MRI in Axial Spondyloarthritis: Position Statements from the Hong Kong Society of Rheumatology

The Hong Kong Society of Rheumatology (HKSR) has developed evidence-based position statements on the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). A special interest group (SIG) developed the statements based on the literature review of the following research questions: 1) In whom should SI joint MRI be done to diagnose axSpA? 2) Should spine MRI be performed for diagnosis of axSpA? 3) Should spine and SI joint MRI be used in the assessment and monitoring of disease activity? 4) Which MRI sequence(s) should be used in axSpA? These statements have at least 75% agreement from voting rheumatology fellows of HKSR, and are developed to serve as local practice guidelines for rheumatologists and musculoskeletal radiologists in the management of axSpA.

Speech as a Biomarker: Opportunities, Interpretability, and Challenges

Purpose: Over the past decade, the signal processing and machine learning literature has demonstrated notable advancements in automated speech processing with the use of artificial intelligence for medical assessment and monitoring (e.g., depression, dementia, and Parkinson's disease, among others). Meanwhile, the clinical speech literature has identified several interpretable, theoretically motivated measures that are sensitive to abnormalities in the cognitive, linguistic, affective, motoric, and anatomical domains. Both fields have, thus, independently demonstrated the potential for speech to serve as an informative biomarker for detecting different psychiatric and physiological conditions. However, despite these parallel advancements, automated speech biomarkers have not been integrated into routine clinical practice to date. Conclusions: In this article, we present opportunities and challenges for adoption of speech as a biomarker in clinical practice and research. Toward clinical acceptance and adoption of speech-based digital biomarkers, we argue for the importance of several factors such as robustness, specificity, diversity, and physiological interpretability of speech analytics in clinical applications.

Assessing the Potential for Tourism Development

Increasing awareness of the relevance of natural resources for the practice of outdoor leisure and recreation purposes has contributed to the increasing attention upon the assessment and monitoring of the quality of sports spots. As such, evaluating the existing natural conditions and leisure-related infrastructures is crucial, helping public and private stakeholders in decision-making processes. This chapter aims at examining the conditions for surf tourism in the north of Portugal, enabling the monitoring and positioning as an international flagship destination for surf practitioners. This is done through a mixed-methods approach comprising the demand and supply perspectives and supported by an assessment tool developed to evaluate the conditions for the practice of surfing activities within a framework of sustainable tourism development. The relevance of assessing the potential and monitoring of the existing conditions for sport and outdoor activities, namely surf tourism, according to a defined set of attributes, is also discussed.

Machine Learning Techniques in Agricultural Flood Assessment and Monitoring Using Earth Observation and Hydromorphological Analysis

Climate change could exacerbate floods on agricultural plains by increasing the frequency of extreme and adverse meteorological events. Flood extent maps could be a valuable source of information for agricultural land decision makers, risk management and emergency planning. We propose a method that combines various types of data and processing techniques in order to achieve accurate flood extent maps. The application aims to find the percentage of agricultural land that is covered by the floods through an automatic map estimation methodology based on the freely available Sentinel-2 (S2) satellite images and machine learning techniques.

Artificial Intelligence Applications in Nutrition and Dietetics

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science whose purpose is to imitate thought processes, learning abilities, and knowledge management. The increasing number of applications in experimental and clinical medicine is striking. An artificial intelligence application in the field of nutrition and dietetics is a fairly new and important field. Different apps related to nutrition are offered to the use of individuals. The importance of individual nutrition has also triggered the increase in artificial intelligence apps. It is thought that different apps such as food preferences and dietary intake can play an important role in health promotion. Researchers may have some difficulties such as remembering the frequency or amount of intake in assessment of dietary intake. Some applications used in the assessment of food consumption contribute to overcoming these difficulties. Besides, these apps facilitate the work of researchers and provide more reliable results than traditional methods. The apps to be used in the field of nutrition and dietetics should be developed by considering the disadvantages. It is thought that artificial intelligence applications will contribute to both the improvement of health and the assessment and monitoring of nutritional status.

Alterations in Various Biochemical Parameters Among Covid-19 Patients: An Observational Retrospective Analysis

Novel coronavirus causing the pandemic infectious disease termed as COVID-19 is characterized by respiratory illness which may lead on to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Ferritin is a key mediator of immune dysregulation leading on to cytokine storm. Alterations in various biochemical parameters have been widely reported in COVID-19. Early identification of effective biomarkers to assess the severity of this disease is essential. Our study was aimed to evaluate the variations in the routinely analysed biochemical parameters and their association with ferritin levels among COVID patients. The study participants consisted of 270 members among which 149 were COVID positive and 121 were negative. Analysis of the routine biochemical parameters as well as ferritin level were carried out. Among the 149 positive cases, 84 (56.4%) were mild positive with ferritin levels <500ng/ml and 65 (43.6%) were severe positive with ferritin levels >500ng/ml. We reported significant increase in serum ferritin levels in severe positive samples (1449.84 ± 249.47) compared to mild positive samples (230.04 ± 17.41). We observed increased levels of total bilirubin in 12.7%, direct bilirubin in 16.8%, indirect bilirubin in 8.7%, AST in 65.8%, ALT in 44.3%, ALP in 9.4%, GGT in 51.7%, urea in 18.4%, creatinine in 14.3%, BUN in 18.4% and decreased levels of total protein and albumin in 23.5% positive patients compared to negative patients. Ferritin and its associated biochemical parameters act as predictors of COVID severity. These biochemical alterations suggest the significance of early risk assessment and monitoring of COVID patients.

Comprehensive approach to perception of law in the context of doctrinal views

The purpose of the study is a theoretical and legal analysis of the compressive approach to the perception of the law in the context of doctrinal views, its substantiation and comparison with the comprehend theory. The originality of the study lies in the substantiation of the theory of the comprehensive approach, which consists in a strictly objective, real, non-idealised, deideologised cognition of the law. New ideas related to the perception of law through an objective and comprehensive assessment and monitoring are proposed. The similarities and differences between the comprehensive approach and the comprehend theory are clarified. The approach is a kind of tool for the development of theory. As a result of the analysis of doctrinal views on the comprehensive approach to the perception of law and the generalisation of different positions, the definition of the studied concept is developed. Conclusions: the methodological value of the comprehensive approach as a kind of tool for the development of the theory lies in the objective, real, non-idealised, and deideologised cognition of the law. Therewith, it is inadmissible to recognise the prevalence of a certain concept or theory. The construction of law in the way of combining the integrated theory of law and the theory of natural and positive law is incomplete and incorrect. Since law is not limited to these two theories. Thus, this perception of law is one-sided and biased. Arguments are given regarding the practical value of the comprehensive approach in legal technique when the assessment of the law is conducted depending on the completeness of its implementation and in achieving legal certainty. The more objectively the law, the quality and effectiveness of its rules are assessed, the faster it is perceived (recognised). It is advisable to comprehend the law with the assessment of its negative features

Institutional Rent in Metallurgy: Ways of Use

The article describes the possible use of institutional rent of the largest metallurgical companies associated with their non-market advantages. The author identifies the channels for obtaining such rent, including differences in the tax burden, difference in the rates of involved financial resources for companies operating in different institutional conditions, state support and benefits from peculiarities of the vertical organization of production. Some estimates of institutional rent are obtained and questions are raised about the income and expenses level, fair for the economy, of the companies that receive it. The directions, in which large companies spend the received rent, are highlighted; it is emphasized that withdrawal of "windfall revenues" can be made only after they are compared with non-market expenses of companies, imputed by the state. At the same time, information on such costs is scattered, inaccurate and therefore requires serious assessment and monitoring. The author substantiates an approach wherein the state and big business are interested to seek a mutually beneficial use of the received institutional rent.