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The prosperity of the lithium-ion battery industry has raised deep concerns about spent batteries. Recently, much attention has been focused on the development and advancement of lithium battery recycling. Deep eutectic solvents are efficient, environmentally friendly, and economical leaching solvents with great potential for the recovery of cathode materials from spent lithium-ion batteries. However, to date, deep eutectic solvents have been considered a disposable agent for lithium-ion battery recycling, resulting in organic waste after a single recycling. Here, we demonstrate a reusable deep eutectic solvent based on maleic acid (MA) and ethylene glycol (EG), designed to recycle LiCoO 2 cathode materials from spent lithium-ion batteries. With a high loading capacity (59 g/L), the leaching efficiencies of Co and Li by MA:EG are 98.3 % and 98.4 % respectively. MA:EG can be refreshed by adding oxalic acid as a precipitant. Even after 4 cycles, the leaching efficiency of Co is still 90 % and the average recovery efficiency of Co products is over 96.5 %. Lithium is present in a high concentration and is also recovered in the form of oxalate. This work provides a novel and environmentally friendly recycling route that can economically and efficiently recover the valuable metals Li and Co from spent lithium-ion batteries. [Display omitted] • MA:EG has a high-capacity in the dissolution of LCO. • MA:EG has excellent cyclic properties during recycling LCO. • The mechanism of dissolving LCO in MA: EG was performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors examined how the joint effect of brand experience type (ordinary vs. extraordinary) and COVID‐19 threat on consumer happiness changed at different stages of the COVID‐19 pandemic. The findings from five studies, with the COVID‐19 threat and lockdown status measured as well as manipulated, suggest that COVID‐19 threat exerts converse moderating influences on the extraordinariness–happiness relationship under no lockdown and lockdown. Under lockdown, threat attenuates the effect of brand extraordinariness on happiness; extraordinary brand experiences bring more happiness than ordinary brand experiences when the perceived threat of COVID‐19 is low, but consumers derive comparable happiness from extraordinary and ordinary experiences when perceived threat is high. Under no lockdown, threat amplifies the positive effect of extraordinariness on happiness. Consumers rarely experience a large‐scale lockdown due to a pandemic, and this research advances understanding of how consumer happiness from a brand experience changes with the trajectory of a pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reducing intra-operative opioid consumption benefits patients by decreasing postoperative opioid-related adverse events. We assessed whether opioid-free anesthesia would provide effective analgesia-antinociception monitored by analgesia index in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Methods: Patients (ASA Ⅰ-Ⅱ, 18–65 years old, BMI <30 kg m−2) scheduled to undergo video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery under general anesthesia were randomly allocated into two groups to receive opioid-free anesthesia (group OFA) with dexmedetomidine, sevoflurane plus thoracic paravertebral blockade or opioid-based anesthesia (group OA) with remifentanil, sevoflurane, and thoracic paravertebral blockade. The primary outcome variable was pain intensity during the operation, assessed by the depth of analgesia using the pain threshold index with the multifunction combination monitor HXD‑I. Secondary outcomes included depth of sedation monitoring by wavelet index and blood glucose concentration achieved from blood gas. Results: One hundred patients were randomized; 3 patients were excluded due to discontinued intervention and 97 included in the final analysis. Intraoperative pain threshold index readings were not significantly different between group OFA and group OA from arriving operation room to extubation (P = 0.86), while the brain wavelet index readings in group OFA were notably lower than those in group OA from before general anesthesia induction to recovery of double lungs ventilation (P <0.001). After beginning of operation, the blood glucose levels in group OFA increased compared with baseline blood glucose values (P < 0.001). The recovery time and extubation time in group OFA were significantly longer than those in group OA (P <0.007). Conclusions: This study suggested that our OFA regimen achieved equally effective intraoperative pain threshold index compared to OA in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Depth of sedation was significantly deeper and blood glucose levels were higher with OFA. Study's limitations and strict inclusion criteria may limit the external validity of the study, suggesting the need of further randomized trials on the topic. Trial registration: ChiCTR1800019479, Title: "Opioid-free anesthesia in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The superhydrophobic coating directed by Fenton reaction and silane coupling, which are endowed with antithrombotic and anti-bacterial adhesion properties. [Display omitted] • A anti-fouling coating directed by Fenton activation and siloxane coupling. • The method was facile and applicable to a variety of substrates. • The superhydrophobic surface exhibited excellent anticoagulation, anti-bacterial adhesion and long-term stability. Blood-contacting devices, including vascular stents, catheters and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), often lead to complications such as thrombosis, inflammation and infections, resulting in implantation failure and adverse events in clinical applications. In this study, a facile and universal antifouling coating with superhydrophobic properties was proposed to improve the contacting interface for combating thrombosis and bacterial infections. The fabrication of the coating was based on Fenton reaction and silane coupling. Oxidative groups were introduced after Fenton activation and topological structure was constructed on the surface by silane coupling agents, and fluoride was used for modification. The obtained superhydrophobic coatings appeared as compact and uniform nanofibers that possessed good resistance to protein adsorption and platelet adhesion, while the thrombus formation was inhibited. In addition, the adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was effectively prevented, which potentially delayed the formation of biofilm and reduced the risk of infections. The coating was applicable to a variety of substrates (polymer, non-metallic inorganic and metallic) and the superhydrophobic properties were preserved after immersion in PBS for 28 days, indicating that it was a promising antithrombotic and antibacterial candidate for modification of medical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A superhydrophilic (SH) coating was constructed via the stepwise deposition of MPNs. • Endothelium-mimic function was triggered via in-situ generation of NO by MPNs. • Enhanced hemocompatibility and suppressed inflammatory response was obtained. • The SH coating with continuous NO generation promoted in vivo endothelialization. The achievement of the desired hemocompatibility, anti-inflammatory, and rapid endothelialization properties has significantly contributed to the success of implantable blood-contacting materials, especially vascular stents. In this study, we constructed a facile and versatile superhydrophilic coating via the stepwise deposition of metal/phenolic networks (MPNs) using a layer-by-layer assembly technique. Tannic acid and copper ions were employed for the fabrication of MPNs, and the surface roughness and the number of hydrophilic phenolic groups were gradually increased, ultimately leading to the generation of a superhydrophilic coating, where the copper ions were also effectively incorporated. Owing to the superhydrophilicity of the coating, the binding of serum adhesion proteins, such as albumin and fibrinogen, to the surface was strongly inhibited, thereby conferring a potent antithrombotic ability. In addition, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects were achieved through the deposition of a large amount of residual phenolic hydroxyl groups on the surface. The incorporated copper ions could also mimic endothelial function through the continuously catalyzed decomposition of endogenous S-nitrothiols (RSNOs) to release nitric oxide (NO) in situ in a controlled manner. The synergistic contribution effect of NO and superhydrophilicity, further inhibited the adhesion/activation of platelets. The optimized coating significantly inhibited the adhesion and activation of platelets, selectively supported the adhesion of endothelial cells, and suppressed the proliferation of smooth muscle cells. Such superhydrophilic coating with the incorporation of copper ions adequately addressed the basic requirements of vascular stents, in terms of antithrombosis, anti-restenosis, and enhanced endothelialization in vivo , demonstrating a promising approach for the clinical application of vascular implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Uniform and robust zwitterionic polymer coating was facilely fabricated. • The zwitterionic coating exhibited excellent anticoagulant activity. • The zwitterionic coating enhanced the anti– hyperplasia property of PLA stent. Endowing cardiovascular stents with multiple functionalities, such as anti–proliferative, and anti–inflammatory properties, is important for combating restenosis after stent implantation. The surface properties of stents play a key role in obtaining the desired post–implantation performance. Zwitterionic coatings are resistant to non–specific adsorption, and here, a mussel–inspired zwitterionic poly (carboxybetaine acrylate– co –dopamine methacrylate) copolymer (PCBDA) was synthesized and applied to the surface of a biodegradable poly(l –lactide) stent. To obtain a zwitterionic polymer coating, the surface of a PLA stent was pretreated by co–depositing polydopamine (PDA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI). The mussel–inspired catechol moieties in the PCBDA copolymer cross–linked with the PDA–PEI hybrid to form a robust PCBDA/PDA–PEI coating on the PLA stent. The zwitterionic PCBDA formed a hydration layer once it contacted blood, preventing the non–specific adsorption of serum proteins, which further blocked subsequent coagulation and inflammation. The anti–protein adsorption tests showed that the PCBDA/PDA–PEI coating resisted the non–specific adsorption of fibrinogen, which was a positive signal for enhanced anti–coagulation. Moreover, the platelet adhesion/activation tests confirmed its antithrombotic properties. The in vivo tissue response was also greatly suppressed due to the inhibited recognition of PCBDA/PDA–PEI–coated implants by macrophages. Interestingly, unlike traditional zwitterionic polymers, due to the introduction of adhesive catechol moieties, PCBDA supported the growth of endothelial cells, demonstrating its ability to selectively direct the fate of endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. In vivo stent implantation results showed inhibited intimal hyperplasia due to the protection of PCBDA/PDA–PEI. Overall, due to the specific characteristics of the mussel–inspired PCBDA/PDA–PEI coating, anticoagulation, anti–inflammatory, and anti–proliferation properties were obtained; thus, it is expected that this coating can be used to inhibit restenosis and realize endothelialization after stent implantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]