Viable E. coli cells were entrapped in hydrogel micropatches photopolymerized within microfluidic systems. The microfluidic channels and the micropatches have sizes on the order of 100-500 microm. Small molecules, such as dyes and surfactants, present in the solution surrounding the hydrogel, are able to diffuse into the gel and encounter the cells, but the cells are sufficiently large to be retained. For example, sodium dodecyl sulfate is a lysis agent that is able to penetrate the hydrogel and disrupt the cellular membrane. Entrapment of viable cells within hydrogels, followed by lysis, could provide a convenient means for preparing biocatalysts without the need for enzyme extraction and purification. Hydrogel-immobilized cells are able to carry out chemical reactions within microfluidic channels. Specifically, a nonfluorescent dye, BCECF-AM, is able to penetrate both the hydrogel and the bacterial membrane and be converted into a fluorescent form (BCECF) by the interior cellular machinery. These results suggest that cells immobilized within microfluidic channels can act as sensors for small molecules and as bioreactors for carrying out reactions.

The beneficial effects of blue environments have been well documented; however, we do not know how marine litter might modify these effects. Three studies adopted a picture-rating task to examine the influence of litter on preference, perceived restorative quality, and psychological impacts. Photographs varied the presence of marine litter (Study 1) and the type of litter (Studies 2 and 3). The influence of tide and the role of connectedness were also explored. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, it was shown that litter can undermine the psychological benefits that the coast ordinarily provides, thus demonstrating that, in addition to environmental costs of marine litter, there are also costs to people. Litter stemming from the public had the most negative impact. This research extends our understanding of the psychological benefits from natural coastal environments and the threats to these benefits from abundant and increasing marine litter.

Assessments of emotional states are plagued with challenges in both the quantitative and qualitative realms. There is a lack of a definitive guide to making objective assessments based on physiological responses and qualitative methods lean heavily on subjective interpretation using self-assessments, both of which are hampered by individual differences. Self-assessment tools have largely used words or phrases to describe feelings however, iconic or visual tools are also gaining popularity. A significant number of such tools are based on the dimensional models of emotion and may not always suit the needs of studies on the role of emotions on cognitive abilities such as decision making. The tool described in this paper is developed based on two key requirements: 1) use in studying emotion and decision making, and 2) can easily be integrated into a context with a demanding primary task, such as driving, to be used concurrently with the task. A survey was conducted to identify emojis that are most commonly associated with basic emotions. Emojis were weighted and ranked for inclusion in the tool. The tool developed is called the Iconic Communication of Emotions (ICE).