How to Improve Sustainability in Fused Filament Fabrication (3D Printing) Research?

This review aims to provide an overview of sustainable approaches that can be incorporated into well-known procedures for the development of materials, pre- and post-treatments, modifications, and applications of 3D-printed objects, especially for fused filament fabrication (FFF). Different examples of conductive and non-conductive bespoke filaments using renewable biopolymers, bioplasticizers, and recycled materials are presented and discussed. The main final characteristics of the polymeric materials achieved according to the feedstock, preparation, extrusion, and treatments are also covered. In addition to recycling and remanufacturing, this review also explores other alternative approaches that can be adopted to enhance the sustainability of methods, aiming to produce efficient and environmentally friendly 3D printed products. Adjusting printing parameters and miniaturizing systems are also highlighted in this regard. All these recommended strategies are employed to minimize environmental damage, while also enabling the production of high-quality, economical materials and 3D printed systems. These efforts align with the principles of Green Chemistry, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), and Circular Economy concepts.

Nanostructures of Prussian blue supported on activated biochar for the development of a glucose biosensor.

This work emphasizes the utilization of biochar, a renewable material, as an interesting platform for anchoring redox mediators and bioreceptors in the development of economic, environmentally friendly biosensors. In this context, Fe(III) ions were preconcentrated on highly functionalized activated biochar, allowing the stable synthesis of Prussian blue nanostructures with an average size of 58.3 nm. The determination of glucose was carried out by indirectly monitoring the hydrogen peroxide generated through the enzymatic reaction, followed by its subsequent redox reaction with reduced Prussian blue (also known as Prussian white) in a typical electrochemical-chemical mechanism. The EDC/NHS (1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride and N-Hydroxysuccinimide) pair was employed for the stable covalent immobilization of the enzyme on biochar. The biosensor demonstrated good enzyme-substrate affinity, as evidenced by the Michaelis-Menten apparent kinetic constant (4.16 mmol L-1), and analytical performance with a wide linear dynamic response range (0.05-5.0 mmol L-1), low limits of detection (0.94 µmol L-1) and quantification (3.13 µmol L-1). Additionally, reliable repeatability, reproducibility, stability, and selectivity were obtained for the detection of glucose in both real and spiked human saliva and blood serum samples.

Dealing with Hydrogen Bonding on the Conformational Preference of 1,3-Aminopropanols: Experimental and Molecular Dynamics Approaches.

This study expands the knowledge on the conformational preference of 1,3-amino alcohols in the gas phase and in solution. By employing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, and molecular dynamics (MD), the compounds 3-aminopropan-1-ol (1), 3-methylaminopropan-1-ol (2), and 3-dimethylaminopropan-1-ol (3) are evaluated. The results show that the most stable conformation of each compound in the gas phase and in nonpolar solvents exhibited an O-H···N intramolecular hydrogen bond (IHB). Based on the experimental and theoretical OH-stretching frequencies, the IHB becomes stronger from 1 to 3. In addition, from the experimental NMR J-couplings, the IHB conformers are predominant in nonbasic solvents, representing 70-80% of the conformational equilibrium, while in basic solvents, such conformers only represent 10%. DFT calculations and QTAIM analysis in the gas phase support the occurrence of IHBs in these compounds. The MD simulation indicates that the non-hydrogen-bonded conformers are the lowest energy conformations in the solution because of molecular interactions with the solvent, while they are absent in the implicit solvation model based on density. NBO analysis suggests that methyl groups attached on the nitrogen atom affect the charge transfer energy involved in the IHB. This effect occurs mostly because of a decrease in the s-character of the LPN orbital along with weakening of the charge transfer from LPN to σ*OH, which is caused by an increase in the C-C-N bond angle.

The respiratory mechanics of the yacare caiman (Caiman yacare).

The structure and function of crocodilian lungs are unique compared with those of other reptiles. We examined the extent to which this and the semi-aquatic lifestyle of crocodilians affect their respiratory mechanics. We measured changes in intratracheal pressure in adult and juvenile caiman (Caiman yacare) during static and dynamic lung volume changes. The respiratory mechanics of juvenile caiman were additionally measured while the animals were floating in water and submerged at 30, 60 and 90 deg to the water's surface. The static compliance of the juvenile pulmonary system (2.89±0.22 ml cmH2O-1 100 g-1) was greater than that of adults (1.2±0.41 ml cmH2O-1 100 g-1), suggesting that the system stiffens as the body wall becomes more muscular and keratinized in adults. For both age groups, the lungs were much more compliant than the body wall, offering little resistance to air flow (15.35 and 4.25 ml cmH2O-1 100 g-1 for lungs, versus 3.39 and 1.67 ml cmH2O-1 100 g-1 for body wall, in juveniles and adults, respectively). Whole-system dynamic mechanics decreased with increasing ventilation frequency (fR), but was unaffected by changes in tidal volume (VT). The vast majority of the work of breathing was required to overcome elastic forces; however, work to overcome resistive forces increased proportionally with fR Work of breathing was higher in juvenile caiman submerged in water at 90 deg because of an increase in work to overcome both elastic and flow resistive forces. The lowest power of breathing was found to occur at high fR and low VT for any given minute ventilation (V̇E) in caiman of all ages.

Trends of intramolecular hydrogen bonding in substituted alcohols: a deeper investigation.

Intramolecular hydrogen bonding (IAHB) is one of the most important intramolecular interactions and a critical element in adopted molecular arrangements. Moreover, slight substitution in a molecule can affect its strength to a great extent. It is well established that alkyl groups play a positive role in IAHB strength. However, the effects that drive it are specific to each system. To investigate the influence of IAHB and its strength dependency on different acyclic compounds, the conformational preferences of propane-1,3-diol, 3-methoxypropan-1-ol, 3-ethoxypropan-1-ol, 3-isopropoxypropan-1-ol, 3-(tert-butoxy)propan-1-ol, butane-1,3-diol, 3-methoxybutan-1-ol, 3-methylbutane-1-diol, and 3-methoxy-3-methylbutan-1-ol were evaluated experimentally using infrared spectroscopy theoretically supported by topological and natural bond orbital analyses. The most stable conformation of each compound exhibited IAHB and these conformers are more populated in the equilibrium for all studied compounds. Experimental infrared and topological data suggest that the strength of IAHB increases for each methyl group addition. NBO analyses indicate that methyl groups in different positions related to an OH moiety affect the charge transfer energy involved in intramolecular hydrogen bonding. This occurs mostly due to an increase in the spn-hybridized lone pair (LP1O) contribution to the charge transfer , which is a result of changes in s-character and orbital energy caused by geometrical rearrangements, rehybridization, and/or electronic effects.

Evaluation of antimony microparticles supported on biochar for application in the voltammetric determination of paraquat.

This work describes the construction and application of carbon paste electrodes modified with biochar and antimony microparticles (SbBCPE) for voltammetric determination of paraquat using a simple and sensitive procedure based on voltammetric stripping analysis. Some parameters such as amount of biochar and antimony used in the composition of the carbon paste and instrumental parameters were examined in detail. Under optimized conditions, an analytical curve was obtained for paraquat determination employing SbBCPE, which showed a linear response ranging from 0.2 to 2.9 µmol L(-1), with limit of detection and quantification of 34 nmol L(-1) and 113 nmol L(-1), respectively, after paraquat pre-concentration of 120 s. The repeatability study presented a RSD=2.0% for 10 consecutive measurements using the same electrode surface and the reproducibility study showed a RSD=2.7% for measurements with 10 different electrode surfaces. The proposed sensor was successfully applied for paraquat determination in tap water and citric fruit juice spiked samples and good recoveries were obtained without any sample pre-treatment, showing its promising analytical performance.

Cytotoxic activity of Guettarda pohliana Müll. Arg. (Rubiaceae).

The cytotoxic activity of crude extracts and their fractions from leaves and roots of G. pohliana was assessed against nine human cancer cell lines: melanoma (UACC-62), breast (MCF-7), breast expressing the multidrug resistance phenotype (NCI-ADR), lung (NCI-460), prostate (PCO-3), kidney (786-0), ovarian (OVCAR), colon (HT-29) and leukaemia (K-562). The hexane fraction from leaves (HL) and ethyl acetate (EAR), chloroform (CR) and hydromethanolic (HMR) fractions from roots were the most active fractions against K-562 with GI50 values being lower than 1 µg mL⁻¹. Also, CR and HMR fractions were active against UACC-62 cell line in the same order of magnitude. The phytochemical study of the CR fraction allowed identifying the known iridoids secoxyloganin, sweroside and loganin.

Influence of OH⋯N and NH⋯O inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonds in the conformational equilibrium of some 1,3-disubstituted cyclohexanes through NMR spectroscopy and theoretical calculations.

The analysis of concentration effects in the (1)H NMR data of cis-3-aminocyclohexanol (ACOL) showed that its diequatorial conformer changes from 60% at 0.01 mol L(-1) to 70% at 0.40 mol L(-1) in acetone-d(6). A similar increase was also observed for the diequatorial conformer of cis-3-N-methylaminocyclohexanol (MCOL), from 32% (CDCl(3) 0.01 mol L(-1)) to 55% (CDCl(3) 0.40 mol L(-1)). The increase in solvent basicity leads to a large stabilization effect for the diequatorial conformer of both compounds too. For ACOL, it changes from 47% (ΔG(eqeq-axax)=0.06 kcal mol(-1)) in CCl(4) to 93% (ΔG(eqeq-axax)=-1.53 kcal mol(-1)) in DMSO, while for MCOL it goes from 7% (ΔG(eqeq-axax)=1.54 kcal mol(-1)) in CCl(4) to 82% (ΔG(eqeq-axax)=-0.88 kcal mol(-1)) in pyridine-d(6). These results indicate that the intramolecular hydrogen bonds (IAHB) OH⋯N and NH⋯O stabilize the diaxial conformers of these compounds in a non-polar solvent. For cis-3-amino-1-methoxycyclohexane (ACNE) and cis-3-N-methylamino-1-methoxy-cyclohexane (MCNE) no changes were observed in equilibrium with the variation of solvent polarity. These results indicate for the first time that the IAHB NH⋯O is not strong enough to stabilize the diaxial conformer of these compounds and that the conformation equilibria of the cis isomers of compounds ACOL and MCOL are influenced only by the IAHB OH⋯N. Moreover, the presence of a secondary amino group (93% of diaxial conformer in CCl(4)) leads to an IAHB OH⋯N stronger than in primary and tertiary amino-derivatives (53 and 54% of diaxial conformer, respectively) for 1,3-disubstituted cyclohexanes. Values obtained from the theoretical data through the B3LYP functional are in agreement with the experimental results and indicate that the IAHB strength that influences the conformational equilibrium of these compounds is the IAHB OH⋯N. Thus, the IAHB NH⋯O do not stabilize the diaxial conformer of the cis isomer of compounds ACNE and MCNE showing that the diequatorial conformer will always be more stable than the diaxial conformer, independent of concentration or solvent.

Comparison between constant and decreasing rest intervals: influence on maximal strength and hypertrophy.

Most resistance training programs use constant rest period lengths between sets and exercises, but some programs use decreasing rest period lengths as training progresses. The aim of this study was to compare the effect on strength and hypertrophy of 8 weeks of resistance training using constant rest intervals (CIs) and decreasing rest intervals (DIs) between sets and exercises. Twenty young men recreationally trained in strength training were randomly assigned to either a CI or DI training group. During the first 2 weeks of training, 3 sets of 10-12 repetition maximum (RM) with 2-minute rest intervals between sets and exercises were performed by both groups. During the next 6 weeks of training, the CI group trained using 2 minutes between sets and exercises (4 sets of 8-10RM), and the DI group trained with DIs (2 minutes decreasing to 30 seconds) as the 6 weeks of training progressed (4 sets of 8-10RM). Total training volume of the bench press and squat were significantly lower for the DI compared to the CI group (bench press 9.4%, squat 13.9%) and weekly training volume of these same exercises was lower in the DI group from weeks 6 to 8 of training. Strength (1RM) in the bench press and squat, knee extensor and flexor isokinetic measures of peak torque, and muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) using magnetic resonance imaging were assessed pretraining and posttraining. No significant differences (p < or = 0.05) were shown between the CI and DI training protocols for CSA (arm 13.8 vs. 14.5%, thigh 16.6 vs. 16.3%), 1RM (bench press 28 vs. 37%, squat 34 vs. 34%), and isokinetic peak torque. In conclusion, the results indicate that a training protocol with DI is just as effective as a CI protocol over short training periods (6 weeks) for increasing maximal strength and muscle CSA; thus, either type of program can be used over a short training period to cause strength and hypertrophy.

[Control of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latrielle, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae) in the kennel of the UFMG Veterinary School, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil]. / Controle de Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latrielle, 1805) (Acari: Ixodidae) no canil da Escola de Veterinária da UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil.

The present work was aimed at proposing a control measure for Rhipicephalus sanguineus in a naturally infected kennel of 72 m(2) of the UFMG Veterinary School with 25 dogs of different breeds. A sensitivity test to acaricide products was applied in a sample of R. sanguineus. Out of the acaricide products tested: 12.5% Amitraz (product 1); 2% Alfamethrin and 60% Dichlorvos association (product 2); 5% Deltamethrin (product 3) and the association between 77.6% Trichlorfon, 1.0% Coumaphos and 1.0% Cyfluthrin (product 4); only 1 and 4 products showed 100% efficacy. Amitraz (12.5%) was used for controlling R. sanguineus in the surrounding of the kennel, on which four treatments every seven days were carried out in the facilities. For parasitic R. sanguineus, a single topical treatment was used: Flumetrin 1.0% pour-on on all the 25 dogs. This control measure significantly reduced the population of R. sanguineus within the kennel. A slight infestation was observed in the seventh month after treatment. A new application of 12.5% Amitraz was done in the kennel as well as a new topical treatment with Flumetrin 1.0% pour-on on the dogs. The control procedure proposed in the present study was an emergency measure and its effectiveness was checked through environmental surveys throughout a one-year period.

Conformational equilibria of trans -3-X-cyclohexanols (X = Cl, Br, CH3 and OCH3). A low temperature NMR study and theoretical calculations.

The integration of 1H and 13C NMR spectra, at - 90 degrees C in CS2/CD2Cl2 (9:1), for the trans-3-chlorocyclohexanol (1), trans-3-bromocyclohexanol (2), and trans-3-methoxycyclohexanol (4) showed that the equatorial-axial (ea) conformer occurs as ca 63, 63, and 69% in the conformational equilibrium, respectively. This corresponds to the following DeltaG(ea-ae) values (from (1)H spectrum): - 0.32 +/- 0.01, - 0.32 +/- 0.04, - 0.48 +/- 0.05 kcal mol(-1); and to (from 13C spectrum): - 0.31 +/- 0.04, - 0.35 +/- 0.05, and - 0.44 +/- 0.01 kcal mol(-1), respectively, in very good agreement within both series. Thus, although bromine is bulkier than chlorine, the 1,3-diaxial steric effects are similar in these equilibria. However, the integration of (1)H NMR spectrum for the trans-3-methylcyclohexanol (3) gave 90% of the 3ae conformer in the equilibrium, at - 90 degrees C on CS2/CD2Cl2 (9:1), corresponding to a DeltaG(ea-ae) value of 1.31 +/- 0.02 kcal mol(-1). The values obtained through the additivity rule, with data from monosubstituted cyclohexanes (DeltaG(Ad) = DeltaG(X) + DeltaG(OH)), for compounds 1, 2, and 4 (-0.37 +/- 0.15, - 0.34 +/- 0.09, and - 0.46 +/- 0.04 kcal mol(-1), respectively) are in very good agreement with the experimental values, but it is significantly smaller for compound 3 (0.79 +/- 0.02 kcal mol(-1)). Theoretical calculations through different levels of theory (HF/6-311 + g**, B3LYP/6-311 + g**, MP2/6-31 + g**, and CBS-4M) showed that CBS-4M is the best method for the study of conformational equilibria for these systems, since it provides DeltaG(ea-ae) values similar to the experimental values.

The subtle electronic effects of alkyl groups on the conformational equilibria and intramolecular hydrogen-bond strength in cis-3-alkoxycyclohexanols.

1H NMR data for cis-3-n-propoxycyclohexanol (cis-3-PCH) and cis-3-isopropoxy-cyclohexanol (cis-3-ICH) show that a concentration increase shifts the conformational equilibrium from the diaxial (aa) conformer, stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond (IAHB), to the diequatorial (ee) conformer [Xee=42% and 21% (at 0.01 mol L(-1)) to 58% and 56% (at 0.40 mol L(-1)), in CCl4, respectively] due to intermolecular hydrogen bonds (IEHB), as confirmed by IR data. The Deltanu values, obtained by IR spectra, indicated that increasing the size of the OR group [R=CH3, CH2CH2CH3 and CH(CH3)2], increases the IAHB strength, due to an increase in the inductive effect of R group, which makes the oxygen lone pairs more available for an IAHB with OH group, in opposition to the steric effect. The percentage of ee conformer increases with the solvent basicity for cis-3-PCH and cis-3-ICH, from 48% and 36% in CCl(4) to 97% and 96% in DMSO, respectively. Values of 4.58, 6.06 and 6.33 kcal mol(-1) for the IAHB strength in cis-3-PCH, cis-3-ICH and cis-3-TCH (cis-3-tert-butoxycyclohexanol), respectively, were obtained, from the theoretical data through the CBS-4M method, confirming the experimental results and indicating that the IAHB strength increases with the increasing bulk of OR substituent in this series of compounds.

Stereoelectronic and inductive effects on 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts of some cis-1,3-disubstituted cyclohexanes.

This work presents the substituent effects on the 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts in the cis-isomer of 3-Y-cyclohexanols (Y = Cl, Br, I, CH3, N(CH3)2 and OCH3) and 3-Y-1-methoxycyclohexanes (Y = F, Cl, Br, I, CH3, N(CH3)2 and OCH3). It was observed that the H-3 chemical shift, due to the substituent alpha-effect, increases with the increase of substituent electronegativity when Y is from the second row of the periodic table of elements, (CH3 *sigma(C3--H3a) interaction energy. This interaction energy, for the halogenated compounds, decreases with an increase in size of the halogen, and this is a possible reason for the largest measured chemical shift for H-3 of the iodo-derivatives. The beta-effect of the analyzed compounds showed that the chemical shift of hydrogens at C-2 and C-4 increases with the decrease of n(Y) --> *sigma(C2-C3) and n(Y) --> *sigma(C3-C4) interaction energies, respectively, showing a behavior similar to H-3. The alpha-effect on 13C chemical shifts correlates well with substituent electronegativity, while the beta-effect is inversely related to electronegativity in halogenated compounds. NBO analysis indicated that the substituent inductive effect is the predominant effect on 13C NMR chemical shift changes for the alpha-carbon. It was also observed that C-2 and C-4 chemical shifts for compounds with N(CH3)2, OCH3 and F are more shielded in comparison to the compounds having a halogen, most probably because of the larger interaction of the lone pair of more electronegative atoms (n(N) > n(O) > n(F)) with *sigma(C2-C3), *sigma(C3-C4) and *sigma(C3-H3a) in comparison with the same type of interaction with the lone pair of the other halogens.

1,3-Diaxial steric effects and intramolecular hydrogen bonding in the conformational equilibria of new cis-1,3-disubstituted cyclohexanes using low temperature NMR spectra and theoretical calculations.

The conformational equilibria of 3-X-cyclohexanol [X=F (1), Cl (2), Br (3), I (4), Me (5), NMe(2) (6) and MeO (7)] and of 3-X-methoxycyclohexane [X=F (8), Cl (9), Br (10), I (11), Me (12), NMe(2) (13) and MeO (14)] cis isomers were determined from low temperature NMR spectra and PCMODEL calculated coupling constants. The energy differences between aa and ee conformers were obtained from these data (DeltaG(J)(av) and DeltaG(PC)(av), respectively) and also by the additivity principle from data for the monosubstituted cyclohexanes (DeltaG(Ad)). H-1 and H-3 hydrogen vicinal coupling constants and DeltaG(J)(av) values showed that the diequatorial conformer is predominant in the conformational equilibrium of the compounds studied at low temperature. However, DeltaG(PC)(av) data show that compounds 6 and 7 constitute an exception, since they are almost equally populated by ee and aa at room temperature, due to stabilization of their aa conformer by an intramolecular hydrogen bond. DeltaG(Ad) values, obtained according to the additivity principle, show a better agreement for compounds 2 and 3, since the 1,3-diaxial steric effect is counterbalanced by the formation of an intramolecular hydrogen bond (IAHB). For the remaining compounds, DeltaG(Ad) values underestimate the energy differences, since the 1,3-diaxial steric effect, between X and OH or OCH(3), is absent in the monosubstituted compounds used as references. Moreover, the DeltaG(PC)(av), calculated from the coupling constants, obtained through the PCMODEL program, are rather smaller than the DeltaG(J)(av) values, since the program does not have parameters for the effect, observed in this report, of a substituent at gamma position on coupling constants values for the hydrogen under consideration.

The relevant effect of an intramolecular hydrogen bond on the conformational equilibrium of cis-3-methoxycyclohexanol compared to trans-3-methoxycyclohexanol and cis-1,3-dimethoxycyclohexane.

1H NMR data show that an increase in the concentration of cis-3-methoxycyclohexanol (cis-3-MCH) shifts the conformational equilibrium from the 1aa conformer, stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond (IAHB), to the 1ee conformer [X(ee) = 44% (at 0.05 molL(-1)) to 59% (at 0.40 molL(-1)), in CCl4], which forms intermolecular hydrogen bonds (IEHB), as confirmed by IR data. The percentage of 1ee conformer increases with the solvent polarity, from 33% (DeltaG(ee-aa) = 1.72 kJmol(-1)) in cyclohexane (C6D12) to 97% (DeltaG(ee-aa) = -8.41 kJmol(-1)) in DMSO. For trans-3-methoxycyclohexanol (trans-3-MCH), 1ae and 1ea conformers are almost equally present in the studied solvents, 1ae increasing from 41%, in C6D12 (DeltaG(ae-ea) = 0.84 kJmol(-1)), to 49%, in DMSO (DeltaG(ae-ea) = 0.13 kJmol(-1)). A value of 18.4 kJmol(-1) for the strength of IAHB in cis-3-MCH was obtained, from the theoretical data, through the CBS-4M method.

Lack of parthenogenesis by Amblyomma cajennense (Acari: Ixodidae).

Some reproductive parameters of adult stages of Amblyomma cajennense ticks were studied. The capacity of virgin females to reproduce by parthenogenesis was evaluated, during an experimental infestation, in absence of males, on a horse (Equus cabalus). Ticks were spread either completely free or in limited sites on the body of the animal. The engorged virgin females showed longer feeding periods and lighter body weights than those that had been fertilized. Some of these unmated females produced smaller egg masses, which had no embryonary development. On the other hand, females that had been inseminated produced larger egg masses, with normal embryonary development that led to viable larvae. Under the studied conditions, A. cajennense females did not reproduce by parthenogenesis.