Provision for an adequate incorporation of the Bratislava region into building research infrastructure sponsored by the European Structural Funds (2007 - 2013) and support for a contingent increase of preliminary planned funds for this purpose (EUR 800 mil.). 5. Support for doctoral study and training at external educational institutions, and codification of the status and creation of post doctorate positions. 6. Facing cuts proposed at the summit in 2005, concerted efforts should be targeted on increase in funds for the EU 7th Framework Programme (2007 - 2013). 7. Introduction of legislative measures to ensure a more straightforward establishment of spin-off businesses for the application of results and fostering support for science and research by private sector. 8. In relation to the Academy, its autonomy should be guaranteed by maintaining its own budget chapter, thus providing for a more flexible response to changing external environment. 9. Strive to stifle beaurocracy at the European level, which is reflected in domestic circumstances. 10. The aforementioned tasks should be laid down in a new blueprint for science and research policy in the SR.

To conclude, we would like to point out that the year 2005 demanded a considerable amount of concerted efforts backed by co-operation of all Academy’s bodies – the Presidium, Scientific Council, and Assembly - its individual organisations, and trade unions.

Prof. Štefan Luby President of the Academy

Vývoj počtu vedeckých pracovníkov a doktorandov

1600 1462 1489 1390 1357 1400 1342

1200

1000 896 908 921 811 793 800

600

400

200

0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Vedeckí pracovníci Doktorandi Poznámka Vyvoj počtu vedeckých pracovníkov a doktorandov SAV = Trend in numbers of scientific research staff and doctoral students Vedeckí pracovníci = research scientists Doktorandi = doctoral students

Graph 1 In 2005 the number of research scientists increased whereas the number of doctoral students at the Academy decreased. This results from the facts that 120 doctoral students completed their study and training programme by defending their thesis and in connection with a new system of doctoral study at universities, a number of institutes have not as yet been accredited.

Vývoj doktorandského štúdia ukončeného úspešnou obhajobou

90 82 78 80

70

60 55

50 46 43 40 38 40 et doktorandov č

po 28 29 30 20 20

10

0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 denné externé Figure 2. The Academy has recorded an increase in doctoral completion rates for full-time students.

Poznámka Vývoj dokorandského štúdia ukončeného úspešnou obhajobou = Trend in doctoral study and training programme completed by successful defence Počet doktorandov= number of PhDs Denné = full-time Externé = part-time

Vývoj počtu citácií

12000 10804 10392

10000 9274 8992 8558

8000

6000 5636

4468 4417 4311 3821 4000 3566 3297 2937 2588 2412

2000

0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

WOS (SCI) monografie a učebnice iné

Figure 3. In 2005 the total number of citations in WOS (SCI), monographs and course books, and other sources amounted to 18,440; as compared to 18,052 in 2004.

Poznámka Vývoj počtu citácií= Trend in total number of citations Monografie a ucebnice= Monographs and course books Iné= Other

Periodiká vydávané SAV

CC; 30,9%

ostatné; 49,1%

OC; 20,0%

Figure 3. Of the periodicals that are either published or edited at the Academy, 30.9% are indexed in the Current Contents database, other are indexed and/or abstracted in subject-specific databases (SSD).

Poznámka PROSÍM v číslach s % zameniť čiarku za bodku a bez ‘;‘, teda: Ostatné 49,1% = Other 49.0% CC 30,9% = 30.9% OC 20,0% = SSD 20.0% Periodiká vydávané SAV= Periodicals published and/or edited at SAS

Spoločné pracoviská SAV a vysokých škôl podľa samosprávnych krajov

20 20

18

16

14

12

10 et pracovísk č

po 8

6 5 4 4 4

2 1

0 Bratislavský Trenčiansky Nitriansky Banskobystrický Košický

Figure 4. Joint research facilities of the Academy and universities are located in five regions of Slovakia.

Poznámka Spoločné pracoviská SAV a vysokých škôl podľa samosprávnych krajov=Joint facilities of SAS and institutions of higher learning by self-administrative regions

Počet pracovísk=number of facilities Kraj=region Názvy samosprávnych krajov: Bratislava, Trenčín, Nitra, Banská Bystrica, Košice

Účasť SAV v projektoch 5.RP EÚ

30

26

25 23 22

20

15

et projektov 12 č 11 po 10

5 3 2 1

0 KŽ IST TR EZP ĽP MS MCF Euroatom

Figure 5. The Academy has been involved in projects carried out under the 5th Framework Programme in all priority areas with major impact on quality of life and health, as well as on permanently sustainable development and environment. QL – Quality of Life, IST-Information Society and Technology, PSD-Permanently Sustainable Development, EE-Energy and Environment, HP- Human Potential, INCO - International Co-operation , MCF - Marie Curie Fellowships.

Poznámka Účasť SAV v projektoch 5. RP EU= SAS participation in EU FP 5 Počet projektov=number of projects Prosím v grafe zameniť skratky presne v takom poradí ako sú uvedené v legende.

Účasť SAV v projektoch 6.RP EÚ

12 11

10 9

8 8 7

6 6 6

et projektov et 5 5 č po 4 4 4

2 1 1

0 MCA- Nanotech Infrastruc. IST SusDev INCO Food Euroatom Citizens LifeSci MCA-RTN Iné Mobility

Figure 6. In 2005 the number of contracted projects under EU 6 FP equalled 67. (LifeSci – Life Sciences; IST – Information Society Technologies, Nanotech – Nano-technologies; SustDev – Sustainable Development; IP – Integrated Project; NoE – Network of Excellence; STREP – Specific Targeted Research Project; SSA – Specific Support Action; CA – coordination Action; RTN – Research Training Network; RG – Reintegration Grant) Poznámka Účasť SAV v projektoch 6. RP EU= SAS participation in EU FP 6 Počet projektov=number of projects Iné - Other

Vekové zloženie pracovníkov SAV

500 494

450

400

350

300 264 268 250 248246 et osôb

č 222

po 202 200 187

155 159 161 150 131 136 119 126 103 100 105 107 100 87 91 84 79 73 71 76 63 61 58 52 50 45

16 9 0 20-25 25-30 30-35 35-40 40-45 45-50 50-55 55-60 60-65 65-70 70 a viac

Muži Ženy Spolu

Figure 8. The graph presents data on Academy’s participants in VEGA projects for 2005. Given the large extent of participation of the Academy’s scientific research staff in VEGA projects, it also offers a representative statistics for the Academy. In 2005 a decrease was recorded in 20-25 age bracket, which is connected with the problem in the new form of doctoral study (Chapter III). An increase was recorded in 31-35 age bracket. Of note is a decrease in number of participants in the age bracket 41-50, which may be connected with their search for more attractive jobs. In the remaining categories the situation is stabilised.

Poznámka Vekové zloženie pracovníkov SAV= Age Structure of SAS Scientific Research Staff Počet osôb= number of persons Muži= Men Ženy= Women Spolu= Combined total 70 a viac = 70+

Appendix 1 Academy’s Activities Relating to European Integration

An overview of a successful participation of the Academy in the EU Fifth and Sixth Framework Programmes, as well as in other European programmes is documented in Chapter IV International Scientific Co-operation. From among important activities in 2005, worthy of note is the representation of Slovakia in a newly established European Security Research Advisory Board (Š. Luby). During its activity (2005-2006) it will develop a blueprint of European security research for the 7th EU Research Framework Programme. The Academy participated in reviewing materials relating to the preparation of individual specific programmes of the EU 7th Research Framework Programme, including a newly launched specific programme to support ‘frontier research’. The Academy hosted further meetings with ambassadors of EU member states so as to inform them about science policy of the Academy and the Slovak Republic.

Appendix 2 An Overview of Distinctions, Awards, and Prizes Awarded by the Slovak Academy of Sciences in 2005

The SAS Gold Medal was awarded to: PhDr. Nora Krausová, DrSc. prof. RNDr. Jozef Noga, DrSc. prof. MUDr. Ján Slezák, DrSc.

The SAS Medal for Support of Science was awarded to: prof. Ing. Ivan Frollo, DrSc. prof. RNDr. Ing. Daniel Kluvanec, CSc. prof. Gottfried Schatz RNDr. Ladislav Šándor, CSc. prof. MUDr. Pavel Traubner, PhD.

Dionýz Štúr Honorary Plaque of the SAS - for accomplishments in the natural sciences was awarded to: Dr. Martinus Th. van Genuchten RNDr. Peter Komadel, DrSc. RNDr. Július Sykora, DrSc. RNDr. Ján Urbánek, CSc.

Honorary Plaque of the SAS - for accomplishments in biological sciences was awarded to: RNDr. Milan Labuda, DrSc. RNDr. Anna Preťová, DrSc.

Dionýz Ilkovič Honorary Plaque of the SAS - for accomplishments in physical-chemical sciences was awarded to: prof. Julian Aramovič Budagov, DrSc. prof. RNDr. Pavol Šajgalík, DrSc.

Ján Jessenius Honorary Plaque of the SAS - for accomplishments in medical sciences was awarded to: prof. RNDr. Igor Buchwalow MUDr. Fedor Jagla, CSc.

Ľudovít Štúr Honorary Plaque of the SAS – for accomplishments in the social sciences was awarded to: PhDr. Peter Slavkovský, DrSc.

Commemorative Plaques of the SAS was awarded to: Ing. Ivan Horváth, DrSc. Peter Tkáč MUDr. Branislav Uhrík, CSc. prof. MUDr. Vladimír Zikmund, DrSc. RNDr. Bohumil Žák, CSc.

Letter of Appreciation from the SAS was presented to: Emil Borčin

Appendix 3 An Overview of Distinctions, Awards, and Prizes Awarded to SAS Staff Employees in 2005

State distinctions of the Slovak Republic Štefan Luby Pribina Cross, First Class – in recognition of eminent merit in advancement of science Richard Kvetňanský Pribina Cross, Second Class - in recognition of eminent merit in advancement of science

Foreign awards, prizes and distinctions Institute of Social Descartes Prize for Research awarded to the European Social Survey, Sciences SAS the project is co-ordinated by Roger Jowell, London, UK. The Institute participated in the project Vladimír Bužek Werner von Siemens Excellence Award Matúš Dulla Chatam Sofer Medal Pavel Diko 2005 PASREG Award for Excellence, Tokyo, Japan

Pavol Szabó Diploma, Thomson Institute of Scientific Information Viliam Šnábel Medal for the promotion of international research, Matsumae International Foundation, Japan Jan Patočka Medal awarded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Gold Medal awarded by the Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Praha-Strnady Institute of Molecular Biology SAS United Nations Environment Programme Award, Montreal, Canada, Global Environment Facility Award, Montreal, Canada Mária Ferancová Čarnogurská Certificate issued by the National Library of China, Beijing, for a donation of a four-volume edition of the Slovak translation of the novel by Cchao Süečchin The Dream of the Red Chamber the Library

Gabriel Pirický Letter of Appreciation, Summer School, Central European University, Budapest, Hungary Mária Košková First prize in the competition Slovník roka [Dictionary of the Year] for a Slovak dictionary, awarded by international jury, Union of Interpreters and Translators, Prague, CR Oľga Ovečková Karol Plank Medal, for genuine personal contribution to law making and to the creation of legal awareness, awarded by the Association of Czech, German, Slovak, and Austrian Lawyers (Karlovarské právnické dni) Juraj Marušiak Young Researcher Award 2005 in Social Sciences and Humanities, awarded by the Visegrad Group Academies Eva Maliti “Za vklad v delo družby” – the award for the promotion of friendship, on the occassion of the 80th anniversary of the Russian Centre for International Scientific and Cultural Co-operation.

Miroslav Morovicz Bernard Bolzano Plaque, awarded by the Society for the History of Sciences and Technology, Prague, CR Jozef Maršala Rudolf Peter Prize for a publication, awarded by the Czech Neurochirurgical Society Táňa Ravingerová Plaque, awarded by the International Society for Heart Research, for lifetime contribution to science, Tromsø, Norway Narcis Tribulová Plaque, awarded by the International Society for Heart Research, for scientific achievements, Tromsø, Norway Igor Riečanský Guoth Prize for Young Research Scientists in the field of neuroscience, International Graduate School of Neuroscience, Ruhr University Bochum, FRG

Prizes awarded by the minister of education in the SR for science and technology in 2005 Polymer Institute SAS Prestigious Research and Technology Organisation Eva Kolníková Prize for extraordinary achievements in scientific pursuits Peter Skyba For the advancement and achievements in ultra-low physics and supraliquid 3H

Prizes awarded at exhibitions and fairs Institute of Inorganic Chemistry SAS Gold Incheba

Other Ivan Frollo Saint Gorazd Prize Víťazoslav Krúpa Silver Medal, awarded by the Association of Slovak Scientific and Technological Societies Karol Karovič J. A. Segner Prize for metrology, awarded by Slovak Office of Standards, Metrology and Testing Baltazár Frankovič Silver Plaque SR Viliam Novák Commemorative Plaque awarded by the Minister for Environment in the SR Ján Šútor Letter of Appreciation, sent by Minister for Environment in the SR in recognition of extraordinary achievements in science Roman Dunčko Letter of appreciation and a personal meeting with the president of the SR Institute of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology SAS Commemorative Medal, for the promotion of scientific research activity, awarded by Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Ján Slezák Prize awarded by the Academy of Education for popularisation of scientific knowledge Ján Slezák Commemorative medal, awarded by the Technical University of Košice Ján Slezák Hynek Medal, awarded by Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University Bratislava Ján Slezák Commemorative medal, awarded by Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra Zita Izakovičová Prize, awarded by the Academy of Education in the Best Educational Programme category Václav Furmánek Commemorative Letter, issued by the Novohrad Museum and Gallery in the town of Lučenec Alexander Ruttkay Honorary Citizen of the town of Piešťany of the villages Ducové and Nitrianska Blatnica Mojmír Benža Peter Slavkovský Laureates of the annual prize awarded by the journal Pamiatky a múzeá [Cultural Heritage and Museums] for the scenario of the exhibition Slovensko a jeho kultúra – jednota z rozmanitosti [Slovakia and Its Culture – Unity from Diversity] staged at the Slovak National Museum in Bratislava Miroslav Pekník Letter from the Prime Minister of the SR, expressing gratitude for the organisation of the international scholarly conference Milan Hodža a európska integrácia [Milan Hodža and European Integration] Miroslav Pekník Letter from the President of the SR, acknowledging contribution to advancement in political science in the SR

Literary Fund Prize Peter Biely Ján Haluška Iwar Klimeš Pavel Langer Oľga Malkin Katalin Szöcsová Ivan Tomaško

Special Prize of the Literary Fund Michal Barnovský Mária Bátorová Katarína Bednárová Adam Bžoch Ján Jakubík Richard Kvetňanský Jan Pešek Imrich Ruisel Institute of Experimental Psychology SAS

Prizes in the competition Scientist of the Year Ján Baláž Anatolij Dvurečenskij Jana Jakubíková

Chapter II SCIENTIFIC PERFORMANCE

THE MOST SUBSTANTIAL SCIENTIFIC RESULTS IN

A/ Advancement of Scientific Knowledge

A new method for a precise reconstruction of the spectral energy distribution in the composite spectra of symbiotic binaries from the ultraviolet to infrared domain and for a determination of accurate physical parameters of the radiation components for 21 symbiotic stars (Skopal, A.)

A method of a reconstruction of composite spectra to 21 symbiotic systems during their quiescent as well as active phases was applied. Accurate physical parameters of individual components of radiation were determined. Independently we confirmed the spectral type of cool giants in symbiotic binaries. New distances and quantities of the interstellar reddening for some objects were refined. The mass-loss rate for cool components was determined to 10E-7 solar masses per year. We suggested a solution for the apparent problem of directly and indirectly determined temperature of hot objects as a consequence of a disk-like structured accretion material. During the active phases the effect is extreme. We revealed the presence of a high-temperature nebula in active systems. On the basis of the properties of individual sources (physical and geometrical parameters), we reconstructed the basic structure of the active object in symbiotic binaries, which represents a major result in this field of research. Reported research was carried out within the projects supported by the Science and Technology Assistance Agency (APVT-20-014402) and VEGA GA (2/4014). (Astronomical Institute, SAS) SKOPAL, A.: Reconstruction of the SED in the UV/optical/IR continuum of symbiotic binaries. Astronomical Society of the Pacific Conference Series, 318, 2004, 367-370. SKOPAL, A.: Disentangling the composite continuum of symbiotic binaries: I. S-type systems. Astronomy and Astrophysics, 440, 2005, 995-1031.

Estimate of discharges for N-return period by the method of regional frequency analysis (Ľ. Solín) Maximum yearly discharges for small basins of Slovakia with an average return period once in hundred years (Q100) were estimated by a method of regional frequency analysis. They were compared with estimates of discharges computed following the Dub’s regional formulas. Hitherto applied approaches to identification of physical regional classes for the purposes of regional frequency analysis preferred the inner homogeneity of classes with regard to hydrological characteristics. In the applied approach, satisfaction of the condition of mutual hydrological heterogeneity between the classes was emphasized. Hydrologically homogeneous physical regional classes that do not distinctly differ from each other do not have to be delimited as independent regional classes. Hydrological characteristics of physical regional classes were expressed by summary statistics of maximum yearly discharges, which were assessed by the method of linear moments. Tests of differences between the regional values of summary statistics of the linear variation coefficient (L- Cv) by pairwise comparison showed that the optimum division of Slovakia in terms of hydrological characteristics is that into four physical regional types. Q100 discharges estimated by the regional frequency analysis compared to estimates by the Dub regional formulas are on average 2-3 times lower. Hence, the interpretation of maximum yearly discharges according to regional formula as discharges for 100 years return period is not justified. Reported results were obtained within the project No. 2/3085 supported by the GA Vega. (Institute of Geography SAS) SOLÍN, Ľ.: Identification of homogenous regional classes for flood frequency analysis in the light of regional taxonomy. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 50, (6), 1105-1118.

Mathematical and Physical Sciences, and Informatics

Multipartite entanglement in physical models (Bužek, V., Koniorczyk, M., Roško, M., P. Rapčan, P. Štelmachovič, P.)

There exist two conceptually different approaches how to analyse the properties of quantum many-body systems: 1) abstract mathematical approach, and 2) physically motivated approach. The objective of the first one is to study general properties of states of multipartite systems with the main goal to develop the conceptual understanding of the phenomena of multipartite entanglement. In the second approach one investigates properties of entanglement based on specific physical models. We have adopted this physically motivated approach. In particular, by analysing the Ising model of a chain of spin-1/2 particles in an external magnetic field we have identified a state with very peculiar properties. Namely: an arbitrary subset of n

Technical Sciences

Electrical properties of GaN-based transistors (Kordoš, P., Gregušová, D., Novák, J.)

Physical properties of GaN make this semiconductor favourable for the preparation of transistors to be used at high frequencies and high powers in future communication systems. However, experimental results show that the material structure as well as the device fabrication needs to be optimized to obtain the predicted performance of heterostructure-based field-effect transistors (HFETs) on GaN. We have proposed and experimentally verified some procedures, which have contributed to the understanding of the degradation mechanisms and to the improvement of the output parameters of GaN-based transistors, namely: − An undoped AlGaN/GaN structure is commonly used at the preparation of HFETs. We proposed and applied a modified structure which, comparing to a conventional one, contains thin GaN cap layer (3 nm) in order to enhance the effective Schottky barrier height as well as a doped AlGaN interlayer (2× 1018 cm-3) to achieve higher saturation drain current and higher transconductance [1]. − Surface passivation between the gate and the source/drain contacts to suppress the degradation (current collapse) of GaN HFETs is now studied. We found that the type of passivation and its preparation conditions (e.g. thickness, deposition temperature) can induce different additional stress (from compressive to tensile) at the GaN/passivation interface. An application of SiO2, in contradiction to common SiN, results in improved transistor performance [2]. − We found that the larger the gate leakage current, the smaller the drain current collapse of HFETs [3]. This is explained by the assumption that additional carriers that exist due to the leakage path can reduce the surface trapping of electrons, which was confirmed by others.

− We used SiO2 passivation layer simultaneously as a gate insulator and the realized MOSHFETs show higher cutoff frequencies (fmax/fT = 40/24 GHz) [4] and higher output power (6.7 W/mm at 7 GHz) [5] than the conventional devices. Presented results were obtained in part in co-operation with the International Laser Centre Bratislava, Forschungszentrum Jülich, and the University of Padova. (Institute of Electrical Engineering SAS)

[1] KORDOŠ, P., BERNÁT, J., MARSO, M.: Impact of layer structure on performance of unpassivated AlGaN/GaN HEMT .Microelectronics J., 36, 2005, 438-441. [2] GREGUŠOVÁ, D., BERNÁT, J., DRŽÍK, M., MARSO, M., NOVÁK, J., UHEREK, F., KORDOŠ, P.: Influence of passivation induced stress on the performance of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs. Phys. Status Solidi (c), Vol. 2, 2005, 2619-2622. [3] KORDOŠ, P., BERNÁT, J., MARSO, M., LÜTH, H., RAMPAZZO, F., TAMIAZZO, G., PIEROBON, R., MENEGHESSO, G.: Influence of gate-leakage current on drain current collapse of unpassivated GaN/AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors. Applied Phys. Lett., 86, 2005, 253511. [4] BERNÁT, J., GREGUŠOVÁ, D., HEIDELBERGER, G., FOX, A., MARSO, M., LÜTH, H., KORDOŠ, P.: SiO2/AlGaN/GaN MOSHFET with 0.7 µm gate-length and fmax/fT of 40/24 GHz. Electron. Lett., 41, 2005, 667-668. [5] KORDOŠ, P., HEIDELBERGER, G., BERNÁT, J., FOX, A., MARSO, M., LÜTH, H.: High-power SiO2/AlGaN/GaN metal-insulator-semiconductor heterostructure field-effect transistors. Appl. Phys. Lett., 87, 2005, 43501- 143504.

Iron spathic ore decomposition under application of microwave energy (Jakabský, Š. Mockovčiaková, A.)

The process of iron spathic ore decomposition under application of microwave energy was studied. The formation of new mineral phases was identified and their structural and chemical parameters determined. The degree of conversion of siderite to magnetite was assessed by the attained value of magnetic susceptibility, being the most significant parameter in the process of magnetic separation. Our experiments proved that already after 15 minutes of irradiation of siderite samples in the microwave oven, the iron recovery of 97.6 % into magnetic product was achieved by low intensity magnetic separation. The application of microwave heating accelerates the process of ore decomposition and this fact results in costs saving of heating and magnetic separation. Presented results were obtained within the projects No. 2/2105 and 2/ 3194 supported by the GA VEGA . (Institute of Geotechnics SAS) ZNAMENÁČKOVÁ, I., LOVÁS, M., MOCKOVČIAKOVÁ, A., JAKABSKÝ, Š., BRIANČIN, J.: Modification of magnetic properties of siderite ore by microwave energy. Separation and Purification Technology, 43, 2005, 169-174.

Generalized confidence intervals for the variance component and new multisample nonparametric tests based on ranks (Arendacká, B., Rublík, F.) New generalized interval estimators for the variance component corresponding to the random factor in mixed linear models with two variance components were proposed. Statistical properties of the new interval estimators were explored through simulation for a wide class of experimental designs with respect to their probability of coverage of the true, but unknown estimated parameter of variance (the variance component) and their expected length. A multisample version of Lepage test based on ranks was proposed. The proof that the proposed test is asymptotically chi-square distributed under the null hypothesis and the derivation of its parameter of noncentrality in case of Pitman alternatives can be regarded as important theoretical results. It was proved that for a normal distribution the asymptotic efficiency of the test with respect to the likelihood ratio statistic is 61%-95%, according to the nature of Pitman alternative. Also, a new nonparametric rule for multiple comparisons based on ranks permitting unequally sized samples from the compared populations was constructed. The properties of nonparametric methods for multiple comparisons based on joint ranks as well as ranks obtained by pairwise ranking were explored by means of simulation. Reported results were obtained within the projects No. 1/0264/03 and 2/4026/04 supported by the GA VEGA. (Institute of Measurement Science SAS) ARENDACKÁ, B.: Generalized confidence intervals on the variance component in mixed linear models with two variance components. Statistics, 39, 4, 2005, 275-286. RUBLÍK, F.: The multisample version of the Lepage test. Kybernetika, 41, 6, 2005, 695-716.

The first complex publication on architectural evolution in Slovakia (Moravčíková, H., Dulla, M.) The publication Architektúra Slovenska: Stručné dejiny [Architecture in Slovakia: A Concise History] represents a concise, recapitulative overview of two millennia of architecture in the territory of Slovakia. Focused to the essential, it informs of architectural evolution in Slovakia, of its architects and builders and of their most important works. The architecture is presented as a fundamental part of the cultural heritage of Slovakia, granting the country its unique character. The eighteen chapters of the book outline the evolution of architecture on the territory of Slovakia from the times of the Roman Empire until the present. Each chapter is divided into several principal parts, each of them clarifying the wider socio-historical context of architecture, key works, prominent figures, and characteristic phenomena or typological categories of architecture in individual historical periods. Thus the book may be read in different ways; first, as a continuous narration about the evolution of architecture of Slovakia, second, as an overview of the key works and figures of architecture of Slovakia, or third, as a guidebook of the most important architectural monuments of this country. The results contained in this report were obtained within the project No 2/4048 supported by GA VEGA. MORAVČÍKOVÁ, H. (Ed.).: Architektúra Slovenska: Stručné dejiny. Bratislava, Slovart, 2005, 170 s.

Medical Sciences

Postconditioning – a possibility to prevent delayed neuronal death after transient cerebral ischemia (Burda, J. ) Our studies on mechanisms of ischemic tolerance have led to observation of two new findings, which might be of importance in clinical practice. The first finding was that protection against ischemia-induced delayed neuronal death in selectively vulnerable hippocampal pyramidal cells is activated by the second ischemia that seems to represent the end-effector of the protective mechanisms. The activation of this robust protective mechanism thus requires a combination of two metabolic stresses used in appropriate timing. In our arrangement, lethal ischemia is followed by the second stress (postconditioning). We have demonstrated that the second stress can be induced either by sublethal ischemia or injection of norepinephrine or 3- nitropropionic acid. The second stress seems to trigger protective mechanism additive to ischemic tolerance, if used two days after lethal ischemia (delayed postconditioning), which seems to prevent neuronal death in selectively vulnerable brain regions. This arrangement of experiments allows the extension of “safe” ischemic interval at least two times compared to that after single transient ischemia. The second finding is that postconditioning does not induce accumulation of injuries produced by the first and the second stress. (Institute of Neurobiology SAS)

BURDA, J., MATIAŠOVÁ, M., GOTTLIEB, M., DANIELISOVÁ, V., NÉMETHOVÁ, M., GARCIA, L., SALINAS, M., BURDA, R.: Evidence for a role of second pathophysiological stress in prevention of delayed neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 region. Neurochemical Research, 30, 2005, 1397-1405.

The role of N-terminal domain of the naturally disordered human protein tau in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (Šoltýsová, K.)

Molecular analysis of monoclonal antibody DC39N1 revealed that this antibody is specific for N-terminal insert N1 (residues 45-73) of tau protein. Species analysis showed that monoclonal antibody DC39N1 did not recognize tau proteins derived from rat, mouse, bovine, swine and rabbit brain tissues. It is human tau protein specific. The antibody recognized only those human tau isoforms that contain a tau N1 insert. DC39N1 epitope on paired helical filaments from the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease is phosphorylation independent. Immunohistochemical analysis of Braak stages with this molecular probe revealed the presence of tau aminoterminal N1 insert during evolution of neurofibrillary degeneration from early to late stages of Alzheimer's disease. Its strict human specificity makes it an ideal tool for transgenic studies of the N terminal domain of tau protein in pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease, thus offering a unique opportunity to solve lengthy dispute over the subject matter. (Institute of Neuroimmunology SAS)

ŠOLTYSOVÁ, K., ROLKOVÁ, G., VECHTEROVÁ, L., FILIPČÍK, P., ŽILKA, N., KONTŠEKOVÁ, E., NOVÁK, M.: First insert of tau protein is present in all stages of tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease. Neuroreport, 17, 2005, 1677-1681.

IP3 receptors and their involvement in the regulation of heart functions (Križanová, O.)

Each cell deposits part of the free calcium into its intracellular stores, i.e. sarcoplasmic and/or endoplasmic reticulum. From these stores, calcium is released through two types of calcium channels – ryanodine receptors and IP3 receptors. The role of ryanodine receptors in the heart is well elucidated (they are directly involved in the process of excitation and contraction coupling). Localization of the individual types of IP3 receptors in the heart and their importance is currently the main focus of several laboratories. We succeeded to show that type 1 IP3 receptors are localized preferentially in neuronal cells of the heart, while type 2 IP3 receptors predominate in cardiac cells - cardiomyocytes. Partial depletion of catecholamines significantly decreased mRNA and protein levels of the IP3 receptor of type 1 in the rat heart not only in control rats, but also in rats subjected to stress stimuli. SERCA 2 – a calcium pump, which is responsible for calcium deposit into the intracellular stores, was not affected by reduction of catecholamine content. Our results suggest that the mechanism of the adrenergic modulation in the heart involves also type 1 IP3 receptors. (Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics SAS)

LI, X., MALATHI, K., KRIŽANOVÁ, O., ONDRIAŠ, K., SPERBER, K., ABLAMUNITS, V., JAYARAMAN, T.: Cdc2/cyclin B1 interacts with and modulates inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (type 1) functions. Journal of Immunology, 175, 9, 2005, 6205-6210. JURKOVIČOVÁ, D., KUBOVČÁKOVÁ, L., HUDECOVÁ, S., KVETŇANSKÝ, R., KRIŽANOVÁ, O.: Adrenergic modulation of the type 1 IP3 receptors in the rat heart. BBA - Molecular Cell Research, 1763, 2006, 18-24. SLAVIKOVÁ, J., DVOŘÁKOVÁ, M., REISCHIG, J., PALKOVITS, M., ONDRIAŠ, K., TARABOVÁ, B., LACINOVÁ, Ľ., KVETŇANSKÝ, R., MARKS, A., KRIŽANOVÁ, O.: IP3 type 1 receptors in the heart: Their predominance in atrial walls with ganglion cells. Life Sciences,10, 2005.

The cross-talk between nitric oxide and free oxygen radicals in experimental hypertension (Pecháňová, O., Kristek, F.)

The imbalance between nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species belongs to important factors in hypertension development and organ damage. We investigated the effect of scavengers of reactive oxygen species (e.g. N-acetylcysteine - NAC), inhibitors of enzymes responsible for their production, NO synthase substrate (L-arginine) and NO donors on the development of blood pressure in the model of spontaneous and L-NAME induced hypertension (the hypertension developed by NO synthase inhibition with nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, LNAME). We demonstrated that scavengers increased the activity of NO synthase in tissues and prevented the blood pressure increase as well as structural alterations in the cardiovascular system in L- NAME-induced hypertension. In contrary, inhibitors of oxidative enzymes and NO donors did not affect the activity of NO synthase and failed to influence both blood pressure increase and structural alterations in spontaneous hypertension. Taken together, the substances with antioxidant properties along with activating effect on NO synthase have a more effective influence on blood pressure decrease than antioxidants without effect on NO synthase activity or NO donors without effect on the level of reactive oxygen species. Moreover, the antioxidants with activating effect on NO synthase are able to prevent vessel thickness and myocardial fibrosis enlargement due to the hypertensive process. (Institute of Normal and Pathological Physiology SAS). GEROVÁ, M.. KRISTEK, F., ČAČÁNYIOVÁ, S., CEBOVÁ, M.: Acetylcholine and bradykinin enhance hypotension and affect the function of remodelled conduit arteries in SHR and SHR treated with nitric oxide donors. Braz J Med Biol Res., 38, 2005, 959-966. RAUCHOVÁ, H., PECHÁŇOVÁ, O., KUNEŠ, J., VOKURKOVÁ, M., DOBEŠOVÁ, Z., ZICHA, J.: Chronic N-acetylcysteine administration prevents development of hypertension in L-NAME-treated rats: the role of reactive oxygen species. Hypertens Res. 28, 5, 2005, 475-82 . ŠIMKO, F., ĽUPTÁK, I., MATUŠKOVÁ, J., KRAJČIROVIČOVÁ, K., SUMBALOVÁ, Z., KUCHARSKÁ, J., GVOZDJAKOVÁ, A., ŠIMKO, J., BABÁL, P., PECHÁŇOVÁ, O., BERNATOVÁ, I.: L-arginine fails to protect against myocardial remodelling in L-NAME-induced hypertension. Eur J Clin Invest., 5, 6, 2005, 362-368.

Endogenous protective mechanisms in the myocardium in civilisation diseases (Ziegelhöffer, A., Okruhlicová, Ľ., Vrbjar, N.)

A comparative study of civilization diseases, diverse types of hypoxia, ischemia, hypertension, and diabetes revealed that the agents, which in the rat myocardium link all these pathological processes, independent of their ethiology, represent the effects of hypoxia and free radicals. These two induce and also mediate the majority of destructive processes, and parallelly also the processes of endogenous protection, which may even result in adaptation of the myocardium. It was demonstrated that due to a decreased capacity of the heart mitochondria to utilize oxygen, even in its relative abundance, acute diabetic hearts experience the state of pseudo hypoxia. In induction of this state, similarly as in hypoxia and hypertension, participate also the free radicals which, at the same time, also provide the signal for enhanced expression of genes involved in adaptation of the myocardium to oxygen deficiency. It concerns the gene for carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX), an enzyme the expression of which is encoded by a gene strongly induced by the hypoxia-inducible factor HIF and hitherto not yet detected in the myocardium. Diabetes and hypertension induce similar changes also in endothelial cells of myocardial capillaries; enzyme-histochemical reactions for NO-synthase and alcaline phosphatise were significantly reduced. Simultaneously observed local subcellular changes in endothelial cells point to a possibility that the process of damage to structural integrity of capillaries and the protective- compensatory process of de novo formation of the capillary network may run parallelly. Endothelial dysfunction and structural remodelling are more expressed in diabetes than in hypertension. Hypertension also leads to modulation of functional properties of the Na,K-ATPase, the enzyme involved in the maintenance of optimal intracellular concentrations of K+ and Na+ ions and via the contraction-relaxation cycle also in the heart function. In hypertensive female rats the activity of Na,K-ATPase still increases at such high concentrations of intracellular sodium at which the enzyme in males is already saturated. This result reveals one of the principles by which Na,K-ATPase may participate in an increased resistance of the female heart against cardiovascular disease. (Institute for Heart Research SAS) OKRUHLICOVA, L., TRIBULOVA, N.,WEISMANN, P., SOTNÍKOVÁ, R.: Ultrastructure and histochemistry of rat myocardial capillary endothelial cells in response to diabetes and hypertension. Cell Research, 15, 7, 2005, 532-538. VLKOVIČOVÁ, J., JAVORKOVÁ, V., PECHÁŇOVÁ, O., VRBJAR, N.: Gender difference in functional properties of Na, K-ATPase in the heart of spontaneously hypertensive rats. Life Sciences, 76, 9, 2005, 971-982.

Biological and Chemical Sciences

Taxonomic revision of the genus Cardamine s.l. (Bittercress) (Marhold, K., Lihová, J., Kučera, J., Perný, M.) During the three-year-work on this project, our knowledge on the genus Cardamine has been significantly extended. Several taxonomic problems have been elucidated, and the understanding of evolutionary relationships within the genus has been largely improved. Cardamine can be considered as a model genus that enables studies on various aspects of polyploid evolution. Analyses of several taxa, using a combination of karyological, morphological and molecular methods revealed a considerable amount of variation in the genus both at the diploid and polyploid levels. The extent of differentiation among the diploid taxa C. impatiens – C. pectinata, C. maritima – C. rupestris – C. serbica – C. fialae indicates preglacial origin of this variation. On the other hand, intraspecific variation in C. acris is undoubtedly of younger origin. Similarly, the origin or the distribution range of many taxa of the polyploid complexes C. amara, C. raphanifolia and C. pratensis can be dated to the time of Pleistocene migrations connected with the impact of glacial events on the European continent. Comparative studies on the European, East Asian and North American populations of several species showed that many previous taxonomic conclusions were incorrect, apparently caused by the absence of comparative plant material from other parts of the distribution range. Different evolutionary history and hence the taxonomical identity of the European and East Asian populations originally classified as C. flexuosa enabled to explain their contrasting ecological affinities. (Institute of Botany SAS) PERNÝ, M., TRIBSCH, A., STUESSY, T., F., MARHOLD, K.: Taxonomy and cytogeography of Cardamine raphanifolia and C. gallaecica (Brassicaceae) in the Iberian Peninsula. Plant Systematics and Evolution, 254, 1-2, 2005, 69-91. KUČERA, J., VALKO, I., MARHOLD, K.: On-line database of the chromosome numbers of the genus Cardamine (Brassicaceae). Biologia, 60, 4, 2005, 473-476. LIHOVÁ, J., MARHOLD, K.: Phylogenetic and diversity patterns in Cardamine (Brassicaceae) – a genus with conspicuous polyploid and reticulate evolution. In Sharma A. K., Sharma A. (eds.) Plant genome: biodiversity and evolution, 1C: Phanerogams (Angiosperms – Dicotyledons). – Science Publishers, Inc., Enfield, 2006, 149-186.

The study of the structure and properties of the molten electrolytes used for Niobium and Tantalum deposition (Boča, M. , Cibulková, J., Kubíková, B.)

Basic physicochemical investigations of the density, viscosity, surface tension, and the phase equilibria in the systems of KF-K2MF7-M2O5 (M=Ta, Nb) and LiF-NaF-K2NbF7 were performed. The data obtained are essential for modelling the molten system structure. Our study revealed that the formation of the complexes in fluoride melts strongly depends on the size of the present alkali cations and that a presence of metal oxides extends the variability of the formed components. In oxygen containing melts the presence of complicated niobium and tantalum oxofluoride complexes is expected, having a significant impact on the mechanism of the electrochemical deposition of the metal. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used for the analysis of the niobium systems. NMR characteristics were measured for pure K3NbOF6 and K3NbO2F4 in the solid states, as well as for a molten K2NbF7. The data show that in the K2NbF7-Nb2O5 molten system a concentration limit can be determined, over which only the niobium oxofluorides complexes are formed. NMR spectra of melts provided unique data on the ionic composition, hardly available by other techniques. (Institute of Inorganic Chemistry SAS) BOČA, M., CIBULKOVÁ, J., KUBÍKOVÁ, B., CHRENKOVÁ, M., DANĚK, V.: Physicochemical analysis and structure of melts of the system LiF–NaF–K2NbF7. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 116, 2005, 29-36. CIBULKOVÁ, J., CHRENKOVÁ, M., BOČA, M.: Density of the system KF+K2NbF7+Nb2O5. Journal of Chemical Engineering Data, 50, 2005, 477-480. CHRENKOVÁ, M., CIBULKOVÁ, J., ŠIMKO, F., DANĚK, V.: Density of the system LiF–NaF– K2NbF7. Zeitschrift für Physikalische Chemie, 219, 2005, 247-255. KUBÍKOVÁ, B., DANĚK, V.: Surface tension of melts of the system KF + K2NbF7 + Nb2O5. Journal of Chemical Engineering Data, 50, 2005, 1434-1437.

Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences

Genetic and biological characterization of basal tapeworms with consequences for systematics and evolution of parasites (Hanzelová, V., Bruňanská, M., Šnábel, V., Kráľová-Hromadová, I., Špakulová, M.)

A comprehensive study of tapeworms of the order Pseudophyllidea, parasites of freshwater and marine fish, has revealed original genomic, ultrastructural and biological traits, significant for systematics and phylogeny of this primitive and evolutionary important group of platyhelminthes. The structure of 5.8S subunit of ribosomal RNA gene, the internal transcribed spacers of the ribosomal DNA, ITS-1 and ITS-2, 14 enzyme systems were originally found in four European representatives of the genus Eubothrium. The ultrastructure of the spermatozoon with special organelles and dynamics of spermiogenesis in E. crassum was described for the first time. As for microevolutionary features, the description of the two-host life cycle with missing typical stage of the free swimming larvae - coracidium is of great importance. Morpohogenesis of eggs and early developmental stages of the Eubothrium tapeworms, developing in planktonic crustaceans, have also their characteristic, generic features. The results serve as an evidence of the fact that Eubothrium - within the order Pseudophyllidea - belong to the newly formed evolutionary line ”Bothriocephalidea”. The study has also brought about important practical results. A new key for the identification of European species of the genus Eubothrium was compiled. Genetic markers, enabling a detailed identification of individual species , their populations, and ecological form with potentially different pathogenicity were identified. The recorded seasonal variations of reproduction activity and production intensity of tapeworm’s spermatic cells will be used to develop a more effective therapy of fish in aquacultures. (Parasitological Institute SAS)

HANZELOVÁ, V., KUCHTA, R., SCHOLZ, T., SHINN, A., P.: Morphometric analysis of four Eubothrium tapeworms (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea): an interspecific and intraspecific comparison. Parasitology International, 54, 3, 2005, 207-214.

Mechanisms of the yeast selective resistance to polyene antimycotics (Hapala I., Klobučníková V., Mazáňová K., Kohút P., Griač P.)

Polyene macrolides represent a clinically important group of antimycotics that interact with a specific fungal sterol – ergosterol. Nystatin and amphotericin B are two most frequently used antimycotics of the polyene group. Nystatin is used for topical treatment of dermatomycoses and vaginal candidoses while amphotericin B represents the first-line therapy for severe systemic mycoses. These two antimycotics have very similar structure; however, they show different levels of activity against various fungal pathogens and a distinct degree of side effects. It is generally accepted that the basic mechanism of the antimycotic activity of both polyenes includes formation of pores in complex with ergosterol in the plasma membrane and permeabilisation of the target cells. We have a long-term interest in the mechanisms of activity and in factors affecting the sensitivity of yeast cells to polyene antimycotics. During our studies we isolated two mutants of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae showing selective resistance to either nystatin or amphotericin B. The mechanism of inheritance and distinct phenotypes of these mutants indicated that they were caused by mutational change in two different genes. The mutants selectively resistant to nystatin showed a pleiotropic phenotype including cold sensitivity and sensitivity to several inhibitors of ergosterol biosynthesis. Sterol analysis by GC-MS revealed changes in sterol spectrum (decrease in ergosterol content, accumulation of the precursor ergosta-7,22 –dienol). We identified a fragment in the genomic library complementing the defects in the mutant that contained ERG3 gene encoding the enzyme sterol C5-desaturase. Sequencing of the mutated Erg3 gene revealed a point mutation resulting in a substitution of glycine for glutamine in the position 235 of the amino acid sequence of Erg3 protein. This change represents a novel mutation in the ERG3 gene showing a distinct sensitivity spectrum to several antimycotics that differ from other known Erg3 mutations. Especially the selective resistance to nystatin and normal sensitivity to the structurally very similar polyene amphotericin B indicate that effects of these antimycotics may be significantly modified by hitherto unknown factors. A detailed knowledge of these factors could contribute to improved therapeutic efficiency of polyene macrolides and to a reduction of undesirable side effects that still represent a severe problem in their clinical use. (Institute of Animal Biochemistry and Genetics SAS)

HAPALA, I., KLOBUČNÍKOVÁ, V., MAZÁŇOVÁ, K., KOHÚT, P.: Two mutants selectively resistant to polyenes reveal distinct mechanism of antifungal activity for nystatin and amphotericin B. Biochem. Soc. Transact. 33 (5), 1206-1209.

Animal ecology along the altitudinal gradient in the forests of the Western Carpathians Mts. (Kaňuch, P., Krištín, A. , Patočka, J.).

In forest ecosystems, bats belong to important predators of insects, especially moths. For the first time in Europe, the foraging behaviour was documented in an insectivorous bat (on the case of Nyctalus noctula) during the winter period. The moths were the most important order in all samples (mean frequency F = 53 %, mean volumen V = 35 %), followed by flies and mosquitoes (F = 38 %, V = 12 %), beetles (F = 21 %, V = 9 %), and spiders (F = 15 %, V = 3 %). Some seasonal trends could be identified in the flies, mosquitoes and beetles, with a decrease in frequency and volume in the middle of the winter. The moths showed no seasonal trend over winter. Habitat preferences and population dynamics were studied in three tree-dwelling bat species (Myotis nattereri, Myotis daubentonii and Nyctalus noctula). The bats selected tree hollows with certain specific features: older tree hollows, rotted in their roofs, often former woodpecker holes. The structure of the foraging bat assemblages was influenced by differing amounts of environmental impact, as a result of anthropic activities. In the locality with man-made microhabitats there occurred more accidental species with a low abundance in the assemblage (e.g. Vespertilio murinus, Eptesicus nilssonii and Myotis emarginatus). By contrast, in open forest parks with pastures, tree-hollow dwelling species were dominant (Myotis bechsteinii, Myotis nattereri, Nyctalus noctula, Nyctalus leisleri, Plecotus auritus and Barbastella barbastellus). The first study of the reproductive phenology, ectoparasites, and diet substantially contributed to the knowledge of the exclusively tree-dwelling bat Nyctalus leisleri in the Western Carpathians. The most common ectoparasite species were the mites Spinturnix helvetiae (55 %) and Steatonyssus spinosus (31 %). As for congeneric species, the moths represented the major food items during vegetation season (F = 100 %, V = 56 %), mosquitoes and flies (F = 92 %, V = 26 % respectively) and, likewise, in the winter period. The moth pupae were identified by a new identification key (Patočka, Turčáni, 2005), offering a description of more than 2,500 European lepidopteran species. The key, compiled on the basis of rearings of lepidopteran pupae and collections obtained by the authors, focuses on the morphological features on abdominal segments of pupae. (Institute of Forest Ecology SAS) KAŇUCH, P., JANEČKOVÁ, K., KRIŠTÍN, A.: Winter diet of the noctule bat Nyctalus noctula. Folia Zoologica, 54, 1-2, 2005, 53-60. KAŇUCH, P.: Roosting and population ecology of three syntopic tree-dwelling bat species (Myotis nattereri, M. daubentonii and Nyctalus noctula). Biologia, 60, 5, 2005, 579-587. KAŇUCH, P., KRIŠTÍN, A.: Factors influencing bat assemblages in forest parks. Ekológia, 24, 1, 2005, 45-56. KAŇUCH, P., KRIŠTÍN, A., KRIŠTOFÍK, J.: Phenology, diet, and ectoparasites of Leisler’s bat (Nyctalus leisleri) in the Western Carpathians (Slovakia). Acta Chiropterologica, 7, 2, 2005, 249-258. PATOČKA, J., TURČÁNI, M.: Lepidoptera Pupae Central European Species. Apollo Books (Stendstrup, Denmark), 2005, 542 + 321.

Historical Sciences

Role of an icon in Byzantine and Post-Byzantine societies (Mannová, E.)

The publication comprises an edited collection of the literary remains of a longstanding scholar from the Institute of Historical Studies and a founder of Slovak Byzantology. It offers an unconventional view on the position and purpose of the icon in Byzantine and Post-Byzantine societies. The author analyses the conceptions of the icon developed from the Early Christian period to the 19th century. In so doing, he points to the fact that the symbolism did not appear only in iconography; rather, it became a specific feature of cultural development in the Eastern European geopolitical region. (Institute of Historical Studies SAS) AVENARIUS, A.: The Byzantine Struggle over the Icon. On the Problem of Eastern European Symbolism. MANNOVÁ, E. (Ed.). Bratislava: Academic Electronic Press, 2005, 212 p., ISBN 80- 88880-66-1.

Mental images, stereotypes and myths in folklore and politics (E. Krekovičová)

The monograph addresses one of the most topical themes in the domain of the social sciences and summarises the outcome of several years of her research on this topic. The central theme of the work is a problem of collective memory and collective identities in Slovakia examined on the example of mental images and stereotypes. The author analysed traditional folklore texts as well as texts from media reflecting contemporary social and political discourse. The results of the research were confronted with historical and social reality. (Institute of Ethnology SAS) Krekovičová, E: Mentálne obrazy, stereotypy a mýty vo folklóre a v politike [Mental Images, Stereotypes and Myths in Folklore and Politics]. Bratislava : ÚEt SAV – ETERNA Press, 2005, 128 p. ISBN 50-969259-1-1.

The Arab East (Sorby, K.)

Turbulent progress and massive scope and extent of struggle for national emancipation in Asia, Africa, and Latin America belong to particularly noteworthy aspects of the historical development in the post World War II period. The monograph characterises certain distinct specificities of this development in the frame of confrontation between the capitalist West and socialist East. The author further offers a concrete evaluation of the role and significance of internal and external influences, as well as the existing objective and subjective factors and their impact in the given period of time. Finally, he analyses processes that have left their mark on the currently ongoing events in the region and without the understanding of which it would hardly be possible to have a good grasp of the political complexities of the Near East. (Institute of Oriental Studies SAS) SORBY, K.: Arabský východ (1945–1958) [The Arab East (1945–1958)], Bratislava, SAP, 2005, 305 p. ISBN 80-89104-74-0.

Culture and Arts Sciences

Songs in Slovakia (Urbancová, H.)

This extensive monograph offers a synthesis of more than ten-year research pursuits of the author. It is in fact the first comprehensive monograph with an interdisciplinary approach, devoted to a song genre with basic importance to the traditional vocal culture in Slovakia. ‘Trávnice’ are approached as a specific song group, which was formed under the influence of primary functions in the context of traditional work in the nature. The recent changes of the genre are studied in connection with the changes in its socio-cultural context in the second half of the 20th century. The monograph is based on the confrontation of the national meaning of the song genre with its real role in the traditional peasant-shepherd environment. It thus represents an important contribution to the study of traditional song genres in Central Europe. (Institute of Musicology SAS) URBANCOVÁ, H.: Trávnice - lúčne piesne na Slovensku [‚Trávnice‘ – Meadow Songs in Slovakia]. Bratislava : Academic Electronic Press, 2005, 318 p.

Cultural activities of the Franciscan Orders (Kačic, L.)

The conference proceedings contain full texts of 25 studies contributed by Slovak and foreign scholars (Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia, and Hungary), written in German and English. The publication presents a wealth of new information about cultural achievements of the Franciscans in music, literature, and architecture. The Franciscan friars played an important role in the cultural development of the Slovaks by promoting their vernacular culture as well as by integrating the nation’s culture into the European context. It is the first publication in Central Europe to cover the cultural history of the Franciscans in Slovakia and the surrounding countries in such extent.() Kačic, L. (Ed.): Plaude turba paupercula. Franziskanischer Geist in Musik, Literatur und Kunst. Bratislava: Slavistický ústav Jána Stanislava SAV, 2005, 368 p.

Romance Literatures

The book is a collection of the most important studies by the author and his epilogues to Slovak translations from several European and Hispano-American literatures. In the first part he offers multilateral explanation of universalistic of cosmopolitically-oriented conceptions: post-symbolical poetics of Paul Claudel, mythological vision of history of the Mexican Octavio Paz and the Portuguese modernism in the works of Fernando Pessoa. This anthology is supplemented with a study documenting the author’s concrete application of structural- symbolic principles in the comparative examination of literature (The Symbolism of the Sacral Work of Art). The next two parts summarise the findings first of all from the works of the so called modern historicism in French-Belgian literature and fantastic realism in Argentinean literature. Further, the author focuses his attention on the modernism of Brazilian literature, as well as the works of several remarkable writers with similar orientation. The book is completed with a survey of up-to-date tendencies in the Hispano-American and Cuban literature and literary scholarship. The work was carried out under the project 2/5116 supported by VEGA GA. (Institute of World Literature SAS)

FRANEK, L.: Modernita románskych literatúr [Modernity of the Romance Literatures]. Bratislava, VEDA and Ústav svetovej literatúry SAV, 2005. 240 pp.

Slovak drama (Maťašík, A)

The book is the result of a long-term research on the Slovak drama from two points of view – aesthetic and social. It presents the subject matter as a dynamic a developing fact connected with the modern history of Slovakia. The work was carried out under the VEGA grant project titled “Aesthetics of a Modern Drama Art” (2/3134/25). (Department of Theatre and Film) MAŤAŠÍK, A.: Pohyb slovenskej drámy [Movement in Slovak Drama]. Bratislava, Svojpomoc, 2005, 278 s.

Slovak literature at the turn of the 20th century

The monograph is the first volume of a scholarly series Knižnica slovenskej literatúry [The Library of Slovak Literature], published by the Institute of Slovak Literature in co-operation with Kalligram, the publishing house. On the basis of precise interpretations, the author shows that Tajovský, who in the past was often interpreted in ideological terms, in many aspects crossed the limits of poetics of realism. For that reason, in the monograph he is not classified among the writers of realism but rather among the writers of Slovak modernism. The effectiveness of arguments is increased by a parallel publication within the same series – TAJOVSKÝ: Prózy [Prose]. The author selected less well-known texts by Tajovský, neglected for ideological reasons. The monograph is an important contribution to a more intricate differentiation of poetological tendencies at the turn of the 20th century. MIKULOVÁ, M.: Tajovského obrodenecká moderna [Tajovsky’s Revival Modernism]. Bratislava : Kalligram – Institute of Slovak Literature, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 2005, 288 p.

Social sciences

Nations, national minorities, and ethnic groups in the transformation processes of the society (Šutaj, Š.)

The works offer systematic analyses of the position of the Slovak nation and national minorities living in Slovakia. On the basis of results of multi-disciplinary research, extensive background materials, and experts’ reports, possible sources of conflicts in the society were designated and alternative approaches to their solutions proposed. For the in-depth studies on partial problems, research capacities from a broad spectrum of disciplines within the domain of the social sciences (linguistics, literary science, ethnology, Slovak studies, sociology, sociolinguistics, psychology, political science, legal science, philosophy and historiography) were accumulated. The results of the research will serve to increase the degree of informedness on the issues relating to the nation, national minorities and their treatment in Slovakia not only for the decision-making authorities, but also for professionals in the field or general public. (Institute of Social Sciences SAS) ŠUTAJ, Š. (Ed.): Národ a národnosti na Slovensku v transformujúcej sa spoločnosti – vzťahy a konflikty [The Nation and National Minorities in Slovakia in the Transforming Society]. Prešov: Universum, 2005, 306 pp. ŠUTAJ, Š. (Ed.): Národnostná politika na Slovensku po roku 1989[Ethnic Policy in Slovakia After 1989]. Prešov: Universum, 2005, 227 pp.

Possibilities of conceptual integration of biological and sociocultural knowledge of humans and their natural and cultural evolution (Višňovský, E., Plichtová, J., Popper, M., Šulavíková B.)

In the interdisciplinary philosophical/psychological research, the basic cornerstones of „integrative anthropology“, i.e. the possibilities of conceptual integration of biological and sociocultural knowledge of humans and their (natural and cultural) evolution have been outlined. Human nature is not only the matter of biological and/or genetic givenness, as predominantly conceptualized in philosophy and science so far, but also the matter of cultural evolution. Culture itself has biological preconditions, which are the result of natural evolution; its crucial moment in terms of the origin of cultural evolution has been the formation of the brain as a mind capable to „read“ other minds, form common intentions, coordinate speech, communication, collaboration, etc. On the other hand, cultural evolution itself has its own extra-biological mechanisms (such as symbols, norms, values), due to which it has become a relatively specific and independently evolving system. Nonetheless, in the broad sense culture cannot transcend the ontological frontiers of nature, therefore the analysis of biosociocultural coevolution comes to the forefront. The research project was conducted under support of VEGA GA, No. 2/3148/23. PLICHTOVÁ, J., POPPER, M.: Predpoklady a mechanizmy kultúrnej evolúcie [Assumptions and Mechanisms of Cultural Evolution]. Bratislava, IRIS, 2005, 180 p.

Geopotical Realities in Slovakia (Krejčí, O.)

The publication, primarily aimed at specialists abroad, approaches geopolitical realities in Slovakia and offers a coherent review of our opinions on issues that have become the subject of political discussions. The author initiates the reader into attempts at capturing in theory the position of small Slavonic nations in Central Europe. In so doing, he focuses his attention on the interpretation of legacy of four authors, namely František Palacký, Ľudovít Štúr, Tomáš G. Masaryk, and Milan Hodža. In the last part he maps the position of Slovakia and the Czech Republic in the integrating Europe. The publication has aroused great interest, not only among specialists and academics, but also in the decision-making sphere.

KREJČÍ, O.: Geopolitics of the Central European Region. The View from Prague and Bratislava. Bratislava, Veda, 2005, 494 p.

Political orientations of the residents and the main division lines (Krivý, V.)

This study is devoted to the analysis of structural conditions and identification of the dominant values as well as main division lines within the society, including their changes in time. Throughout the 1990s, Slovak society featured a strong proportion of people who felt their situation had worsened since 1989 and simultaneously showed a high rate of voter mobilisation. Gradually, though, the residents of urban environments and other social groups that appreciate the post-November regime began to gain the upper hand. The principal political conflict, which took place on the authoritarianism – libertarianism axis, polarising Slovak society and determining the country’s political scene until the 1998 parliamentary elections, faded away. But as political discourse began to focus on socio-economic issues, another identity conflict surfaced in the form of a dispute between conservatives and liberals. Generally, three principal division lines may be identified: first, the liberal-conservative axis; second, the dispute over communism; and third, the dispute between a national intolerance towards ethnic Hungarians on the one hand and civic tolerance and coexistence on the other. An important feature of these division lines is that they do not cumulate but partly overlap; therefore, they do not completely polarise the society and their configuration does not constitute a serious threat to political stability. (Institute for Sociology SAS) Krivý, V.: Politické orientácie obyvateľov a hlavné deliace línie [The Political Orientations of Residents and Main Division Lines]. pp. 84-107, In. Szomolányi, S. (Ed.): Spoločnosť a politika na Slovensku. Cesty k stabilite 1989 – 2004 [Society and Politics in Slovakia: Paths to Stability (1989 – 2004]. Bratislava, UK, 2005.

History of logic and methodology of science (Cmorej, P., Černík, V., Viceník J.)

This publication offers a systematic and in many ways exhaustive analysis of the history of logic and methodology of science in Slovakia in 1971 - 1989. This subject is new; no systematic analyses have hitherto been reported, with the exception of a few articles published occasionally on selected problems. In the section on the methodology of science, the variety of problems goes beyond the common meaning of "methodology of science". It is due to not only the tradition of methodological researches in Slovakia but also a result of a broader background of the collaboration of logicians, philosophers and experts in methodology of science in Slovakia. The publication offers a lot of information concerning new subjects, methods and problems, indicating the changes and developments of formal logic and methodology of science in our country. The analysis of the developments of these disciplines took also into account various non-scientific factors (including ideological and political ones), which influenced the developments of formal logic and methodology of science in Slovakia. The publication summarises the results of research conducted under the VEGA project 2/7135/20. (Institute of Philosophy SAS) CMOREJ, P., ČERNÍK V., VICENÍK, J. (Eds.): Sondy do dejín logiky a metodológie vied na Slovensku a v Čechách [A Survey of the History of Logic and Methodology of Science in Slovakia and Bohemia]. Iris, Bratislava, 2005, 333 p., ISBN 80-89 -238-02-5.

Intelligence and thinking (Ruisel, I.) A significant regulatory role in these personal endeavours is played by social intelligence. Social intelligence regulates an individual's efforts to solve problems in real life and strives to attain the goals set. Situational and cultural contexts activate the goals that individuals accept in keeping with their own experiences, beliefs and motives. Achievements of these goals elicit experiencings of life satisfaction, well-being or happiness, eventually states of failure or dissatisfaction. Precisely possibilities of choice or option deriving from a cognitive capacity to transform and construe new knowledge, help outline the role of intelligence in the activity of a given individual. (Institute of Experimental Psychology) RUISEL, I.: Inteligencia a myslenie [Intelligence and Thinking]. Bratislava: IKAR, 2004, ISBN 80-551- 0766-1. Commentary to Commercial Law

A two-volume Commentary to Commercial Code presents a complex interpretation of almost 800 provisions in their mutual relationships. The new knowledge of basic research into commercial law is presented so that it could be further taken into account in interpretation and application of law as well as in legislation. The Commentary takes into account the EC law in appropriate extent, especially directives implemented into the Commercial Code. The Commentary represents a principal contribution to the development of the theory of commercial law as well as to its practical application, whereby it significantly contributes to the improvement of quality of business milieu in the Slovak Republic. (Institute of State and Law) Ovečková, O., Vozár, J.: Obchodný zákonník, komentár, 1. a 2. zv. [Commercial Code, Commentary to Vol. I and II]. IURA EDITION, Bratislava, 2005, 817p. + 663 p.

B/ Application in Social Practice

Regional raw material policy for the raw material of the Banská Bystrica region (J. Spišiak)

Through a public competition the Geological Institute SAS won a public tender to elaborate a strategic document titled Regionálna surovinová politika pre oblasť nerastných surovín Banskobystrického kraja [Regional Raw Material Policy for the Raw Material of the Banská Bystrica Region] and contributed to its negotiations. The Institute has already submitted a report for the first stage, documenting the recording and distribution of all raw material deposits of this region. The possibilities of a complex and non-conventional exploitation of raw material were evaluated. After an extensive exploitation of raw material in the past, many dumps and tailing dumps are present, thus potentially posing serious environmental danger. The evidence of these "geohazards" was processed and a proposal for their stabilization or utilization is being prepared. End User: Self-administrative region of Banská Bystrica. (Geological Institute SAS).

Influence of land use changes on snow accumulation and snow melt and flood events (Z. Kostka, L. Holko) Practice demanded that possible influence of landuse change on snow accumulation and snowmelt as well as flood event had to be addressed. Moreover, the issue was related to the professional and public discussion induced by the wind calamity in the High Tatra Mts. on 19.11.2004. The runoff changes modelling in the upper Poprad catchment after the wind calamity proved that the influence of the calamity was not dramatic from the point of view of flood control. It corresponds with published knowledge on landuse changes influence on runoff regime. This conclusion was supported by the real evolution of hydrological situation in 2005. In spite of unusually rich year in snow and rainy summer month in 2005 in the upper Poprad catchment no exceptional flood events were reported. Local floods in March 2005 were related to the rapid snowmelt in predominantly agricultural foothills. In spite of the weak influence of the calamity on flood situation in the whole catchment of upper Poprad river, the necessity of expert approach to revitalisation of the damaged vegetation is required. The maps of snow water equivalent distribution were periodically designed and updated in collaboration with the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute and published on its web site. We proposed further observation sites for the snow depth and snow water equivalent measurements in the High Tatra Mts. to supplement the existing SHMI observation network. A spatially distributed hydrological mathematical model was calibrated against measured data provided by SHMI. The model was consecutively applied for Poprad river discharge forecast during the Spring of 2005. Presented results were obtained within the projects No HZ6/2005 and APVV 17804. End User: Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute. (Institute of Hydrology SAS)

KOSTKA, Z., HOLKO, L., BABIAKOVÁ, G., LEŠKOVÁ, D.: Simulácia vodnej hodnoty snehu v povodí Popradu v hydrologických rokoch 1999-2005 – vplyv zmeny vegetačných pomerov a predpoveď odtoku počas jarného obdobia [Simulation of snow water equivalent of upper Poprad catchment during hydrological years 1999-2005 – influence of land-use change and runoff forecast during Spring season]. Acta Hydrologica Slovaca, 6, 1, ÚH SAV, Bratislava, pp. 149-160. KOSTKA, Z., HOLKO, L.: Vplyv veternej kalamity vo Vysokých Tatrách na hydrologický režim povodia horného Popradu. Hydrologie malého povodí 2005, Ústav pro hydrodynamiku AV ČR, 2005, pp. 173-179.

Thermophysical properties of heterogeneous materials (Ľ. Kubičár, V. Boháč, V. Vretenár, V. Štofanik)

The presented set of papers deals with the investigation of the heat transport in heterogeneous materials. Materials are heterogeneous where the structure consists of matrix and particles that are of solid, fluid or gaseous phase or instead of particles empty spaces-pores are created in the matrix. A new experimental technique – contact pulse transient measuring technique - was applied for the investigation of thermophysical properties (specific heat, thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity) of the above mentioned materials. He papers deal with the inter-comparison of the classic measuring technique with the transient ones considering the measured data and the macrostructure of the materials, with the methodology of the transient methods for investigation of the homogenous and heterogeneous materials and finally with the freeze-thaw process of the water saturated porous structures. The differences in specific heat value were found for heterogeneous structures when transient measuring techniques were used. Our goal is to include the contact pulse transient method into standard methods for measuring thermophysical properties. The measurement technique was applied for thermophysical analysis of the freeze-thaw process in water saturated sandstone and marble. Anomalies of the specific heat were correlated to the distribution of the pore size in the sandstone. End user: CNR – Italy, moisture/dampness monitoring in marble panels in the Florence cathedral. (Institute of Physics SAS) KUBIČÁR, Ľ., VRETENÁR, V., HAMMERSCHMIDT, U.: Thermophysical parameters of optical glass BK7 measured by pulse transient method. Journal of Thermophys., 26, 2005, 507-518. KUBIČÁR, Ľ., BOHÁČ, V., VRETENÁR, V., BARTA, Š., NEUER, G., BRANDT, R.: Thermophysical properties of heterogeneous structures measured by pulse transient method. Journal of Thermophys., 26, 2005, 1949-1962.

Design, implementation, and testing of a new way for the computation of the SVD of dense matrices (G. Okša)

A new way how to compute the SVD of dense matrices of order 2000 - 10000 by the parallel block-Jacobi SVD algorithm was designed, implemented and tested on the cluster of PCs. The main idea consists of the pre-processing of a matrix by its (multiple) QR (QL) decomposition with the column (row) pivoting. The number of outer iterations for well-conditioned matrices was reduced by two orders of magnitude, whereas the parallel execution time was decreased roughly ten times. In addition, a new genetic serial algorithm for the decomposition of the complete weighted graph into a defined number of cliques was designed, implemented and tested. This algorithm is a part of the parallel block-Jacobi SVD algorithm and enables the implementation of a new class of parallel orderings. Reported results were obtained within the projects VEGA 2/4136/25 Design and implementation of parallel algorithms for information retrieval and modification using linear algebra methods and EP/C513053/1 Parallel Jacobi-like algorithms for the singular value decomposition of large sparse matrices. End User: computation of the SVD in interpretation of data from physical experiments at the University of Washington, Seattle, USA. (Mathematical Institute SAS)

Methods for calculation of magnetospheric transmission function (P. Bobík, R. Bučík, K. Kudela)

The results connected to transmission function are based on the so called backtracing method. Backtracing is a method of particle trajectory calculation in the models of geomagnetic field. By using this method we can evaluate characteristics of cosmic rays (CR, charged particles) inside the magnetosphere. By characteristics of CR we refer to the spectra and incoming direction of charged particles in the point or region inside the magnetosphere. Transmission function is probability function describing probability that a particle from outside of magnetosphere reaches selected point or region inside of the magnetosphere. In the publication [1], we use the method for a simulation and prediction of the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) results for protons. The method was also used for the prediction of AMS spectra of primary CRs in the near future. The results for helium were published and presented at a conference in Como. The transmissivity of the Earth's magnetosphere during the last 2000 years at the Earth surface, which was taken as one region, was investigated. The transmission function for selected ground based stations (including Lomnický Štít) as well as for low altitude polar orbiting satellite CORONAS-F have been computed for recent strong geomagnetic disturbances [2]. A similar method will be used for a simulation of the charged particle drift motions in the geomagnetic field to study the losses of the geomagnetically trapped energetic particles in the Earth's atmosphere. Therefore, a model of invariant magnetic coordinates in the case of Earth's magnetic field has been developed [3]. For space weather services in European system, the code for geomagnetic cutoff calculation is now in test phase implemented at the Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy as a remote model interface (http://gauss.oma.be/COST724/portal.html). This code is also prepared for standard models of the space environment for the International Standardization Organization. Presented results were obtained within the project COST 724. (Institute of Experimental Physics SAS)

[1] BOBIK, P., BOSCHINI, M., GRANDI, D., GERVASI, M., MICELOTTA, E., RANCOITA, P., G., BACK, A.: Tracing Code to Study the Magnetosphere Transmission Function for Primary Cosmic Rays, The Inner Magnetosphere, Physics and Modelling, American Geophysical Union, Washington, 2005. [2] BUČÍK, R., KUDELA, K., BOBIK, P.: Transmissivity function of cosmic rays in the disturbed magnetosphere, Geophys. Res. Abs., 7, 2005. [3] BUČÍK, R., KUDELA, K., KUZNETSOV, S., N., MYAGKOVA, I., N.: Gamma rays in magnetic L-B coordinates at Coronas-I altitude, Geophysicae, 23, 2005, 2239-2247.

Modular support system MARABU (B. Frankovič)

A modular support system MARABU for an optimal design of model, control and simulation of distributed dynamic systems was designed and developed. The developed modules for modelling, control and simulation were designed on the basis of multiagent formalism with Alternating Time Epistemic Logic. The modules contain algorithms that are characterized by attributes associated with user’s requirements. A large database of modelling, control and simulation methods was implemented on the basis of ontology. A designed web portal is supposed to be used in the distributed system for a dialogue with users from production, transportation, and supply chain. It may also be used for pedagogical purposes. A generic block provides methods and algorithms for the optimal modelling and control mechanism. It is designed on the basis of the Case based reasoning (CBR). The support system was verified on examples of a heat interchanger, transport system, and coarse ceramics burning process. The results contained in this report were obtained within the project APVT 51 011602 supported by the Science and Technology Assistance Agency. End User: Kybernetika s.r.o., Košice. (Institute of Informatics SAS) FRANKOVIČ, B., ORAVEC, V.: Design of the agent-based intelligent control system. Acta Polytechnika Hungarica, 2, 2005, 39-52. DANG, T.,T., FRANKOVIČ, B., SHEAHAN, C., BUDINSKÁ, I.: Random start and forward search applied to solve multicriteria planning and scheduling problem. Proceedings of the 16th IFAC World Congress, July 3-8, 2005, Prague, Czech Republic, 6. FRANKOVIČ, B., BUDINSKÁ, I., SEBESTYÉNOVÁ, J., ORAVEC, V.: Support System for Modelling and Design of Control Systems. Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Computational Intelligence, November 18-19, 2005, Budapest, Hungary, 29-39.

Complex utilisation of plant polysaccharides in food industry (Hirsch, J.)

From wheat bran, a by-product of the milling process of wheat grains and an important dietary fibre resource, polysaccharide preparations rich in phenolic substances (particularly ferulic acid and its derivatives) were isolated at mild reaction conditions. The main polysaccharide component comprises a heteroxylan of very high molecular mass, which represents the dietary fibre component of the bran. The polysaccharide preparations exhibit significant antioxidant activity, which is comparable to that of the commercial food antioxidant α-tocopherol. Based on the physicochemical and antioxidant properties, the wheat bran polysaccharide preparations represent potential hydrocolloidal additives for the production of bakery products. (Institute of Chemistry SAS)

New generation of ceramic materials with self-diagnostic ability. Gold Medal Awarded at international chemical fair INCHEBA 2005 (Lenčéš, Z., Šajgalík, P.)

Layered ceramic materials based on of Si3N4, sialon and TiN were prepared by reactive hot pressing. The laminated composites were designed to have an engineering part with good mechanical properties, and an attached self-diagnostic part. The engineering part showed improvement of hardness (20.7 GPa), bending strength (1180 MPa), fracture toughness (9.75 MPa·m1/2) and low electrical resistance (4.10-4 Ωcm), depending on the materials used, e.g. ά/β-sialons, Si3N4, or TiN containing composites. The self-diagnostic part was designed on the base of residual stress analysis of sialon/TiN layered composite. The laminated structure and the knowledge of stress status of individual layers allowed the design of a functional material with self-diagnostic ability. Monitoring the change of electrical conductivity of β-sialon+TiN composite under tensile load provides information on the crack generation and thus it can prevent fatal material fracture. (Institute of Inorganic Chemistry SAS) ŠAJGALÍK, P., LENČÉŠ, Z.: Multifunctional ceramic nanocomposites with self-diagnostic ability. In Schwarz, J.A., Contescu, C., Putyera, K.(Eds.): Dekker Encyclopaedia of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 5, 2005, 3200.

A new approach to the relationship between anxiety and stress hormone release (Ježová, D.)

According to a generally accepted traditional view, depression and anxiety are associated with an enhancement of stress hormone release. This view is supported by the results of animal studies, but the data obtained in humans are limited and equivocal. The results of our research provided new aspects on this issue. In contrast to the traditional view, we have shown that the secretion of stress hormones in persons with high trait anxiety may be too low and that increased levels of some stress hormones during stress situations contribute to better coping. The investigations were performed using a model of psychosocial stress based on public speech. We applied an original experimental approach, namely the examination of healthy subjects at the upper (anxious) and lower (non-anxious) limits of the normal range of a trait anxiety scale. The subjects with middle range anxiety, who represented the majority of healthy volunteers investigated in other studies, were excluded. Consistent with the traditional view, the rise in the heart rate during stress was higher in anxious subjects compared to that in non-anxious ones. However, plasma levels of cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline during stress were lower in the group of anxious subjects. We succeeded to increase neuroendocrine activity during stress by administration of selected amino acids (lysine, arginin) used as food additives. The results suggest an anxiolytic action of these amino acids. We have shown that subjects with better cognitive performance in another model of mental stress had significantly higher cortisol levels compared to those in persons with worse performance. On the other hand, higher adrenaline and noradrenaline levels correlated with higher occurrence of mistakes, i.e. with worse cognitive performance during stress. Further research work revealed that high trait anxiety does not result in global hypo- or hyper-responsiveness, but in complex alterations in the co-ordination of neuroendocrine system in response to stressors. We found individual differences in several regulatory mechanisms studied. Correlation analysis in anxious subjects showed that lower adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and cortisol responses during stress were associated with exaggerated perception of stress and depression feelings. This relationships were absent in low anxiety subjects. The obtained results allow suggesting that an adequate concentration of cortisol is needed for optimal emotional and cognitive coping with stress. The results contained in this report were obtained within the project supported by the European Social Fund. They will be further used in applied research focusing on health improvement of the population. (Institute of Experimental Endocrinology SAS)

JEŽOVÁ, D., MAKATSORI, A., SMRIGA, M., MORINAGA, Y., DUNČKO, R.: Subchronic treatment with amino acid mixture of L-lysine and L-arginine modifies neuroendocrine activation during psychosocial stress in subjects with high trait anxiety. Nutr. Neurosci., 8, 2005, 155-160.

Detection of predisposition to cancer hereditary syndromes by means of genomic techniques (Altaner, Č., Altanerová, V., Bartošová, Z., Čierniková, S., Fridrichová, I., Zajac, V.)

The part of this broad project involved objectives related to genetic predispositions to cancer. Important results have been achieved particularly in genetic studies of tumours in colon, breast and thyroid. Using modern molecular-genetic techniques, we have identified and characterized germline mutations in one of the genes of APC, BRCA1, BRCA2, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and RET in 72 patients indicated by clinical departments. Subsequently, we were able to analyze 387 members of patients’ families, which were mostly without clinical symptoms of the disease. The individuals with positive test results (157 persons) have a high risk (80 – 100%) to develop a cancer, thus they were enrolled in the preventive health care programme at specialized clinical departments. By this way, the chances to reveal the tumours in early and thus well treatable stages are rapidly increasing. The individuals with negative test results are rescued from psychical distress, which roots in their families over the generations. With the results achieved, we have contributed to lives saving, improvement of life quality of affected families, and preservation of economical resources, otherwise used for treatment of patients in late stages of the disease. The results are applied at the following medical institutions: the National Oncological Institute; Oncological Institute of Saint Elizabeth; hospital departments of medical genetics in Bratislava, Nitra, Nové Zámky, Trenčín, Žilina, Martin, Košice, Banská Bystrica, Prešov, Spišská Nová Ves, Humenné; and the National Institute for Endocrinology and Diabetology in Ľubochňa. (Cancer Research Institute SAS)

A new method for Mycobacterium paratuberculosis detection by IS900 real time PCR quantification in cow faeces (Kmeť, V.) The research was focused on optimalisation of the diagnostic method Real-Time PCR for the detection of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in animal faeces. Laboratory diagnostics of paratuberculosis is limited by the sensitivity and time duration of presently available methods. For this reason, it was necessary to develop this high-sensitive diagnostic method of Real-Time PCR for the detection of infected animals. The method provides a new possibility for a rapid and precise diagnostic. Our aim was to verify and apply Real-time PCR for the detection and quantification of M. paratuberculosis IS 900 gene and to optimise conditions of the method for the detection of this agent in faeces. Mycobacterium paratuberculosis was quantified from the faecal samples of cattle with suspect paratuberculosis. Reported results were obtained in the framework of a collaborative project titled “Alternative ways for the replacement of antibiotics – influencing animal digestion physiology”, carried out with the State Veterinary and Food Institute in Nitra, within the state programme for science and research. (Institute of Animal Physiology SAS)

BUJŇÁKOVÁ, D., MELICHÁREK, I., FEČKOVÁ, M., ŠKARBOVÁ, B., KMEŤ, V.: Detekcia a kvantifikácia Mycobacterium paratuberculosis pomocou real time PCR u hovädzieho dobytka. Slovenský veterinársky časopis, 30, 2005, 174-175.

Effective reproduction system of introduced Vaccinium sp. (blueberry and lingonberry) by in vitro cloning, thus providing a basis for their broader cultivation in Slovakia ( M. G. Ostrolucká)

In the past years there has been an increasing interest in cultivation of non-conventional cultivars of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) and lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) in Slovakia because of their high nutritional value and high antioxidant content important for human health. The results of experiments focused on mass-propagation of selected cultivars showed that meristem cultivation and adventitious organogenesis are the most effective techniques for their micropropagation. The elaborated method enables to obtain a large amount of high quality plants from a small amount of primary plant material (450 plantlets from one bud isolated from a mature plant or 122-250 plantlets derived by adventitious organogenesis from leaf explants during a short time, regardless of the vegetation period). Approximately 4,000 in vitro regenerated plants from selected cultivars suitable for growing under conditions of Slovakia were given to the Research Station Kriva, RIPP Piešťany, for further cultivation. The plants show good growth vitality after transfer to in vivo conditions. The obtained planting material will be in 2-3 years used in field plantations for the production of this fruit in Slovakia. The results contained in this report were obtained within the project No. 2/5128/25 supported by GA VEGA. (Institute of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology SAS) GAJDOŠOVÁ, A., OSTROLUCKÁ, M.,G., LIBIAKOVÁ, G., ONDRUŠKOVÁ, E., ŠIMALA, D.: Microclonal propagation of vaccinium sp. and rubus sp. and detection of genetic variability in culture in vitro. International workshop Application of biotechnology in breeding cultivars suitable for sustainable fruit production. 12 -14 May 2005, Skierniewice, Poland, 5. ŠIMALA, D., OSTROLUCKÁ, M.,G.: Cultivation of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) in mountain regions of Slovakia. Materialy meždunarodnoj naučnoj konferencii. Centraľnyj Botaničeskij sad, Nacionaľnaja akademija nauk Belorusi, Minsk, 15- 19 August 2005, 60-64.

Detection of tick-borne diseases by biochip – a new trend in molecular diagnostic (Barák, I. Blaškovič, D.)

We have developed a unique DNA biochip for detection of bacterial pathogens from single tick isolates. This DNA chip uses laser DNA array reader and belongs to one the most sensitive detection method for tick borne bacterial pathogens, where in one sample it is possible to detect all chosen bacterial pathogens by a single PCR reaction. Our preliminary results clearly show the advantages of this methodology in comparison with other approaches and it should have wide use in medical, veterinary and epidemiological practices in the near future. (Institute of Molecular Biology SAS) BLAŠKOVIČ, D., BARÁK I.: Oligo-chip based assay for detection of tick-borne bacteria causing diseases in humans. Microbiol Letters, 243, 2005, 473-478. ALESSANDRINI, A., DE RENZI, V., BERTI, L., BARÁK, I. FACCI, P.: Chemically homogeneous, silylated surfaces for effective DNA binding and hybridization. Surface Science, 582, 2005, 202-208. BLAŠKOVIČ, D., BARÁK, I.: DNA chips for detection of bacterial pathogens. Biologia, 60, 2005, 329-249.

New possibilities for the diagnostics of hearing disorders (Minárik, G., Feráková, E. , Ficek, A., Poláková, H., Kádasi, Ľ.)

Severe forms of hearing impairment with the frequency of 1 : 1000 newborns represents the most common disorders of the sensory system in humans. More than one half of cases is caused by damages of the DNA. The complexity of hearing apparatus and processes influencing hearing is directly proportional to the number of genes involved. As a consequence of this, deafness as a clinical entity is characterized by extreme locus and allelic heterogeneity. At present more than one hundred genes distributed all over the human genome are known to be linked to deafness. In Slovakia, up to present, no molecular genetic studies have been carried out, thus methods of DNA diagnostics could not had been applied in the everyday clinical praxis, which in other countries belong to the standard medical care in patients affected with deafness. Our study was focused on the gene GJB2, mutations of which affect more than 60 % of patients with deafness. The mutation spectrum has been identified in this gene in patients of both Roma and non-Roma ethnic origin. The results obtained, according to our expectation, disclosed profound differences both in spectrum and prevailing mutations in these two subpopulations of Slovakia. This result is important for developing effective strategies for DNA diagnostics, using simple tests, based on DNA analysis. Our results and tests developed represent the basis for differential diagnosis of hearing impairment, which is the prerequisite of a more effective therapy and prevention of this severe disorder of sensory system in Slovak patients. (Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics SAS) MINÁRIK, G., FERÁKOVA, E., FICEK, A., POLÁKOVÁ, H., KÁDASI, Ľ.: GJB2 gene mutations in Slovak hearing-impaired patients of Caucasian origin: spectrum, frequencies and SNP analysis. Clinical Genetics, 68, 2005, 554-557. KÁDAŠI, Ľ.: Molekulárna genetika vybraných monogénne dedičných ochorení. Veda, 2005, 251 s.

Application of polymers in immuneprotection of transplanted cells (Lacík, I.) Within the topic of encapsulation of bioactive substances we focused our attention to the formation, stability, properties and characterization of microcapsules based on polyelectrolyte complexation. The stoichiometry of complexes was determined for various polyelectrolytes in dilute solutions. Significant results were obtained in characterization of microcapsule composition by confocal laser scanning microscopy, applying either fluorescent labels covalently bound to polyelectrolytes or charged fluorescent labels diffusing into the formed capsule and interacting with the residual charge of the capsule by electrostatic interactions. This work resulted in the information on spatial distribution of polymers in microcapsules, depending on the encapsulation protocol, which can be correlated with the capsule performance in bioencapsulation applications. Further studies were devoted to the adjustment of permeability during the process of capsule formation to reduce the release of low molecular weight substances (enzymes) already during encapsulation. A novel capsule type based on chitosan was developed and characterized; it will be tested as a short-term drug carrier. These activities led to a selection of our team to participate in the preparation of the project “Encapsulated Islet Transplantation as a 2010 Clinical Diabetes Therapy” initiated by the University of Chicago, USA. Several encapsulations of human pancreatic islets, shipped from Chicago to Bratislava and back, were carried out. The islets survive transports between the continents and regulate the blood glucose level in diabetic animal models. (Polymer Institute SAS) BUČKO, M., VIKARTOVSKÁ, A., LACÍK, I., KOLLÁRIKOVÁ, G., GEMEINER, P., PÄTOPRSTÝ, V., BRYGIN, M.: Immobilization of a whole-cell epoxide-hydrolyzing biocatalyst in sodium alginate – cellulose sulfate – poly(methylene-co-guanidine) capsules using a controlled encapsulation process. Enzyme and Microbial Technology, 36, 2005, 118-126. PODSKOČOVÁ, J., CHORVÁT, D. Jr., KOLLÁRIKOVÁ, G., LACÍK, I.: Characterization of polyelectrolyte microcapsules by confocal laser scanning microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Laser Physics, 15, 2005, 545-551. CHORVÁT, D., PODSKOČOVÁ, J., KOLLÁRIKOVÁ, G., DANKO, M., LACÍK, I.: Visualization of the capsular membrane composition by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Proceedings of XIIIth International Workshop on Bioencapsulation, June 24-26, 2005, Queens University, Kingston, Canada. 15-18.

New strategy in insect fruit pest control in Europe and improvement of sterile insect production technology (Kozánek, M.)

Decentralization of sterile medfly males production can be an effective way to apply sterile insect technique against this insect key pest in European agricultural conditions. The basic principle of this innovative approach is to split sterile male production and release process to three parts: egg production in core egg producing facility, male pupae production in satellite male only facilities, and preparation of sterile males for release in ecclosion facilities located as close as possible to the place of application. To evaluate the quality of produced medfly adults, quality control stress test is used. We developed a similar stress test for the evaluation of fitness and viability of 1st instar larvae. Larval mobility test was developed, and the mobility of newly hatched 1st instar larvae is used as valuable parameter reflecting their fitness and viability. Extensive biological experiments revealed that after initial phase of development (several hours after egg lying) medfly egg is enough cold resistant in temperature range 5-15oC. Exposure of eggs to lower temperature results in interruption of embryonic development and reduction of metabolism of embryo. Chilling the eggs for up to 72 hours, due to the transportation, does not have any negative influence on the egg hatchability or viability of young larvae. To eliminate all shortages of existing commercially available thermo-boxes, a new design of medfly egg shipping container was prepared; the prototype was manufactured and tested. The new container was designed as a double-walled thermo-box (box in box approach) with internal shelf system for storing egg packages during the shipment. Packing of eggs for the shipment and developing of proper cooling system was another research objective for the second year of the project. The developed cooling system and coolants allow for keeping the temperature in the requested range for 72 hours, which is the time sufficient for egg transportation between any destination places in Europe as well as in the Mediterranean basin. The application of the results achieved, their dissemination and presentation within the whole Mediterranean area are provided by the Association of European citrus and fruit producers (CLAM) and InSecta Ltd., which also provides for field applications. (Institute of Zoology SAS)

Our Slovak myths (Krekovič, E., Krekovičová, E., Mannová, E.) The publication gives a survey of the national myths in Slovak milieu and studies their role in forming the national identity. It presents achievements of authors from various scholarly branches (historiography, ethnology, folklore studies, archaeology). It is aimed at a broader public, students, history teachers, and the like. The book has already not only earned the interest of the public but also demonstrated high saleability, and numerous reviews on the book were published in daily papers. (Institute of Historical Studies SAS and Institute of Ethnology SAS) KREKOVIČ, E., KREKOVIČOVÁ, E., MANNOVÁ, E. (Eds.): Mýty naše slovenské [Our Slovak Myths], Bratislava: Academic Electronic Press 2005, 248 p.

From a Native Speech Repository (Balleková, K., Smatana, M.)

The publication presents a collection of papers on the lexical richness of the Slovak dialects, published in the period 1992-2001 in the journal Kultúra slova [Speech Culture]. In a simple and captivating form convenient for readers from a variety of diverse cultural backgrounds this thematically structured collection offers a picture of dialectal richness of words and word collocations connected with the seasonal changes in nature, folklore, weather ‘wisdom’, superstitions, as well as those relating to the character of the Slovak people, their work, typical Slovak cooking in the past, and the like. The papers thus represent not only the application and popularisation of theoretical knowledge earned from research into dialects, especially into lexical and word-forming representation of abundantly differentiated Slovak dialects, but also the application of knowledge of the history of the Slovak lexis.(Ľ. Štúr Institute of Linguistics SAS) BALLEKOVÁ, K., SMATANA, M.(ed.): Zo studnice rodnej reči [From a Native Speech Repository]. Bratislava: Veda 2005, 332 s. ISBN 80-224-0870-0.

Evaluation of musical works from the Classical period – Anton Zimmermann (Múdra, D.)

With a view to foster the introduction of restored musical works into musical life and their presentation in the media in an international dimension, a reconstruction, evaluation of music style, and an update on important works of European significance dated to the period of Classicism became essential. With this end in view, preparatory works on a compilation of a complete thematic bibliographical catalogue of Anton Zimmermann´s works were initiated. The work was supported by VEGA project 2/4046/04. (Institute of Musicology SAS) Anton Zimmermann (1741–1781): Symphony C-major (AZ I/1 C1), Symphony E-major (AZ I/1 E1), Sinfonia G-major (AZ I/1 G3), Symphony E-major (AZ I/1 E1). Musical recording. Musica Aeterna, conductor: Peter Zajíček, Bratislava : Music Centre Slovakia, 2005, CD-ROM, ISBN 80-88884-65-9. Múdra, D. (scientific editorial): Anton Zimmermann (1741–1781): Symphony E-major (AZ I/1 E1), ISBN 80-88884-59-4. Sinfonia G-major (AZ I/1 G3). ISBN 80-88884-64-0. Bratislava : Music Centre Slovakia, 2005.

Gustáv Valach – actor of humbleness and defiance (M. Polák)

The book comprises studies of prominent Slovak theatre historians, scholars from the Institute as well as from other institutes. In addition, it is supplemented with personal remarks of cultural and religious personalities from Slovakia on theatre performances and political opinions of Gustáv Valach - one of the best Slovak actors. Thus, the results of scholarly pursuits enrich social consciousness by new knowledge about the totalitarian regime in Czechoslovakia in the latter half of the 20th century. POLÁK, M. (Ed.): Gustáv Valach – herec pokory a vzdoru [Gustáv Valach – Actor of Humbleness and Defiance]. Združenie slovenských divadelných kritikov a teoretikov; Kabinet divadla a filmu SAV, 2004 (released in 2005), 182 p.

Draft Ex-ante Evaluation of the National Strategic Reference Framework of the Slovak Republic (M. Šikula)

The study states that the National Strategic Reference Framework of the Slovak Republic (NSRF) draft meets the essential quality expectations. Its objective is to highlight important aspects of policy design, to point out to strategic links between the proposed set of priorities in the NSRF and those in the Community Guidelines, and to raise the awareness of the NSRF authors about major gaps. The evaluators point out that the Cohesion Fund is clearly focused on upgrading and development of large-scale transport and environmental infrastructure. This is in line with major infrastructure needs of the Slovak Republic. Upgrading and expansion of environmental infrastructure for agglomeration areas is considered as a key element for sustainable growth. On the other hand, the evaluators encourage all relevant partners responsible for drafting the NSRF to pay more attention to prioritise investments in innovation, research and technological development because a knowledge-based economy is a crucial prerequisite for the future economic growth and better jobs opportunities. (Institute of Economic Research SAS) ŠIKULA, M. et al.: Ex-ante hodnotenie Národného strategického referenčného rámca Slovenskej republiky – predbežný návrh [Draft Ex-ante Evaluation of the National Strategic Reference Framework of the Slovak Republic]. Institute of Economic Research SAS, Bratislava, 2005, 55 p. plus amendments 21 p.

C/ International Scientific Projects

Basic parameters of the accretion disk of the Algol type interacting binary TT Hya was determined by a comparison of the observed and synthetic spectra generated by a new computer code Shellspec (Budaj, J.)

The formation and properties of accretion discs and circumstellar material in Algol-type systems are not very well understood as yet. In order to study the underlying physics of these structures, we have calculated synthetic Halpha spectra of TT Hya, which is an Algol-type eclipsing binary with an accretion disc. Both the primary and secondary stars were considered in the calculations as well as a disc surrounding the primary. The Roche model for the secondary star was assumed. The synthetic spectra cover all the phases including primary eclipse and are compared with the observed spectra. The influence of various effects and free parameters of the disc on the emerging spectrum were studied. This enabled us to put some constraints on the geometry, temperature, density and velocity fields within the disc. The differences found between the observed and synthetic spectra unravel the existence of a gas stream as well as a hotter disc-gas interaction region. An additional cooler circumstellar region between the C1 and C2 Roche surfaces is suggested to account for various observed effects. A new computer code called Shellspec was created for this purpose. It solves simple radiative transfer along the line of sight in 3D moving media. The results presented in this report were achieved in collaboration with Mr. Richards, M.T., Penn State University, USA. (Astronomical Institute SAS) BUDAJ, J., RICHARDS, M.,T., MILLER, B.: A Study of synthetic and observed H_alpha spectra of TT hydrae. Astrophysical Journal, 623, 2005, 411-424.

Modernization of the seismological stations in Serbia and Macedonia (Labák, P., Bystrický, E.)

The Balkan area, together with Italy and Greece, belong to the most earthquake active areas in Europe. However, up to 2004 the real-time data acquisition from this area was not available. Therefore, under the frame of DIRECTE and DIRECTE 2 projects funded by the SR government, 8 seismic stations were modernized in Serbia and 5 in Macedonia . Furthermore, a new data acquisition and analysis centre was set up in Beograd and Skopje. The data centres allow for a real-time data exchange, automatic localisation of earthquakes, automatic dissemination of alert messages and creation of web pages, and manual analysis of earthquake data. Finally, within the MEREDIAN project, a new data acquisition server was installed at the Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, Greece, for the real-time data exchange with the Balkan countries. As a result of activities within the MEREDIAN, DIRECTE and DIRECTE2 projects, a qualitatively new situation in real-time earthquake data exchange was established in the Balkan countries. The situation may be characterised by the following facts: 1. Relevant national institutes in Serbia and Macedonia can provide fast and sufficiently accurate information on strong earthquakes to relevant civil protection authorities. 2. The real-time data exchange was established between Serbia, Macedonia and relevant international seismological centres ORFEUS and EMSC. 3. For the first time the real-time data exchange was established between the countries of the former Yugoslavia – Serbia and Montenegro, Macedonia, Slovenia, and Croatia. The results contained in this report were obtained within the following projects: MEREDIAN; EVRI-2002- 00507, EVRI CT-2000-40007; EU 5FP, DIRECTE; NPOA G 10/2004 and grants from the SR government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the SR, and CIDA Canada. (Geophysical Institute SAS) KLUKANOVÁ, A., WAGNER, P., IGLÁROVÁ, L., LABÁK, P., LIŠČÁK, P.: Environmental monitoring in Slovakia: geological hazards. European Geologist, 19, 2005, 27-29. PEKEVSKI, L., LABÁK, P., ČERNIH, D., BYSTRICKÝ, E., TUNTEV, A., CIPCIAR, A.: Macedonian seismological network and the real-time data exchange in the SE Europe. Earthquake engineering in the 21st century. August 27- September 1, 2005, Ohrid, Macedonia. CD-ROM.

Distribution of sequences: A Sampler (Strauch, O.)

The monograph covers the material on the distribution properties of sequences. The sequences are listed together with their distribution functions, the discrepancy, diaphony, dispersion, etc., depending on our present state of knowledge. The sequences are grouped according to a dominant feature, e.g. sequences involving logarithmic function, trigonometric functions, polynomials, pseudorandom number generators, circle sequences. Many of them have numerical applications through the so-called Quasi-Monte Carlo method in numerical integration, in approximating the solutions of differential equations, in searching theory, in cryptology, or in financial applications. Open problems are also included for further possible research. The monograph is supplemented with extensive reference materials, including bibliography, and detailed indexes. The monograph is a result of a long-lasting scientific co-operation between the Mathematical Institute and the Institute of Computer Science of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. (Mathematical Institute SAS) STRAUCH, O., PORUBSKÝ, Š.: Distribution of sequences: A Sampler Schriftenreihe der Slowakischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Band 1, Peter Lang, Frankfurt am Main, 2005, 570 p.

Magnetic nanoparticles (Kopčanský, P., Timko, M., Koneracká, M., Patočková, I.)

The influence of electric and magnetic fields on structural transitions in liquid crystals doped with fine magnetic nanoparticles was investigated. The phase diagram of the transitions between the isotropic, droplet and nematic phases was found. The magneto-dielectric measurements of various structural transitions in this new system enabled to estimate the type of anchoring of nematic molecules on magnetic particles surfaces in droplets. Potential applications - in LCD displays controlled by external magnetic fields. Foreign partners: IFM PAN Poznan, Poland, GHMFL Grenoble, France. (Institute of Experimental Physics SAS) KOPČANSKÝ, P., POTOČOVÁ, I., KONERACKÁ, M., TIMKO, M., JANSEN, A.,G., M., JADZYN, J., CZECHOWSKI G.: The anchoring of nematic molecules on magnetic particles in some types o ferronematics. Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, 289, 2005, pp.101-104. KOPČANSKÝ, P., KONERACKÁ, M., TIMKO, M., POTOČOVÁ, I., JADZYN, J.: The structural transitions in ferronematics and ferronematic droplets. In Moscow International Symposium on Magnetism (MISM 2005), June 25-30, 2005, Moscow. In Book of abstracts. N. Perov, I. Zhukov, S. Erokhin, D. Gusakova (Eds.). Moscow: MGU, 2005. ISBN 5-8279-0052-4.

Direct observation of geometrical phase transitions in mesoscopic superconductors by scanning tunneling Microscopy(Fedor, J. )

We mapped the distribution of the local density of states in a single crystal superconductor heterostructure with an array of submicron normal metal islands, using scanning tunneling microscopy. We observed the coexistence of strongly interacting multiquanta vortex lattice with interstitial Abrikosov vortices. The newly formed composite magnetic flux structure undergoes a series of phase transitions between different topological configuration states. The vortex configuration states are strongly dependent on the number of flux quanta and the nanoscale confinement architecture of the mesoscopic superconductor. We presented images of vortex phase transitions due to confinement effects when the number of magnetic flux quanta in the system changes. The vortex dynamics in these systems could serve as a model for behaviour of confined many-body systems when the number of particles changes. This work was conducted in the frame of a NATO Collaborative Linkage Grant CBP. EAP. CLG. 981477 between the IEE SAS and the Material Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Illinois, USA. (Institute of Electrical Engineering SAS) KARAPETROV, G., FEDOR, J., IAVARONNE, M., ROSENMANN, D., KWOK, W., K.: Direct observation of geometrical phase transitions in mesoscopic superconductors by scanning tunneling microscopy. Phys. Rev. Lett., 95, 2005, 167002. KARAPETROV, G., FEDOR, J., IAVARONNE, M., MARSHALL, M., T., DIVAN, R.: Imaging of vortex states in mesoscopic superconductors. Applied Phys. Lett., 87, 2005 162515.

Ultralight structural material based on reinforced foam aluminium (Simančík, F., Florek, R., Tobolka, P. Jerz, J.)

In the frame of a bilateral co-operation with foreign partners, a unique way to use foam aluminium ultralight parts in structural applications was proposed. Until now, foam aluminium was mainly used for stiffness increase of hollow profiles, kinetic energy absorption at impact or damping purposes. However, due to relatively low strength and high susceptibility to preliminary damage in tension, it could not be used for construction purposes as a separate material. This problem was eliminated by the introduction of metal reinforcements into foam matrix. Reinforcing elements are either foamed into aluminium during foam part production, or pressed into the foam structure after foaming in those places where tensile stress of the part is anticipated. The metallic reinforcements take over this stress while the foam matrix lends the necessary stiffness. If a pipe is used as the stiffener, heating or cooling of the part can be ensured at the same time. The proposed way minimizes both the weight and production costs. This approach was successfully tested last year with several prototypes, including: a heating floor panel for double floor, self-supporting noise absorbing facing, folding table for train seats, as well as a wieldable sandwich for ship construction. The company Gleich showed an interest in licensing this technology for further application in railway wagons floor heating panel manufacturing. Presented results were obtained within the following international projects: IMMM 1401 – Alulight GmbH, Ranshofen Austria and IMMM 1403 – Gleich GmbH, Kaltenkirchen, Germany. (Institute of Materials and Machine Mechanics SAS) SIMANČÍK, F., JERZ, J.: Das Verfahren zur Versteifung eines Bauteiles, der Bauteil und seine Anwendung [Spôsob vystužovania konštrukčného prvku, konštrukčný prvok a jeho použitie] On 03.10.2005 filed applications for patenting as a European patent and Japanese patent, priority date 04.04.2003. SIMANČÍK, F., FLOREK, R.: Reinforced aluminium foams – A promising solution for light-weight load-bearing components. METFOAM 2005, Kyoto, September 21-23, 2005. Osaka: ISIR Osaka University, 2005.

Indentation creep of electron beam deposited thermal barrier coating (Dusza, J.)

In the frame of the European project SICMAC, the indentation creep behaviour of a free standing thermal barrier coating (TBC) prepared by electron beam - physical vapour deposition (EB-PVD) was investigated. The composition of the experimental material was Y-ZrO2 and the specimens had a form of discs with dimensions of 5 mm in diameter and 1.2 mm thickness. Flat cylindrical indenter (hot pressed SiC) was used for indentation creep experiments in the temperature range of 1100°C to 1300°C at the loads from 30 to 50 MPa. The strain-time relationship was registered and the creep exponents and activation energies of the creep were calculated. The creep micromechanisms were studied by observation and comparison of the structure of as-received and crept specimens, by using scanning electron microscopy. Based on the received results, which are unique worldwide, the composition of the TBCs could be changed, aiming at improvement of their final properties, life-time and reliability. This work was conducted in the frame of the EU FP5 project HPRN-CT- 2002-00203. (Institute of Materials Research SAS)

Research on the tau proteins assembly into paired helical filament involved in neuronal death and memory impairment in Alzheimer’s sufferers ( M. Novák ) Untreated paired helical filaments (PHFs) and pronase-digested PHF-core filaments were stereoscopically imaged with a freeze-drying vertical platinum-carbon replication preparation method for TEM. The untreated PHF have an average wide region (W) = 22.8 +/- 2.4 nm, a narrow region (T) = 10.6 +/- 1.7 nm, and a helical turn period (L) = 78.6 +/- 13.4. The surface of the untreated PHF's fuzzy coat appears disorganized. The widths of the pronase-treated PHF-core filaments were significantly reduced (W(d) = 14.8 +/- 1.2 nm, T(d) = 5.7 +/- 1.0 nm, and L(d) = 75.4 +/- 17 nm). The surfaces of the untreated PHF contained approximately 1.1 nm strands, the same size as tau monomer ( approximately 1.0 nm). The pronase-digested PHF cores mostly contained approximately 1.6 +/- 0.3 nm strands although strand diameters ranged from 0.6-2.5 nm. The strands sometimes appear to be wrapped around the filament axis; less often, they appear to be roughly parallel to the PHF axis, and otherwise appear to be randomly oriented. Images of pronase-digested PHF core images are discussed in relation to the core's biochemical composition, its proposed beta structure, and structural subunit models. Images of the untreated and the pronase-digested PHF support a helical ribbon morphology. Main partner institution: Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA. (Institute of Neuroimmunology SAS) RUBEN, G., C., NOVAK, M., EDWARDS, P.,C., IQBAL, K.: Alzheimer paired helical filaments (PHFs) studied by high-resolution TEM: what can vertical Pt-C replication tell us about the organization of the pronase-digested PHF core? Microsc Res Tech., 2005, 67(3-4), 196-209.

Dysregulation of endogenous steroid metabolism potentially alters neuronal and reproductive system development: effects of environmental plasticisers (Ficková, M.)

The hypothesis supposes that the high prevalence of disorders and cancers of reproductive systems in European population is the result of environmental contamination by chemicals with endocrine disrupting activity. Endocrine disrupters are a very diverse group of chemicals, including phthalate and phenol derivatives, intensively used as a plasticizers, cosmetic ingredients, pharmaceuticals and pesticides. The effects of selected environmental plasticizers on steroid hormone synthesis were studied in primary cell culture system of granulosa cells isolated from porcine ovarian preovulatory follicles. The results indicate that the tested phenol and phthalate derivatives could induce changes in basal as well gonadotropin-stimulated progesterone and estradiol production by granulosa cells. Marked changes were observed by the action of bisphenol A, chlormethyl phenol, benzylbutyl phthalate and di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. The differences in the action of plasticizers might be caused by a different chemical structure and mechanisms of action of the tested compounds. The tested phenols inhibited oocyte-cumulus complexes (OCC) expansion isolated from porcine ovarian preovulatory follicles as well as inhibited oocyte nuclear maturation. Bisphenol A in the highest tested concentration decreased the hyaluronic acid amount retained in the matrix of expanded OCC. Oocytes initially freed from cumulus cells were more sensitive to the effect of the tested phenols. Selected agents induced changes in progesterone and estradiol production by cumulus cells similar to those observed in granulosa cells. We suppose that environmental plasticizers could act at the level of enzymes involved in steroidogenesis in follicular cells and interfere with signal pathways of gonadotropin action in steroid hormone production. The effect and mechanism of action of each agent is supposed to be specific. The inbitory action of phenols on oocyte nuclear maturation and hyaluronic acid retention in OCC matrix suggests the ability of these compounds to influence processes necessary for successful ovulation and fertilization. The results presented in this report were obtained within the EU FP5 project; project co-ordinator: University of Birmingham. (Institute of Experimental Endocrinology SAS). MLYNARČÍKOVÁ, A., KOLENA, J., FICKOVÁ, M., SCSUKOVÁ, S.: Alterations in steroid hormone production by porcine ovarian granulosa cells caused by bisphenol A and bisphenol A dimethacrylate. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 244, 2005, 57-62. FICKOVÁ, M., PRAVDOVÁ, E., MLYNARČÍKOVÁ, A., SCSUKOVÁ S.: In vitro cytotoxicity of some phenol plasticisers. Biologia, Bratislava, 60/Suppl. 17, 2005; 73-76.

The pyridoindole antioxidant stobadine efficiently prevented neuropathic changes in the reproductive system of diabetic male rats (Štefek, M.)

Experimentally diabetic rats in an 8-month chronic diabetes model showed a significant decrease in contractility of isolated vas deferens elicited by electrical field stimulation as well as a significant increase in contractile response of the vas deferens to exogenous noradrenaline when compared with control rats. Administration of stobadine dipalmitate (24.7 mg/kg, p.o.) reverted both parameters towards the control values. The results point to the ability of the antioxidant stobadine to prevent degenerative changes seen in diabetic sympathetic nerves of vas deferens and suggest antioxidants as therapeutic agents in reproductive system disability of male diabetics. The research was performed under a bilateral collaborative project supported by TUBITAK, Turkey. (Institute of Experimental Pharmacology SAS)

First detection of Borrelia spielmanii, novel borrelia from the complex of Lyme borreliosis agent in vector (Derdáková, M., Peťko B.) Biological variability of an aetiological agent of the most commonly spread tick-borne zoonosis worldwide – Lyme borreliosis - was studied. Six agents - out of 12 known hitherto - occur in Europe, with different ecology, epidemiology and pathogenicity. In this natural foci zoonosis, mammals, birds and reptiles serve as the reservoir animals, while ticks and other blood sucking arthropods serve as the vectors. In the most recently found borrelia from this complex, Borrelia spielmanii, isolated exclusively from the patients in the Netherlands and Germany, the vector has not yet been identified. Targeted research of borrelia occurrence in the vectors in the Central European countries has brought about the agent’s first finding in Ixodes ricinus in South Bohemia. This result presents our first finding of this newly discovered pathogen from a complex of Lyme borreliosis agent in the vectors and it brings a more detailed characteristic of its surface proteins, important for diagnostics. The finding contributes significantly to the existing knowledge on the biological variability, epidemiology, geographical distribution and differential diagnostics of the agents of this serious tick-borne zoonosis not only in Europe, but in the world as well. Reported results were obtained within the framework of an international co- operation with partner institutes from the Academy of Sciences of the CR, Polish Academy of Sciences, and University of Munich. (Parasitological Institute SAS) LENČÁKOVÁ, D., FINGERLE, V., DERDÁKOVÁ, M., HIZO-TEUFEL, C., PEŤKO, B., SCHULTE-SPECHTEL, U., STANKO, M., WILSKE, B.: Diversity of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. species and OspA types in Ixodes ricinus ticks from Slovakia and Poland. 10th International Conference on Lyme borreliosis and other tick-borne diseases, Book of abstracts, 11-15 September 2005, Vienna, Austria. 28 p.

Scenarios for reconciling biodiversity conservation with declining agricultural use in the mountains of Europe - BIOSCENE (Oszlányi, J. Halada, Ľ.) The major aim of the reported project was to analyse the impact of the agricultural decline in the mountain regions of Europe on biodiversity. The project took a case-study approach in 6 countries and had three parallel parts: socioeconomic, ecological modelling, and sustainability appraisal. In the socio-economic part, current legislation, socio-economic conditions of the study area and their historical evolution were analysed. Consequently, three scenarios of possible future were prepared: business as usual, managed decline and biodiversity enhancement. Their impacts on agriculture, landscape structure and biodiversity and financial requirements were evaluated. Participation of the public, assisted by a panel of stakeholders, allowed to obtain more detailed information about the region, inhabitants’ opinions, biodiversity perception, and it also provided feedback – evaluation of the project’s outcomes. In the ecological part, the report on the study area biodiversity and data on plant and animal species were prepared. The habitat suitability models for the respective species were developed and a prediction of future changes in their distribution and abundance was elaborated. The landscape structure in 1949, 1987, and 2003 was analysed and changes and trends were evaluated. For each individual scenario were produced maps of predicted landscape structure, priority species and grassland distribution in 2030, and their consequences for the biodiversity were evaluated. The sustainability targets were identified, the respective scenarios were evaluated from the sustainability point of view and a report Recommended Policy for Reconciling the Agriculture Decline with Biodiversity Conservation in the Mountain areas was prepared. The Institute organised two workshops on the BIOSCENE project ( Košice, Bratislava) and participated in the preparation of the final project meeting/conference Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development in Mountain Areas of Europe: The Challenge of Interdisciplinary Research (Ioannina, Greece, September 20 – 25, 2005. (Institute of Landscape Ecology SAS) BEZÁK, P., PETROVIČ, F.: Agriculture, landscape, biodiversity: Scenarios and stakeholder perceptions in the Poloniny National Park (NE Slovakia). Ecology (Bratislava), 25, 2006, pp. 82-93. IZAKOVIČOVÁ, Z.: Example of the elaboration of the strategy of sustainable development. Ekológia (Bratislava), 24, 2005, pp. 277-291.

Targeting newly discovered oxygen-sensing cascades for novel cancer treatments (Pastoreková, S.) Within the EUROXY consortium we have developed an intense collaboration particularly with an Italian group led by Dr. Supuran, who is a renowned expert in the design and synthesis of sulphonamide inhibitors of carbonic anhydrases. We have analysed several series of inhibitors selective for a tumour-associated carbonic anhydrase IX, which is predominantly expressed in hypoxic tumours with poor prognosis of treatment by conventional modalities. These CA IX-selective inhibitors have been investigated as promising anticancer drugs whose effects are related to their capacity to reduce acidification of extracellular tumour microenvironment mediated by CA IX. We have shown that fluorescent inhibitors, which selectively bind to CA IX expressed in hypoxic cells, can be potentially utilised for in vivo imaging of hypoxic tumours. Among the analysed inhibitors we have identified those chemicals that can serve as lead compounds for the design and synthesis of more effective derivatives. (Institute of Virology SAS) PASTOREKOVÁ, S., VULLO, D., CASINI, A., SCOZZAFAVA, A., PASTOREK, J., NISHIMORI, I., SUPURAN, C. T.: Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: Inhibition of the tumor-associated isozymes IX and XII with polyfluorinated aromatic/heterocyclic sulfonamides. J. Enzyme. Inhib. Med. Chem., 2005, 3, 211-217. CECCHI, A., HULÍKOVÁ, A., PASTOREK, J., PASTOREKOVÁ, S., SCOZZAFAVA, A., WINUM, J., Y., MONTERO, JL, SUPURAN, C. T.: Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Design of fluorescent sulfonamides as probes of tumor-associated carbonic anhydrase IX that inhibit isozyme IX-mediated acidification of hypoxic tumors. J. Med. Chem., 2005, 15, 4834-41. WINUM, J.,Y, PASTOREKOVÁ, S., JAKUBIČKOVÁ, L., MONTERO JL, SCOZZAFAVA, A., PASTOREK, J., VULLO, D., INNOCENTI, A., SUPURAN, C.T.: Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: synthesis and inhibition of cytosolic/tumor-associated carbonic anhydrase isozymes I, II, and IX with bis-sulfamates. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 15, 2005, 579-84. VULLO, D., INNOCENTI, A., NISHIMORI, I., PASTOREK, J., SCOZZAFAVA, A., PASTOREKOVÁ, S., SUPURAN, C.T.: Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Inhibition of the transmembrane isozyme XII with sulfonamides-a new target for the design of antitumor and antiglaucoma drugs? Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 2005, 4, 963-969. SUPURAN,CT, SCOZZAFAVA, A., PASTOREKOVÁ, S., PASTOREK, J. : U. S. Patent Application Serial No. 11/222,986 CA IX-specific inhibitors (filed on September 8, 2005).

Slovakia at the turn of the 1950s (J. Pešek)

The book presents the outcome of basic archival research carried out under the international collaborative project No. 409/04/1401, titled “Communist Czechoslovakia 1958-1963. From Strengthening the Regime Until Partial Liberalisation”, sponsored by the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic. The text is divided into five chapters on the power-political development in Slovakia at the end of the ‘50s and in the early ‘60s. Some selected archival documents on the researched topics are presented in the annex. (Institute of Historical Studies, SAS) PEŠEK, J.: Slovensko na prelome 50. a 60. rokov. Politicko-mocenské aspekty vývoja [Slovakia at the End of the ‘50s and the Beginning of the ‘60s. Power-Political Aspects of Development]. Nakladatelství Prius Brno, ÚSD AV ČR, Praha 2005, 180 p. ISBN 80-7285-059-8.

Moravia Magna (Ruttkay, A., Hanuliak, M., Staššíková, D., Šalkovský, P. , Zábojník, J.)

In this prestigious publication the authors present their synthesizing studies on settlements, secular and sacral architecture, cemeteries and material culture of social elites in the Early Middle Ages, especially in the Great Moravian period in Slovakia and in central Danubian region, which were conducted within the framework of the international project “Moravia Magna”. (Archaeological Institute SAS) RUTTKAY, A., HANULIAK, M., STAŠŠÍKOVÁ, D., ŠALKOVSKÝ, P., ZÁBOJNÍK, J. (KOUŘIL, P. Ed.): Die frühmittelalterliche Elite bei den Völkern des östlichen Mitteleuropas. Brno 2005.

Urban development in Slovakia Experts’ reports on urban development in four European cities (Leipzig, Bologna, Ljubljana, and Leon) demonstrated that the phenomenon of de-urbanization has been receding during the last decades. In the cities that have been the object of the research, the trend of re-urbanization has emerged, i.e. the tendency to live in the city and especially in the city centre. The project was aimed to identify the key types of people inclined to live in the cities and to elaborate concrete instruments (economic, legislative, environmental, and sociological) for reinforcing the natural trend of re-urbanization. Municipal councils in the cities concerned were recommended to support multi-spectral re-urbanization as one of the main factors of sustainable settlement of city centres. It should involve all age-categories and social structures of the residents in order to create a healthy balance of settlement and to prevent the emergence of mono-structures. The results were achieved under the EU FP5 Key Action: City of Tomorrow and Cultural Heritage, project title: Mobilising Reurbanisation on Condition of Demographic Change. (The Institute of Ethnology SAS). PODOLINSKÁ, T., HORANSKÁ, E., KILIÁN, J.: Re Urban Mobil. Toolbox. WP7. D11. In www.re- urban.com, 2005, 82 p.

Cohesion Policy and the needs of the new member states

The study focuses on cohesion policy, its rules and objectives in the context of the needs of the new member states. The study evaluates the role of pre-accession support and barriers related to drawing the structural aid for Slovakia. Furthermore, the study presents proposals to modify the rules of cohesion policy for the years 2007 – 2013. In the field of pre-accession support were identified the main achievements of this kind of support, mostly improvement of administrative capacities, investments in environmental and transport infrastructure, and preparation for the drawing of structural aid. The barriers on the side of the rules of the cohesion were also identified. The main problematic areas included, among others, the co-financing criteria, privileged position of large public projects, ineligible costs, 4% cap on the drawing of structural funds, the mono-fund principle (lower possibility for cross-financing), and co-ordination of present cross-border co- operation tools. (Institute of Economic Research SAS)

FRANK, K., HVOZDÍKOVÁ, V., KVETAN, V.: Slovakia and Cohesion Policy. In: ERIKSSON, Jonas et al.: From Policy Takers to Policy Makers: Adapting EU Cohesion Policy to the Needs of the New Member States. Stockholm: Swedish Institute for European Policy Studies, September 2005, 158-183.

D/ Editorial and Publishing Activity

Review of editorial, publishing, lecturing activities, inventions and patents for the period of 2000-2005

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Scientific monographs published - domestically 80 73 77 53 72 72 - abroad 19 24 22 14 20 15 Specialised//Professional/Technical 54 44 books 55 58 Popular Science Books 8 5 54 50 Chapters in scientific monographs and specialised/technical publications 483 346 491 454 336 495 Scientific works in periodicals indexed in Current Contents (since 2005 also in other databases) 1337 1223 1286 1265 1337 1471 Scientific publications in other periodicals 1463 1628 1172 1103 1111 858 Scientific works in collections/series 1749 1885 1783 1737 1654 1766 Reviews/Reports on scientific works in scientific/scholarly journals 712 797 874 603 636 722 Posters and/or presentations delivered at scientific conferences - with min. 30% participants from abroad - other 2592 2576 2719 2841 3154 2922 1087 1083 1189 1151 1078 1239 Proceedings of scientific meetings/conferences/symposia 81 55 91 75 70 90 University course books 38 33 24 30 15 22 Citations - indexed in WOS (SCI) 7853 8558 8992 9274 10804 10392 - in monographs, course books, and other books 3107 3821 3566 4417 4311 5636 - by other indexes and databases 4179 4468 2588 3297 2937 2412 Journals - number of titles 53 54 54 62 55 55 - number of issues 249 264 264 264 264 264 - periodicals indexed in Current Contents 27 27 29 29 28 38 Yearbooks 8 8 8 8 8 8 Patent applications filed - in Slovakia - abroad 6 4 6 7 6 5 8 3 2 2 7 5 Patents granted to applications filed in the previous years of which: Slovak 12 17 5 10 4 4 foreign 9 10 3 4 3 2 3 7 2 6 1 2

Section I

PUBLISHING, LECTURING, AND EDITORIAL Totals for 2005 and ACTIVITIES addenda to 2004 1. Scientific monographs published domestically 5 2. Scientific monographs published abroad 3 3. Specialised/Professional/Technical books published 8 domestically 4. Specialised/Professional/Technical books published abroad 2 5. Chapters in publications ad 1/ 13 6. Chapters in publications ad 2/ 33 7. Chapters in publications ad 3/ 16 8. Chapters in publications ad 4/ 2 9. Scientific works in journals indexed in a/ Current Contents 470 b/ other international databases 167 10. Scientific works in other journals 264 11. Scientific works in conference proceedings ( non-conference series, in print version or on CD) 580 a/ refereed 146 b/ non-refereed 12. Scientific works in proceedings of extended abstracts 102 13. Reviews/Reports on scientific works in scientific journals 266 14. Poster presentations and presentations delivered at scientific 883 conferences with min. 30% of participants from abroad 15. Other presentations and posters 272 16. Published or edited periodicals indexed in Current Contents 8 17. Other published or edited periodicals 17 18. Published or edited proceedings of scientific events 28 19. University course books 2 20. Scientific works published on the Internet a/ in a foreign language 78 b/ in Slovak 7 21. Translations of scientific and 2 specialised/professional/technical texts Requested reviews/reports on manuscripts of scientific 1473 monographs and scientific works in foreign journals, presentations at conferences with international participation, reviews/reports on grant projects Citations in WOS 3377 Citations indexed by other tools and databases, with reference 866 to the source Citations in monographs, course books, and other publications 742

Section II

PUBLISHING, LECTURING, AND EDITORIAL Totals for 2005 and ACTIVITIES addenda to 2004 1. Scientific monographs published domestically 13 2. Scientific monographs published abroad 5 3. Specialised/Professional/Technical books published 8 domestically 4. Specialised/Professional/Technical books published abroad 0 5. Chapters in publications ad 1/ 34 6. Chapters in publications ad 2/ 26 7. Chapters in publications ad 3/ 6 8. Chapters in publications ad 4/ 18 9. Scientific works in journals indexed in a/ Current Contents 619 b/ other international databases 72 10. Scientific works in other journals 237 11. Scientific works in conference proceedings ( non-conference series, in print version or on CD) a/ refereed 291 b/ non-refereed 162 12. Scientific works in proceedings of extended abstracts 322 13. Reviews/Reports on scientific works in scientific journals 93 14. Poster presentations and presentations delivered at scientific 1377 conferences with min. 30% of participants from abroad 15. Other presentations and posters 393 16. Published or edited periodicals indexed in Current Contents 9 17. Other published or edited periodicals 8 18. Published or edited proceedings of scientific events 18 19. University course books 12 20. Scientific works published on the Internet a/ in a foreign language 21 b/ in Slovak 0 21. Translations of scientific and 4 specialised/professional/technical texts Requested reviews/reports on manuscripts of scientific 1176 monographs and scientific works in foreign journals, presentations at conferences Citations in WOS 6678 Citations indexed by other tools and databases, with reference 1198 to the source Citations in monographs, course books, and other publications 509

Section III

PUBLISHING, LECTURING, AND EDITORIAL ACTIVITIES Totals for 2005 and addenda to 2004 1. Scientific monographs published domestically 54 2. Scientific monographs published abroad 9 3. Specialised/Professional books published domestically 29 4. Specialised/Professional books published abroad 3 5. Chapters in publications ad 1/ 100 6. Chapters in publications ad 2/ 66 7. Chapters in publications ad 3/ 153 8. Chapters in publications ad 4/ 28 9. Scientific works in journals indexed in a/ Current Contents 104 b/ other international databases 39 10. Scientific works in other journals 357 11. Scientific works in conference proceedings ( non-conference series, in print version or on CD) a/ refereed 385 b/ non-refereed 202 12. Scientific works in proceedings of extended abstracts 42 13. Reviews/Reports on scientific works in scientific journals 363 14. Poster presentations and presentations delivered at scientific 662 conferences with min. 30% of participants from abroad 15. Other presentations and posters 574 16. Published or edited periodicals indexed in Current Contents 7 17. Other published or edited periodicals 32 18. Published or edited proceedings of scientific events 44 19. University course books 8 20. Scientific works published on the Internet a/ in a foreign language 33 b/ in Slovak 52 21. Translations of scientific and specialised/professional texts 86 Requested reviews/reports on manuscripts of scientific 450 monographs and scientific works in foreign journals, presentations at conferences with international participation, reviews/reports on grant projects Citations in WOS 337 Citations indexed by other tools and databases, with reference to 348 the source Citations in monographs, course books, and other publications 4385

E/ Centres of Excellence at the Academy

The Academy established Centres of Excellence with an objective to foster excellent research carried out at its respective institutes in collaboration with excellent institutions at universities and applied research laboratories, as well as with industrial and agricultural enterprises. This apart, the establishment of such Centres prepares the Academy’s research teams for calls which will result from the programme on establishing National Centres of Excellence, for open calls for proposals launched by the European Research Area, and the networking of European Centres of Excellence (ERA-NET). The criteria for research teams to be engaged in the Centre of Excellence at the Academy are rigorous, designed to ensure that the conditions for achieving excellent results are met. The staff of the Centre must comprise at least three prominent personalities whose expertness indicators significantly exceed the threshold criteria for eligibility of DrSc. degree. The programme proposal to be submitted for approval has to be innovative and targeted on new methods and approaches in scientific research and in doctoral training. Performance of the Academy’s Centres of Excellence is reviewed and assessed on annual basis, focusing on achieved progress in those areas that characterise them as significant scientific research units distinguished for high quality science, creativity, and innovativeness in approaches to tackling research tasks. Throughout the review and evaluation process, the following criteria are taken into account: scientific results and output, accomplishments, position in the world research, interconnection of the Centre with universities and other research-performing organisations, high doctoral completions rates, participation in international scientific projects, and promotion of research. In compliance with the Programme of the SAS Centres of Excellence, as of October 1, 2002, the first six Centres were established; further were set up as of January 1, 2005.

Centre of Ultra Low Temperature Physics (CFNT)

Head of Centre: doc. RNDr. Peter Samuely, DrSc. Host institute: Institute of Experimental Physics SAS Co-participating organisations outside the Academy: Faculty of Natural Sciences, UPJŠ, Košice Project duration: 1. 10. 2002 – 30. 9. 2006

A temperature of 50 microKelvin, as a new low-temperature record in the Central Europe, was achieved at the Centre of Low Temperature Physics. The temperature dependence of the energy gap in the superfluid 3He-B was obtained by using vibrating wire technique. The effect of doping by carbon and aluminium in magnesium diboride was studied. The information on the energy gap in superconducting diamond was also obtained.

Centre of Nanostructured Materials (NANOSMART)

Head of Centre: Prof. RNDr. Ján Dusza, DrSc. Host institute: Institute of Materials Research SAS Participating institutes within the Academy: Institute of Physics, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Institute of Experimental Physics, Institute of Geotechnics, Institute of Materials and Machine Mechanics Project duration: 1. 10. 2002 – 30. 9. 2006

An original pressing method for rapidly cooled tapes of AlFe2V4 alloy, using ultrafine aluminium powder or a tape prepared by rapid cooling as plastificators, was proposed and experimentally proved. New magnetic nanocomposite systems with potential utilisation as sensors and magnetic cooling were developed. A realistic model of the surface atomic structure of the quasi-crystal of AlPdMn was constructed by the first principle methods. Sulphide particles based on CuS were synthesised in a laboratory as well as in industrial mill and subsequently characterised. The synthesis of the nanoparticle pinning centres in the YBCO system was investigated. Composites of bismut nanoparticles with an oxidic ceramic surface layer prepared by intensive milling were characterised by the methods of transmission electron microscopy, RTG diffraction, calorimetric measurements, and measurements of transport properties. Nanoceramic composites with excellent high temperature properties were developed.

Centre of Excellence for Biopolymers Degradation (CEDEBIPO)

Head of Centre: Ing. Lyda Rychlá, DrSc. Host institute: Polymer Institute SAS Participating institutes within the Academy: Institute of Chemistry Participating institutions outside the Academy: Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava, State Research Institute of Wood, Bratislava Project duration: 1. 10. 2002 – 30. 9. 2006

An original procedure for processing biodegradable poly(hydroxy butyrate) (PHB) blends enabling to suppress thermal degradation of PHB, which is one of the main obstacles of PHB larger applications, was proposed. The procedure is the subject of the patent application submitted in 2005. Particular attention was paid to the transformation of microstructure of biopolymers belonging to polyelectrolytes, to polyelectrolyte complexes, aiming at their applicability in the preparation of microcapsules and tailoring of their properties suitable for encapsulation of viable pancreatic islets. Of importance is the fact that these results lead to the preparation of a significant international project “Encapsulated Islet Transplantation as a 2010 Clinical Diabetes Therapy“. The biological properties and degradation of natural polysaccharides were studied on hyaluronic acid; practical biomedical potentials of microbial polysaccharides as antioxidants, antimutagens and cancerostatic agents were investigated. Finally, new ecologically acceptable esterification procedures for commercial and non-commercial polysaccharides, such as citrus pectins, carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl starch, and soluble and non-soluble glucuronoxylane from the beech wood were developed.

Centre of Molecular Medicine (MOLMED)

Head of Centre: Prof. RNDr. Jaromír Pastorek, DrSc. Host institute: Institute of Virology SAS Participating institutes within the Academy: Cancer Research Institute, Institute of Molecular Biology Participating institutions outside the Academy: Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava; Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava Project Duration: 1. 10. 2002 – 30. 9. 2006

The most important research results of the Centre include: (i) elucidation of the molecular mechanisms involved in regulation of CA IX protein, a marker of hypoxia and indicator of poor cancer prognosis, particularly the role of the promoter methylation as well as signal transduction in the transcriptional control and involvement of metalloproteinases in shedding of CA IX ectodomain; (ii) evidence for a functional involvement of S100P calcium-binding protein in the process of tumorigenesis; (iii) introduction of the methods for isolation of human mesenchymal stem cells from the bone marrow and adipocytes as well as isolation of cancer stem cells from cell lines and tumor tissues; (iv) identification of a new double mutation in RET oncogene detected in a family predisposed to type 2 multiple endocrine neoplasia; (v) identification and functional analysis of several stress sigma factors and stress regulated proteins potentially involved in chronic bacterial diseases caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enterica.

Centre of Excellence in the Research of Intelligence and Creativity (CEVIT)

Head of Centre: Prof. PhDr. Imrich Ruisel, DrSc. Host institute: Institute of Experimental Psychology SAS Participating institutes within the Academy: Institute of Social Sciences Participating organisations outside the Academy: Faculty of Philosophy, Comenius University, Bratislava; Research Institute for Child Psychology and Pathopsychology, Bratislava Project duration: 1. 10. 2002 – 30. 9. 2006

A complex knowledge of man at the beginning of the 21st century requires a revision of existing concepts. Man represents a bio-psycho-socio-cultural being. Deriving from this interpretation is also the perception of personality. The latter may be defined as man's psychological quality, unique and relatively constant, having indeed its origin in a genetic predisposition, but formed by the environment - natural, social, cultural and spiritual, yet moulded, above all, by one's own self, one's own essence. A significant regulatory role in this personal effort is played by social intelligence. Social intelligence regulates an individual's efforts to deal with problems of real life and endeavours to achieve the goals set. It is precisely the possibilities offered by option and choice deriving from the cognitive capacity to transform and construe new knowledge which are indicative of the role of intelligence in the activity of a given personality.

Centre of Excellence for Physics of Information (CEPI)

Head of Centre: prof. RNDr. Vladimír Bužek, DrSc. Host institute: Institute of Physics SAS Participating institutes within the Academy: Mathematical Institute, Institute of Informatics Project duration: 1. 1. 2005 – 31. 12. 2008

During the first year of its existence, many problems associated with physics of nanostructures and nanoparticles, quantum information theory and mathematical physics were studied. The common denominator of these studies is information as a physical entity. The results were published in 29 papers. From among the most important papers, of note is the paper by A. Jenčová and D. Petz, dealing with an extension of important notions of classical statistical experiments to quantum ones. The main object is a sufficient “coarse-graining” between two von Neumann algebras. The sufficiency means that a given transformation preserves the whole information on a given parameterised class of states. Further, some equivalent characterisations of such transformations, e.g., a quantum version of a known factorization criterion, are proved. An example of its application is a characterisation of operations admitting the equality in a strong subadditivity of von Neumann entropy.

Centre of Advanced Devices in Electronic and Electrical Engineering (CENG)

Head of Centre: Ing. Fedor Gömöry, DrSc. Host institute: Institute of Electrical Engineering SAS Participating organisations outside the Academy: Faculty of Mathematics, Physics, and Informatics, Comenius University, Bratislava; Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava Project duration: 1. 1. 2005 – 31. 12. 2008

The experiments on ferromagnetic as well as antiferromagnetic coupling of 4 superconducting quantum bits (qubits) linked together through a common Josephson junction demonstrated excellent agreement with theoretical prediction. The understanding of the flux penetration mechanism into metal-superconductor or feromagnet-superconductor composite allowed good prediction of its electromagnetic behaviour.

Centre Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Neurodegenerative Disorders (AD CENTER)

Head of Centre: Prof. MVDr. Michal Novák, DrSc. Host institute: Institute of Neuroimmunology SAS Participating institutes within the Academy: Institute of Neurobiology SAS Participating organisations outside the Academy: Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava; Faculty of Medicine, P.J. Šafárik University, Košice Project duration: 1. 1. 2005 - 31. 12. 2008

The epidemiological studies carried out by the Centre showed that about 10% of persons aged over 65 are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and the prevalence rate doubles every five years. Almost 5 % of AD patients suffers from familial form of the disease. Until now, there was an information gap concerning the familial forms of AD. Therefore the methods of genetic diagnosis of the mutations relevant for AD familial cases as well as the methods for identification of genes coding the risk factors contributing to the development of neurodegenerative processes were established. With the aid of these methods the first case of familial form of the disease was diagnosed in Slovakia. The specific mutation was identified in APP gene with exchange from valin to isoleucin at position 717.

Centre Excellence of Saccharides Biochemistry (GLYCOBIOS)

Head of Centre: doc. Ing. Vladimír Farkaš, DrSc. Host institute: Institute of Chemistry SAS Participating organisations within the Academy: Institute of Molecular Biology SAS Project duration: 1. 1. 2005 – 31. 12. 2008

Acetylesterase from the cellulolytic fungus Trichoderma reesei has the capacity to catalyze transacetylation reactions in water solution saturated with vinyl acetate as the acyl donor. Under these conditions the oligosaccharides are acetylated predominantly on their non-reducing terminal saccharide units. This reaction represents a new, environmentally acceptable way of acetylation of not only the saccharides but also other natural glycosides, e. g. flavonoids, terpenoids, and antibiotics. The acetylation leads to a change of their hydrophobic properties and increased compatibility with biological membranes.

Research Centre for the Oldest History of Middle Danubian Basin (NADESPOD) Head of Centre: Prof. PhDr. Alexander Ruttkay, DrSc. Host institute: Archaeological Institute SAS Participating institutes within the Academy: Institute of Historical Studies Participating organisations outside the Academy: Archaeological Institute, AS CR, Brno; Faculty of Philosophy, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra; Magyar Nemzeti Muzeum, Budapest; Archaeological Institute, HAS, Budapest; Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Vienna, Austria Project duration: 1. 1. 2005 - 31. 12. 2008

In co-operation with the R.G.K. D.A.I. Frankfurt a. M. excavations in the upland fortified settlement dated to the Early Bronze Age were conducted in Rybník, distr. of Levice. More details concerning the settlement structure were found, the extent of unfortified settlement closely behind a huge moat of the fortified area was précised. From the point of view of theoretical evaluation, the analysis of prehistorical and early historical material from the area of the so-called Slovak gate in the river Tisa basin is relevant. Progressive methods of field exploration and dating were applied in excavations of the hill fort in Majcichov, dated to the 8th-9th centuries; the work was carried out in co-operation with the University in Frankfurt a. M., Within the scope of the project titled “Churches and Churchyard Cemeteries in the Early and Top Middle Ages”, synthesizing studies representing the results of research on Christian buildings and churchyard cemeteries from the 9th -11th centuries in Slovakia were published in the monograph Atlas katolíckej cirkvi na Slovensku [Encyclopaedia of Catholic Church in Slovakia] and in the book Researches on Churchyard Cemeteries in Central Europe, authored by an international team. This problem was also elaborated in the study on northern influences in material culture from the 11th-12th centuries (Warsaw 2005). The outcomes of research carried out in the framework of the international project “Moravia Magna”, co- ordinated by the Archaeological Institute SAS and executed under the patronage of the International Academic Union and the International Union of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences, were published in a monograph titled Die frühmittelalterliche Elite bei den Völkern des östlichen Mitteleuropas as well as in five synthesising studies authored by experts from the Archaeological Institute SAS. From other professional publications of note are five monographs focusing on the following thematic areas: settlement of the Spiš travertines in the Early Stone Age; prehistory of Slovakia (in both Slovak and Italian versions), prepared for a cycle of exhibitions prepared by the Archaeological Institute SAS in Italy; jewellery from the La Tène female burials; state-of-the-art in prehistoric research in the Ponitrie region; and coin hoards in western Slovakia. Further, two comprehensive publications are posted on the Internet and over 40 studies were published in scholarly journals and specialised books. The Centre has been involved in a new international project titled “A Catalogue of Castles in the Danubian Region”, co-ordinated by German institutions. Finally, the activities of the Centre in 2005 included also three Summer Archaeological Camps (Nitra, Liptovská Mara, Iža) for students and young archaeologists from several co-operating countries.

Collective Identities in Modern Societies: Central European Region (PROCESSES)

Head of Centre: PhDr. Eva Krekovičová, DrSc. Host institute: Institute of Ethnology SAS Participating institutes within the Academy: Institute of Historical Studies, Institute of Philosophy, Ľ. Štúr Institute of Linguistics, Institute of Oriental Studies, Institute for Sociology, Institute of Social Sciences Participating organisations outside the Academy: Faculty of Arts, Comenius University, Bratislava Project duration: 1. 10. 2002 – 30. 9. 2006

Field and archival research was completed in 2005. The focus of attention was since then shifted to working on the final draft of the monograph Kolektívne identity v strednej Európe [Collective Identities in Central Europe] as well as to preparing an international conference planned for September 2006, co-organised with the Centre for European Politics. The reactions on the monograph Mýty naše slovenské [Our Slovak Myths] have been very positive and favourable. The results of scholarly work carried out by the Centre were published in a number of monographs, including KREKOVIČOVÁ, E.: Mentálne obrazy, stereotypy a mýty vo folklóre a v politike [Mental Images, Stereotypes and Myths in Folklore and Politics], as well as in numerous studies, for example KOVÁČ, D.: Nationalism and Political Culture in Austria-Hungary in the Period of Dualism. In Hulas, M., Pánek, J. (Eds.): Political Culture in Central Europe (10th – 20th centuries), Part II. 19th and 20th centuries, Warsaw. The quality of results achieved by the Centre was confirmed by numerous academic activities inspired by these publications as well as by a number of programmes in the media.

F/ Participation in and Achievements of the Academy in Science and Technology Support Programmes

In 2005, the Academy administered three state programmes for research and development, namely: 1. Participation of the social sciences in the advancement of the society (the programme is not divided into sub-programmes). Of the total of eight tasks laid down in this programme, five were tackled by Academy’s institutes, namely: the Institute for Sociology, Institute of Social Sciences, Institute of Political Science, Institute of Economic Research, Institute of State and Law, and three such tasks were tackled by organisations outside of the Academy, namely: Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Research Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics, Ministry of Economy of the SR, Centre for Labour and Family Research, and Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the SR. 2. Quality of Life – Health, Food, and Education and Training (the programme comprised 5 sub- programmes). The Academy administered one sub-programme, namely: - Genomics of tumour, cardiovascular and transferable diseases for healthier human and animal populations – three tasks; participatory institutes from the Academy : the Cancer Research Institute, Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics, Institute of Neuroimmunology. 3. Personality and skills development of young research scientists (up to 35 years of age) and doctoral students in research and development (the programme comprised three sub-programmes). The Academy administered 1 sub-programme, namely: - Realisation of excellent projects and support for professional growth of young research scientists and doctoral students, which comprised twelve tasks. Of those, five were tackled by Academy’s institutes, namely: the Institute for Heart Research, Archaeological Institute, Institute of Animal Physiology, Parasitological Institute, Institute of Political Science, and seven were tackled by organisations outside of the Academy, namely: Comenius University, University of Žilina, Research Institute for Animal Production in Nitra - Ministry of Agriculture of the SR, Research Institute for Plant Production in Piešťany – Ministry of Agriculture of the SR, EVPU, a.s. Nová Dubnica. All the abovementioned state programmes were concluded by the end of 2005. The review panel meetings are scheduled for 2006, their organisation will be supervised by the Ministry of Education of the SR. Individual Institutes of the Academy are also involved in other state programmes, either as principal investigators or co-participants.

State orders

In 2005, the Academy participated in the following two state orders: 1. New materials and devices in submicrometer technology – the main project comprised the following sub-projects: - Zvládnutie submikrometrových tenkovrstvových technológií [Application of new devices based on sub- micrometer thin film technologies]; principal investigator: Institute of Physics SAS; - Využitie nových prvkov a súčiastok na báze submikrometrových tenkovrstvových technológií [Utilisation of new components and devices based on submictometer thin-layer technologies]; principal investigator: Institute of Electrical Engineering SAS; - Výskum a vývoj keramického kompozitu (na báze nitridu a karbidu kremíka resp. korundu) a kovových (na báze Al, Cu, Ti-zliatin) konštrukčných materiálov s riadenou štruktúrou na submikrometrovej úrovni s výnimočnými mechanickými, tepelnými a elektrickými vlastnosťami a so samodetekčnou schopnosťou [Development of ceramic composites (on the base of silicon nitride, silicon carbide and alumina) and metallic engineering materials (Al, Cu and Ti-based alloys) with controlled microstructure, exceptional mechanical, thermal and electrical properties and self-diagnostic ability]; principal investigator: Institute of Inorganic Chemistry SAS; - Vývoj materiálov metódami minerálnych biotechnológií, mechanochemickými a chemickými postupmi, s cieľom získať nové sorbenty plynných a tuhých škodlivín (radioaktívnych a ťažkých kovov, NOx), optoelektronické, magnetické a polovodičové produkty a pigment, principal investigator/project director: Institute of Experimental Physics SAS. 2. Civilization diseases of the heart – ischemic and overloaded myocardium; principal investigator: Institute for Heart Research SAS.

As stated in the final reports of the review panels’ meetings held in February and March 2006, both state orders were successfully completed and the objectives set out in individual projects were accomplished.

European Social Fund

In 2005, the Academy – or, rather, its individual organisations – obtained financial support from the European Social Fund for 16 projects in the total amount of SKK 99 mil. (for the entire duration of the projects); this apart, a number of institutes co-participate in ESF projects. The standard length of an ESF project is usually three years.

Science and Technology Assistance Agency

The Academy’s scientific organisations were granted financial support for 49 research projects in the amount of SKK 108.4 mil. Following several years of the activities of the Science and Technology Assistance Agency, we analysed the success rate of the Academy in the competition for grants relative to other budgets of the SR, by individual years and number of approved grants.

2003 (6 programmes) Academy’s grants 49 36% Other grants 88 64% 2004 (2 programmes) Academy’s grants 25 45% Other grants 31 55% 2005 (2 programmes) Academy’s grants 54 27% Other grants 149 73%

The success rate of the Academy in six programmes launched by the Science and Technology Assistance Agency, following open calls for project proposals dated August 31, 2006:

Academy’s grants 48 40% Other grants 71 60%

The success rate of the Academy significantly exceeds its share in the total capacity of the research and development base in Slovakia.

VEGA - Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education of the SR and the Academy

In 2005 Academy’s scientific institutes were engaged in 565 scientific projects; of those, 76 were joint projects carried out in collaboration with institutions of higher learning. For the support of such projects, the Academy earmarked funds amounting to SKK 54.9 mil. from its budget.

CHAPTER III DOCTORAL STUDY PROGRAMME AND PEDAGOGICAL ACTIVITY

As of December 31, 2005 the total number of scientific and scholarly research staff employed at the Academy’s institutes equalled 1,489; of those, 264 were holders of DrSc. degree and 1,225 holders of the degree of CSc. or PhD. Among the given number of research scientists and scholars, there were 103 Professors and 134 Associate Professors. In accordance with the effective qualification scale, the Academy employed 375 ‘leading research scientists’ and 6,185 ‘independent research scientists’. In 2005, the Academy’s Scientific Council awarded 14 scientific degrees of Doctor of Sciences (higher doctorate) and 1 titular degrees of Doctor of Sciences honoris causa. The Academy’s Committee on Assessment of Scholarly Qualifications received 44 applications for granting appropriate scholarly qualification grade. Of the total number of applications, 34 were filed by the Academy’s institutes and 10 were submitted by other sectors in the SR. Six applications for granting a scholarly qualification grade I – categorised as ‘leading research scientist’, and 38 applications for granting a scholarly qualification grade IIa – categorised as ‘independent research scientist’, were duly reviewed. Of the total number, 39 applications were approved, 4 rejected, and 1 adjourned. Altogether, 31 research scientists and scholars from the Academy acquired a higher qualification grade. The Academy’s institutes accredited to supervise doctoral studies provided further education and training for 793 doctoral students in total; of those, 378 were full-time PhDs, while 415 pursued part-time doctorate programmes. Following a successful defence of doctoral thesis, 120 PhD. candidates completed their studies in 2005. With effect from academic year 2005/2006, the Academy’s scientific institutes participate as external educational facilities in doctoral study programmes offered by 9 universities. In compliance with the wording of the Act on Higher Education No. 131/2002 Coll. as amended, the Ministry of Education of the SR granted the authority to participate in doctoral study programme in 43 fields to 33 scientific institutes of the Academy. Such activity is grounded on 77 framework agreements. 130 new doctoral students were accepted to pursue their studies on the topics assigned by the Academy. In 2005, co-operation with institutions of higher education was further carried out. The Academy’s scientific and scholarly research staff was primarily engaged in lecturing at institutions of higher education. More specifically, 338 Academy’s research staff members gave 13,938 hours of lectures at domestic institutions and further 32 such members gave 885 hours of lectures abroad. Moreover, 293 of the Academy’s personnel supervised semester-long practicums at domestic institutions (21,031 hours) and 10 such members held similar courses abroad (332 hours). Pedagogical and training activities comprised the following: 302 of the Academy’s research staff members supervised 600 graduate degree theses; 256 of such members provided expert opinion on 444 advanced degree dissertations; 522 of the Academy’s research staff members acted as principal supervisors in doctorate study programmes. Furthermore, Academy’s employees served as members of joint committees for the defence of doctoral theses (386), committees for the defence of DrSc. dissertations (132), and members of research boards operating at appropriate faculties and universities (104). In 2005, 55 research scientists and scholars from the Academy were awarded a scientific degree (PhD. or DrSc.) and 34 were granted a higher academic/pedagogical degree. The Academy’s institutes maintain 35 joint facilities with institutions of higher education. Their mission is focused on application of available instruments and equipment in pedagogical activity and in collaborative scientific projects.

Chapter IV INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CO-OPERATION

International scientific co-operation represents one of principal activities and programme priorities of the Academy’s Presidium. It is carried out in compliance with major priority objectives and targets laid down in the state policy for research and technology in the Slovak Republic in the area of foreign relations, which have been and still are characterised mainly by active co-operation and fulfilment of strategic tasks and/or assignments resulting from membership of the SR in EU and NATO. The attention of the Academy has been targeted on establishing and extending relations with foreign and international scientific institutions and structures as well as on their further advancement, either through membership in these organisations or on the grounds of agreements on scientific co-operation. Core instruments encouraging broader incorporation into the European Research Area (ERA) include the following: - active participation in the creation of ERA, in co-operation with other national and foreign partners; - support for mobility in compliance with objectives and targets laid out in international covenants, conventions, accords, contracts, or agreements concluded by the government of the SR, other authorities of central administration, the Academy, or its individual institutes; - multilateral co-operation linked with participation in the activities within the EU Framework Programmes, NATO, COST, ESF, and CERN. It should be noted here that the Academy today administers both the membership and participation in ESF programmes at national level; - membership of the Academy in non-governmental international scientific organisations and panels, including ICSU, ALLEA, IAP, IAMP, EASAC, and EASA; - efforts targeted on incorporation of the SR into international governmental scientific organisations, agencies, and laboratories, such as EMBO, ESA, or ESF. In the year under review, bilateral agreements (inter-governmental agreements on co-operation in science and technology and cultural agreements) and the so-called inter-academic agreements (concluded between the Academy and counterpart scientific institutions abroad) played a crucial role in the implementation of scientific co-operation of the Academy. Ever more increasing importance is laid primarily on joint projects and priority research themes. Within the frame of integration into the European Research Area, the core activities germane to international scientific co-operation of the Academy included the following: direct contacts of individual Academy research institutes with counterpart organisations abroad and participation in joint international projects, particularly in the EU 5th and 6th Framework Programmes, as well as in other European programmes for research and development (e.g. COST, NATO). The Academy has been committed to active engagement in strengthening co-operation with both the governmental scientific organisations (UNESCO, CERN, INTAS) as well as the non governmental ones (ALLEA, EASA). In 2005 Academy’s scientific institutes participated in important long-term scientific programmes launched by the European Science Foundation. Common key issues germane to science and research are addressed at regularly held meetings of the V4 Academies. The Academy maintains contacts with diplomatic corps accredited in the SR. President of the Academy hosted a meeting with ambassadors of the countries with which we have had a very active and fruitful scientific o-operation (USA, FRG, Russian Federation). The Academy was visited by high-level official representatives of both the domestic (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the SR) and foreign institutions (UNESCO). Academy’s research scientists participated in numerous international scientific gatherings, symposia, and congresses held abroad. Many of them serve as members of programme and organisation committees for international conferences, as well as members of editorial boards of scientific/scholarly journals. They are also appointed to various posts in international scientific societies, unions, and national committees of the SR. The list of relevant activities comprises also their lecturing activity abroad. In 2005, the Academy’s scientific institutes organised a total of 54 major international scientific events.

A. Bilateral international scientific co-operation

In 2005, Academy’s co-operation with abroad was carried out primarily on the grounds of bilateral inter- academic agreements on scientific co-operation. These agreements cover participation in conferences and other events of various types, as well as establishing new contacts, or preparation of joint collaborative projects. Apart from traditional forms of reciprocal exchanges, the number of agreements directly linked to the sending and hosting of research scientists within the framework of joint bilateral projects is growing steadily. Other types of co-operation are specific for each individual country. At present the Academy shares 63 bilateral agreements on scientific co-operation with scientific organisations in 40 countries, which provide for the visits of the Academy’s scientific staff members in the overall amount of 5,500 (person/days) per annum. A new Memorandum of Understanding on co-operation between the Slovak Academy of Sciences and British Council Slovakia covering the period of 2006 – 2008 was concluded in December 2005. The Memorandum establishes the scope of and conditions for professional meetings of young research scientists from Slovakia and the United Kingdom. Centrally co-ordinated mobility (Tables 1-5, columns A and B) serves as a pivotal instrument for the implementation of inter-academic agreements. The tables below are arranged by geo-political criteria.

Table 1. Co-operation with EU member states

Country A B C D E F G Austria 21 622 9 196 21 136 Belgium 7 15 0 60 5 21 Cyprus 0 000001 Czech Republic 150 111 35 21 301 71 500 Denmark 1 04 0 5 4 12 Estonia 4 100015 Finland 5 420653 France 11 912 3 62 27 58 Germany 11 1542 15 146 57 105 Greece 1 02 4 9 8 31 Hungary 56 3916 28 61 17 55 Ireland 0 000355 Italy 25 93 0 69 29 70 Latvia 1 000105 Lithuania 1 000013 Luxembourg 0 00 0009 Malta 0 000413 Netherlands 3 12 2 28 12 16 Poland 65 2616 6 56 32 114 Portugal 2 110518 Slovenia 6 2 1 0 14 3 18 Spain 14 58 1 27 12 43 Sweden 2 0181097 United Kingdom 48 38 4 2 46 19 30 Total 434 268 176 99 1109 340 1258

The data presented in Table 1 (and likewise in Tables 2-5 below) refer to the number of outgoing and incoming research scientists in the frame of central agreements on co-operation (columns A and B), inter- institute agreements (C and D), and other types of activities of individual Academy’s institutes (E – other visits abroad, F – other hosts from abroad). These are related to inter alia individual invitations to international scientific events, meetings, or lectures. The data in column G show the number of the Academy’s scientific staff who in 2005 attended international conferences abroad.

Co-operation with EU member states was carried out on the basis of inter-academic agreements and bilateral joint collaborative projects. With the exception of Greece, Ireland, and Luxembourg, the Academy has concluded international academic agreements with all countries given in Table 1. The most extended project co-operation between the Academy’s institutes and their counterpart institutions in EU countries falls on the Czech Republic (AS CR - 26 projects), Poland (PAS – 26 projects), Hungary (HAS – 20 projects), and Italy (CNR – 18 projects). Further, long-lasting collaboration on projects between the Academy’s institutes and their respective partner institutions in France (CNRS) and Germany (DAAD, DFG) was further carried out. Within the group of EU member states, the co-operation with the V4 countries (Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary), itself based on close contacts between the Academy and the national academies in these countries, plays a key role. Beside the principal forms of co-operation, regularly held cordial meetings of presidiums of the Academies should also be mentioned here. The Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic has maintained its long-standing first position in terms of the total number of visits abroad. Approximately 40% of all participations in international conferences abroad (Table 1, column G) fell on the Czech Republic. Further important partner institutions of the Academy (in terms of mobility volume) are the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, followed by the Austrian Academy of Sciences and Academy’s partner organisations in the United Kingdom. The Polish Academy of Sciences still remains to be an important partner of the Academy, not only in terms of the volume of realised projects but mainly in terms of the number of realised projects (see above). The inter-academic agreement concluded between the Academy and the Danish Rectors’ Conference, which sets forth conditions for exchanges of doctoral students (long-term visits) and senior scientists, is especially noteworthy. Given the fact that the Academy has not yet concluded inter-academic agreement with its counterpart scientific organisation in some countries, other arrangements, e.g. inter-governmental agreements on scientific and technological co-operation as well as the so-called cultural agreements (Greece, Portugal) were effectively applied in such cases. Significance of the co-operation with France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom should be duly emphasised here. The Academy has concluded two agreements with its counterpart organisations in France, in particular with the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (National Centre for Scientific Research), restricted solely to project co-operation, and with École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences), promoting research co-operation between young research scientists in social sciences. The co-operation with Germany is provided for on the basis of two agreements with the Deutche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation), concerning particularly preparation and realisation of joint projects and seminars, symposia, or other scientific events, and the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (German Academic Exchange Service) restricted solely to project co- operation. The co-operation with Italy, supported by the agreement with Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (The National Research Council), is primarily orientated on conducting joint research projects. Over the past couple of years, the scope and extent of the Academy’s co-operation with the United Kingdom has expanded significantly (see Table 7). Such co-operation is supported by three agreements concluded with the following institutions: the Royal Society of London (co-operation in the technical, physical, mathematical sciences, and astronomy), British Academy (co-operation in the social sciences and humanities), and British Council Slovakia (co-operation in selected thematic areas within the INYS programme). Key issues relating to the co-operation of the Royal Society in London and the British Academy with all European partner institutions are addressed at regularly held meetings attended by foreign departments’ personnel in the respective partner institutions incorporated into the European Science Exchange Programme. In 2005, the total number and volume of incoming and outgoing research scientists in the frame of Academy’s co-operation with EU member states represented over 80% of the aggregate volume of the Academy’s foreign contacts.

Table 2. Co-operation with other G7 countries and the Russian Federation

Country A B C D E F G Canada 0 6 0 0 5 5 7 Japan 5 2 0 4 8 13 12 Russian Federation 13 18 10 3 28 15 12 USA 0 4 2 4 43 27 49 Total 18 30 12 11 84 60 80

Of the countries given in Table 2, the Academy shares inter-academic agreements with Japan, Canada, Russian Federation, and the USA. A significant number of visits to the G7 countries was connected with the activities of multilateral projects consortia established under the EU framework programmes (column E).

Table 3. Co-operation with other advanced European countries (outside EU)

Country A B C D E F G Liechtenstein 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Norway 0 0 0 0 6 8 14 Switzerland 0 0 15 2 34 9 36 Total 0 0 15 2 41 17 50

The Academy has not yet concluded agreements on scientific co-operation with any of these countries. The most important co-operation with counterpart organisations in these countries is with Switzerland. It is interesting to note particularly high number of participations in international conferences (column G).

Table 4. Former countries of the Soviet Union and Balkan states

Country A B C D E F G Albania 000000 0 Belarus 120000 0 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Bulgaria 13 14 1 11 9 2 10 Croatia 300082 31 Macedonia 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Moldova 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Romania 7 6 0 1 10 0 9 Serbia and Montenegro 3 0 1 2 10 0 8 Ukraine 5 9 3 11 7 6 8 Uzbekistan 000000 0 Total 32 31 5 25 45 12 66

From the group of countries given in Table 4, the Academy has maintained more intensive contacts of long standing with the academies of sciences in Bulgaria, Romania, and Ukraine. The highest number of projects carried out by individual Academy’s institute in collaboration with their counterparts fell on Ukraine (National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine) - 10 projects, and Bulgaria (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences) – 7 projects. The co-operation is primarily orientated on the social sciences (history, ethnology, linguistics). Co- operation with the academies of sciences in Serbia and Montenegro have progressed further. The two existing inter-academic agreements were complemented by an additional inter-academic agreement with the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Vojvodina.

Table 5. Other countries

Country A B C D E F G Algeria 0 0 00 0 0 1 Argentina 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 Australia 0 0 00 2 2 4 Benin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Brazil 0 0 00 0 2 1 Chile 0 0 00 0 1 0 China 2 8 00 3 0 2 Ecuador 0 0 00 1 0 1 Egypt 0 0 00 0 0 0 Ethiopia 0 0 00 0 0 1 Ghana 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Hong Kong 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 India 1 0 00 0 0 4 Indonesia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Iran 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Island 0 0 00 0 0 0 Israel 1 0 01 2 1 3 Kenya 0 0 00 0 0 1 Korea 0 0 00 4 1 4 Kuwait 0 0 10 1 1 0 Libya 0 0 00 0 0 0 Malaysia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mauritius 0 0 00 0 0 3 Mexico 0 0 00 1 1 4 Mozambique 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 New Zealand 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 Peru 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SAR 0 0 00 0 0 0 Saudi Arabia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Senegal 0 0 00 0 0 0 Singapore 0 0 00 0 0 3 Sri Lanka 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Taiwan 1 0 00 0 0 1 Thailand 0 0 00 0 0 1 Tunisia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Turkey 6 1 00 7 3 4 Uruguay 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Vatican 0 0 00 0 0 1 Venezuela 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Vietnam 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Yemen 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 12 9 2 1 24 12 44

From the countries given in Table 5, the Academy has concluded inter-academic agreements with scientific institutions in Argentina, China, Egypt, India, Israel, Korea, Mexico, Taiwan, and Turkey. Project co-operation with Turkey (3 projects) has been developed further . With the exception of Egypt, China, India, Mexico, and Turkey, contacts with other countries mentioned afore are rather sporadic. The most extensive volume of mobility is related to the Academy’s co-operation with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Table 6. Balance of mobility (outgoing and incoming research scientists under inter-academic agreements by number of days, cost (for hosts) and number of bilateral projects

Visits Hosts/ Financial Number of Country abroad/ days cost in projects days SKK Argentina 10 0 0 0 Austria 448 6426 0200 Belarus 14 28 34 470 0 Belgium - Flanders 68 4 4 224 0 Belgium – Wallonia 0 0 0 0 Bulgaria 121 128144 5407 Canada 0 2828 9000 China 43 68111 0000 Croatia 21 00 0 Czech Republic 666 673 738 900 26 Denmark 180 0 0 0 Egypt 0 00 0 Estonia 37 1118 0600 Finland 105 3047 1000 France 121 6266 3307 Germany 280 131144 2007 Greece 5 00 0 Hungary 398 210222 42020 India 15 00 0 Israel 42 00 0 Italy 268 7875 30018 Japan 169 4254 5702 Latvia 14 00 0 Lithuania 12 0 0 0 Macedonia 0 0 0 0 Mexico 0 00 0 Mongolia 0 00 0 Netherlands 30 45 2000 Poland 258 167202 30026 Portugal 20 911500 0 Romania 83 6372 5700 Russia 218 226268 4600 Serbia and Montenegro 27 0 0 2 Slovenia 22 2029 3000 Spain 114 47 34 740 6 Sweden 21 00 0 Taiwan 10 00 0 Turkey 76 1412 9003 Ukraine 72 94129 47010 United Kingdom 346 130 219 300 0 USA 0 1221 6000

Total 4334 2343 2723 370 134

Table 6 presents a total balance of mobility volumes (outgoing and incoming research scientists) related to inter-academic agreements, by individual countries and financial costs of hosts support, as well as numbers of bilateral scientific projects carried out under inter-academic agreements. A survey of mobility (visits abroad and hosts from abroad) supported by central and inter-institute agreements on co-operation with EU members states* for the period 2003 – 2005 is presented in Table 7.

Table 7. Summary of mobility for 2003 – 2005

Country A B C D 2003 2004 2005 2003 2004 2005 2003 2004 2005 2003 2004 2005

Austria 22 26 21 10 7 6 71622 10 10 9 Belgium 18 18 7 311 325 0 0 0 Czech Republic 120 122 150 109 135 111 35 29 35 36 23 21 Denmark 2 4 1 030 004 0 0 0 Estonia 5 4 4 111 000 0 0 0 Finland 11 14 5 544 132 0 1 0 France 15 17 11 717 9 4812 6 2 3 Germany 15 8 11 91115 26 29 42 1 10 15 Greece 4 2 1 650 162 0 0 4 Hungary 58 59 56 16 48 39 25 12 16 27 19 28 Italy 24 36 25 15 24 9 663 0 3 0 Latvia 1 3 1 220 000 0 0 0 Lithuania 0 0 1 300 000 0 0 0 Netherlands 1 4 3 611 052 1 0 2 Poland 45 52 65 21 27 26 14 13 16 3 14 6 Portugal 1 0 2 021 001 0 0 0 Slovenia 10 2 6 062 141 8 3 0 Spain 7 14 14 595 008 2 3 1 Sweden 5 8 2 220 331 1 5 8 United Kingdom 16 14 48 6738 124 1 2 2 Total 380 407 434 226 312 268 127 138 176 96 95 99

∗Except for Cyprus, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Malta; the Academy has not yet concluded an agreement on co-operation with any of these four countries) The total volume of visits abroad underpinned by central agreements (A) increased by 14.2% (to 434 in 2005). The highest increase show the data for the Czech Republic (by 25.0%), Poland (by 44.4%), and particularly the United Kingdom (by 200%). The number of visits from abroad supported by central agreements (B) increased for Hungary (by 143.8%) and Germany (by 66.7%); conversely, a marked decrease is shown for Italy (by 40%). The United Kingdom shows the absolute increase (by 533.3%). Overall, the total number of visits from abroad increased by 18.6% (to 268 in 2005). The numbers of incoming research scientists whose visits were supported by inter-institute agreements (C) increased especially for France (200%), Germany (by 61.5%), Austria (by 214%), and Spain (by 800%); conversely, a decrease in such visits is shown for Hungary (by 36%), and Italy (by 50%). Overall, the total number of such visits increased by 38.6% (to 176 in 2005). The overall volume of incoming research scientists whose visit was supported by inter-institute agreements (D) shows only a mild increase (by 3.1%, i.e. to 99 in 2005). In this respect, the highest increase is shown for Germany (by 1400%), Poland (by 100%), and Sweden (by 700%); conversely, a decrease in such visits is shown for the Czech Republic (by 41.7%), France (by 50%), and Slovenia (a drop to 0%). Of all arrangements of collaboration concluded with foreign partner institutions, the co-operation targeted specifically on young research scientists is particularly noteworthy. Such co-operation is carried out on the basis of agreements with the following organisations: - The Letter of Understanding on the Exchange of Scientists between the Danish Rectors’ Conference (Denmark) covers two exchange programmes: the former provides for exchange of young research scientists. Beneficiaries are doctoral students pursuing their study in the host country. The latter covers exchange of senior research scientists, with an aim to conduct co-operative research and to advance academic research at PhD. level in both countries. - British Council Slovakia (UK) – a new Memorandum of Understanding on co-operation between the Slovak Academy of Sciences and British Council Slovakia covering the period of 2006 – 2008 was signed in December 2005. The agreement establishes the scope and conditions for joint professional meetings of young research scientists from Slovakia and the United Kingdom, specifically in the frame of the International Networking of Young Scientists (INTYS) programme. In 2005, the following three professional seminars were held in Slovakia: - Extreme hydrologic phenomena – droughts and floods, methods their assessment and modelling (SAS Congress Centre in Smolenice, 19-21 June, 2005) - Ceramic Nanocomposites (SAS Congress Centre in Smolenice, 24-26 August, 2005) - Low and very low temperature properties of intermetallic compounds (SAS Congress Centre in Stará Lesná, 27-30 October, 2005 ). - École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (France) - the agreement provides for exchange of young research scientists up to 35 years of age, who pursue scientific research in the social sciences.

B. Multilateral international scientific co-operation

Multilateral international scientific co-operation has been traditionally focused on successful participation in projects carried out under the EU framework programmes for research and technology development. In 2005, working teams from the Academy participated in 49 projects under FP5 and 67 projects under FP6. In terms of the number of participants from the SR in projects under the 6th FP , the Academy ranked second and in terms of the volume of awarded funds it ranked first (approximately 40% of the total contribution for the SR). As regards other programmes of international co-operation in research and technology, the Academy has recorded an increase in participation in projects sponsored by COST (35), UNESCO (12), and NATO (8). Individual Academy’s institutes we also represented in other important international programmes, including IAEA, IEA, EUREKA, PHARE, CERN, Inter-reg, Leonardo, and Socrates. The total number of projects under international multilateral co-operation carried out at the Academy in 2005 stood at 135. 64 research staff members of the Academy served as expert evaluators of projects under international research programmes (e.g. EU FP, INTAS, ESF, NATO, PHARE, UNESCO); some of those were involved simultaneously in several programmes. In 2005, 27 members of the Academy’s research staff were registered as expert evaluators of EU FP in the database of the European Commission. Table 8 presents an overview of international projects (including bilateral) carried out at the respective Academy’s institute.

Table 8. International projects

Number of projects Funds awarded PROJECT TYPE for 2005 (calculated in SKK) A B A B Organisation Organisation is the co- participates in ordinator the project of the project * 1. EU 5th Framework projects (only projects carried out in 2005, completed projects are not 5 44 4 654 664 16 031 555 taken into account) th 2. EU 6 Framework projects (projects already 6 61 30 183 701 48 814 661 excluded are not taken into account) 3. Multilateral projects under the frame of scientific programmes, e.g. COST, INTAS, 34 97 3 679 968 5 674 054 EUREKA, ESPIRIT, PHARE, NATO, UNESCO, CERN, IAEA, ESF 4. Projects within the frame of inter- governmental agreements on co-operation in 65 23 10 146 789 2 081 313 science and technology (e.g. Greece, Czech Republic, Germany) 5. Other projects financed from foreign sources 13 52 6 262 727 5 783 167 6. Bilateral projects 82 52 179 468 8 353 171

* E.g. consortium co-ordinator

Throughout the EU FP5 (since 1998), the Academy’s organisations recorded 100 participations in projects launched under EU FP5. The following Academy’s institutes had the highest participation in the EU 5th FP projects: the Institute of Physics (14), Institute of Electrical Engineering (10), Institute of Landscape Ecology (8), Institute of Construction and Architecture (8), Institute of Animal Physiology (6), Institute of Informatics (5), and Institute of Botany (5). The highest number of participants was involved in the following thematic programmes: Sustainable Development (17), Energy and Environment (16), Quality of Life (12), and Information Society Technologies (7). The overall number of participants in the horizontal programmes (Human Potential, International Co-operation, Marie Currie Fellowships) equalled 23. In 2005, three institutes of the Academy were granted the status of EU Centre of Excellence, namely: the Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Institute of Electrical Engineering, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry.

Table 9. List of EU FP5 projects carried out at the Academy’s institutes for the period 1998-2002

SAS Institute Programme Project Title Section I

Astronomical Institute HP European Solar Magnetism Network Geophysical Institute EE Developing Existing Earthquake Data Infrastructures Towards a Mediterranean-European Rapid Earthquake Data Information Geophysical Institute EE Seismic Hazard Assessment, Site Effects, and Soil Structure Interaction Studies in an Instrumented Basin Geophysical Institute EE Site Effects Assessment Using Ambient Excitations Institute of Construction PD Semi-Active Control Near the Base of Asymmetrical and Architecture Structures Institute of Construction PD Cost–Effective, Sustainable and Innovative Upgrading and Architecture Methods for Fire Safety in Existing Tunnels Institute of Construction PD European Construction Research Network (E-Core) and Architecture Institute of Construction PD Development of Specially Designed Insulation Materials for and Architecture Building Renovation Institute of Construction PD Safety and Reliability of Industrial Products, Systems and and Architecture Structures Institute of Construction PD Performance-Based Buildings and Architecture Institute of Electrical EE Applied Superconductivity Training and Research Advance Engineering Centre (EU Centre of Excellence) Institute of Electrical Euratom Measurement of the Current Distribution Inside Engineering Superconducting Cables – Supply and Installation of a Hall Probe Measuring System and Joining of Multifilamentary Nb3Sn Stands Institute of Electrical IST New Gallium-Phosphate Grown by VGF Method for Light Engineering Emitting Diodes Institute of Electrical MCF One-Dimensional Transport in a Semiconductor Quantum Engineering Wire with Disorder, Dephasing, and Electron-Electron Interaction Institute of Electrical MCF Spatially Resolved Surface Characterization of Semiconductor Engineering Wafers by High Resolution X-ray Diffraction Institute of Electrical PD Integration of Very High K-Dielectrics with Silicon CMOS Engineering Institute of Electrical PD Thin Films and Microelectronic Structures on the Basis of Engineering Oxides Institute of Electrical PD Superconducting European Network – SCENET2 Engineering Institute of Electrical PD Quality Monitoring of Superconductors for the Production of Engineering the Efficient, Compact and Reliable Transmission Systems Institute of Electrical PD Optimising Powder-in-Tube Tapes in MRI Systems as Engineering Icebreaker for HTS Socio-Economic Benefits Institute of Experimental SD SCENET 2 – The European Network for Supercoductivity Physics Institute of Experimental SD New Target Specific Biomimetic and Magnetically Labelled Physics Nanoparticles for Fibrinolytic Drug Administration Institute of Experimental PD New Target Specific Biomimetic and Magnetically Labelled Physics Nanoparticles for Fibrinolytic Drug Administration Institute of Geotechnics EE Reconstruction of Bacterial Activity in Transformation Process Under Primeval Terrestrial Climate Conditions Institute of Hydrology IST System for European Water Monitoring Institute of Informatics IST Research and Training Action for System on Chip Design Institute of Informatics IST Data Fusion for Flood Analysis and Decision Support Institute of Informatics IST A Platform for Organisationally Mobile Public Employees (PELLUCID) Institute of Informatics IST Development of Grid Environment for Interactive Applications (CROSSGRID) Institute of Informatics HP Correlation of Structure and Magnetism in Novel Nanoscale Magnetic Particles Institute of Materials PD Structural Integrity of Ceramic Multi-Layers and Coatings Research Institute of Materials PD Polar Electroceramics (POLCER) Research Institute of Materials PD High Efficiency Forming Technology of Light Weight MMC Research Components for Automotive and Household Applications Institute of Materials PD Intelligent Welding of Power Generation Components Research Institute of Materials and PD Evaluation and Improvement of Suspension Seat Vibration Machine Mechanics Isolation Performance (VIBSEAT) Institute of Physics IST Quantum Properties of Distributed Systems (QUPRODIS) Institute of Physics IST Quantum Gates and Elementarily Scalable Processors Using Deterministically Addressed Atoms Institute of Physics EE Acoustic and Thermophysical Analysis of Stones Institute of Physics SD European Virtual Institute of Thermal Metrology Institute of Physics IST Detection and Imaging of Antipersonnel Land-Mine by Neutron Back- scattering (DIAMINE) Institute of Physics IST Entanglement in Quantum Information Processing and Communication Institute of Physics IST Quantum Based Processing and Transfer with Single Atoms and Photons Institute of Physics HP Quantum Entangled States of Trapped Particles (QUEST) Institute of Physics HP HADES Time of Flight Wall EA (Experimental Ausschuss) GSI Institute of Physics HP Correlation of the Structure and Magnetism in Novel Nanoscale Magnetic Particles Institute of Physics HP Manufacture and Characterisation of the Nanostructured Al- Alloys Institute of Physics HP Subpicosecond KrF Laser Nanopatterning of Metallic Multilayers for Soft X-ray Optics and Giant Magnetoresistance Structures Institute of Physics PD Magnetostrictive Bilayer for Multifunctional Sensor Families Institute of Physics PD European Network on Amorphous-Silicon-Device-Technology Mathematical Institute EE Quantum Probability with Applications to Physics, Information Theory and Biology

Section II Cancer Research QL Effects of PAHs in Environmental Pollutions on Exogenous Institute and Endogenous DNA Damage Cancer Research QL Novel Approaches Towards the Diagnosis and Therapy of Institute Tumour with Microsatellite Instability Institute of Animal QL Assessment and Improvement of Safety of Traditional Dry Physiology Sausages from Producers to Consumers Institute of Animal QL Dietary and Genetic Influences on Susceptibility or Resistance Physiology to Weight Gain on a High Fat Diet Institute of Animal QL European Rumen Ciliate Culture Collection Physiology Institute of Animal QL Pathology and Ecology of the Genus Clostridium in Humans, Physiology Animals and Foodstuff: Identification Epidemiology and Prophylaxis Institute of Animal QL Validation and Standardisation of PCE for Detection of Food- Physiology Borne Pathogens Institute of Animal QL Ciliates as Monitors for Environmental Safety and GMO Physiology Institute of Botany QL Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Tip Growth in Plant Cells Institute of Botany EE European Network for Biodiversity Information Institute of Botany EE Biological Collection Access Service for Europe (BioCASE) Institute of Botany QL European Initiative for Euro+Med Plantbase Institute of Botany MCF The Role of KOJAK Gene in Building of Plant Wall Cells Institute of Chemistry QL Process Development for Microbial Production of the Bulk Chemical 1,3-Propanediol from Glycerol Water as a Waste Effluent (BIODOL) Institute of Chemistry QL Heparanase Inhibitors as Antiangiogenic and Antimetastatic Substances Institute of Chemistry QL Rapid Detection of Food-Borne Pathogens by Optical Biosensors Using Lectins Institute of Chemistry QL Investigation of Direct and Mediated Bioelectrochemistry of Galactose Oxidase and Related Enzymes. The Application of the Biosensors for Measurement of Clinically Important Metabolites Institute of Experimental QL Disregulation of Endogenous Steroid Metabolism Potentially Endocrinology Alters Neuronal and Reproductive System Development Institute of Experimental QL Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Carotenoid Status and Metabolism Endocrinology During Ageing: Functional and Nutritional Consequences Institute of Experimental QL Evaluating Human Health Risk from Low-dose and Long-term Endocrinology PCB Exposure Institute of Experimental INCO Reduction of Negative Environmental Factors on Human Endocrinology Health (Centre of Excellence of EU) Institute of Inorganic PD Integrated Centre for Advanced Materials and Molecular Chemistry Science (Centre of Excellence of EU) Institute of Inorganic PD A New Generation of Cutting Tools Based on Functionally Chemistry Graded SiAlON for Solving the Machining Problems of the 21st Century Institute of Landscape EE Linking Pan-European Landcover Change to Pressures on Ecology Biodiversity Institute of Landscape EE European Biodiversity Forum Implementing the Ecosystem Ecology Approach Institute of Landscape EE European Valuation and Assessment Tools Supporting Ecology Wetland Ecosystem Legislation (EVALUWET) Institute of Landscape EE European Platform for Biodiversity (BIOPLATFORM) Ecology Institute of Landscape EE The European Dimension of the Global Observation Research Ecology Initiative in Alpine Environments – a Contribution to GTOS (GLORIA-EUROPE) Institute of Landscape EE Effects of Land-use Changes on Sources, Sinks and Fluxes of Ecology Carbon in European Mountains (CARBOMONT) Institute of Landscape EE Scenarios for Reconciling Biodiversity Conservation with Ecology Declining Agricultural Use in the Mountains of Europe (BioScene) Institute of Landscape EE Biohab- a Framework for the Co-ordination of Biodiversity Ecology and Habitats Institute of Molecular INCO International Consortium on Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases Biology Institute of Molecular QL The Core European Bioinformatics Research Infrastructure in Biology the Life Sciences (EMBCORE) Institute of Virology QL Optimising Oxygen Tension for in vitro Cell Work Institute of Virology QL Development of Novel Vaccines to Control Infections with Newly Emerging Highly Pathogenic Marek’s Disease Viruses Institute of Zoology EE Fauna Europaea NAS Institute of Zoology EE STAR – Standardisation of River Classification Institute of Zoology EE European Mountain Lake Ecosystems: Regionalisation, Diagnostic & Socio-Economic Evaluation Parasitological Institute QL Safe Pork and Horse Meat on EU Markets: Early and Unbiased Diagnostic Tests for Trichinella Parasitological Institute QL Risk Assessment and Prevention of Alveolar Echinococcosis Polymer Institute EE Cheluminescence - a Novel Tool In Paper Conservation Studies Polymer Institute PD Dairy Industry Waste as Source for Sustainable Polymeric Material Production

Section III Department of Social HP Orientations of Young Men and Young Women to Citizenship and Biological and European Identity Communication Institute for Forecasting QL Integrated Development of Agricultural and Rural Institutions (IDARI) Institute for Forecasting HP Recognising Central and Eastern European Centres of RTD: Perspectives for the European Research Area (RECORD) Institute for Sociology HP Orientations of Young Men and Young Women to Citizenship and European Identity Institute of Ethnology HP European Doctorate: Social History of Europe and the Mediterranean. Building on the Past Institute of Historical HP European Doctorate in Social History of Europe and the Studies Mediterranean. Building on the Past Programme Title (acronym): QL – Quality of Life, IST – Information Society and Technologies, PD – Permanent Development, EE – Energy and Environment, HP – Human Potential, INCO – International Co-operation; MCF – Marie Curie Fellowships.

Participation of the Academy in EU 6th FP

In 2005, the number of projects under EU FP6 (in which individual Academy’s organisations are members of consortia) and approved by the European Commission reached 71. Of those, 65 were contracted by the end of 2005 (see Table 10), and further 6 are in the process of negotiation with the EC. Given the fact that the time interval between the date of project submission to EC and the start date of contract may be up to a year and a half, these results refer roughly to the situation after the first three Calls for proposals launched for 6th FP (in practical terms, three quarters of the duration of FP6 Calls for proposals). In this respect, the data are favourable; even more so, if compared to analogous results achieved in FP5, although the competition (number of project applicants) in FP6 is on average 2.5 times higher than that in EU FP5. The highest number of participants in contracted projects was from the following Academy’s institutes: the Institute of Physics (6), Institute of Informatics (5), Institute of Landscape Ecology (5), Institute of Zoology (4), and Institute of Electrical Engineering (4). The highest number of participants was in the following programmes: Nanotechnologies (11), Marie Currie Fellowships (8), Sustainable Development (7), Life Sciences (6), and IST (6). Three participants in the FP6 from the Academy were designated to carry out the consortium co-ordination function (the Institute of Physics, Institute of Materials Research, and Institute of Zoology) and two as sub-coordinators in large integrated projects under FP6 (both from the Institute of Materials Research). During 2005, the motivation system, which had been introduced by the Academy’s Presidium with a view to offer financial support throughout the stages of designing and submitting FP6 project proposals, was further implemented. Thus, the Presidium reimbursed part of the costs associated with grant proposal preparation stage (indirect costs/overheads and travel costs including subsistence), and bonuses paid to principal investigators of project proposals approved for further review. The Department of Foreign Relations at the Academy’s Office provided for the operation of two national contact points for FP 6 in the SR, specifically the thematic priorities NanoMatProd and LifeSciHealth.

Table 10. List of contracted projects under EU FP6 with Academy’s participation in 2005

SAS FP6 FP6 Project Title Organisation thematic instrument programme Section I Astronomical Marie Curie Mobility MHD Waves in the Solar Outer Institute Action - Mobility Astronomical Trans National Trans National Spectroscopy and Imaging Tomography of Institute Access Access the Solar Fibrils: Photospheric Drivers and Program Program Coronal Consequences Astronomical Marie Curie Mobility Solar Fibrils and Spicules at High Resolution Institute Action - Mobility Geological Marie Curie RTN „GeoFact-Net“ – Geologic Evidence of Institute Action Future Anomalous Climatic Changes Geological Marie Curie RTN Proxies in Paleoclimatology: Education and Institute Action Research (PROPER) Institute of Nanotech NoE Knowledge-Based Multicomponent Construction and Materials for Durable and Safe Performance Architecture Institute of Marie Curie Reintegration Conductance of Disordered Mesoscopic Electrical Action – RG grant Conductor Obtained from Many-Body Engineering Calculation of Electronic Structure Institute of SustDev STREP Superconducting Coated Conductor Cable Electrical Engineering Institute of Nanotech STREP Nano- and Micro-Scale Engineering of Electrical Higher-Performance MgB2 Composite Engineering Superconductors for Macroscale Applications Institute of IST STREP Radical Innovation of Maskless Electrical Nanolithography Engineering Institute of Research Research Enabling Grids for E-Science for Europe Informatics Infrastructures Infrastructures Institute of IST STREP Knowledge-Based Workflow System for Informatics Grid Applications Institute of SustDev STREP Mediterranean Grid of Multi-Risk Data and Informatics Models Institute of Nanotech IP PRONANO -Technology for the Production Informatics of Massively Parallel Intelligent Cantilever - Probe Platforms for Nanoscale Analysis and Synthesis Institute of IST STREP Radical Innovation of Maskless Informatics Nanolithography (RIMANA) Institute of Nanotech IP New Materials for Extreme Environment Materials and Machine Mechanics (IP sub- coordinator) Institute of Nanotech IP Intermetallic Materials Processing in Materials and Relation to Earth and Space Solidification Machine Mechanics (IP sub- coordinator) Institute of Nanotech NoE Knowledge-Based Multicomponent Materials Materials for Durable and Safe Performance Research Institute of Marie Curie Mobility PM Training Courses Materials Action - Research Mobility Institute of Marie Curie Mobility Education in Powder Metallurgy Materials Action - Research Mobility Institute of Nanotech NoE Knowledge-Based Multicomponent Materials Materials for Durable and Safe Performance Research Institute of INCO SSA Network for Nanostructured Materials of Materials Accession Candidate Countries Research (co- ordinator) Institute of LifeSci STREP Breath-Gas Analysis for Molecular-Oriented Measurement Detection of Minimal Diseases (BAMOD) Science Institute of Research SSA European Isotope Separation On-Line Physics Infrastructure Radioactive Ion Beam Facility (EURISOL) Institute of IST CA Structuring the European Research Area Physics with Quantum Information Science and ERA-PILOT-QIST Institute of Nanotech CA European Lead-Free Soldering Network Physics Institute of Research Research European Nuclear Structure Integrated Physics Infrastructure Infrastructure Infrastructure Initiative EURONS Institute of IST IP Quantum Applications QAP Physics Institute of Marie Currie RTN Controlled Quantum Coherence and Physics (co- Action - Entanglement in Sets of Trapped Particles coordinator) Mobility

Section II Institute of Infrastructures CA European Native Seed Conservation Botany Network Institute of SustDev STREP Tracking Surrogates for Infraspecific Botany Biodiversity: Towards Efficient Selection Strategies for the Conservation of Natural Genetic Resources Using Comparative Mapping and Modelling Approaches Institute of Marie Curie RTN Clyco-Gold: Exploration of the nature and Chemistry Action potential of Glyco-nano particles Institute of LifeSci SSA The Danubian Biobank Initiative: Towards Experimental Information-Based Medicine Endocrinology Institute of Food NoE Chemical Contaminants in the Food Chain Experimental Endocrinology Institute of LifeSci NoE Biosimulation - a New Tool in Drug Experimental Development Pharmacology Institute of EURATOM IP Fundamental Processes of Radionuclide Inorganic Migration Chemistry Institute of Nanotech SSA Foresight Action for Knowledge-Based Inorganic Multifunctional Materials Technology Chemistry Institute of Marie Curie RTN Tailored Multifunctional Polymer-Derived Inorganic Action nanoCeramics Chemistry Institute of SustDev IP Sustainability Assessment: Tools for Landscape Environmental, Social and Economic Effects Ecology of Multifunctional Land Use in European Regions Institute of Innovation SSA Economic and Technological Intelligence Landscape Project to Facilitate Rural Areas to Ecology Participate in the Sixth Framework Institute of SustDev CA Mobilising the European Social Research Landscape Potential in Support of Biodiversity and Ecology Ecosystem Management Institute of Innovation SSA Economic and Technological Intelligence Landscape Project to Facilitate SMEs in Rural Areas to Ecology Participate in the Sixth Framework Programme Rural -ENET Institute of SustDev NoE A Long-Term Biodiversity, Ecosystem and Landscape Awareness Research Network Ecology Institute of INCO CA Integrated Consortium on Ticks and Tick- Molecular Borne Diseases Biology Institute of Nanotech STREP Nano "Array" Systems Based on Self Molecular Assembling Proteins Biology Institute of Plant Marie Curie Mobility Development and Growth of Leaves: Genetics and Action Identification of Genetic Network Biotechnology Institute of Plant Marie Curie Mobility Testing of Transgenic Plant Products for Genetics and Action Agriculture Biotechnology Institute of INCO CA Integrated Consortium on Ticks and Tick- Virology borne Diseases Institute of LifeSci IP Targeting Newly Discovered Oxygen- Virology Sensing Cascades for Novel Cancer Treatments. Biology, Equipment, Drug Candidates Institute of INCO CA Integrated Consortium on Tics and Tick- Zoology Borne Diseases Institute of SustDev IP Emerging Diseases in a Changing European Zoology Environment Institute of LifeSci IP Integrated Structural Genomics of Viral Zoology Enzymes in Replication Institute of Food STREP Improving the Quality of European Citrus Zoology and Fruit by Developing Medfly SIT (co-ordinator) Technology So It Can Be Widely Applied in Europe Parasitological Food NoE Prevention and Control of Zoonoses Institute Parasitological Food NoE Formation of an European network for risk Institute assessment, detection and control of trichinellosis (TrichiNet) Polymer Institute Marie Curie Reintegration From linear via brush to hyperbranched Action Grant polymers

Section III Institute of Policies STREP Adequacy of Old-Age Income Maintenance Economic in the EU Research Institute of Science and STREP Aging, Health Status, and Determination of Economic Society Health Expenditures Research Institute of Marie Curie Mobility European Doctorate: Social History of Ethnology Action Europe and the Mediterranean. Building on the Past Institute of Marie Curie Mobility European Doctorate: Social History of Historical Studies Action Europe and the Mediterranean. Building on the Past Institute of Citizens NoE Frontiers and Identity Historical Studies Institute of Science and SSA Central European Centre for Women and Philosophy Society Youth in Science SAS Office SAS Office LifeSci SSA Mentoring of Multiplicators for LifeScieHealth in EU Accessing and Candidate Countries SAS Office Nanotech SSA Stimulating, Encouraging and Facilitating the Participation of ACC Nanotechnology and Nanoscience Research Organisations to FP6 SAS Office Strengthening SSA Support for Participation of Slovak ERA Institutions in FP6

Acronyms used for programme titles and instruments: LifeSci – Life Sciences; IST – Information Society Technologies, Nanotech – Nano-technologies; SustDev – Sustainable Development; IP – Integrated Project; NoE – Network of Excellence; STREP – Specific Targeted Research Project; SSA – Specific Support Action; CA – Co-ordination Action; RTN – Research Training Network

Activities of the Academy in International Scientific Organisations and Gremia The Academy coordinates the membership of 36 national committees of the SR in international non- governmental scientific organisations. It provides for the coverage of their membership fees, pronounces its opinion on their composition, and evaluates and assesses their performance on annual basis. The Academy also represents the SR in the International Council of Science (ICSU). The list of international non- governmental scientific and scholarly organisations co-ordinated by the Academy is presented in Appendix 6. In collaboration with UNESCO and the European Council it advocates protection of cultural heritage. In the past year the Academy was one of thirty signatories of the Genoa Declaration on Science and Society, which was signed by major world academies of sciences and associations of universities. The Academy is a national representative of the Slovak Republic in the European Science Foundation. In 2005 the Academy’s scientific institutes participated in the following 8 long-term scientific programmes: Cosmology in Laboratory (COSLAB), Thin Films for Novel Oxide Devices (THIOX), Arrays of Quantum Dots and Josephson Junctions (AQDJJ), Methods of Integrable Systems, Geometry, Applied Mathematics (MISGAM) in the field of physical sciences and engineering and Quantitative Methods in Social Sciences (QMMS), European Social Survey (ESS), From Natural Philosophy to Science (NPHS), and Representations of the Past: The Writing of National Histories in Europe (NHIST) in the filed of the social sciences. The Academy actively participates in the preparation of programmes under EUROCORES. So far, it is involved in the projects under the following programmes: Science of Protein Production (EuroSCOPE), and Fundamentals of NanoElectronics (FoNE). The Academy is a member of ALLEA (All European Academies), IAP (InterAcademy Panel on International Issues), ESEP (European Exchange Programme), CISS (Conseil International des Sciences Sociales). Moreover, nine research scientists from the Academy are members of ASAE (Academia Scientiarum et Artium Europaea, Salzburg). Membership in these prominent international scientific research institutions offers the Academy itself, as well as the entire scientific community in the SR, access to topical information. The Academy represents the SR in Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs. The Academy has been involved in the activities of the steering panel for Action Austria-Slovakia, under which approximately 150 bilateral Austrian-Slovak projects are assessed annually. The projects are funded jointly by the Austrian Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Education of the SR; of the total number of such projects, Academy’s scientific institutes are involved in 10-15 per cent.

The Academy hosted a number of representatives from prestigious foreign institutions on its premises, including: - Prof. Bertil Andersson, Chief Executive, European Science Foundation (ESF) - Ms. Ana María Cetto, Deputy Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna - J. E. Koichiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO - Thorgerdúr Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, Minister of Education, Science and Culture, Republic of Iceland - Prof. Susan McKenna-Lawlor, Ireland, on the occasion of the SAS International Prize award ceremony - Prof. Ahmed H. Zewail (USA, Egypt), the 1999 Nobel Prize Laureate for chemistry, on the occasion of the SAS Plaque award ceremony - Prof. Frank Gannon, Executive Director of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) and Secretary General of the European Molecular Biology Conference (EMBC) - Prof. Igor Buchwalow, (Germany, Russia) on the occasion of the Jan Jessenius Plaque for accomplishments in medical sciences award ceremony - H. E. Dr. Jochen Trebesch, ambassador of the FRG to the SR - H. E. Rodolphe M. Vallee, ambassador of the USA to the SR, with a delegation

Official representatives of the Academy participated in major conventions and congresses held abroad, including:

- IAU General Assembly in Paris, France - EASAC Council Meeting, London, United Kingdom - 55th Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs, Hiroshima, Japan - 5th Meeting of CEN, Ljubljana, Slovenia - Meeting of members of Presidium of the Slovak Academy of Sciences and the Polish Academy of Sciences, Bialowiez, Poland - V4 Academies Meeting, Wroclaw, Poland - EASA General Assembly, Salzburg, Austria - 28th ICSU General Assembly, Shanghai and Suzhou, China - 36th ordinary session of the European Molecular Biology Conference in Heidelberg, Germany - 33rd UNESCO General Conference, Paris, France - Joint meeting with official representatives from the Academy of Sciences of the CR, Třešt, Czech Republic - 31st annual assembly of the ESF in Strasbourg, France - Conference Towards a Knowledge Society – The Nordic Experience, Göteborg, Sweden - conference World Science Forum, Budapest, Hungary - meeting of the European Security Research Advisory Board, Brussels, Belgium - meeting of the French Academy of Sciences and academies of sciences of new member states, Paris, France.

V. CO-OPERATION WITH UNIVERSITIES

In the Programme Declaration of the newly elected Presidium of the Academy (2005 – 2009) we declared that on the grounds of common research and education activities, universities are our most prominent partner. In 2005 the Academy administered 34 joint research facilities with institutions of higher education. Their activity is oriented on utilisation of instruments and equipment in collaborative scientific projects. The highest number of collaborative research projects involving individual Academy’s institutes and universities is registered at the VEGA Grant Agency.

University Co-operation of the Co-operation of university Academy on projects from on the Academy‘s projects education sector The Catholic University in Ružomberok 2 0 University of Prešov 6 1 Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra 10 1 Slovak University of Technology 18 9 Alexander Dubček University in Trenčin 4 1 University of Trnava 1 3 Technical University of 12 1 Košice Technical University in 3 1 Zvolen University of St.Cyril and Metodius in Trnava 0 1 Comenius University 65 43 Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra 4 3 Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica 3 1 P. J. Šafarik University in Košice 9 7 University of Veterinary Medicine in Košice 5 4 University of Žilina 9 0 Total 151 76

In total, 227 joint projects were carried out. Nine university faculties participated in the activities of eight centres of excellence established at the Academy; of those, two took part in several centres. A detailed information on the scope of Academy’s engagement in education – lectures, practicums, doctoral programme, and supervision of graduate dissertations is presented in Chapter III. Five official representatives of universities are members of the Academy’s Scientific Council. Official representatives of the Academy hold regular meetings on an annual basis with the representatives of the Slovak Rectors’ Conference to discuss further co-operation and joint course of action.

VI. ACCREDITATION AND EVALUATION OF SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTES

In the year under review Academy’s Presidium proceeded further with periodic evaluation and assessment of its scientific research organisations, in compliance with art. 8, par. 7 g) of the Act on Slovak Academy of Sciences No. 133/2002 Coll. Such periodic evaluation and assessment is regarded as a means for further comparison of achieved status in scholarly science within the Academy itself, within Slovakia, and in a global context. At the same time, it is the answer to the question of what the tax-payers’ money are spent on. As of April 4, 2003, the Requirements for and Indicators of Periodical Evaluation and Assessment of the Academy’s scientific institutes (Art. 8, par.7 g) of the Act on Slovak Academy of Sciences No. 133/2002 Coll.) came into effect. On the grounds of these Requirements, the Academy’s Accreditation Committee submits to the Academy’s Presidium its proposal for rating the Academy’s individual scientific research organisations into one of the following four assessment levels: A – organisation with excellent results (91 – 100 points) B – organisation with very good results (71 – 90 points) C - organisation with average results (51 – 70 points) D – organisation with less than average results (50 points and below) Should an organisation be dissatisfied with the proposed assessment level, it may appeal the decision of the Accreditation Committee to the Academy’s Presidium. The ruling adopted by the Presidium is final. In 2005, the performance of 5 scientific institutes of the Academy was assessed. In compliance with the abovementioned Requirements, each scientific research institute submitted the dossier comprising: a description of its scientific research activity in the given field from both the domestic and international perspectives; a concept of actions of the institute concerned for a further four-year-long period; and a survey of results of its activity presented in accordance with formerly approved indicators. Each organisation was evaluated and assessed by three reviewers; of those, at least one from abroad. Each institute was visited by the accreditation sub-committee comprised of its chair, a member of the Accreditation Committee, two permanent members nominated by the appropriate Academy’s section and the Academy’s Assembly, and two ad hoc members appointed by the Accreditation Committee. The purpose of the visit was to verify the accuracy of submitted materials and to get acquainted with the situation at the institute concerned. The reviewers could only be those with professional qualification of Professor, DrSc., or holders of qualification grade I. The Accreditation sub-committee prepared its assessment report, similar in form to that of the reviewers. Thus, the Accreditation Committee had four reviews at its disposal. When the performance of individual scientific research organisations was evaluated by the Accreditation Committee, primary importance was placed on its scientific output, penetration of publications into prestigious foreign periodicals, citation impact, and patents. One of the criteria was a comparison of results achieved by the institute seeking periodic evaluation with the average scientific output within the Academy’s section concerned. Throughout the process of evaluation and assessment, the submitted requested materials of individual scientific research institutes, the list of members of the Accreditation Committee and its sub- committees, as well as the names of reviewers were available at the Academy’s web page. At its session on April 20, 2005, upon secret ballot vote, the Accreditation Committee adopted its decision concerning the ranking of individual scientific institutes. At its session on May 19, 2005, the Academy’s Presidium debated all proposals submitted by the Accreditation Committee as well as an appeal filed by 1 organisation. Eventually, 3 organisations were placed to the level A, and 2 organisations were placed into level B. Thus, the Academy’s Presidium confirmed the decision of the Accreditation Committee. The table below shows the final ranking of the Academy’s scientific institutes based on results of periodic assessment of their performance.

Institute of Geotechnics A Institute of Hydrology B Institute for Heart Research A Institute of Virology A Department of Social and Biological Communication B

Chapter VII ACTIVITY OF THE ASSEMBLY

The scope of competences of the Academy’s Assembly is determined by art. 8, par. 7 of the Act No. 133/2002 Coll. on the Slovak Academy of Sciences. In 2005, a total of five plenary sessions of the Academy’s Assembly (hereinafter only the ‘Assembly’) were held. The first half of the year under review was marked by the fact that the term of office of all three self- governing organs of the Academy – i.e. the Assembly, Presidium, and Scientific Council – was drawing to a close. Preparations for the elections to membership in the Academy’s Presidium (hereinafter only the ‘Presidium’) were underway since the end of the previous year, when the order for elections to the Presidium was updated, revised and approved by the Assembly. The time schedule of the elections was as follows: - by February 2, 2005 – proposals for membership in the Presidium were submitted by scientific boards of the respective Academy’s scientific institutes; - February 23, 2005 – elections of members of the Presidium were held at each of the three chambers of the Assembly - March 3, 2005 – elections of members of the Presidium and the president of the Academy took place at a plenary session of the Assembly. Based on the results of the first round of voting , held on February 23, 2005 by the respective chambers of the Assembly, 4 candidates from section I, 6 candidates from section II, and 5 candidates from section III advanced to the second round of voting. As two nominated candidates did not reach the eligibility threshold, additional round of voting was announced at a plenary session of the Assembly held on March 2, 2005; such voting was held at the next session of the Assembly on March 17, 2005. Once the number of elected members of the Presidium reached 15, voting for the Academy’s president took place. From among three nominated candidates to this important office, after a two-round vote Prof. Ing. Štefan Luby, DrSc., was re-elected. Upon initiative of the Academy’s Computer Centre director, the elections to the members of the Presidium were publicised on the Internet; professional CVs of all candidates and tabulation of the voting held in each individual round could be accessed at Academy’s web site. The opening session of the Assembly was held on May 3, 2005. Among the participants there were both the outgoing members and the new members, who had been nominated by the respective organisation of the Academy. The participants made note of the report on the activities of the Presidium for the period of 2001 – 2005 presented by the Academy’s President. Further, they made note of the information on the activities carried out by the Assembly and its board throughout its term of office, presented by the chair of the Assembly. Then the members of the Assembly elected new members to its board, new chairs of the respective chambers, and, after a two-round vote, also the new chair of the Assembly for one third of the full term of office of the Assembly. The new members in the Assembly accounted for 55% of its total membership and 50% of its board members was replaced. On the 4th regular session of the Assembly, held on September 29, 2005, its members elected external members of the Academy’s Scientific Council. Five new members were elected by secret ballot; requirements for the nominations of further two members are expressly stipulated in the Act on the Slovak Academy of Sciences. At this session the members of the Assembly approved the updated Statutes of the Academy and made note of the Programme Declaration of the Presidium and its Action Plan. Following the discussion on this item on the agenda, a motion to approve the request for incorporating Academy’s social programme into the Programme Declaration was passed. Another important document deliberated at this session was the revised and updated version of the Statutes of the Assembly. The Statutes incorporated all changes, i.e. those approved in the previous term of office of the Assembly as well as those recently initiated, taking into account current conditions and necessities of the Academy. Following an exceptionally extensive discussion, the Assembly’s Statutes were eventually approved with comments. The board of the Assembly put forward a motion to establish a post of a vice-president for economy and administration. The motion was seconded and passed. Yet another important item on the agenda for this session was the information on remuneration reform, followed by the discussion. The idea of the reform was initiated already by the previous Assembly. It requested more transparent rules and guidelines regarding generation of wage-fund at the respective Academy’s institute as well as determination of a certain quantifiable dependence between the performance of an institute, expressed by the result of its accreditation and the allocated funding from the state budget. Dr. Viera Rosová, the chair of the ad hoc committee for remuneration reform, informed about the findings, which resulted from a three-month-long activity of the committee. In her presentation she highlighted the significance of solid principles for the assessment of performance of each individual Academy’s institute. The next speaker, Dr. Samuely, the chair of the Academy’s Accreditation Committee, informed about the aforementioned principles as well as other issues relating to periodic accreditation of the Academy’s institutes held in four-year cycles. In an effort to achieve the highest possible quality in the assessment of performance of individual Academy’s institutes, the representatives of Academy’s Section I put forward a motion to organise regular annual evaluation of performance of scientific institutes. To facilitate such evaluation, a seminar, at which the director of the institute concerned would present results achieved for the previous year, was proposed. The 5th regular session of the Assembly (the last in 2005, held on September 20) was focused on the Academy’s budget for 2006 and principles for its allocation. The Assembly made note of the information on the current situation in research funding in the SR and on the amount of funds appropriated for the Academy by the government of the SR for 2006 (SKK 1.544 billion), presented by the Academy’s president. With a view to further promote performance, a new element in the Principles for budget allocation introduces a bonus by redistributing 3% of the wage fund within the respective Academy’s section, relative to the total scores achieved in the last accreditation. Moreover, the respective sections are authorised to redistribute a further 1% according to the results achieved in the last evaluation. The first such evaluation seminars, organised by the vice-presidents for each respective section of the Academy, were held in February 2006. The vice- presidents presented their blueprint of the procedure and parameters of the evaluation. Subsequently, the chair of the Academy’s Accreditation Committee informed about core criteria of regular pre-accreditation assessment of Academy’s research institutes. The criteria were designed jointly by the Accreditation Committee, which comprises representatives of each section of the Academy, and a working group from the third chamber of the Assembly, which proposed to establish a separate accreditation committee for each individual section of the Academy. The Accreditation Committee accepted the proposal and for that reason at the plenary session of the Assembly Dr. Samuely moved that a separate accreditation committee for each individual section of the Academy be established. These should discharge their function along with a joint Accreditation Committee. Consistent with their function, they should be authorised to organise and carry out accreditation of institutes within the Academy’s section concerned. The next accreditation of the Academy’s scientific institutes is due in 2007. Given the importance and significance of accreditation for the Academy’s institutes, these issues will be debated on the next regular session of the Assembly in spring 2006. In between the ordinary sessions of the Assembly, its board held regular meetings, usually with a 2-week interval. Members of the board participated at the joint meeting of the Academy’s Presidium (attended by both the outgoing and the newly elected members) with the members of the Academy’s Scientific Council, held in Smolenice in June 2005. To conclude, it should be stated here that the Assembly has always had its representatives (through members of its board) in all subsidiary bodies of the Presidium (committees, boards, juries), at the meetings held at the respective section of the Academy, as well as at the sessions of the Presidium, which are attended by two members of the Assembly’s board. Moreover, the chair of the Assembly is also invited to take part in meetings of the gremium of the Academy’s President, and other working or social meetings hosted by the Academy.

VIII ACTIVITY OF THE SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL

The year 2005 was marked by elections of new bodies of the Academy. Prior to the elections, the Scientific Council of the Academy (hereinafter only the ‘Scientific Council’) comprised the following external members prof. Ing. Vladimír Báleš, DrSc., doc. Ing. Jozef Buday, CSc., prof. RNDr. Alexander Feher, DrSc., prof. Ing. Karol Flórián, DrSc., prof. PhDr. Miroslav Marcelli, CSc., prof. Ing. Štefan Mihina, PhD., prof. MUDr. Gabriela Nosáľová, DrSc. The sessions of the Scientific Council were focused on deliberation of the following conceptual and scientific issues: - assessment of scientific performance of the Academy for 2004 - position of the Academy on the Strategy of Slovakia’s Competitiveness until 2010. - deliberation on the results of accreditation of the Academy’s scientific institutes in 2005 as well as those achieved in assessment of performance of individual Academy institutes for the period of 2003-2005. The Scientific Council awarded the degree of DrSc. to ten distinguished research scientists, both from the Academy as well as from outside. Further, it awarded the SAS International Prize (for a significant work related to Slovakia in the field of technical sciences) for the ninth consecutive time, five SAS Prizes in three categories for accomplishments in scientific research pursuits, and a special award for achievements in scientific research pursuits. In recognition of excellent research results and co-operation with the Academy, it awarded SAS medals to eight prominent personalities. With a view to give full credit to activities leading to support for research infrastructures, the Scientific Council updated the Directive on the award of SAS prizes. Such prize was awarded in the framework of the European Science and Technology Week (21 - 25 November 2005) for the first time. With an objective to present accomplishments of the Academy, the following presentations were delivered at the respective sessions of the Scientific Council: Mýty naše Slovenské [Our Slovak Myths] (presenter: PhDr. Eva Krekovičová, DrSc., Institute of Ethnology), and Tomografické zobrazovanie na báze nukleárnej magnetickej rezonancie, metódy, možnosti, perspektívy [Tomographic Imaging Based on Magnetic Resonance, Methods, Potentials, Future Prospects] (presenter: Prof. Ing. Ivan Frollo, DrSc., Institute of Measurement Science). Following the elections, the new Scientific Council comprised the following external members: prof. Ing. Vladimír Báleš, DrSc., doc. Ing. Jozef Buday, CSc., prof. RNDr. Alexander Feher, doc. PhDr. František Gahér, CSc., prof. Ing. Štefan Mihina, PhD., prof. MUDr. Gabriela Nosáľová, DrSc., Prof. Ing. Viktor Smieško, CSc. Prof. MUDr. Gabriela Nosáľová, DrSc. was elected to serve as vice-chair of the Scientific Council. The Scientific Council deliberated a draft proposal for requirements for and indicators of periodic evaluation and assessment of the Academy’s scientific institutes (in 4-year cycles) – its core criteria, innovative elements. Accreditation is scheduled for 2007. Further, the Scientific Council dealt with the issues relating to perceptions of science and technology in the European Union. The Scientific Council awarded an honorary degree of DrSc. (higher doctorate) in technical sciences to Prof. Satya N. Atluri, PhD., Dr. h. c. and four scientific degrees of DrSc. to the members of the Academy’s research staff as well as to those outside the Academy. The Scientific Council approved the membership in its advisory bodies as well as in those of the Academy’s Presidium, and adjustments in the composition of scientific collegia of the Academy. Further topics addressed in the series of presentations included the following: Vznik nádorov a možnosti terapie [Origins of Tumours and Therapeutic Strategies] (presenter: doc. Ing. Čestmír Altaner, DrSc., Cancer Research Institute) and Kvantová informácia: Radosti a sklamania v živote kvantového mechanika [Quantum Information: Delights and Disappointments in the Life of a Quantum Mechanist] (presenter: Prof. RNDr. Vladimír Bužek, DrSc., Institute of Physics).

Chapter IX ACTIVITY OF THE LEARNED SOCIETY

In compliance with its plan of actions for 2005, the Learned Society of the Academy (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Learned Society’) focused primarily on the following matters: 1. further enlargement of its core membership (on the grounds of the third round of election), 2. election of a new council of the Learned Society for the term of office 2006-2009; 3. discussion on issues germane to science in the EU and the SR, 4. representation at professional forums, both at home and abroad, 5. organisation of working meetings of the Learned Society and its Discussion Club, 6. tackling its internal organisation-related issues, 7. provision of information on its activity to the academic community.

During the year under review, the Learned Society held three plenary assemblies, two working meetings, and one Discussion Club. One of major tasks of the Learned Society in the course of the first two-year period (2003-2005) was to further enlarge its core membership. To this end, already the third round of voting was held in 2005. As a result, 12 ordinary members, 12 emeriti members, and 7 associate members were elected. In line with specifications laid down in the Statutes, the Learned Society today comprises 53 ordinary members, 24 members emeriti and 7 associate members. When the two-year term of office of the first council expired, a new chairman (Prof. MUDr., F.Čiampor, DrSc.) and further four members of the council (Prof. MVDr. Michal Novák, DrSc., PhDr. Dušan Kováč, DrSc., Prof. MUDr. Iwar Klimeš, DrSc., and Prof. Ing. Ján Sládek, DrSc.) were elected. Following the voting held on November 25, 2005 the new council of the Learned Society assumed its functions for a four-year period. The Learned Society organised a debate on a document titled Prognóza rozvoja a využívania vedy a techniky do roku 2005 [Forecast of the Development and Application of Science and Technology until 2005] – commissioned by the SR government, elaborated and co-ordinated by the Institute for Forecasting SAS, and subsequently adopted a common standpoint on the document. The meeting was also attended by official representatives of the Ministry of Education of the SR. From among presentations delivered at the sessions of the Learned Society of note is the presentation given by two members of the Learned Society (doc. RNDr. J. Pastorek, DrSc. and Prof. MUDr. F. Čiampor, DrSc.) on the topic Priority medicíny pre svet, Európu a Slovensko [Priorities in Medicine for the World, Europe and Slovakia] and a presentation made by Doc. Ing. P. Staněk, CSc. (Institute of Economic Research SAS) titled Technologický zlom v súčasnosti a budúcnosti. Výzvy a riziká globalizácie [Present and Future Technological Breakthroughs. Challenges and Risks of Globalisation]. Finally, at a Discussion Club of the Learned Society, Dr. Ladislav E. Roth, Dr.h.c., (NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, CALTECH, Pasadena, CA, USA) and associate member of the Learned Society gave a lecture titled Collisions in the Universe. In an effort to contribute to the formulation of the state policy for science and research (restructuralisation of the Science and Technology Assistance Agency) and to the restructuralisation of state projects, the Learned Society established a committee composed of the following members: Prof. MUDr. J.Slezák, DrSc., doc. RNDr. Jaromír Pastorek, DrSc., Prof. MUDr. Fedor Čiampor, DrSc., RNDr. Richard Kvetňanský, DrSc., and doc. Ing. Čestmír Altaner, DrSc. The committee was authorised to establish contacts with the Ministry of Education of the SR and offer co-operation in formulating themes for state priorities in research; such initiative was supported primarily by experience accumulated in hitherto successfully executed state programmes. The Learned Society established a committee entrusted with a task to elaborate a historical document on the transformation of the Academy since 1989. A project proposal, which was approved with comments, served as background material for a comprehensive report to be published in a collection prepared by the Leibnitz Society staff (FRG). The members of the Learned Society debated the question of the scientific degree of DrSc. (higher doctorate). The discussion concluded that the degree of DrSc. is to be considered as a complex indicator of quality of scientific work supported scientometrically, thus objectively. The Learned Society affirms support to the degree, provided that high criteria for eligibility to the award of the degree are observed. In line with this standpoint, at the Slovak Rectors’ Conference meeting held in the EC seat in Brussels, Prof. MUDr. Branislav Lichardus, DrSc., then the President of the Learned Society, defended the degree of DrSc., as being a regional contribution of central and eastern Europe to the Bologna process, even despite resolutions laid down in the concept for higher education the Bologna Declaration. As a member of the Slovak Rectors’ Conference, the president of the Learned Society was involved in commenting on the following documents: draft bills on universities and on science and technology; a resolution of the government of the SR on appointing members of the Science and Technology Assistance Agency; evaluation of higher education establishments, and the like. Further, he attended a number of locally organised events in connection with the accession of the SR to EU and implementation of the Lisbon Strategy for Slovakia through Minerva initiative. At the UNESCO conference Initiative for Science in Europe held in Paris, the President of the Learned Society discussed the topic of the European Research Council. The discussion concluded that science policy for basic, and to some extent also for applied research should be build up by a bottom-up approach, rather than the other way around. This standpoint fully corresponds with efforts of a think tank, whose members strived to push through this idea at the Ministry of Education of the SR since the ‘90s of the past century. The Learned Society has established contacts with the European Academy of Sciences and Arts and maintains effective communication with the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and the Slovak Academic Society.

Chapter X ACTIVITY OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES

Scientific societies affiliated with the Academy are governed by the executive committee of the Council of Slovak Scientific Societies. The mission of the Council is to co-ordinate and universally promote the advancement and interests of not only already codified scientific societies but also those which consider their application for membership. The need for the establishment of new scientific societies arises particularly from integration of scientific disciplines. In the past year we registered the activity of a new scientific society for neurosciences. The activities of scientific societies are primarily focused on organisation of scientific and scholarly events as well as on science popularising and/or promoting activities aimed at advancing the level of knowledge of the general public. With this objective in view, the activities pursued by the scientific societies are funded through financial contributions from membership fees, funds allocated from the Academy’s budget, and supplementary extra-budgetary sources. Participation of young research scientists is supported in compliance with the defined criteria. The number of scientific societies, which have their representation in the committees and commissions of federal scientific societies in the European area, increases year by year. Therefore, the broad scientific community in Slovakia is offered ever-increasing possibilities to access the databases and information on relevant international scientific events. The activities of individual scientific societies throughout the calendar year are documented in annual newsletters and summarised in Spravodaj Rady slovenských spoločností [Newsletter of the Council of Slovak Scientific Societies]. The core membership in 51 scientific societies grows in strength, with the total number over ten thousand members. In the year under review, scientific societies organised or co-organised 56 conferences or congresses and published 64 scientific and specialised professional publications. The Council of Slovak Scientific Societies held the patronage over the symposium Veda, škola a život [Science, School, and Life] attended by pedagogues, research scientists from diverse areas of specialisation, methodologists, and teachers - members of scientific societies. Information on the activity of the Council of Slovak Scientific Societies can be accessed at the Internet address: http://www.savba.sk.

Chapter XI SPECIALISED AND SERVICE ORGANISATIONS

Arboretum Mlyňany

The research staff of the Arboretum was involved in three basic research projects supported by the Grant Agency VEGA. The work carried out under these projects was focused on the following: the evaluation of morphological variability of botanic markers of two east Asian species, namely Euonymus alatus and E. Hamiltonianus var. hians, cultivated at the experimental site of the Arboretum; the evaluation of invasive behaviour of selected introduced taxa that are potentially a source for transmission into cultural phytocenoses of historical parks, arboreta, and botanic gardens; methodology for the determination of the origin of plant material, its record keeping and ways for its cultivation; updates of data in record-keeping files, which serve as background material for VIRIDIS, a new system of registration; gene bank of tissue cultures was enriched by new cultivars of rhododendrons; effects of acidity of cultivation environment for tissue cultures of selected types of the genus Magnolia were evaluated; and the morphological and physical properties of soil and their classification were carried out on soil profiles in selected wood communities. Several results had application character and potential. In this respect, the staff paid close attention to park improvements at a recently established site of a rose garden, to new supplies for the Arboretum’s dendrofund, to nursery-related activity, as well as to that related to projection and documentation. From among activity in the field of international co-operation, of note is the exchange of seeds with 135 botanic gardens and arboreta worldwide through Index Seminum and international phenological observations, the results of which are published in the yearbook released by the Humboldt University of Berlin. The most valuable collection at the Arboretum is the genefund of sempervirents. Its further extension is the major task for further activities of the Arboretum.

Central Archives A joint research project titled „Kontakty a spolupráca medzi českými a slovenskými vedeckými osobnosťami vo svetle archívnych dokumentov“ [Contacts and Co-operation Between the Czech and Slovak Prominent Research Scholars in the Light of Archival Documents], carried out with the Central Archives of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic was completed in 2005. The Archives’ staff participated in a project „Archívny terminologický slovník“ [Glossary of Archival Terminology], co-ordinated by the Department of Archives and Registry, Ministry of Defence of the SR. Preparatory work on entries for Chapter I/2, relating to typology of archival documents, was completed, revised and edited; the manuscript is ready for publication. Following negotiations with the Central Archives of the ASCR on possibilities for scholarly co-operation for the period 2006-2008, an agreement on a joint project titled „Akadémie – nositelia kultúrnej identity“ [Academies as Vehicles Fostering Cultural Identity] was signed. A number of assignments that followed from the Act No. 395/2002 Coll. on Archives and Registry, as specified in the executive order 628/2002 culminated in 2005. With effect from January 1, 2006, the Academy as a budgetary organisation must ensure that registers of files are duly maintained and administered. Once the Archives’ staff was trained, they revised and updated the Academy’s Registry Order and plan of action for the respective organisations of the Academy as well as for the scientific societies affiliated with the Academy. The Archives’ staff was involved in the processing of the following documents: record files from a number of Academy‘s institutes; record files on activity of the governing and executive bodies of the Academy for the period 1990-2001; the second part of administrative agenda from the Institute of Experimental Phytopathology and Entomology SAS (disestablished earlier) and permanent storage of its total agenda; a collection of original, non-revised maps from the Geographical Atlas of Slovakia from the Institute of Geography SAS; fragments of written documents from the Slovak Historical Society (archives’ section) and from the Academy’s Central Library (MISON). From among funds of non-administrative character, the following documents were obtained: personal funds granted by S. Kovačevičová, an ethnographer and V. Ondrouch, a historian; supplements to the personal fund of J. Novák, a historian and E. Plicková, an ethnographer; personal fund of V. Kopčan, an orientalist, was completed. Further, an inventory of the second part of the fund on patents and inventions, registered either by the respective Academy’s organisation or its research staff, for the period 1953-1994 was made. A number of personal funds were made accessible. Fair copies of inventories on Centres of Sciences, Scientific Collegia and parts of the inventory on Governing organs I, including the following: National Committees, Editorial Activity, Expert Reports, Committees/Commissions, Communist Party, Conferences and Congresses, Audits (ca 1,300 inventory items) were prepared. The Archive was visited by a total of 89 visitors who studied archived documents. Further, 23 requests were settled in written form. Preparatory works on digitalisation of collections of films from the Institute of Musicology SAS were initiated. The Archives’ staff carried out a number of literature searches from archival funds (norms relating to editorial activity).

Central Library The major task assigned on the Library’s management in 2005 was the reconstruction and refurbishment of its premises located at Klemensova 19 in Bratislava. This had a major impact on the entire professional activity of the Library, because the premises had to be vacated and thus two of its departments (Department of Administration and Access, Department of Acquisition) had to be relocated to provisional premises. The Library was open to the public only until August 31, 2005. From September on, provision of some services (e.g. off-site loans) was temporarily cancelled, other services, (e.g. on-site loans at the Department of Periodicals) were provided only in a very limited scope. The Library’s activity in 2005 may be documented by the following data: 2,942 active users, ca 40,000 visitors, 60,000 borrowings of primary documents. In terms of acquisition of classical documents, the Library received 6,138 books and 859 journals/periodicals. A total of SKK 7.325 mil. was spent on purchase of different types of information sources. While the Library’s premises were reconstructed, the staff was involved in works related to the implementation of a new VIRTUA software for the provision of reference services; to this end, the databases were adjusted. The Library’s staff attended a special training course at the end of which they passed the mandatory test and obtained a certificate on authorisation to work with the VIRTUA software system, issued by the Slovak National Library. In compliance with appurtenant legislation, the Library‘s staff carried out partial examinations of the Library’s fund of monographs in the total amount of ca 160,000 books. The cost of digitalisation of microfilms of old printings from the Department of manuscripts and old printings, and their subsequent publication on the Internet, was covered by financial means allocated specifically for this purpose. This apart, 12 printings and manuscripts from the fund of the Lyceum’s library were also digitalised at a special Digitalisation Unit at the University Library in Bratislava. All items from the Library‘s author catalogue were scanned so that it could be accessible on-line. The Library’s funds were further extended; compared to 2004, the number of acquired new monographs was higher by 491. The Library provided for the access to external electronic information sources (ca 20,336 titles of full-text periodicals and 360 titles of reference sources) – on-line databases, namely: American Physical Society, Blackwell, CAB Abstracts, Current Contents Connect, EBSCO, JSTOR, Journal Citation Reports, Oxford Scholarship Online, ProQuest Medical Library, Science Direct, Springer Link + Kluwer, Wiley Interscience, Slovenská národná bibliografia. From those, in 2005 the access to the following three databases was recovered: CAB Abstracts, Kluwer, ProQuest Medical Library. Apart from licensed access to the fourteen databases mentioned afore, the Library provided for trial access to the following online resources“ World, International Critical Tables of Numerical data, IOP, Health and Wellness Resources Centre, Elsevier Book Series, ProQuest 5000 International, Future Drugs, CSA Illumnia, Book Series Springer Links, Psychoportal, SCOPUS.

Computing Centre The co-operation with individual Academy’s organisations was further improved; Internet connection speed was increased from initially 1Gb/s to 10Gb/s. A new optic fibre Internet connection was set up for a branch of the Institute of Materials and Machine Mechanics SAS located in Martin. The staff of the Computing Centre provided for an establishment of a new radio connection with the Congress Centre in Smolenice; thereby the speed of communication increased 6fold. Funds obtained from SANET covered the cost on the provision of optic fibre Internet connection of Škola užitkového výtvarníctva [School of Design and Visual Arts] with the Centre.

Encyclopaedic Institute In 2005, the fourth volume of the Encyclopaedia BELIANA was released. Further activities of the Institute’s research staff comprised the following: processing of background materials for the fifth volume of the encyclopaedia; final works on the manuscript of the encyclopaedia Slovakia and the Slovaks , including its graphic design and layout. Due to a breakdown on the premises of the Institute and the necessary refurbishment works, at the end of the year the activities of the Institute were temporarily suspended.

Institute for Foreign Language Studies The primary mission of the Institute is to offer a comprehensive programme of foreign language courses (English, German, French and Russian) for the Academy’s doctoral students (full-time, part-time). Basic typology of the courses: a) beginners; b) lower-intermediate; c) intermediate (level I and II); d) specialised course tailored to meet professional purposes of the doctoral students. A similar course on English for professional purposes was offered to the doctoral students at the Academy’s institutes in Košice. Doctoral students from the Academy’s institutes in Nitra, Zvolen and Tatranská Lesná were offered a possibility to apply for an on-line course on writing for academic and/or scientific purposes. However, none of them showed any interest. For foreign nationals pursuing doctoral studies at the Academy’s institutes, and/or research scientists working on collaborative projects we offered a course on Slovak language (beginners, lower/upper intermediate), either in small groups tutorials (2 - 4) or one-on-one instruction. Under the adult lifelong learning programme, we offered a wide range of foreign language courses geared towards professionals from the Academy as well as from the outside. Similar courses were open to the public. The staff of the Institute were involved in the following joint collaborative projects: Basic Principles, Objectives, and Blueprint for Transformation of Curriculum for Slovak Language at Primary and Secondary Schools, supported by GA KEGA; EU supported ITMS project „Od školských lavíc k počítaču“ [From School Desks to Computers] focused on an interactive on-line course of Russian language. Project-based co- operation with institutions of higher education (Faculty of Philosophy, University of Prešov; Faculty of Law, University of Trnava) has progressed further. With an ever increasing number of doctoral projects/dissertations submitted in English, not only in the natural sciences but also in the social sciences and humanities, the demand for the discourse analysis of formal written English (genre, functional text types, register, style) has become very topical. Within the frame of international co-operation, the Institute’s staff participated in the project on Writing for Academic Purposes, co-ordinated by the Open University, Faculty of Education and Language Studies, Milton Keynes, UK.

VEDA, Publishing House Following the investments made on the technological equipment in the total amount of SKK 6 mil., the quality of printing and book-binding works was markedly improved. Hence, further improvement in the quality of products and services offered by the printing and publishing house was achieved. Of the total number of 365 orders in 2005, 250 were realised for the Academy; this represents 68.49% of the total output and, compared to 2004, it shows an increase by 11.39%. Throughout the year under review, 50 book publications were released; of those, 11 were listed in the plan of the Academy‘s Editorial Board and funded by the Academy. From among accomplishments in editorial activity, of note is the release of the fourth volume of the Encyclopaedia BELIANA, one book title released within a series SVET VEDY [World of Science], and further two books within the same series are currently edited. The most attractive publications released by the publishing house are presented at its bookshop at Štefánikova 3 in Bratislava. The presentation of its output at the Bratislava Book Fair BIBLIOTÉKA was much appreciated and a marked commercial success was also achieved. Throughout the year, considerable attention was directed to the following: market research; possibilities for expanding the network of customers; promotion and/or advertising and support for the distribution of its own publications; and optimalization of performance of its bookshops in Bratislava and Trnava. With a view to ensure the supply and distribution of professional and technical literature from other publishing houses, a large number of contracts were concluded.

Congress Centres in Smolenice and Stará Lesná

Both Centres provided for accommodation, catering, and other services for participants of scientific meetings, conferences, or seminars organised by the Academy’s institutes and in so far as their capacities permit, also for non-academic organisations.

Administrative Office for Academy’s Institutes in Košice The staff provided for economic activity, technical and operational services and all other services related to the administrative provision for five budgetary and two subsidised organisations located in the city of Košice. Apart from day to day maintenance services, on the premises of the Institute of Experimental Physics at Watsonova 47 was replaced pavage in the kitchen, and chemical laboratory was redecorated. Further, the access road at Bulharská 4-6 was repaired, the tin roof on the building at Watsonova 47 was replaced, and a new tin roof was put on a part of the building which houses the Institute of Animal Physiology SAS. In connection with changes in legislation pertinent to administrative management of contributory organisations, the responsibility for oversight of the relating agenda of the Congress Centres in Smolenice and Stará Lesná was transferred to the Office.

Administrative Office for Maintenance Services

The staff provided for service, maintenance and administration of the Academy’s compound located in Bratislava, Dúbravská cesta 9. The most important activities comprised the following: administrative agenda related to management of state property by the Academy and provision for service and maintenance services, including primarily supply and distribution of fuel, energy, and water; provision for heating in all buildings and premises within the compound; maintenance and repairs of water piping and sewage; provision for mail delivery services within the compound; provision for fire prevention, protection and surveillance of buildings within the compound; accommodation services at the Academy’s hostel in the compound; operation of the canteen and buffet outlets; seasonal works on road and pavement maintenance; landscaping and/or gardening works in the compound; maintenance and operation of electric mains and wires, operation of boiler houses and heat exchange stations; budgeting energy, fuel, and water consumption, as well as other operational costs.

Administrative Office for Social Science Institutes The activity of the staff was focused on the provision of administrative, economic, personnel and operational agenda for organisations incorporated into the Academy’s Section III. The planned investment action on the reconstruction of a boiler room in the premises at Konventná 13 was carried out. The computer network that is used by eight institutes located at Klemensova 19 was reconstructed and extended; the cost of the works amounted to SKK 188,351. Sanitary facilities on the first floor of the premises at Dúbravská cesta 9 were reconstructed and refurbished according to requirements specified by the Department of Social and Biological Communication SAS; the cost of the works amounted to SKK 372,024. During the reconstruction and refurbishment works in the total amount of SKK 498,880 at the library housed at Konventná 13, new storage space was created.

Chapter XII ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE

As of the end of 2005, the Academy comprised 47 budgetary organisations and 22 subsidised organisations. In compliance with the stipulations laid down in article 15, paragraph 6 of the Act No.133/2002 Coll. on the Slovak Academy of Sciences, one scientific organisation with budgetary form of its economic management carried out business activity related to its primary mission and objectives. In the approved appropriated budget for 2005, the total amount of expenditures allocated in the budget chapter of the Academy stood at SKK 1,481,677 thous. In the course of the year the budget of expenditures was rectified. As a result of implementation of 30 budgetary measures ordered by the Ministry of Finance of the SR, the overall budget of expenditures was changed to the amount of SKK 1,670,304 thous. This increase resulted primarily from: a transfer of budgeted funds from the Ministry of Education of the SR earmarked for the support of cross-sectoral programmes; an introduction of a remuneration scale for employees in public service; adjustments to scholarships for full-time doctoral students. The budget of expenditures in the Academy’s budget chapter was further increased owing to a transfer of funds from the budget chapter of the Ministry of Education of the SR on advance payment of funds specifically earmarked on projects supported from the European Social Fund, including co-funding from the state budget. Further budgetary measures aimed at a transfer between running costs and capital expenditures, and at an increase in expenditures resulting from increased budget of receipts connected to financial settlement after a transfer of state property administered by the Academy. All expenditures in the budget chapter of the Academy were allocated on programmes; these were further divided into sub-programmes and essential units. Under the framework of programmed budgeting, the rectified budget of the Academy’s expenditures was redistributed on the following programmes and sub-programmes: The core programme 087 – Research and development in the natural, technical, medical, and social sciences comprised the following five sub-programmes: 08701 - Research and development in inorganic sciences 08702 - Research and development in, and support for the medical, veterinary, biological, ecological, agricultural, and chemical sciences 08704 – Support for the social sciences and humanities in the process of forming a knowledge and information-based society 08705 – Spiritual and material culture of Slovakia 08706 – Co-ordination of research and development, growth in services.

The cross-sectoral programme 06K included the following sub-programmes: 06K08 - State orders for research and development aimed at supporting sectoral policy at the Academy 06K0B – State programmes for research and development administered by the Academy 06K0G – Research and development projects supported by the Science and Technology Assistance Agency – the Academy 06K0R – Co-ordination of cross-sectoral activity and provision for the realisation of objectives laid down in the state policy for research and technology – the Academy. In connection with the transfer of funds from the Ministry of Education of the SR to the budget chapter of the Academy, earmarked on projects supported by the European Social fund, a new sub/programme was created: 06G0E Development of productive potential of the Academy’s research and development staff in the Bratislava region. In the approved budget for 2005, the Academy’s chapter included the total budgeted receipts amounting to SKK 20,360 thous. Following the implementation of budgetary measures, the budget of receipts was rectified to SKK 31, 470 thous.; this was connected to financial settlement after a transfer of state property administered by the Academy. The actual overall receipts amounted to SKK 157,186 thous.; of this, off- budgetary receipts amounted to SKK 122,031 thous. As of December 31, 2005 expenses drawn by the respective budgetary organisations of the Academy amounted to SKK 1,788, 799 thous., which represents 107.1% of the rectified budget. This amount of overall expenses includes also financial means from off-budgetary sources in the amount of SKK 121,063 thous. The share of the means from off-budgetary sources in the actual overall expenses was 6.8%. The funds drawn from the EU budget amounted to SKK 677 thous., and funds for co-financing EU joint projects appropriated from the state budget amounted to SKK 677 thous. The average registered staff number (full-time equivalent) in the Academy’s budgetary organisations in 2005 equalled 2,063. The average salary in such organisations amounted to SKK 19,899. In 2005, the total cost of Academy’s subsidised organisations stood at SKK 798,271 thous.; of this, a direct subsidy for covering operational costs appropriated from the state budget amounted to SKK 517,849 thous., total earnings amounted to SKK 131,015 and other revenues amounted to SKK 149,407 thous. The average registered staff number (full-time equivalent) in the Academy’s subsidised organisations in 2005 equalled 1,209. Financial means in the amount of SKK 2,366 thous. were earmarked from the Academy’s budget to support the activities carried out by the scientific societies affiliated with the Academy.

Chapter XIII SYSTEM OF CONTROL AND OVERSIGHT

In the course of the year under review, the staff of the Department of Control carried out the following activities: - 23 follow-up audits of financial management; of these, 13 at budgetary and 10 at contributory organisations; - 9 follow-up controls to ensure that the faults found out during previous examinations were eliminated and to examine further documentation relating to the area concerned; of these, 5 in budgetary organisations and 4 in contributory organisations; - Investigation of 2 complaints. Findings in the reports on the follow-up financial audits carried out at 5 organisations showed evidence of breach of financial discipline in 48 cases in the total amount of SKK 990,469. This represents 0.6 per mille of the total financial means managed by the Academy. By their nature, the faults were mostly formal. This result documents the effectiveness and consistency of the control and oversight system effective at the Academy.

Chapter XIV PROVISION OF INFORMATION IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW ON FREE ACCESS TO INFORMATION

In compliance with provisions laid down in the Act No. 211/2001 Coll., the Academy was requested to inform whether and in what form it grants financial means to civic associations and foundations. The request was settled. This apart, individual Academy’s institutes offer abundant information on diverse topics for the general public, relating to, inter alia, language, health, social progress, environment, and the like.

Appendix 1 Patenting and Licensing Activity

Number of filed patent applications: in Slovakia 5 abroad 5

Number of patents granted to inventions registered in previous years: in Slovakia 2 abroad 2

In 2005 the following applications for patenting were filed. According to contractual conditions specified for each individual case, the applications were filed either independently by the respective Academy’s institutes, jointly with partner institutions, or solely by the partner institutions.

Institute of Electrical Engineering SAS (application filed for registration in Slovakia) Chromík Š., Vincenc-Oboňa J.: Spôsob tvarovania tenkých vrstiev v kryoelektronike použitím fullerénu C 60 [The way of submicron patterning of cryoelectronic structures using fullerene C60].

Institute of Chemistry SAS (application filed for registration in Slovakia) Biely P., Špániková S., Vries R.: Glukuronoyl esteráza zo Schizophyllum commune, spôsob prípravy a použitie pri rozklade biologických materiálov [Glucuronoyl esterase from Schizophyllum commune, method of preparation and application in the decomposition of biological materials].

(application filed for registration abroad jointly with a foreign partner) Dřímalová E., Ebringerová A., Velebný V., Pristyáková Z.: Spôsob prípravy hyaluronanu s nízkou a veľmi nízkou molekulovou hmotnosťou a oligosacharidov hyaluronanu [Method of preparation of hyaluronan with low and very low molecular weight and hyaluronan oligosaccharides].

Institute of Inorganic Chemistry SAS (application filed for registration abroad jointly with a foreign partner) Hirao K., Lenčéš Z., Zhou Y., Kenzaki S.: Reakčne viazaný nitrid kremíka s vysokou teplotnou vodivosťou [High thermal conductivity sintered reaction bonded Si3N4 ].

Institute of Experimental Pharmacology SAS (application filed for registration in Slovakia) Štefek M., Šnirc V., Demopoulos V., Djoubissie P., Račková L., Májeková M., Karasu C.: Karboxymetylované pyridoindoly, spôsob ich prípravy a použitie v liečebnej praxi ako inhibítory aldózareduktázy a antioxidanty [Carboxymethylated pyridoindoles, preparation and utilization in therapy as aldose reductase inhibitors and antioxidants].

Institute of Animal Physiology SAS (application filed for registration abroad jointly with a foreign partner) Gregor P., Harris N., Koppel J.: Metódy pre hľadanie protizápalových substancií a ich použitie [Methods of screening for anti-inflammatory drugs and use thereof].

(application filed for registration abroad jointly with a foreign partner) Gregor P., Harris N., Koppel J., Zhuk R.: Farmaceutické substancie obsahujúce thieno(2,3-c) pyridín a ich použitie [Pharmaceutical compositions comprising thieno[2,3-c]pyridine derivatives and use thereof].

Institute of Geotechnics SAS (application filed for registration in Slovakia jointly with a domestic partner) Štyriaková I., Štyriak I.,Malachovský P.: Biologicko-chemická úprava nerudných surovín baktériami rodu Bacillus [Biological and chemical treatment of non-metallics by bacteria of the genus Bacillus].

Polymer Institute SAS (application filed for registration in Slovakia) Chodák I., Miková G.: Spôsob spracovania termoplastického polymérneho materiálu obsahujúceho termicky nestabilnú zložku [Mode of processing of thermoplastic polymeric materials containing thermally unstable component].

Institute of Virology SAS (application filed for registration abroad jointly with a foreign partner ) Supuran C., Scozzafava A., Pastoreková S., Pastorek J.: Špecifické inhibítory CA IX [Specific inhibitors CA IX].

A review of licences sold for patents granted to the Academy in the period 1990 - 1999

Patent title Licence granted by Licensee – country Recrystallization Method of Institute of Materials USA Steels Research SAS Hybridomas for Production Cancer Research Israel of Diagnostic Monoclonal Institute SAS Antibodies Method for Preparation of Polymer Institute SAS France Spherical Silica Gel Microparticles Optical Excitant Source of Institute of Electrical Hungary Cold Light /production Engineering SAS documentation/

Method for Preparation of Polymer Institute SAS SR Extraction Mini-columns for Separation of Substances Method for Preparation of Polymer Institute SAS CR Siliceous Adhesive and Filler Method for D-mannose Institute of Chemistry SR Production SAS Novel Drug STOBADIN - Institute of USA Stipendiary Research of Its Experimental Modifications Pharmacology SAS

A review of licences sold for patents granted to the Academy in the period 2000 - 2005

Patent title Licence grated by Licensee – country A Method for Treatment of Polymer Institute SAS SR Concrete Prepared with Addition of Non-freezing Ammonia Mixture A Method for Preparation Institute of Italy of Ultra-High Molecular- Experimental Weight Hyaluronans Pharmacology SAS, Institute of Chemistry SAS Viscometer for Liquids Institute of SR /production documentation/ Experimental Physics SAS A Method for Preparation Polymer Institute SAS Sweden of Wide-Pore Silica Gels

The total sum earned from the sale of licences amounted to approximately SKK 9 million for the entire period under review. The sum, however, does not include incidental earnings from royalties.

Appendix 2

List of Scientific and Popular Science Publications Published by VEDA, Publishing House of the SAS

BAKOŠ, Vladimír: Spoznal som svetlo a už viac nechcem tmu... Pocta Jozefovi Jablonickému. [I Know What Light Is and I Do Not Want Dark Any More …Homage to Jozef Jablonický] Bratislava : VEDA, 2005, 400 p. ISBN 80-224-0815-8.

ŠIMKOVÁ, M. (Ed.): Aktuálne otázky súčasnej syntaxe [Topical Issues of Current Syntax]. Bratislava : VEDA, 2005, 168 p. ISBN 80-224-0879-4.

BACHAROVÁ, L. – KYSELOVIČ, J. – SLEZÁK, J.: Experimental hypertension and ischemic heart disease. Bratislava : VEDA, 2005, 236 p. ISBN 80-224-0856-5.

BENKOVIČ, B. – KREJČÍ, O. – PEKNÍK, M. – ŽÁRSKA, E.: Zahraničná politika Slovenskej republiky. Verejná mienka [Foreign Policy of the Slovak Republic. Public Opinion]. Bratislava : VEDA, 2005, 200 p.

BEŇUŠKOVÁ, Z. et al.: Tradičná kultúra regiónov Slovenska [Traditional Culture in the Regions of Slovakia]. 2nd edition Bratislava : VEDA, 2005, 270 p. ISBN 80-224-0853-0.

BODNÁR, J.: Na hraniciach filozofie a vedy [On the Borderline Between Philosophy and Science] . Bratislava : VEDA, 2005, 222 p. ISBN 80-224-0828-X.

BRTEK, J.: Fauna Slovenska. Anostraca – žiabronôžky, Notostraca – štítovky, Spinicaudata – škľabovky, Laevicaudata – hrachovky. Bratislava : VEDA, 2005, 144 p. ISBN 80-224-0842-5.

CVRKAL, I. – PAŠTEKOVÁ, S. (Eds.). Európske literárne avantgardy 20. storočia [European Literary Avantgardes in the 20th Century]. Bratislava : VEDA, 2005, 312 p. ISBN 80-224-0863-8.

ĎUROVIČ, Ľ.- BOSÁK (Eds.): Všeobecná jazykoveda a slavistika . Vybrané štúdie II [General Linguistics and Slavonic Studies. Selected Writings II]. Texts in Slovak, Russian, English, and German.. Bratislava : VEDA, 2005, 492 p.

Encyclopaedia Beliana 4. (Eh – Gala). Bratislava : VEDA, Encyklopedický ústav SAV, 2005, ISBN 80-224- 0847-6.

FRANEK, L.: Modernita románskych literatúr [Modernity of the Romance Literatures]. Bratislava : VEDA, Ústav svetovej literatúry SAV, 2005, 240 p. ISBN 80-224-0841-7.

JANKOVIČOVÁ, M.- MLACEK, J.- SKLADANÁ, J.: (Eds.) Frazeologické štúdie [Phraseological Studies] . Bratislava : VEDA, 2005, 378 p. ISBN 80-224-0872-7.

GAŠPARÍKOVÁ, V.: Slovenské ľudové rozprávky III [ Slovak Traditional Folk Stories. Volume III] Bratislava : VEDA, 2004, 872 p. ISBN 80-224-0810-7 (released in 2005).

MAJTÁN, M.(Ed.): Historický slovník slovenského jazyka [A Dictionary of the Slovak Language] . Vol. 6. Bratislava : VEDA, 2005. 700 p. ISBN 80-224-0862-X.

JANKOVIČ, J.: Slovník prekladateľov s bibliografiou prekladov z macedónčiny, srbčiny, chorvátčiny a slovinčiny [Dictionary of Translators with the Bibliography of Translation from Macedonian, Serbian, Croatian and Slovenian Languages]. Bratislava : Juga and VEDA, 2005, 277 p. ISBN 80-89030-22-X.

KÁDAŠI, Ľ.: Molekulárna genetika vybraných monogénne dedičných ochorení. Bratislava : VEDA, 2005. 251 p. ISBN 80-224-0869-7.

KREJČÍ, O.: Geopolitics of the Central European Region. Bratislava : VEDA, 2005, 493 p. ISBN 80-224- 0852-2.

LISICKÁ, E.: The lichens of the Tatry Mountains. Bratislava : VEDA, 2005, 439 p. ISBN 80-224-0826-3.

LUBY, Š.: Cestovná správa z kongresu o ničom a iné texty [A Trip Report from a Congress about Nothing and Other Texts]. Bratislava : VEDA, 2005, 157 p. ISBN 80-224-0878-6.

MISTRÍK, M.: Kapitoly o hereckom umení [Chapters on Actor’s Artistry]. Bratislava : VEDA, 2005. 188 p. ISBN 80-224-0831-X.

PEKÁROVÁ, P. – SZOLGAY, J. (Eds.): Scenáre zmien vybraných zložiek hydrosféry a biosféry v povodí Hrona a Váhu v dôsledku klimatickej zmeny. Bratislava : VEDA, 2005, 496 p. ISBN 80-224-0884-0.

PEKÁROVÁ, P., KONÍČEK, A., MIKLÁNEK, P.: Vplyv využitia krajiny na režim odtoku v experimentálnych mikropovodiach ÚH SAV. Bratislava : VEDA, 2005, 216 p. ISBN 80-224-0865-4.

RUŠIN, V.: Slnko – naša najbližšia hviezda [The Sun – the Closest Star to the Earth]. Bratislava : VEDA, 2005, 282 p. ISBN 80-224-0864-6.

SEDOVÁ, T. (Ed.): Women and Science in SAS. Bratislava : Veda, 2005, 216 p. ISBN 80-224-0828-X. ISBN 80-224-0861-1. (Translated version of the monograph authored by SEDOVÁ, T. (Ed.) Ženy a veda v SAV. Bratislava . VEDA, 2003, 250 p. ISBN 80-224-0769-0).

POLÁČKOVÁ, Z. (Ed.): Slovensko-české vzťahy v kontexte strednej Európy [Slovak-Czech Relationships in the Context of Central Europe]. Bratislava : VEDA, 2005, 496 p. ISBN 80-224-0859-X.

ŠMIHULA, D.: Štát a medzinárodný systém - história a súčasnosť [The State and the International System – History and Present Day]. VEDA, 2005, 140 s. ISBN 80-224-0866-2.

MARUŠIAK, J.- FERENCOVÁ, M.(Eds.): Teoretické prístupy k identitám a ich praktické aplikácie [Theoretical Approaches to Identities and Their Practical Applications]. Bratislava : VEDA, 2005, 220 p. ISBN 80-224-0843-3.

TIMKO, J.: Úvod do molekulárnej biotechnológie [Introduction to Molecular Biotechnology]. Bratislava : VEDA, 2005, ISBN 80-224-0845-X.

VÁROSSOVÁ, E.: Filozofia vo svete - svet filozofie u nás [Philosophy in the World – the World of Philosophy in Our Country]. Bratislava : VEDA, 2005, 284 p.

WOLOWSKI, K. – HINDÁK, F.: Atlas of Euglenophyceae. Bratislava : VEDA, 2005, 136 p. ISBN 80-224- 0836-0. ZAVACKÁ, M.: Kto žije za ostnatým drôtom? Oficiálna zahranično-politická propaganda na Slovensku, 1956 –-1962: teórie, politické smernice a spoločenská prax. [Who Lives behind Barbed Wire? Official Foreign-Political Propaganda in Slovakia in the Period of 1956-1962: Theories, Political Directives and Societal Practice] Bratislava : VEDA, 2005, 128 p. ISBN 80-224-0897-2.

BALEKOVÁ, K.– SMATANA, M. (Eds.) Zo studnice rodnej reči [From a Native Speech Repository]. Bratislava : VEDA 2005, 332 p. ISBN 80-224-0870-0.

Appendix 3 List of Other Monographs and Professional/Specialised Publications

Section I Published domestically

MORAVČÍKOVÁ, H. (Ed.): Architektúra na Slovensku: Stručné dejiny [Architecture in Slovakia: A Concise History]. Bratislava : Slovart, 2005. 170 p.

BEZÁK, V. – BROSKA, I. – ELEČKO, M. – HAVRILA, M. – IVANIČKA, J. – JANOČKO, J. – KALIČIAK, M. – KONEČNÝ, V. – LEXA, J. – MELLO, J. – PLAŠIENKA, D. –POLÁK, M. – POTFAJ, M. – VASS, D. : Vysvetlivky k tektonickej mape Slovenskej republiky: 1:500 000 [Explanatory Notes on the Tectonic Map of the Slovak Republic: 1:500 000]. Bratislava : ŠGÚDŠ, 2004, 71 p. ISBN 80-88974-65-8.

DULLA, M. (Ed.): Majstri architektúry [Masters of Architecture]. Bratislava, Perfekt, 2005.

JUHÁSOVÁ, E.: STN EN 1990/NA Eurokód. Zásady navrhovania konštrukcií. Národná príloha. SÚTN Bratislava, 2004, 16 p.

JUHÁSOVÁ, E.: STN EN 1991-1-1/NA Eurokód 1. Zaťaženia konštrukcií. Časť 1-1: Všeobecné zaťaženia. Objemové hmotnosti, vlastná tiaž a úžitkové zaťaženia. Národná príloha. SÚTN Bratislava, 2004. 12 p.

JUHÁSOVÁ, E.: STN EN 1991-1-3/NA Eurokód 1. Zaťaženia konštrukcií. Časť 1-3: Všeobecné zaťaženia. Zaťaženie snehom. Národná príloha. SÚTN Bratislava, 2004. 12 p. + a map.

JUREČKOVÁ, M.— MOLNÁROVÁ, I.: Štatistika s Excelom [Statistics with Excel] . Liptovský Mikuláš: Akadémia ozbrojených síl gen. M. R.Štefánika, 2005.

MOCZO, P. – KRISTEK, J. – HALADA, L.: The finite-difference method for seismologists : An introduction. Bratislava : Comenius University, 2004, ISBN 80-223-2000-5.

OŤAHEĽ, J. – FERANEC, J. – CEBECAUER, T. – PRAVDA, J. – HUSÁR, K.: Krajinná štruktúra okresu Skalica: hodnotenie zmien, diverzity a stability [Landscape Structure of the Skalica District: Evaluation of Changes, Diversity, and Stability]. Geographia Slovaca. Bratislava : Geografický ústav Slovenskej akadémie vied, 2004, 123 p. ISSN 1210-3519.

PARILÁK, Ľ. a kol.: 50 rokov Ústavu materiálového výskumu SAV Košice. Obdobie 2000-2004 [50 years of the Institute of Materials Research SAS. Period of 2000-2004]. Košice : ÚMV SAV, 2005. 148 p. ISBN 80- 968543-3-4. PITTICH, E.M. Astronomická ročenka 2006 [Astronomical Yearbook for 2006] . Hurbanovo: Slovenská ústredná hvezdáreň, 2005, 272 p. ISBN 80-85221-50-0.

Section II

BACHAROVÁ, L. – KYSELOVIČ, J. – SLEZÁK, J.: Experimental hypertension and ischemic heart disease. Bratislava : VEDA, 2005, 236 p. ISBN 80-224-0856-5.

BIANCHI, Z. – BIZUBOVÁ, Z. – ČARNOGURSKÝ, J. – ČEJKA, T. – DEGMA, P. – FAJČÍK, J. – FEDOR, P. – GAJDOŠ., P. – GULÁNOVÁ, S. –- HOLEC, P. – JANSKÝ, V. – KABÁTOVÁ, A. – KALIVODOVÁ., E. – KALÚZ, S. – KMINIAK, M. – KORBEL, L. – KULFAN, M. – KURACINA, D. – LEHOTSKÁ, B. – LUKÁŠ, J. – MAJZLAN, O. – MATIS, D. – MINÁR, J. – MRVA, M. – ORSZÁGOVÁ, Z. – PACHINGER, K. – ROLLER, L. – RYCHLÍK, L. – SABOL, M. – ŠIMURKA, M. – ŠTEPANOVIČOVÁ, O. – TIRJAKOVÁ, E. – VALIGUROVÁ, A. – VIDLIČKA, Ľ.: Fauna Devínskej Kobyly Fauna of Devínska Kobyla]. Bratislava : Asociácia priemyslu a ochrany prírody, 2005, 180 p. ISBN 80-968217-1-7.

GAJDOŠ, P. − DAVID, S. − PETROVIČ, F. (Ed.) et al.: Národná prírodná rezervácia Parížske močiare. Krajina, biodiverzita a ochrana prírody. Nitra : Ústav krajinnej ekológie SAV, 2005, 195 p. ISBN 80- 968120-6-8.

HINDÁK, F.: Zelené kokálne riasy (Chlorococcales, Chlorophyceae). Bratislava : Slovenská vodohospodárska spoločnosť ZSVTS pri VÚVH, 2005, CD. ISBN 80-969265-1-9.

KÁDAŠI, Ľ.: Molekulárna genetika vybraných monogénne dedičných ochorení. Bratislava : VEDA, 2005, 251 p. ISBN 80-2240869-7.

KALÚZ, S. – FEŇDA, P.: Mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) of the family Ascidae of Slovakia. Bratislava NOI, Ústav zoológie SAV, 2005, 168 p. ISBN 80-89088-44-9.

KRNÁČOVÁ, Z. − ŠTEFUNKOVÁ, D. − DOBROVODSKÁ, M. − HRNČIAROVÁ, T. − PAVLIČKOVÁ, K. − PAUDITŠOVÁ, E. − POTOČKOVÁ, L. − KOŠOVIČ, P. − KUBÍČEK, F. − JANOTKA, V. − GAJDOŠ, V.: Integrovaný rozvoj turizmu v mikroregióne Svätý Jur [Integrated Development of Tourism in the Microregion of Svätý Jur] . Bratislava : Ústav krajinnej ekológie SAV, 2005, 199 p. ISBN 80-9692720-5.

PETROVIČ, F.: Vývoj krajiny v oblasti štálového osídlenia Pohronského Inovca a Tribeča. Bratislava : Ústav krajinnej ekológie SAV, 2005, 209 p. ISBN 80-9692-723-4.

PLEŠKO, I. – BARÁKOVA, A. – DUDOVÁ, M.: Epidemiológia zhubných nádorov v Slovenskej republike, 1971-2003. Bratislava : Ústav zdravotníckych informácií a štatistiky a národný onkologický register, 2005. 75 p. PLEŠKO, I. – ONDRUŠOVÁ, M. – ŠTEFAŇÁKOVÁ, D. – KUZMA, I. – MADŽOVÁ, J. –- POKRIVČÁKOVÁ, M. a kol.: Incidencia zhubných nádorov v Slovenskej republike 2002. Bratislava : Ústav zdravotníckych informácií a štatistiky, 2005, 207 p.

ŠTEFANČÍKOVÁ-SATTLEROVÁ, A.: Kamzík a jeho parazitárne ochorenia. Košice : Press Print, Parazitologický ústav SAV, 2005, 124 p. ISBN: 80-89084 -15 X .

Section III

AVENARIUS, A: The Byzantine Struggle over the Icon. On the Problem of Eastern European Symbolism. MANNOVÁ, E. (Ed.), Bratislava, Academic Electronic Press 2005, 212 p. ISBN 80-88880-66-1.

BARTLOVÁ, A. – LETZ, R.: Dejepis – Národné dejiny pre 3. ročník gymnázií. [National History. A history course book for the third grade of secondary grammar schools]. Bratislava : Slovenské pedagogické nakladateľstvo. 2005, 191 p. ISBN 80-10-00031-0.

BARTOŠOVÁ, Z.: A szlovák képzőművészet a 20. század második felében. In: Kortárs szlovák művészet 1960-2000 : válogatás az Első Szlovák Befektetési Társaság gyűjteményéből. Budapest: Ernst Múzeum – Bratislava : Petrus, 2005, 154 p. ISBN 80-88939-91-7.

BENŽA, M.: Etnológia: Odborový rubrikátor. Bratislava : 2005, 87 p. ISBN 80-969322-9-2.

BUJNA. J. Kruhový šperk z laténskych hrobov na Slovensku. Nitra : FF UKF – AÚ SAV 2005, 207 p. ISBN 80-88709-82-2.

ČAMBÁLIKOVÁ, M. - BÚZIK, B.- STRAPCOVÁ, K.- KLOCOKOVÁ, J.- LINDBLOOM, J. - ZEMAN, M.: Spoločnosť 2004 podľa krajov v grafoch a tabuľkách. Pramenná publikácia z reprezentatívneho kvalitatívneho výskumu v rámci II. Etapy projektu Regionálna diferenciácia, regionálny rozvoj V SR v kontexte integračných dosahov. Časť I. Bratislava : SÚ SAV, 2005, 120 p. + appendices.

ČAMBÁLIKOVÁ, M. - BÚZIK, B. - STRAPCOVÁ, K.- KLOCOKOVÁ, J. - LINDBLOOM, J. - ZEMAN, M.: Spoločnosť 2004 podľa krajov v grafoch a tabuľkách. ANNEX - Tabuľková príloha podľa vybraných sociálno-demografických znakov. Časť II. Bratislava: 2005, 340 tables.

ČIČAJ, V. (Ed.) – BADA, M. – UCHOŇ, M. – FRIMMOVÁ, E. – GRAUS, I.- KAMENICKÝ, M. – KOHÚTOVÁ, M. – MAČUHA, M.- MRVA, I. – SKLADANÁ, J. – SZEGHYOVÁ, B.: Turci v Uhorsku. Pramene k dejinám Slovenska a Slovákov VII/1. Bratislava : Literárne informačné centrum, 2005, 365 s. ISBN 80-89222-00-5

DANGL, V.: Bitky a bojiská v našich dejinách (Od Samovej ríše po vznik stálej armády). Bratislava : Perfekt, 2005, 243 p. ISBN 80-8046-310-7.

DANGLOVÁ, O. et al.: Vidiek v procese transformácie. Výsledky etnografického výskumu jedného západoslovenského regiónu. Bratislava : Zing Print 2005, 153 p. ISBN 80-8897-25-9.

DEÁK, L.: Viedenská arbitráž, 2. november 1938. Dokumenty III – rokovania (3. 11. 1938 – 4. 4. 1939). Bratislava : Vydavateľstvo Matice slovenskej, 2005, 452 p.

DOBEŠ, M.: Základy neuropsychológie [Essiontials of Neuropsychology]. Košice: Spoločenskovedný ústav SAV, 2005. 106 p. ISBN 80-967182-4-X (printed text), 80-967182-5-8 (CD).

DULEBA, A.: Vyšehradské krajiny na ceste do Schengenu. Spolupráca v konzulárnej a vízovej oblasti medzi vyšehradskými krajinami pre obyvateľov Ukrajiny a Moldavska. Zistenia a odporúčania. Štúdie k medzinárodným otázkam D 02 Bratislava : Výskumné centrum Slovenskej spoločnosti pre zahraničnú politiku, 2005, 107 p.

FRONCOVÁ, Ľ. – VÝROST, J. – FRANKOVSKÝ, M. – KENTOŠ, M. – GAJDOŠ, M. – FEDÁKOVÁ, D.: Výskum špecifík pracovnej situácie osôb s rodinnými povinnosťami v Košickom kraji. Košice : Spoločenskovedný ústav SAV, 2005, 223 p. ISBN 80-967182-6-6.

FURMÁNEK, V. – KUJOVSKÝ, R.: Slovacchia. Crocevia delle civiltá Europee, Nitra : 2005,158 s.

GABZDILOVÁ-OLEJNÍKOVÁ, S. – OLEJNÍK, M.: Karpatskí Nemci na Slovnsku od druhej svetovej vojny do roku 1953. Bratislava : Spoločenskovedný ústav SAV, 2005, 206p. ISBN 80-967621-9-2.

GABZDILOVÁ-OLEJNÍKOVÁ,S. – OLEJNÍK, M. – ŠUTAJ, Š.: Nemci a Maďari na Slovensku v rokoch 1945-1953 v dokumentoch I. Prešov : Universum, 2005, 259 p. ISBN 80-89046-33-9.

GENZOR, J. – BALÁŽOVÁ, Ľ. – BOSÁK, J. – RIPKA, I – SKLADANÁ, J.: Slovník cudzích slov. Druhé, doplnené a opravené vydanie. Bratislava : SPN, 2005, 1054p. ISBN 80-10-00381-6.

HABAJ, M.: Druhá moderna. Bratislava : Ars Poetica, 2005, 220 p.

HALAMA, P.: Princípy psychologickej diagnostiky [Principles of Psychological Diagnostics]. Trnava : Typi Universitatis Tyrnaviensia, 2005, 202 p. ISBN 80-8082-032-5.

HOMIŠINOVÁ, M. – VÝROST, J (Ed).: Národ, národnosti a etnické skupiny v procese transformácie slovenskej spoločnosti [Nation, National Minorities and Ethnic Groups in the Process of Transformation of Slovak Society]. Košice : Spoločenskovedný ústav SAV, 2005, 135 p. CD-ROM, ISBN 80-967182-7-4.

HRADSKÁ, K.: Slobodomurárske lóže v Bratislave [Freemason’s Lodges in Bratislava]. Bratislava : Albert Marenčin Publishing House – PT, 2005, 160 p. + appendices, ISBN 80-88912-93-8.

HUNKA, J. – BUDAJ, M.: Poklady mincí z Pezinka a okolia [Treasures of Coins from Pezinok and Its Vicinity]. Pezinok , 2005. 69 p.

IRA, V. – PAŠIAK, J. – FALŤAN, Ľ. – GAJDOŠ, P. (Ed.): Podoby regionálnych odlišností. Prípady vybraných okresov. Bratislava : Sociologický ústav SAV, 2005, 400 p. ISBN 80-85544-39-3.

JANKOVIČ, J.: Lijepa naša je aj naša II. Pamätnica na počesť 170. výročia Mihanovićovej básne Horvatska domovina – Lijepa naša a 100. výročia jej prvého slovenského znenia. Bratislava : Vydavateľstvo Jána Jankoviča, 2005, 112 p. ISBN 80-89030-25-4.

KAČIC, L.: Pestrý zborník (Tabulatura miscellanea). Bratislava : Hudoebné cemtrum, 2005, 128 p. ISBN 80- 88884-62-4.

KAMINSKÁ, Ľ.: Hôrka-Ondrej. Osídlenie spišských travertínov v staršej dobe kamennej [Hôrka-Ondrej. Settlement of the Spiš Travertines in the Early Stone Age]. Košice : 2005, 202 p. ISBN 80-88-709-74-1.

KLAS, A. – BRZICA, D. – FRANK, K. – GABRIELOVÁ, H. – CHOVAN, I. – JURÍČKOVÁ, V. – KAČÍRKOVÁ, M. – KOŠTA, J. – MORVAY, K. – PETRÍK, B. – STANĚK, P. – VOKOUN, J.: Technologický a inovačný rozvoj v Slovenskej republike [Advances of Technology and Innovation in the Slovak Republic]. Bratislava : Ústav slovenskej a svetovej ekonomiky SAV, 2005, 390 p. ISBN 80-7144-147- 3.

KOPRDA, P. (Ed.): Petrarca nella Mitteleuropa – Petrarka v strednej Európe [Petrarca in Central Europe]. Nitra : Filozofická fakulta Univerzity Konštantína Filozofa, 2005, 172 p. ISBN 80-8050-830-5.

KOVÁČ, D. et al.. Polstoročné jubileum Ústavu experimentálnej psychológie SAV 1955 – 2005 a jeho prínos ku kontinuitnému vývoju psychológie na Slovensku [The Half- Century Jubilee of the Institute of Experimental Psychology SAS (1955-2005) and Its Contrubution to Continuity in the Advancement of Psychology in Slovakia] . Bratislava : Ústav experimentálnej psychológie SAV, 2005, 170 p. ISBN 80-88910-17-X.

KOVÁČ, D. a kol. Psychológia pre budúcnosť [Psychology for the Future]. Bratislava : Ústav experimentálnej psychológie SAV, 2005, 53 p. ISBN 80-88910-18-8.

KOVAČIČOVÁ, O. (Ed.): Čechov medzi nami [Chekhov Among Us] . Bratislava : Filozofická fakulta Univerzity Komenského; Ústav svetovej literatúry SAV; Divadelná fakulta Vysokej školy múzických umení, 2005, 208 p. ISBN 80-223-2105-2.

KREKOVIČ, E. – MANNOVÁ, E. – KREKOVIČOVÁ, E. (Eds.) Mýty naše slovenské [Our Slovak Myths] . Bratislava : Academic Electronic Press, Historický ústav SAV, Ústav etnológie SAV, Sociologický ústav SAV, 2005, 248 p ISBN 80-88880-61-0.

KREKOVIČOVÁ, E.: Mentálne obrazy, stereotypy a mýty vo folklóre a v politike [Mental Images, Stereotypes and Myths in Folklore and Politics]. Bratislava : Ústav etnológie SAV, ETERNA Press, 2005, 128 p. ISBN 50-969259-1-1.

MAŤAŠÍK, A.: Pohyb slovenskej drámy [Movement in Slovak Drama] . Bratislava : Svojpomoc, 2005, 278 p. ISBN 80-968930-1-7.

MATEJOV, F.: Lektúry. Bratislava : SAP, Ústav slovenskej literatúry SAV, 2005. 231 s.

Luther, D. - Salner P. (Ed.). Menšiny v meste. Premeny etnických a náboženských identít v 20. storočí. Bratislava : Ústav etnológie SAV, 2004, 183 p. ISBN 80-88997-18-6 (released in 2005).

MICHÁLEK, S.: Prípad Oatis, československý komunistický režim verzus dopisovateľ Associated Press [ The Oatis Case: Communist Regime in Czechoslovakia versus Associated Press Correspondent] . Bratislava : ÚPN, 2005, 293 p. ISBN 80-969296-0-7.

MIKULOVÁ, M.: Tajovského obrodenecká moderna [Tajovský’s Revival Modernism]. Bratislava : Kalligram, Ústav slovenskej literatúry SAV, 2005, 288 p.

MORVAY, K. – AZUDOVÁ, Ľ. – BRZICA, D. – ĎURAŠ, J. – FRANK, K. – HOFFMANN, P. – HRIVNÁKOVÁ, J. – JURÍČKOVÁ, V. – KAČÍRKOVÁ, M. – KVETAN, V. – LUPTÁČIK, M. – ONDKO, P. – OKÁLI, I. – PÁLENÍK, V. – PETRÍK, B. – VOKOUN, J. – ŽÁRSKA, E.: Transformácia ekonomiky: skúsenosti Slovenska [Transformation of Economy: Experience of Slovakia] . Bratislava : Ústav slovenskej a svetovej ekonomiky, 2005, 328 p. ISBN 80-7144-143-0.

NAGY, Š.: Rekonštrukcia historických zvukových záznamov [Reconstruction of Historical Sound Recordings] . 1st edition. Bratislava : Ústav hudobnej vedy SAV, 2005, 72 p. ISBN 80-89135-05-6.

OKÁLI, I. - FRANK, K. - GABRIELOVÁ, H. - KORMANOVÁ, L. - MORVAY, K. - OUTRATA, R.: Economic Development of Slovakia in 2004 : A study prepared on behalf of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. 1st edition. Bratislava : Institute of Economic Research SAS, 2005, 71 p., in Slovak and English version. ISBN 80-7144-146-5.

OVEČKOVÁ, O. et al.: Obchodný zákonník. Komentár. I. a II. diel [Commercial Code, Commentary to Vol. I and II] Bratislava : Iura Edition 2005. Vol. I 817 p., Vol. II 663 p. ISBN 80-8078-027-7.

PÁLENÍK, V. - KVETAN, V. - KRIVANSKÁ, K. - PAULOVIČ, A. - ROBERTS, G. G. - ŠIMO, J. - PÁLENÍK, V. (editor in chief): Mid-term projection of trends in macroeconomic development of Slovak health sector. Bratislava : EMPA - Association for Economic Modelling, Forecasting and Analyses, 2005, 249 p. ISBN 80-969426-2-X.

PISCOVÁ, M. – BAUSOVÁ, M. – ZEMAN, M.: Rodina a rod 2002. Výskum v rámci programu ISSP. Pramenná publikácia. Časť I. [Family and Gender 2002. Survey research under ISSP. Source publication. Part I.] Bratislava : Sociologický ústav SAV, 2004, 60 p. + Annex (released in 2005)

PISCOVÁ, M. – BAUSOVÁ, M. – ZEMAN, M.: Rodina a rod 2002. Výskum v rámci programu ISSP. ANNEX-Tabuľková príloha podľa vybraných sociálno-demografických znakov. Časť II.[ Family and Gender 2002. Survey research under ISSP. ANNEX – tables for selected socio-demographic determinants] Bratislava : Sociologický ústav SAV, 2004, 338 tables (vyšlo v roku 2005)

PLICHTOVÁ, J. – POPPER, M.: Predpoklady a mechanizmy kultúrnej evolúcie [Assumptions and Mechanisms of Cultural Evolution] . Bratislava : Iris, 2005, 180 p. ISBN 80-89018-93-9.

POLÁK, M. (ed.): Gustáv Valach – herec pokory a vzdoru [Gustáv Valach – Actor of Humbleness and Defiance]. Bratislava: Združenie slovenských divadelných kritikov a teoretikov, Kabinet divadla a filmu SAV, 2004, 182 s. ISBN 80-969266-0-8. (released in 2005)

RUISEL, I. Múdrosť v zrkadle vekov [Wisdom in the Mirror of Ages]. Bratislava: IKAR, 2005, 293 p. ISBN 80-551-1059-X.

RUTTKAY, M. (Ed.): Dávne dejiny Nitry a okolia [History of Nitra and Its Vicinity]. Nitra : 2005, 139 p. ISBN 80-88709-79-2.

SORBY, K.: Arabský východ (1945-1958) [Arab East (1945-1958)], Bratislava : SAP: 2005, 305. p. ISBN 80- 89104-74-0.

STANĚK, P.: Fakty a mýty globalizácie.( vybrané aspekty) [Facts and Myths about Globalisation (selected aspects)] . 1st edition, Bratislava : Ekonóm, 2005, 319 p. ISBN 80-225-2016-0.

ŠŤASTNÝ, Z. (Ed.): Fenomén sídelno-priestorovej identity v multimediálnom prostredí. Súbor autorských štúdií [Phenomenon of Residence and Spatial Identity in Multi-Media Environment. A collection of studies] . Bratislava : Sociologický ústav SAV, 2005, ISBN 80-85544-40-7.

ŠUTAJ, Š. (Ed.): Národnostná politika na Slovensku po roku 1989 [National Policy in Slovakia After 1989]. Prešov : Universum, 2005, 227 p. ISBN 80-89046-30-4.

ŠUTAJ, Š. (Ed.): Národ a národnosti na Slovensku v transformujúcej sa spoločnosti – vzťahy a konflikty [The Nation and National Minorities in Slovakia in the Transforming Society – Relationships and Conflicts]. Prešov : Universum, 2005, 306 s. ISBN 80-89046-28-2.

ŠUTAJ, Š.: Nútené presídlenie Maďarov zo Slovenska do Čiech. Deportácie obyvateľstva maďarskej národnosti zo Slovenska do Čiech po druhej svetovej vojne [Forced Relocation of Ethnic Hungarians from Slovakia to Bohemia. Deportations of Inhabitants of Hungarian Ethnic Origin from Slovakia to Bohemia after World War II] . Prešov : Universum, 2005, 160p.

ŠÚTOVEC, M.: Mýtus a dejiny v próze naturizmu [Myth and History in the Prose of Naturism] . Bratislava : Literárne informačné centrum, 2005, 246 s.

URBANCOVÁ, H.: Trávnice – lúčne piesne na Slovensku: Ku genéze, štruktúre a premenám piesňového žánru [‘Trávnice’ – Meadow Songs in Slovakia: On the Genesis, Structure and Transformations of the Song Genre]. 1st edition, Bratislava : Academic Electronic Press, 2005, 318 p. ISBN 80-88880-67-X.

Published abroad Section I

HALUŠKA, J.: Mathematical Theory of Tone Systems. New York - Basel - Bratislava: Marcel Dekker - Ister Science, 2004, 380 p.

STRAUCH, O. – PORUBSKÝ, Š.: Distribution of Sequences: A Sampler. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang, 2005, Schriftenreihe der Slowakischen Akademie der Wissenschaften

ŠALAK, A. – SELECKÁ, M. – DANNINGER, H.: Machinability of Powder Metallurgy Steels. Cambridge : Interscience Publ., 2005, 536 p. ISBN 1-898326-82-7.

Section II

FERENČÍK, M.- ROVENSKÝ, J. - SHOENFELD, Y.- MAŤHA, V.: Imunitní systém. Praha : Grada - Avicenum, 2005, 235 p.

KOČÁREK, P. - HOLUŠA, J. - VIDLIČKA, Ľ.: Blattaria, Mantodea, Orthoptera & Dermaptera of the Czech and Slovak Republics. Zlín : Kabourek, 2005, 350 p. ISBN 80-86447-05-7.

MUJIB, A. – ŠAMAJ, J.: Somatic embryogenesis. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Tokyo: Springer, 2005. 375 p. ISBN 3-540-28717-5

PATOČKA, J. – TURČÁNY, M.: Lepidoptera Pupae : Central European Species. Text volume, Plate volume. Stenstrup: Apollo Books, 2005, 542 p., 321 p. ISBN 87-88757-47-1.

ŠAMAJ, J. - BALUŠKA, F. - MENZEL, D. The plant endocytosis. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Tokyo: Springer, 2005, 314 p. ISBN 3-540-28197-5

Section III

BENŽA, M. (Ed.): Ľudová kultúra Slovákov na Ukrajine: Narodna kuľtura Slovakiv v Ukraini. Užhorod : Mystecka linia, 2005, 218 p. ISBN 966-8764-12-6.

BENŽA, M. (Ed.): Atlas ľudovej kultúry Slovákov v Chorvátsku: Atlas narodne kulture Slovaka u Hrvatskov. Našice : Zväz Slovákov v Chorvátsku, 2005, 164 p.

BIANCHI, G. et al.: Alcohol Use and Sexual Risk Behaviour: A Cross Cultural Study in Eight Countries. Geneva: WHO 2005, 135 p. ISBN 92 1 156289 7.

BREZOVÁKOVÁ, B. – DANIEL, D. P. – DVOŘÁKOVÁ, D. – HOLEC, R. – KOWALSKÁ, E. – LENGYELOVÁ, T. – LIPTÁK, Ľ. – LUKAČKA, J. – MANNOVÁ, E. – MRVA, I. – SEDLIAKOVÁ, A. – STEINHUBEL, J. Slovaška zgodovina. Ljubljana : Slovenska Matica, 2005, 375 p. ISBN 961-237-136-8.

DULEBA, A., KAZMIERKIEWICZ, P. (Ed.): The Visegrad States Between Schengen and Neighborhood, Warsaw : Institute for Public Affairs, 2005, 158 p.

DULEBA, A., HAYASHI, T. (Ed.): Regional Integration in the East and West: Challenges and Responses, Bratislava, Sapporo : Research Center of the Slovak Foreign Policy Association, Slavic Research Center of the Hokkaido University, 2005, 252 p.

JANKOVIČ, J.: Srpska drama u Slovačkoj. Translated by Harpáň, M. Novi Sad : Sterijino pozorje, 2005, 244 p. ISBN 86-7101-033-7.

LETZ, R. – REICHEL, W. – ONDREJOVIČ, S. – GLOVŇA, J. – PALKOVIČ, K.: Die unbekannte Minderheit. Slowaken in Wien und Niederösterreich im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert. Hrsg. E. Hrabovec, W. Reichel. Frankfurt am Main – Berlin – Bern – Bruxelles – New York – Oxford – Wien: Peter Lang 2005, 250 p. ISSN 176-4039, ISBN 3-631-52980-5.

PEŠEK, J.: Slovensko na prelome 50. a 60. rokov. Politicko-mocenské aspekty vývoja [Slovakia at the End of the ‘50s and the Beginning of the ‘60s. Power-Political Aspects of Development] . Brno : Nakladatelství Prius, ÚSD AV ČR Praha, 2005, 180 p., ISBN 80-7285-059-8.

Appendix 4 Periodicals and Yearbooks Published at and/or Edited by the Academy

Section I Acta Hydrologica Slovaca Acta Montanistica Slovaca Acta Physica Slovaca CC Architektúra a urbanizmus [Architecture and Unbanism] Building Research Journal SSD Computing and Informatics CC Contributions of the Astronomical Observatory Skalnaté Pleso CC Contributions to Geodesy and Geophysics SSD Geografický časopis [Journal of Geography] Geographia Slovaca Geologica Carpathica CC Geologica Carpathica Clays Journal of Electrical Engineering SSD Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics SSD Kartografické listy* [Cartographic Leters] Kovové materially [Metalic Materials] CC Mathematica Slovaca SSD Measurement Science Reviews (on-line journal) Powder Metallurgy Progress SSD Strojnícky časopis [Journal of Mechnical Engineering] SSD Tatra Mountains – Mathematical Publications CC

Section II Acta Oecologica Slovaca * Acta Virologica CC Biologia CC Ekológia (Bratislava) [Ecology] CC Endocrine Regulations SSD Entomological Problems SSD Folia Oecologica General Physiology and Biophysics CC Helminthologia CC Chemical Papers CC Neoplasma CC Životné prostredie [Environmental Issues]

Section III Archeologické výskumy a nálezy na Slovensku (AVANS) [Archaeological Research and Findings in Slovakia] * ARS SSD Asian and African Studies SSD Človek a spoločnosť [Man and Society] (on-line journal) Ekonomický časopis [Journal of Economics] CC Etnologické rozpravy [Ethnological Discussions] SSD Filozofia [Philosophy] CC Historické štúdie [Historical Studies]* Historický časopis [Journal of History] CC Human Affairs SSD Jazykovedný časopis [Journal of Linguistics] Kultúra slova [Speech Culture] Musicologica Slovaca et Europaea * Organon F (jointly with the University of Prešov) SSD Politické vedy [Political Sciences] (jointly with Matej Bel University) Právny obzor [Juridical Review] SSD Slavica Slovaca SSD Slovak Review SSD Slovanské štúdie [Slavonic Studies] Slovenská archeológia [Slovak Archaeology] Slovenská literature [Slovak Literature] SSD Slovenská numizmatika [Slovak Numismatics] Slovenská reč [Slovak Language] SSD Slovenské divadlo[Slovak Theatre] SSD Slovenský národopis [Slovak Ethnography] SSD Sociológia [Slovak Sociological Review] CC Studia Historica Slovaca * Studia psychologica CC Študijné zvesti Archeologického ústavu SAV [tudy Reports of the Archaeological Institute SAS]* Z dejín vied a techniky na Slovensku [From the History of Science and Technology in Slovakia]* * Yearbooks Note: Indexed in Current Contents; SSD – Indexed and/or abstracted in subject-specific databases

Appendix 5 Contractual Co-operation of the Academy, Based on Inter-Academic Agreements (List of inter-academic agreements, by country)

ARGENTINA Consejo National de Investigaciónes Científicas y Técnicas AUSTRIA Ősterreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften BELARUS The National Academy of Sciences of Belarus BELGIUM National Fund for Scientific Research, Flemish Board of Trustees Fonds National de la Recherché Scientifique, Commissariat Géneral aux Relationes International (Communauté francaise) Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts BULGARIA Bulgarian Academy of Sciences CANADA International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences CHINA Chinese Academy of Sciences Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Shaanxi Academy of Social Sciences Xi´An CROATIA Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts CZECH REPUBLIC Akademie věd České republiky DENMARK Danish Rectors´ Conference EGYPT Academy of Scientific Research and Technology Menoufiya University ESTONIA Estonian Academy of Sciences EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND ARTS FINLAND Academy of Finland FRANCE Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales GERMANY Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst HUNGARY Hungarian Academy of Sciences INDIA Indian National Science Academy Council of Scientific and Industrial Research ISRAEL Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities Weizmann Institute of Science ITALY Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche JAPAN Japan Society for the Promotion of Science KOREA Sogang University, Seoul LATVIA Latvian Academy of Sciences LITHUANIA Lithuanian Academy of Sciences MACEDONIA Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts MEXICO Academia de la Investigación Científica Instituto Politécnico Nacional MONGOLIA Mongolian Academy of Sciences NETHERLANDS Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences POLAND Polish Academy of Sciences Polish Academy of Sciences and Arts ROMANIA Romanian Academy RUSSIAN FEDERATION Russian Academy of Sciences Russian State Institute for Art Studies Russian Academy of Medical Sciences SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts Academy of Sciences and Arts of Vojvodina SLOVENIA Slovenska akademija znanosti in umetnosti SPAIN Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas SWEDEN Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities TAIWAN National Science Council THIRD WORLD ACADEMY OF SCIENCES TURKEY Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey UKRAIINE National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine UNITED KINGDOM Royal Society of London British Academy British Council Slovakia USA National Science Foundation National Cancer Institute National Council for Eurasian and East European Research VIETNAM Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology

Appendix 6 List of Scientific and Scholarly Societies, Unions and Associations Affiliated with the Academy

Association of Slovak Geomorphologists Council of Scientific and Scholarly Associations Independent Association of Economists of Slovakia Slovak Acoustic Society Slovak Alzheimer Society Slovak Anthropological Society Slovak Archaeological Society Slovak Association for Political Studies Slovak Astronomical Society Slovak Botanical Society Slovak Criminological Society Slovak Ecological Society Slovak Entomological Society Slovak Ethnographic Society Slovak Geographical Society Slovak Geological Society Slovak Histo– and Cytochemical Society Slovak Historical Society Slovak Chemical Society Slovak Immunological Society Slovak Limnological Society Slovak Literary Society Slovak Meteorological Society Slovak Mycological Society Slovak Orientalistic Society Slovak Parasitological Society Slovak Pedagogical Society Slovak Philosophical Association Slovak Physical Society Slovak Psychological Society Slovak Society for Agricultural, Forestry, Food–Processing, and Veterinary Sciences Slovak Society for Art History Slovak Society for Bioclimatology Slovak Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Slovak Society for Biology Slovak Society for Cybernetics and Informatics Slovak Society for International Law Slovak Society for Linguistics Slovak Society for Mechanics Slovak Society for Neurosciences Slovak Society for Regional Policy Slovak Society for Religion Studies Slovak Society for Statistics and Demography Slovak Society for the History of Science and Technology Slovak Society for Theatre Studies Slovak Society for Transport Slovak Sociological Society Slovak Union of Classical Philologists Slovak Zoological Society Society for the Study of Metals Union of Slovak Mathematicians and Physicists

Appendix 7 Membership of the SR in International Non-Governmental Scientific and Scholarly Organisations Supported from the Academy’s Budget

AIESEE Association Internationale D`Etudes Du Sud- Est Europeen ALLEA All European Academies BGCI Botanic Garden Conservation International CIN Commission Internationale de Numismatique CIO Commission Internationale d´Optique CISH Comité Internationale des Sciences Historiques CISS Conseil International des Sciences Sociales COSPAR Committee on Space Research DIVERSITAS International Programme of Biodiversity Science EASAC European Academies Science Advisory Council EPSO European Plant Science Organisation ESF European Science Foundation IAU International Astronomical Union IBRO International Brain Research Organization IGU International Geographical Union IMU International Mathematical Union INC International Numismatic Commission IUBMB International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology IUBS International Union of Biological Sciences IUCR International Union of Crystallography IUFRO International Union of Forest Research Organisations IUGG International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics IUGS International Geological Committee IUHPS International Union of the History and Philosophy of Science IUNS International Union of Nutritional Sciences IUPAB International Union for Pure and Applied Biophysics IUPAC International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry IUPAP International Union of Pure and Applied Physics IUTAM International Union of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics SCOPE Scientific Committee on Problems of Environment SCOSTEP Scientific Committee on Solar – Terrestrial Physics UAI Union Académique Internationale URSI Union-Radio Scientifique Internationale

PHOTOGRAPHIC SUPPLEMENT

1. Elections for membership to the Presidium of the Academy for the term of office for 2005 -2009 were held in 2005. From a plenary session of the Academy’s Assembly during the second round of the vote.

2. Prof. Štefan Luby was re-elected to the post of the Academy’s President. The Letter of Appointment was handed over by the President of the SR Ivan Gašparovič.

3. The exhibition launched in the beginning of this year at the Archaeological Institute SAS presented the results of research conducted by Slovak archaeologists on the Failaka Island (Kuwait) at the end of the past year. The photograph shows a part of an uncovered architectonic complex dating to the Bronze Age, which will become a part of an archaeological open-air museum.

4. Analyses for the identification of individuals from families with a high risk to develop tumours, at the time when they show no clinical symptoms of the disease, are conducted at the Cancer Research Institute SAS. RNDr. Andrea Pastoráková, member of the research staff at one of the Institute‘s laboratories.

5. Martin Fronc, Minister of Education of the SR and Prof. Štefan Luby, Academy’s President, signatories of the agreement on co-operation in publishing the Encyclopaedia BELIANA and Slovakia and the Slovaks.

6. Ing. Štefánia Lojová and Ing. Miroslav Balog from the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry SAS, members of the research team awarded with the GOLD INCHEBA Prize.

7. Within the framework of the World Year of Physics 2005, a postage stamp featuring Dionýz Ilkovič was presented at the Academy.

8. From the joint session of the newly elected and outgoing members of the Academy Presidium held at Smolenice in May 2005. From left: Dr. Fedor Gömöry, Dr. Magdaléna Piscová, Dr. Ivan Zahradník, and Dr. Lýdia Rychlá.

9. The newly elected Presidium of the Academy introduced its Programme Declaration at a press conference held in the Centre of Slovak journalists.

10. The International scientific conference Advances in Cardiovascular Research – Molecular and Genetic Basis of Cardiovascular Diseases, held at the Academy’s Congress Centre in Smolenice, was attended by 70 research scientists from all over the world.

11. On the occasion of the Days of Milana Hodža, representatives from the Academy laid flowers on the tomb of this prominent figure in Slovak political life in the inter-war period.

12. From the meeting with Koichiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO (fourth from the left) at the Academy.

13. From the meeting of Ms. Thorgerdúr Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, Minister of Education, Science and Culture of the Republic of Iceland, who visited the Academy in 2005 and Prof. Ján Slezák, Academy’s First Vice President.

14. Professor Susan McKenna-Lawlor, the SAS International Prize Laureate in technical sciences, in honour of her achievements in the promotion of cosmic research in Slovakia.

15. From the visit of Prof. Ahmed H. Zewail, Nobel Prize Laureate in chemistry (1999) at the Academy.

16. The fifth annual Werner von Siemens Excellence Award was bestowed upon the team lead by Prof. Vladimír Bužek from the Research Centre for Quantum Information at the Institute of Physics SAS for the work Optimálne spracovanie kvantovej informácie [Optimal Processing of Quantum Information]. The award was conferred by Mr. Mikuláš Dzurinda, Prime Minister of the Government of the Slovak Republic.

17. From the meeting of official representatives of the Academy and Chinese Academy of Social Sciences at which they discussed the situation in Slovak-Chinese contacts, focusing particularly on the social sciences.

18. The exhibition Zázračný rok vedy [Miraculous Year of Science] launched in the Slovak National Museum attracted 9,000 visitors. The exhibition was inaugurated by Prof. Štefan Luby, Academy’s President, Július Rosa, author of the layout scenario of the exhibition, Viera Rosová, Academy’s Vice President, in charge of Academy’s presentation at the exhibition, and Peter Maráky, director-general of the Slovak National Museum.

19. His Excellency Mr. Rodolphe M. Vallee, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Slovak Republic (second from left) at a meeting with the Academy’s President Prof. Luby discussed the draft international agreement on co-operation in science and education to be concluded by Slovakia and the USA.

20. Dr. Ľubomír Falťan, scientific secretary of the Academy, and Mr. Huw W. Jones (left), director of the British Council in Slovakia, signed the Memorandum of Understanding on co-operation between the two institutions.

21. From a friendly meeting of representatives from the Slovak Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic held in Třešť.

22. Prof. Fedor Čiampor (left), elected to the post of the President of the Learned Society in November 2005, and Prof. Branislav Lichardus, the outgoing President.