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Identification and further motivation of gifted students are widely discussed among the science education community. In the context of the educational system of the Czech Republic, competitions serve as one of the main ways to identify those gifted in precollege education. In this article, we report the foundation of a team-based open-book competition in chemistry. The competition targets upper-secondary-school students with an interest in chemistry. We describe the organizational process of the competition, including the selection and reviewing of questions. We discuss the personal requirements for organizing staff, the need to train them adequately, and various ways of supporting them. We explain the scoring system and discuss the score data from years 2016-2020, assessing the difficulty of the question sets and proposing an optimal difficulty profile. The competition has been held concurrently in the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom since 2020 and has the potential for further internationalization.

Introduction with Aim: Postoperative respiratory depression can complicate a patient’s recovery after surgery. A predictive score (PRODIGY) was recently proposed to evaluate the risk of opioid-induced postoperative respiratory depression. For the first time, we applied this score to a cohort of patients receiving bariatric surgery, stratified by Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) status. In addition, we recorded continuous postoperative capnography to evaluate respiratory depression and apnea episodes (Respiratory Events, RE). Materials and Methods: The present study was approved by our IRB and comprised continuous surveillance of respiratory variables during postoperative recovery (in PACU) after robotic bariatric surgery. We utilized continuous capnography and pulse oximetry (Capnostream 35, Medtronic Inc., and Profox Respiratory Oximetry software). Preoperative preparation included OSA evaluation for all bariatric patients, additional sleep studies for severe OSA grades, and evaluation of risk for respiratory depression (low, intermediate, or high) using the published PRODIGY score. In addition, we evaluated patients by OSA status. All patients received multimodal intraoperative non-opioid anesthesia from the same team. After surgery, all patients received continuous respiratory surveillance in PACU (average duration exceeding 140 min). Respiratory depression events were scored using a modified list of the five standard published categories. Events were measured according to analysis of continuously recorded tracing of the compiled respiratory variables by observers kept blind from the study patient’s group. Results: Of the 80 patients evaluated (18 male), 56 had obstructive sleep apnea and were using CPAP at home (OSA); 24 did not. OSA patients received CPAP via an oronasal mask or a nasal pillow pressure support immediately after arriving in PACU, utilizing their at-home settings. We encountered 115 respiratory depression events across 48 patients. The most frequent respiratory event recorded was a transient desaturation (as low as 85%), which usually lasted 20–30 sec and resolved spontaneously in 3 to 5 min; most episodes followed small boluses of IV opioid analgesia administered during recovery, on demand. All episodes resolved spontaneously without any nursing or medical intervention. OSA patients had significantly more events than non-OSA patients (1.84 (1.78–1.9) mean events vs. 0.50 (0.43–0.57) for non-OSA, p = 0.0002). The level of PRODIGY score (low, intermediate, or high), instead, was not predictive of the number of events when we treated this variable as continuous (p = 0.39) or categorical (high vs. low, p = 0.65, and intermediate vs. low, p = 0.17). Conclusions: We attribute these novel results, showing a lack of respiratory events requiring intervention, to opioid-free anesthesia, early CPAP utilization, and head-up positioning on admission to PACU. Furthermore, all these patients had light postoperative narcotic requirements. Finally, an elevated PRODIGY score in our patients did not sufficiently predict respiratory events, but OSA status alone did. Key Points Summary: We investigated the incidence of Respiratory Events (RE) in Obstructive Sleep Apnea patients after surgery (56 patients) and compared them to similar patients without OSA (24 patients). All patients received identical robotic-assisted surgery and low- or no-opiate anesthesia. Patients were pre-screened with the standard published PRODIGY scores and were monitored after PACU arrival with continuous oximetry and capnography (Capnostream 35 and Profox analysis). OSA patients showed more RE than non-OSA (1.8 vs. 0.5, p = −0.0002). However, patients with elevated PRODIGY scores did not develop more frequent RE compared to patients with low scores. We attribute these novel results to opioid-sparing anesthesia/analgesia and immediate CPAP utilization on admission to PACU.

The study's overarching goal is to shed light on the connections between technical progress, the success of Pakistani SMEs, and broadening access to financial services. The survey was administered to 212 different SMEs through an online system. Experts in various fields will be selected at random. Statistical tools such as correlation tests, reliability analyses, regression analyses, and moderation analyses will be utilized to investigate the information gathered. Having many financial options available to them increases the likelihood of success for small and medium-sized businesses (also known as SMEs). The favorable correlation between digital finance and productivity, financial inclusion, and economic development was tempered by the degree to which small and medium-sized firms were receptive to embracing new technology. Financial inclusion and digital banking are more beneficial to technologically innovative SMEs than to less adaptable rivals. This is because SMEs are the most open to using cutting-edge tools. Based on our findings, we conclude that politicians and financial institutions need to advocate for increased financial inclusion and digital banking, while small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) should emphasize technological adaptation. Keywords: Financial Inclusion; Digital Finance; Technological adaptation; SMEs Performance

Abstract. Artificial intelligence (AI) has proven time and time again to be a game-changer innovation in every walk of life, including medicine. Introduced by Dr. Gunn in 1976 to accurately diagnose acute abdominal pain and list potential differentials, AI has since come a long way. In particular, AI has been aiding in radiological diagnoses with good sensitivity and specificity by using machine learning algorithms. With the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, AI has proven to be more than just a tool to facilitate healthcare workers in decision making and limiting physician-patient contact during the pandemic. It has guided governments and key policymakers in formulating and implementing laws, such as lockdowns and travel restrictions, to curb the spread of this viral disease. This has been made possible by the use of social media to map severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 hotspots, laying the basis of the “smart lockdown” strategy that has been adopted globally. However, these benefits might be accompanied with concerns regarding privacy and unconsented surveillance, necessitating authorities to develop sincere and ethical government–public relations.

The urgent search for new natural bioactive compounds has led to the investigation of freshwater microalgae in the Almaty region for their antibacterial properties. For this purpose, a study was carried out to investigate microalgae cultures from the division of Clorophyta for their potential to produce biologically active compounds (Parachlorella kessleri, Monoraphidium griffithii, Ankistrodesmus falcatus, Nephrochlamys subsolitaria), which also have the potential for wide use in other biotechnological applications. Methanol extracts of 4 strains of microalgae cultures against 11 strains of bacteria were used to evaluate the biological antibacterial activity. Significant antibacterial effects were observed, in particular the methanol extract of P. kessleri showed high activity against B. subtilis, S. aureus and K. pneumoniae; N. subsolitaria showed strong activity against B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa and E. coli. The results of GC/MS analysis confirmed the presence of important bioactive compounds (decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane) in the microalgae extracts. The data obtained play an important role in the development of microalgae-based antibacterial drugs.

Objectives: To succeed in any organization, it is obvious to pay attention to job performance. Various factors are effective in teachers' job performance. This study was conducted to investigate the causal relationship between knowledge management and digital literacy in job performance with the mediating role of organizational learning among secondary school teachers in Urmia. Methods: The present study was applied in terms of purpose and nature, and descriptive-correlational in terms of data collection. The statistical population of the present study consisted of all teachers of secondary schools in Urmia with several 1123 people. The statistical sample was selected through the Krejcie and Morgan table and 285 people were selected through a simple random sampling method. Data were collected using Sherven Lawson's (2003) Knowledge Management Questionnaire, Tawhidiasl Digital Literacy Questionnaire (2012), Pham and Svirszek's Organizational Learning (2006), and Patterson's (1970) Job Performance Questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaires was evaluated by logical validity methods (formal and content) and was approved after the necessary corrections. The reliability of the questionnaires was calculated by Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the knowledge management questionnaire (0.87), digital literacy (0.93), organizational learning (0.93), and job performance (0.86). The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, and Pearson correlation coefficient) and inferential statistics (path analysis of structural equation model) using SPSS 24 and Lisrel 8.8 software. Results: The results showed that there is a direct, positive, and significant relationship between the variables of knowledge management and job performance (ß=0.65), digital literacy and job performance (ß=0.42), knowledge management and organizational learning (ß=0.53), and digital literacy and organizational learning (ß=0.56). The results of the structural equation model show that the model proposed by researchers has a good fit and there is a positive and significant relationship between knowledge management and digital literacy with job performance with the mediating role of organizational learning among high school teachers in Urmia. Conclusions: According to the results of the present study, knowledge management, digital literacy, and organizational learning have a significant effect on teachers' job performance. Any increase in knowledge management, digital literacy, and organizational learning will increase the job performance of teachers. Therefore, to achieve high job performance, it seems necessary to pay attention to knowledge management, digital literacy, and organizational learning. Teachers can ensure high job performance by paying more attention to knowledge management, digital literacy, and organizational learning.

Mechanisms that sense and regulate epithelial morphogenesis, integrity, and homeostasis are incompletely understood. Protease-activated receptor 2 (Par2), the Par2-activating membrane-tethered protease matriptase, and its inhibitor, hepatocyte activator inhibitor 1 (Hai1), are coexpressed in most epithelia and may make up a local signaling system that regulates epithelial behavior. We explored the role of Par2b in matriptase-dependent skin abnormalities in Hai1a-deficient zebrafish embryos. We show an unexpected role for Par2b in regulation of epithelial apical cell extrusion, roles in regulating proliferation that were opposite in distinct but adjacent epithelial monolayers, and roles in regulating cell-cell junctions, mobility, survival, and expression of genes involved in tissue remodeling and inflammation. The epidermal growth factor receptor Erbb2 and matrix metalloproteinases, the latter induced by Par2b, may contribute to some matriptase- and Par2b-dependent phenotypes and be permissive for others. Our results suggest that local protease-activated receptor signaling can coordinate cell behaviors known to contribute to epithelial morphogenesis and homeostasis.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative opioid consumption following total shoulder arthroplasty, after: (A) a single-shot undiluted liposomal bupivacaine (LB; commercial name: Exparel) interscalene block, or (B) a Ropivacaine block (R), supplemented with continuous catheter infusion. Methods: This prospective, randomized study (NCT03739021) compared postoperative analgesic requirements in Morphine Milligram Equivalent (MME) during the first 24 h after discharge from the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) in patients receiving total shoulder arthroplasty. Two similar groups of 30 patients each received equivalent general operative anesthesia. Preoperative interscalene block was performed with either 10mL of undiluted liposomal bupivacaine (LB) or ropivacaine (R) 0.5% plus continuous catheter infusion. Results: There were no differences between the two groups regarding age, gender, length of surgery, intraoperative narcotic usage, or length of hospital stay. The time required to administer (LB) compared to (R) was significantly reduced (5 min vs. 15 min). The LB group experienced a reduction in MME during the first 24 h after PACU discharge (25 vs. 41 MME). Conclusion: A single shot of undiluted liposomal bupivacaine (LB) provided a significant (p = 0.045) reduction in opioid use during the first 24 h after shoulder replacement surgery compared to ropivacaine (R) with continuous catheter infusion. A larger sample group will be required to bolster these results. There was no measured difference in reported pain level. LB also took less time to administer.

Context: The context of this study was acute coronary syndrome. Aims: The purpose of the study was to evaluate left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) recovery in postprimary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) patients under the age of 40 years. Settings and Design: Observational study, Hyderabad Satellite Center of National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (NICVD), Pakistan. Subjects and Methods: This study was conducted on 104 patients at “NICVD, Hyderabad Satellite Center.” ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients of both genders, between 18 and 40 years of age, and those who underwent coronary angiography were included in this study. LVEF of post-PPCI patients was assessed at admission, 40 and 90 days post-PPCI. Statistical Analysis Used: The McNemar–Bowker test was conducted to assess the variations in the distribution of LVEF at 40 and 90 days as compared to the baseline. Results: A total of 104 patients were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 34.84 ± 4.82 years. The most common risk factors were hypertension 38.5% (40) and smoking 18.3% (19). At 6 weeks, 18.3% of patient's EF was 40%–50%. At 90 days, 23.1% EF was at 40%–50%. Maximum improvement in EF was seen in patients who timely underwent PPCI. Conclusion: A significant improvement in LVEF was observed in young STEMI patients after 40 and 90 days of PPCI. Timely intervention by PPCI not only preserves LV function at baseline but is also associated with better improvement in the short term in premature STEMI patients.

Abstract: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited rod-cone degenerative pathologies that present clinically with similar signs and symptoms. Common fundus findings include bone-spicule pigment formation, attenuated blood vessels in the posterior pole and waxy optic nerve pallor. Symptoms mostly start with progressive night blindness, mid-peripheral visual field defects, and eventual tunnel vision. A 42 year old male patient, typist by profession presented to our clinic with complaints of decreased vision and reduced dark adaptation affecting his quality of life a lot. On examination, he was diagnosed as an advanced case of retinitis pigmentosa bilaterally and there was bilateral posterior sub capsular cataract. His quality of life was assessed by using a simplified version of the VFQ-25 questionnaire. After successful cataract surgery and low vision rehabilitation his quality of life was reassessed by using same questionnaire. He had a much more positive outlook towards his eyesight. Our case report reviews the life changing personalized low vision rehabilitation of a typist with retinitis pigmentosa. Key words: retinitis pigmentosa, quality of life, low vision rehabilitation