Evaluation of thermal/acoustic performance to confirm the possibility of coffee waste in building materials in using bio-based microencapsulated PCM.

As the demand for coffee has increased, by-product disposal has become a challenge to solve. Many studies are being conducted on how to use coffee waste as building materials to recycle it. In this study, the thermal performance and acoustic performance of a composite developed using bio-based microencapsulated phase change material (MPCM) and coffee waste were evaluated, and the composite was applied as building material. The coffee waste was successfully degreased with ethanol to produce composites, and removal of contaminants and oils was confirmed via scanning electron microscopy. In the phase change process of MPCM, an appropriate amount of thermal energy is absorbed and stored, and the temperature is maintained. MPCM was used in the mixture and the improved thermal performance was evaluated via differential scanning calorimetry analysis, revealing a latent heat of 3.8 J/g for MPCM content of 10%. Further, thermal imaging cameras revealed that an increase in the proportion of MPCM leads to a slower decrease in temperature because of the heat preserved by MPCM over time. In an acoustic performance evaluation, impedance tube test results showed different aspects depending on low, mid, and high-frequency bands. Specifically, at medium frequencies, which correspond to the range of noise generated in cafes, specimens fabricated using MPCM were confirmed to exhibit a higher sound absorption coefficient and an improved acoustic performance. Hence, the composite can be considered an eco-friendly building material with promising thermal and acoustic performance.

Circular reutilization of coffee waste for sound absorbing panels: A perspective on material recycling.

The increase in coffee consumption has led to increased production of coffee waste. Methods to recycle coffee waste are constantly being researched. Coffee powder is a porous material that can effectively be used to absorb sound. In this study, sound-absorbing panels were developed using coffee waste combined with resin. A sound absorption characterization of the new material was performed. Then, the noise reduction potential using coffee-waste sound absorbers was investigated in cafés. A café has several noise sources, such as coffee machines, music, and the voices of people. The noise reduction effect was evaluated using the ODEON simulation software together with the improvement in both the clarity and reverberation time in a case study café. In the investigated room, the acoustic definition (D50) increased up to 0.8, while the reverberation time (RT) reduced to 0.6 s. The results of this study demonstrate that the noise generated in the café was reduced by recycling the coffee waste produced as a by-product in the same building. Finally, this study presents a new construction material manufactured through coffee waste that is in turn applied to cafés where the coffee waste itself is produced.

The effect of polydeoxyribonucleotide prolotherapy on posterior tibial tendon dysfunction after ankle syndesmotic surgery: A case report.

RATIONALE: Ankle syndesmotic injuries occasionally require long-term therapy for recovery and can result in tendon injury. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is an acquired deformity that can cause flatfoot deformity. The current nonoperative management of PTTD includes nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), orthopedic devices. Although various treatment options have been attempted, optimal treatments for each stage of the condition are debated. Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) is effective in healing of chronic wounds associated with tissue damage by attracting tissue growth factors. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 67-year-old woman who presented at our pain clinic with pain on the inside of ankle. She had a syndesmotic screw fixation 3 years prior. Her ankle pain had persisted after the removal of screws and edema for about 1 month resulting from long-term NSAIDs administration. DIAGNOSES: The origin of the pain was possibly tibialis posterior muscle and posterior tibial tendon and she was diagnosed as PTTD after syndesmosis surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Sono guided prolotherapy with PDRN was carried out. OUTCOMES: Patient showed improvement in the arch of the foot, experienced pain relief, and was able to wear regular shoes without any orthopedic device. LESSONS: This case report highlights that PDRN prolotherapy is a safe and efficient therapeutic option for the treatment of PTTD.

Transcription factor YY1 is essential for regulation of the Th2 cytokine locus and for Th2 cell differentiation.

The Th2 locus control region (LCR) has been shown to be important in efficient and coordinated cytokine gene regulation during Th2 cell differentiation. However, the molecular mechanism for this is poorly understood. To study the molecular mechanism of the Th2 LCR, we searched for proteins binding to it. We discovered that transcription factor YY1 bound to the LCR and the entire Th2 cytokine locus in a Th2-specific manner. Retroviral overexpression of YY1 induced Th2 cytokine expression. CD4-specific knockdown of YY1 in mice caused marked reduction in Th2 cytokine expression, repressed chromatin remodeling, decreased intrachromosomal interactions, and resistance in an animal model of asthma. YY1 physically associated with GATA-binding protein-3 (GATA3) and is required for GATA3 binding to the locus. YY1 bound to the regulatory elements in the locus before GATA3 binding. Thus, YY1 cooperates with GATA3 and is required for regulation of the Th2 cytokine locus and Th2 cell differentiation.