This method includes •The synthesis and characterization of heparin based microcarriers.•A "static" 3D culture method for that does not require spinner flask equipment.•"Dynamic" culture in which cell loaded microcarriers are transferred to a spinner flask. © 2020 The Authors.A novel laboratory simulation system has been developed for the study of the corrosion of uranium metal in soils. Corrosion and transportation of depleted uranium (DU) as the metal undergoes weathering as a buried material within the soil environment. The corrosion of uranium metal in soil was not well understood due to the gas-liquid-solid phase of the soil. This study presents a novel method to investigate the change of uranium species during the process of process of oxidation of metallic uranium in these environments. Compared with other techniques used for the study of environmental corrosion of metals in soils, this method has the advantage of low secondary uranium pollution, no energy consumption, and ease of operation. The simulation system has been used for the following studies •Simultaneously simulate the corrosion of uranium metal in different soil moisture regimes•Study the influence of biogeochemical factors on the corrosion of uranium metal•Investigate the change of uranium species during oxidation. © 2020 The Author(s).The identification of microplastics (MP), especially small ( less then 500 μm) MP, using automated surface-chemistry approaches requires the best possible reduction of natural particles whilst preserving the integrity of the targeted synthetic polymers particles. In general, both natural and synthetic particles can be highly diverse physically and chemically and MP extraction, particularly from complex matrices such as sediments, sludge and soils, requires efficient method pipelines. Our paper presents a universal framework of modular protocols (presented in a decision tree) that fulfil predefined user requirements (QuEChERS Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, Safe) as well as providing best practises for reasonable MP working conditions within a standard laboratory. New procedures and technical innovations for density separation of particle-rich matrices are presented, such as a spiral conveyor developed and validated for MP recovery. In sharing such best-practice protocols, we aim to help in the push towards MP quantification method standardisation. •Publication of protocols of an entire MP extraction (10 μm - 5 mm) pipeline for particle-based analysis of various environmental matrices•Modularity Optimised quantitative sample preparation adapted to particle sizes and sample matrices•New protocols and technical innovations (e.g. spiral conveyor) optimise MP extraction. © 2020 Published by Elsevier B.V.Abdominal pain following in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the presence of enlarged ovaries commonly leads to the diagnosis of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Progressively worsening pain with a rise in inflammatory markers with normal hematological indices implies a diagnosis of ovarian torsion of the hyperstimulated ovary. Early recourse to laparoscopic assessment and derotation of the affected ovary even after 72 h following the onset of symptoms can allow a return to viability. This case highlights the clinical scenario and sequences in a successful outcome. © 2019 The Authors.With the growing use of ICBT in routine care clinics there is a need for literature on how to monitor and improve the quality of therapist behaviours in clinical practice. In this paper, we first provide background literature on Audit and Feedback (A&F), a common quality improvement technique, and then present a case study regarding the use of A&F to improve quality of therapist behaviours in emails sent to patients provided with ICBT in routine care. The A&F measure used was derived from previous research on therapist's email behaviours in ICBT. Fifteen undesirable therapist behaviours (e.g., Did Not Message, Unresponsive to Symptom Increase, Does Not Address Patient Concern) were audited in 1840 emails sent from eight therapists to 198 randomly selected patients, representing 18% of 1114 patients who started between one and five lessons of ICBT in the previous year and did not formally withdraw from treatment (n = 31 patients). The therapists who were audited were provided feedback four times over a one-year period from October 2018 to September 2019. selleck compound Overall, in all audit periods, we found a low percentage of undesirable therapist behaviours (i.e., therapists displayed the behaviour in 12% or less of the total emails sent). For most therapist behaviours, we saw a trend towards improvement across the four audit cycles. Three therapist behaviours (i.e., Failure to Ask One Question to the Patient, Poor Instructions, Not Linking Email to Course Content) did not follow this pattern and were flagged for clinical discussion to determine why behaviours were elevated and whether these behaviours represented unrealistic expectations. The process was valuable for monitoring and improving therapist behaviours and highlights the need for future research on standards for therapist behaviours (e.g., which behaviours to focus on, setting acceptable levels of undesirable behaviour). © 2020 The Authors.Background There is growing interest in Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) as an alternative to face-to-face therapy for anxiety and depression because it reduces barriers to accessing traditional treatment (e.g., travel distance, cost, stigma). Extensive research has demonstrated that ICBT is an effective treatment for anxiety and depression and that it produces effect sizes comparable to medication and face-to-face therapy. In routine practice, however, ICBT patients commonly receive simultaneous pharmacological treatment, and few studies have examined how medication affects patient outcomes. Objective The objective of this study was to explore whether use of psychotropic medications predicts outcomes or adherence among patients receiving ICBT for depression and anxiety in a large community sample. Methods This study used data from 1201 patients who received an 8-week course of ICBT for anxiety and depression that included weekly therapist support as part of routine care. Patients reported medication usage and completed measures of depression and anxiety before treatment, after treatment, and at three-month follow-up.