This paper explores how dog-meat consumption in the Philippines serves as an empty icon for varied social discourses. By utilizing structural hermeneutics of the Strong Program and Ernesto Laclau's concept of empty signification, this research locates dog and dog eating as empty signifiers that function as a battleground for competing discourses about Philippine identity, tradition and culture. Th

This article presents the results of groundwater monitoring over a period of six years and the interpretation of these results by a reactive transport model, following an In Situ Recovery (ISR) test on the Dulaan Uul uranium deposit in Mongolia. An environmental monitoring survey was set up using 17 piezometers, from which it has been possible to describe the changes in the water composition befor

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Non-resuscitation fluids constitute the majority of fluid administered for septic shock patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). This multicentre, randomized, feasibility trial was conducted to test the hypothesis that a restrictive protocol targeting non-resuscitation fluids reduces the overall volume administered compared with usual care.METHODS: Adults with septic shock in

Background:Rectal cancer patients commonly benefit from neoadjuvant therapy before resection surgery. For these patients, an elective ostomy diversion is frequently considered, despite the absence of conclusive evidence when a diversion is advantageous. This is a retrospective observational single-center study on a 4-year consecutive rectal cancer cohort undergoing neoadjuvant therapy, aiming at i

To reach the goals of the Paris Agreement, global emissions should be reduced to net zero by mid-century. The steel sector is an emission-intensive industrial subsector where low-carbon production routes are emerging, and recent studies have shown that rapid decarbonization of the sector is technically possible. However, several barriers block the sector-wide diffusion of low-carbon steelmaking. I

Background and objective: We investigated whether adding 4Kscore as a reflex test to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) could improve the screening algorithm for prostate cancer (PC). Methods: In the GÖTEBORG-2 PC screening trial, 38 000men (50–60 yr) were invited to PSA testing and, if elevated, followed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). For 571 men with PSA ≥3.0 ng/ml and evaluable outcomes, 4Ks

The article examines the formal process of ‘ethical clearance’ for social science research at a large university and illuminates how it functions to undermine its stated purpose. We find that rather than promoting ethical standards, the bureaucratic process creates negative and cynical attitudes and game playing. For almost all participants, the entire procedure is counterproductive and experience

The history of rail transport can offer valuable insights for future energy transitions due to its importance in promoting clean mobility. There is a complex interplay between the evolution of the railway network, fuel consumption, efficiency, energy service, and CO2 emissions that requires further exploration. We developed a dataset that covers energy use in all stages of rail transportation, as

In this article, I investigate how material strategies of commemoration are part of the recategorisation of public space in a series of nationalistic projects in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. I look especially at the different ways in which these commemorative territories are made present, and the specific view of history that these presences entail. The studied cases include for example the transformat

This study constructs a Sustainable Halal Tourism Composite Performance Index (SHTCPI) to evaluate the progress of the global halal tourism industry from a sustainable tourism perspective. To create the SHTCPI, this study uses four dimensions (environment, social, economic, and halal tourism) and 24 indicators covering the 2010 to 2020 period and 116 countries. The findings suggest that halal tour

Effect of tempering temperature on the composition of the passive film of a martensitic tool alloy was studied by synchrotron-based hard/soft X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrochemical analyses. The contents of Cr and Mo in the passive film are affected by precipitation of tempering carbides. Increase of tempering temperature from 200 to 525°C leads to enhanced formation of Cr/Mo-rich te

This article studies the role of shared meaning for organising Alternative Food Networks (AFNs). Extant research shows that organisational elements, such as rules, and hybridisation of conventional and alternative modes of food provisioning are important for AFN organisation. Yet, they might both enable and hinder the aims of AFNs. Complementing this body of research, the article investigates how

In order to ensure punctual and robust service, it is vital to have a good understanding of the current performance of a railway network. Several approaches to doing so exist but lack the ability to compare both service and station performance in a single dimension. The study presented here proposes the use of the Rasch analysis technique within an operational context to compare the relative dwell

Alternative fuels, such as natural and bio-gas, are attractive options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from combustion engines. However, the naturally occurring variation in gas composition poses a challenge and may significantly impact engine performance. The gas composition affects fundamental fuel properties such as flame propagation speed and heat release rate. Deviations from the gas co

Background: Real-world data on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) are scarce and studies have been restricted in terms of instruments used for assessments. Objective: To assess generic and dermatology-specific HRQoL of patients with GPP compared with patients with plaque psoriasis using real-world data from the Swedish National Register for Systemic Trea

Hip and knee arthroplasties are mostly successful procedures; however, patient injuries may occur and should be reported to Löf, the Swedish patient insurance. This study investigated the incidence of patient injuries after primary total hip and knee arthroplasty in the Swedish regions, differences in incidence depending on annual surgical volume, and types of approved injuries. Approved patient i

The Taiwanese government has actively promoted and established policies for developing fuel cell research and industrial activities since the early 2000s. The activities, including those of Taiwanese policy actors, private firms, and research institutions, are part of a fuel cell innovation ecosystem. Through an embedded case study, this paper examines past national policies, sectoral-level develo