Lignin is an abundant cell wall component, and it has been used mainly for generating steam and electricity. Nevertheless, lignin valorization, i.e. the conversion of lignin into high value-added fuels, chemicals, or materials, is crucial for the full implementation of cost-effective lignocellulosic biorefineries. From this perspective, rapid screening methods are crucial for time- and resource-ef

Science originates knowledge and downstream innovation. “Big” science is likely to, along the line, give rise to “big” innovation. Large research infrastructures are characterized by containing a large number of partners involved in complex networks of internal and external collaborations. This chapter explores how large research infrastructures (broadly defined) manage internally and externally t

Objectives: Patients with novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can present with gastrointestinal symptoms as their initial symptoms or as the main manifestations during disease progression, but the clinical characteristics of these patients are still unknown. Methods: We identified COVID-19 patients who admitted to Xiangyang No. 1 People's Hospital and presented with gastrointestinal symptoms

The gut is an efficient barrier which protects against the passage of pathogenic microorganisms and potential harmful macromolecules into the body, in addition to its primary function of nutrient digestion and absorption. Contrary to the restricted macromolecular passage in adulthood, enhanced transfer takes place across the intestines during early life, due to the high endocytic capacity of the i

Even though insects have comparably small brains, they achieve astoundingly complex behaviors. One example is flying moths tracking minute amounts of pheromones using olfactory circuits. The tracking distance can be up to 1 km, which makes it essential that male moths respond efficiently and reliably to very few pheromone molecules. The male-specific macroglomerular complex (MGC) in the moth anten

The prevalence of hadronic jets at the LHC requires that a deep understanding of jet formation and structure is achieved in order to reach the highest levels of experimental and theoretical precision. There have been many measurements of jet substructure at the LHC and previous colliders, but the targeted observables mix physical effects from various origins. Based on a recent proposal to factoriz

Background: Measurements of lower limb (LL) volume and local tissue water by tissue dielectric constant (TDC) are common in lymphedema management. Knowledge of normal variability in health subjects is important and can serve as a base for early lymphedema diagnosis but is currently lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate test-retest reliability of LL volume and TDC values in healthy women a

Vitamin D and its analogues are fat-soluble vitamins that carry out important functions in human and animal organisms. Many studies have pointed out the relationship between the deficiency of these substances and the development of both skeletal-and extra-skeletal diseases. Although vitamin D is fundamentally derived from the bio-transformation of its precursor, 7-dehydrocholesterol, through the a

We study the Ginzburg–Landau model in the frame of non-homogeneous magnetic permeabilities and non-homogeneous applied magnetic fields. We establish a continuity result with respect to the applied magnetic field and the magnetic permeability coefficient, thereby motivating the consideration of a discontinuous magnetic field/permeability within the sample. We then study the model in the regime of a

Renewable diesel fuels have the potential to reduce net CO2 emissions, and simultaneously decrease particulate matter (PM) emissions. This study characterized engine-out PM emissions and PM-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation potential. Emissions from a modern heavy-duty diesel engine without external aftertreatment devices, and fueled with petroleum diesel, hydrotreated vegetable oil

Precision background predictions with well-defined uncertainty estimates are important for interpreting collider-physics measurements and for planning future high-energy collider experiments. It is especially important to estimate the perturbative uncertainties in predictions of inclusive measurements of jet observables, that are designed to be largely insensitive to non-perturbative effects such

To establish a circular economy in society, it is crucial to incorporate life-cycle studies, such as life-cycle assessment (LCA), in the design process of products in order to mitigate the well-recognized problem of the design paradox. The aim of the study was to provide means in a structured way to highlight choice uncertainty present in LCA when used as decision support, as well as to mitigate s

Retinal implant devices are becoming an increasingly realizable way to improve the vision of patients blinded by photoreceptor degeneration. As an electrode material that can improve restored visual acuity, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) excel due to their nanoscale topography, flexibility, surface chemistry, and double-layer capacitance. If vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) are biocompatible

Aim The goal of this European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP) guideline project is to give an overview of the existing evidence on the management of diverticular disease, primarily as a guidance to surgeons. Methods The guideline was developed during several working phases including three voting rounds and one consensus meeting. The two project leads (JKS and EA) appointed by the ESCP guideline

Background: Early diagnosis of mild lymphedema and treatment are important to prevent its progress. The tissue dielectric constant (TDC), measuring local tissue water in the skin and upper subcutis, has neither been related to the water displacement method (WDM) nor been used to diagnose mild arm lymphedema in patients at risk. Our aims were to evaluate TDC and WDM in combination with palpation, e

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore and analyse interfaces between scholarly and science communication practices by using the production of open letters on climate change as a point of departure. Furthermore, the paper highlights an understudied form of science communication – open letters. Design/methodology/approach: The material consists of nine open letters on climate change, writ

Avocados are considered very healthy due to the high content mono-unsaturated lipid, essential vitamins and minerals, minimal sugar and no cholesterol and are therefore sometimes referred to as “the perfect fruits”. Avocados, mainly grown in Latin-America, are harvested unripe and sent overseas. However, the ripening process is very difficult to assess visually and tactilely. A tool for precise no

Sustainable and low-emission combustion is in need of novel schemes to enhance combustion efficiency and control to meet up with new emission standards and comply with varying quality of renewable fuels. Plasma actuation is a promising candidate to achieve this goal but few detailed experiments have been carried out that target how specific combustion and plasma related species are affected by the

Objective: Posterior short-segment fixation (4-screw construct = 4S) is the conventional surgical technique for thoracolumbar fractures. The effect of adding two intermediate pedicle screws at the fractured level (6-screw construct = 6S) is still a matter of debate. This review aims to compare the results between 4 and 6S pedicle screw fixation for thoracolumbar fractures. Methods: A systematic re

For a long time, married women were treated differently from married men in personal income tax acts (PITA’s) around the world. The Netherlands was no exception to this rule. The PITA reflected the political, religious and legal situation, but at the same time was often behind on developments in those areas. The current Dutch semi-individual tax system in which single earner families pay more tax