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Like although (see Sect. 3.8 ) the link words since and as require a dependent clause.
For example:
Since / As you are a PhD student, you probably have to write a lot of papers in English.

This means that since and as could not be used in the RV below.

original revised
The chemical characterization of The chemical characterization of organic
organic paint materials in works paint materials in works of art is of great
of art is of great interest in terms interest in terms of conservation. This is
of conservation, because / since / because / In fact the organic components
as the organic components of the of the paint layer are …
paint layer are particularly subject
to degradation.

owing to, due to, as a result of, consequently, thus etc.

These link words are used to explain the reasons for ‘something’ that has just been
mentioned (S1) or is about to be mentioned (S2). The ‘something’ to be done in the
examples below is to simplify a procedure.

S1. *It was found necessary to make some simplifications to our procedures (essentially we
did A, B and C), due to the difficulties in measuring the weight of the various compounds,

particularly with regard to the weights of X, Y and Z.
S2. *Owing to the difficulties in measuring the weight of the various compounds, particularly

with regard to the weights of X, Y and Z, it was found necessary to make some simplifi ca-
tions to our procedures, essentially by doing A, B and C.
In such cases, it might be clearer for the reader if you split the sentence into three (S3).

S3. We encountered difficulties in measuring the weight of the various compounds, particu-

larly the weights of X, Y and Z. We thus decided to make some simplifications to our
procedures. This entailed doing A, B and C.
For more information on link words see Chapter 13 in English for Research:
Grammar, Usage and Style .