Journals
2024 EN
Quaranta Calogero · d'Anciães Almeida Silva Igor · Moos Sven
+8 more
Abstract Molecular‐recognition events are highly relevant in biology and chemistry. In the present study, we investigated such processes in the solid state under mechanochemical conditions using the formation of racemic phases upon reacting enantiopure entities as example. As test systems, α ‐(trifluoromethyl)lactic acid (TFLA) and the amino acids serine and alanine were used. The effects of ball‐milling and resonant acoustic mixing (RAM) on the formation of racemic phases were probed by using solid‐state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. In a mixer mill, a highly efficient and fast racemic phase formation occurred for both TFLA and the two amino acids. RAM led to the racemic phase for TFLA also, and this process was facilitated upon employing pre‐milled enantiopure entities. In contrast, under comparable conditions RAM did not result in the formation of racemic phases for serine and alanine.
Journals
2024 EN
Pascart Tristan · Latourte Augustin · Tedeschi Sara K.
+30 more
Objective The study objective was to examine the disease, demographic, and imaging features associated with different inflammatory phenotypes of calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) disease, ie, recurrent acute calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) crystal arthritis, chronic CPP crystal inflammatory arthritis, and crowned dens syndrome (CDS). Methods Data from an international cohort (assembled from 25 sites in 7 countries for the development and validation of the 2023 CPPD classification criteria from the American College of Rheumatology/EULAR) that met the criteria were included. Three cross‐sectional studies were conducted to determine the phenotypic characteristics of recurrent acute CPP crystal arthritis, chronic CPP crystal inflammatory arthritis, and CDS. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to calculate adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to examine the association between potential risk factors and the inflammatory phenotype. Results Among the 618 people included (56% female; mean age [standard deviation] 74.0 [11.9] years), 602 (97.4%) had experienced acute CPP crystal arthritis, 332 (53.7%) had recurrent acute arthritis, 158 (25.6%) had persistent inflammatory arthritis, and 45 (7.3%) had had CDS. Recurrent acute CPP crystal arthritis associated with longer disease duration (aOR 2.88 [95% CI 2.00–4.14]). Chronic CPP crystal inflammatory arthritis was associated with acute wrist arthritis (aOR 2.92 [95% CI 1.81–4.73]), metacarpophalangeal joint osteoarthritis (aOR 1.87 [95% CI 1.17–2.97]), and scapho‐trapezo‐trapezoid (STT) joint osteoarthritis (aOR 1.83 [95% CI 1.15–2.91]), and it was negatively associated with either metabolic or familial risk for CPPD (aOR 0.60 [95% CI 0.37–0.96]). CDS was associated with male sex (aOR 2.35 [95% CI 1.21–4.59]), STT joint osteoarthritis (aOR 2.71 [95% CI 1.22–6.05]), and more joints affected with chondrocalcinosis (aOR 1.46 [95% CI 1.15–1.85]). Conclusion CPPD disease encompasses acute and chronic inflammatory phenotypes, each with specific clinical and imaging features that need to be considered in the diagnostic workup.
Journals
2024 EN
Triachini Sara · Giannini Francesca Romana · Bramanti Valentina
+2 more
Abstract Coffee consumption is becoming increasingly prevalent among a growing number of consumers worldwide. Despite ranking seventh in coffee consumption, Italy is the global coffee export leader, with almost 1000 coffee roasting companies across the country. As a product subject to increasing interest in sustainability, numerous studies address the economic, social and environmental challenges affecting coffee production. However, only a few evaluate the sustainability performance of roasting companies in consuming countries. This study examines the integration of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in business strategy to provide an overview of sustainability performance among Italian roasting companies. The analysis encompasses 78 sustainability practices across 49 businesses and assesses their communication to stakeholders. Furthermore, factors such as company size and specialty coffee sale were investigated for their influence on sustainability performance. The findings reveal a low commitment to sustainability within the Italian coffee sector, with 83.7% of companies in the first two stages of the five‐stage CSR assessment model. Although there is an interest in addressing product safety, quality, and consumer relations, responsible sourcing is often relegated to suppliers or voluntary sustainability standards. Communication is not effective, as more than half of the companies did not provide sustainability information on their websites. In this sample, the commitment to sustainability was directly related to the size of the business, and the same relationship was observed for roasters selling specialty coffees.
Journals
2024 EN
Bianco Ettore · Sordello Fabrizio · Prozzi Marco
+2 more
Abstract Photonic efficiency measurements of the photoeffects at semiconductor surfaces for pollutant abatement and value‐added product generation (e. g. H 2 in the hydrogen evolution reaction, HER) are usually carried out under continuous irradiation of the catalyst. In the last decades, Controlled Periodic Illumination (CPI) was proposed as a way to increase the photonic efficiency of irradiated semiconductor systems. CPI consists in the modulation of the incident radiant power, alternating light and dark periods with given duty cycle (γ), intensity (I) and frequency ( f ). The rationale underlying the use of CPI to enhance photonic efficiency is the exploitation of dark periods to allow slow reactions proceed, to induce new reactions or to free up space on the surface of the catalyst. In this short review, we will highlight the strengths and weaknesses of some of the works published so far on the abatement of pollutants and the production of hydrogen using CPI.
Journals
2024 EN
NOSBUSCH Patrick · SCIAN Ettore · DE CILLIA Andrea
Abstract The new railway line connecting Luxembourg and Bettembourg crosses the A3 highway at a steep angle (19.5°) with the bridge called OA14. The designed bridge is a bowstring structure with a single span of 186.85 meters. The bridge deck consists of two lateral metal box girders acting as a chord. The deck is a transversal filler beam, with spherical voids and lightweight concrete to reduce the structure's weight. The bridge features two inward‐inclined arches at 9°, which are doubled and serve as trusses. This significantly increases the stiffness of the arch whilst keeping the silhouette elegant. The deck follows the curved track alignment, the arches remain straight. Two times 12 hangers connect the arches to the girders, they are made of CHS profiles of S450H quality. This article gives an overview of the structure and its construction. It then gives a more detailed insight in the design of the hangers, especially the hanger‐girder connections.
Journals
2024 EN
Schröder Nina · Bartalucci Ettore · Wiegand Thomas
Abstract Noncovalent interactions are the basis for a large number of chemical and biological molecular‐recognition processes, such as those occurring in supramolecular chemistry, catalysis, solid‐state reactions in mechanochemistry, protein folding, protein‐nucleic acid binding, and biomolecular phase separation processes. In this perspective article, some recent developments in probing noncovalent interactions by proton‐detected solid‐state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy at Magic‐Angle Spinning (MAS) frequencies of 100 kHz and more are reviewed. The development of MAS rotors with decreasing outer diameters, combined with the development of superconducting magnets operating at high static magnetic‐field strengths up to 28.2 T (1200 MHz proton Larmor frequency) improves resolution and sensitivity in proton‐detected solid‐state NMR, which is the fundamental requirement for shedding light on noncovalent interactions in solids. The examples reported in this article range from protein‐nucleic acid binding in large ATP‐fueled motor proteins to a hydrogen‐π interaction in a calixarene‐lanthanide complex.
Journals
2024 EN
Belleflamme Maurice · Hommes Jerome · Dervisoglu Riza
+5 more
Abstract We report the catalytic synthesis of 3‐hydroxy‐2‐butanon (acetoin) from acetaldehyde as a key step in the synthesis of C 4 ‐molecules from ethanol. Facile C−C bond formation at the α‐carbon of the C 2 building block is achieved using an N ‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyst. The immobilization of the catalyst on a Merrifield ’s peptide resin and its spectroscopic characterisation using solid‐state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is described herein. The immobilization of the NHC catalyst allows for process intensification steps and the reported catalytic system was subjected to batch recycling as well as continuous flow experiments. The robustness of the catalytic system was shown over a maximum of 10 h time‐on‐stream. Overall, high selectivity S >90 % was observed. The observed deactivation of the catalyst with increasing time‐on‐stream is explained by ex‐situ 1 H solution‐state, as well as 13 C and 15 N solid‐state NMR spectra allowing us to develop a deeper understanding of the underlying decomposition mechanism of the catalyst.
Journals
2024 EN
Favilli Alessandro · Mazzon Ivan · Etrusco Andrea
+7 more
Uterine leiomyomas (ULs) are non‐cancerous tumors composed of smooth muscle cells that develop within the myometrium and represent the most prevalent pathological condition affecting the female genital tract. Despite the volume of available research, many aspects of ULs remain unresolved, making it a “paradoxical disease” where the increase in available scientific literature has not been matched by an increase in solid evidence for clinical management. Fertility stands at the top of the list of clinical issues where the role of ULs is still unclear. The leiomyoma subclassification system, released by the International Federaion of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) in 2008, introduced a new and more effective way of categorizing uterine fibroids. The aim was to go beyond the traditional classification “subserosal, intramural and submucosal”, facilitating a detailed examination of individual ULs impact on the female reproductive system. The “type 3 UL” is a special type of myoma, characterized by its complete myometrial development while encroaching the endometrium. It is a unique “hybrid” between a submucous and an intramural UL, that may exert a detrimental “double hit” mechanism, which is of particular interest in patients wishing pregnancy. To date, no robust evidence is available regarding the management of type 3 ULs. The aim of this narrative review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the physiopathological mechanisms that type 3 UL may exert on fertility, and to present new perspectives that may help us to better understand both the need for and the methods of treating this unique type of fibroid.
Journals
2024 EN
Gulino Ferdinando Antonio · Occhipinti Sara · Ettore Carla
+4 more
Robert's uterus is a rare Müllerian duct anomaly (MDA) characterized by complete asymmetric septum dividing uterine cavity into two non‐communicating parts. This study offers insights into diagnosing and management of this condition in a young patient, and a systematic literature review. The review included 19 studies from 2013 to 2023. 11.4% of women reported a history of miscarriage and 5.7% primary infertility. Dysmenorrhea was the most frequent symptom (54.3%), and 14.3% of patients had a coexisting endometriosis. The surgical interventions most commonly combine laparoscopic and hysteroscopic techniques. Robert's uterus requires heightened clinical awareness for early diagnosis, particularly in young women.
Journals
2024 EN
Leone Francesco Di · Blasi Gonzalo · Amerio Ettore
+3 more
Background A study was made to evaluate peri‐implant conditions in compliers and erratic compliers with peri‐implant maintenance therapy (PIMT), and to assess the role of site‐specific confounders. Methods Erratic PIMT compliers (EC) were defined as presenting attendance < 2×/year, while regular compliers (RC) attended ≥ 2×/year. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were employed to perform a multivariable multilevel analysis in which the peri‐implant condition was established as dependent variable. Results Overall, 86 non‐smoker patients (42 RC and 44 EC) attending the Department of Periodontology of the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya were recruited consecutively on a cross‐sectional basis. The mean period of loading was 9.5 year. An implant placed in an erratic patient has 88% higher probability of presenting peri‐implant diseases versus RC. Furthermore, the probability of diagnosis of peri‐implantitis was significantly higher in EC versus RC (odds ratio [OR] 5.26 ; p = 0.009). Among other factors, history of periodontitis, non‐hygienic prosthesis, period of implant loading, and modified plaque index (mPI) at implant level were shown to significantly increase the risk of peri‐implantitis diagnosis. Although not associated with peri‐implantitis diagnosis risk, keratinized mucosa (KM) width, and vestibular depth (VD) were significantly associated to plaque accumulation (mPI). Conclusions Compliance with PIMT was found to be significantly associated with peri‐implant condition. In this sense, attending PIMT < 2×/year may be ineffective to prevent peri‐implantitis.