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2,5‐disubstituted N,N’‐alkylpiperazines represent an interesting target in organic synthesis both for pharmaceutical or agrochemical applications and as a promising class of ligands in coordination chemistry. We report here a microwave‐enhanced synthesis of these compounds starting from non‐activated N‐alkyl aziridines in the presence of catalytic amounts of simple ammonium metallates. A remarkable TOF of 2787.9 h−1 has been observed in the case of [TBA]2[ZnI4] as the catalyst (catalyst loading 0.1 mol %) and with an almost complete selectivity (up to 97 %) in favor of both diastereoisomers (meso and chiral form) of the target 2,5‐disubstituted piperazines, obtained in 1 : 1 ratio. The two isomers are easily separated, because the meso form precipitates in pure from the reaction crude. A stereochemical investigation and the unprecedented isolation of 2,6‐disubstituted N,N’‐alkylpiperazines allowed us to shed light on the reaction mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large thrombus burden (LTB) lesions in the context of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (p-PCI) have been related to unsuccessful angiographic reperfusion and unfavorable clinical outcomes. However, the hazard of LTB treatment on myocardial damage has not been evaluated. We investigated the impact of LTB on myocardial damage using contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance (CE-CMR) in the setting of p-PCI. In 327 patients, who underwent p-PCI without thrombus aspiration within 12 hours from symptom onset, we prospectively assessed the impact of LTB on infarct size and microvascular damage using CE-CMR. LTB was defined by the presence of Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction thrombus score ≥3 in patent infarct-related artery (IRA); or by "cut-off" occlusion pattern and/or large reference vessel diameter (≥3.5 mm) in occluded IRA. One hundred ninety-seven patients (60.2%) showed LTB and 130 (39.8%) did not. Distal embolization occurred in 18.8% patients with versus 6.9% without LTB (p[0.003). At CECMR, patients with LTB had larger infarct size index (27.5 ± 11.1 vs 22.1 ± 17.5, p [ 0.009) and more often transmural necrosis (70.5% vs 55.4%, p [ 0.008) compared with patients without LTB. Excluding patients with distal embolization, patients with LTB still had larger necrosis. At multivariate analysis, occluded (IRA) at baseline, anterior infarction, and presence of LTB predicted transmural necrosis. In conclusion, LTB in the setting of p-PCI is related to larger myocardial damage as detected by CE-CMR, regardless of angiographic detectable distal embolization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rising sustainability concern is occurring in the space sector: 29,000 human-made objects, larger than 10 cm are orbiting the Earth but only 6% are operational spacecrafts. Today, space debris is today a significant and constant danger to all space missions. Consequently, it becomes compelled to design new space missions considering End-of-Life requirements in order to ensure the sustainable use of space orbits. Furthermore, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has been identified by the European Space Agency as an adequate tool to measure the environmental impact of spacecraft missions. Hence, our challenge is to integrate orbital space use into Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) to broaden the scope of LCA for space systems. The generation of debris in the near-Earth's orbital regions leads to a decrease in volume availability. The Area-of-Protection (AoP) ‘resources’ seems to be the most relevant reflection of this depletion. To address orbital space use in a comprehensive way, we propose a first attempt at establishing an impact pathway linking outer space use to resources. This framework will be the basis for defining new indicator(s) related to orbital space use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The aim of this in vitro study is to evaluate the marginal and internal fit of zirconia core crowns manufactured following different digital and traditional workflows. Methods. A 6° taper shoulder prepared abutment tooth was used to produce 20 zirconia core crowns using four different scanning techniques: scanned directly with the extraoral lab scanner, scanned with intraoral scanner, dental impressions using individual dental tray and polyether, dental casts from a polyether impressions. Marginal and internal fits were evaluated with digital photography and the silicone replica method. Results. Medium marginal gaps were 76,00 μm ± 28.9 for extraoral lab scanner, 80.50 μm ± 36,2 for intraoral scanner, 88.10 μm ± 34,8 for dental impression scan and 112,4 μm ± 37,2 for dental cast scan. Medium internal gaps were 23.20 μm ± 10,3 for extraoral lab scanner, 16.20 μm ± 8.3 for intraoral scanner, 27.20 μm ± 16.7 for dental impression scan and 30.20 μm ± 12.7 for dental cast scan. Conclusion. Internal gap were extensively lower than 70 μm described in literature. Marginal fit was higher than ideal values for all the techniques but within the limit of clinical success. Intraoral scanners obtained the best results for internal gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the performance of the single and twin-aperture models of the six kilo-ampere superconducting quadrupole for the Large Hadron Collider insertions. Parameters of the single aperture quadrupoles; Design features of the magnets; Quench training of the twin-aperture magnet; Use of a Rutherford-type cable; Heater delays; Field multipoles in the twin-aperture quadrupole.

Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) disease is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in NPC1 or NPC2 genes. In 2009, the molecular characterization of 44 NPC Italian patients has been published. Here, we present an update of the genetic findings in 105 Italian NPC patients belonging to 83 unrelated families (77 NPC1 and 6 NPC2). NPC1 and NPC2 genes were studied following an algorithm recently published. Eighty-four different NPC1 and five NPC2 alleles were identified. Only two NPC1 alleles remained non detected. Sixty-two percent of NPC1 alleles were due to missense variants. The most frequent NPC1 mutation was the p.F284Lfs*26 (5.8% of the alleles). All NPC2 mutations were found in the homozygous state, and all but one was severe. Among newly diagnosed patients, 18 novel NPC1 mutations were identified. The pathogenic nature of 7/9 missense alleles and 3/4 intronic variants was confirmed by filipin staining and NPC1 protein analysis or mRNA expression in patient's fibroblasts. Taken together, our previous published data and new results provide an overall picture of the molecular characteristics of NPC patients diagnosed so far in Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]