A lot of attention is currently being paid to the transition to a biobased economy. In this movement, most efforts concentrate on the development of bioenergy applications including bioethanol, biodiesel, thermochemical conversion of biomass, and others. However, in the energy sector other nonbiomass alternatives are known, whereas no valuable alternatives are available when thinking about chemical building blocks. Therefore, it is also essential to develop new routes for the synthesis of bio-based chemicals and materials derived thereof. Such intermediates can originate either from plants or from animals. Castor oil is a non-edible oil extracted from the seeds of the castor bean plant Ricinus communis (Euphorbiaceae), which grows in tropical and subtropical areas. Globally, around one million tons of castor seeds are produced every year, the leading producing areas being India, PR China, and Brazil.2 10-Undecenoic acid or undecylenic acid is a fatty acid derived from castor oil that, owing to its bifunctional nature, has many possibilities to develop sustainable applications.

BackgroundHigh noise levels in the intensive care unit (ICU) are a well-known problem. Little is known about the effect of noise on sleep quality in ICU patients. The study aim is to determine the effect of noise on subjective sleep quality.MethodsThis was a multicenter observational study in six Dutch ICUs. Noise recording equipment was installed in 2–4 rooms per ICU. Adult patients were eligible for the study 48 h after ICU admission and were followed up to maximum of five nights in the ICU. Exclusion criteria were presence of delirium and/or inability to be assessed for sleep quality. Sleep was evaluated using the Richards Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (range 0–100 mm). Noise recordings were used for analysis of various auditory parameters, including the number and duration of restorative periods. Hierarchical mixed model regression analysis was used to determine associations between noise and sleep.ResultsIn total, 64 patients (68% male), mean age 63.9 (± 11.7) years and mean Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score 21.1 (± 7.1) were included. Average sleep quality score was 56 ± 24 mm. The mean of the 24-h average sound pressure levels (LAeq, 24h) was 54.0 dBA (± 2.4). Mixed-effects regression analyses showed that background noise (β = − 0.51, p < 0.05) had a negative impact on sleep quality, whereas number of restorative periods (β = 0.53, p < 0.01) and female sex (β = 1.25, p < 0.01) were weakly but significantly correlated with sleep.ConclusionsNoise levels are negatively associated and restorative periods and female gender are positively associated with subjective sleep quality in ICU patients.Trial registrationwww.ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01826799. Registered on 9 April 2013.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13054-018-2182-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

SCAR patients will substantially benefit from early interdisciplinary care and thorough consideration of complications during EMS transport and intensive care treatment.

The transition from a fossil‐input‐based economy toward a bio‐based economy is not an easy process. Although policy‐makers in the European Union (EU) advocate this transition, still most companies and economies in the EU rely on fossil fuels for the production of materials and goods. However, the transition will not only depend on policy but will also involve all stakeholders: consumers, firms, and supporting policy with industry playing a major role. This paper focuses on the perceptions and expectations of industry regarding a possible transition toward a bio‐based economy. Based on the multilevel perspective emphasized in transition theory, the opinions of Flemish captains of industry active in the bio‐based sector are analyzed. The case of Flanders is taken because it is a good example of a small European economy relying heavily on imported fossil inputs. Based on the views of the captains of industry combined with the multilevel transition perspective, we argue that the transition toward a bio‐based economy follows a typical sequence of pathways starting with a transformation pathway and evolving toward a technological substitution or de‐ and re‐‐alignment pathway. This theoretical transition perspective helps to define which issues related to market development, technology, research, science, and policy, can influence the transition toward a bio‐based economy which helps to describe some future directions for Flanders as well as other European regions. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

The authors report the case of a 29-year-old pregnant woman (2g1p) in the 16th week of gestation presenting with extensive toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). The cutaneous symptoms began at hands, feet, and in the mouth and developed during the course of 10 days to cover 75% of her TBSA, whereas total epidermolysis was present on more than 40% of her TBSA. Because of progressive swelling and bleeding of the oral mucosa, tracheal intubation was necessary to secure the airway of the patient. Critical care management required sedation, tracheotomy and artificial ventilation (14 days), prolonged fluid resuscitation, daily wound care, topical antiseptic and systemic antibiotic medication, hemostatic therapy and blood transfusion, hypercaloric nutrition, and frequent obstetric ultrasound evaluations. Reepithelialization began simultaneously with progressive epidermolysis and was completed after 35 days of conservative treatment. Because the patient experienced a swollen vulva and a stenotic birth channel, typical sequelae of TEN, a primary cesarean section was required after 40 weeks of gestation. The male infant showed neither signs of skin detachment nor sequelae caused by the prolonged therapy for the mother. A multidisciplinary approach and appropriate medical infrastructure are required to solve the challenge of TEN in pregnancy. In addition, the particular role of gestation in the pathophysiology of TEN needs to be explored further.