Self-driven droplet transport along an open gradient surface is increasingly becoming popular for various microfluidics applications. In this work, a gradient copper oxide layer is formed on a copper sheet (as a bipolar electrode, BPE) in a KOH solution by bipolar electrochemistry. The deposits at different positions present a rich variety of colors, compositions, and microstructures along the longitudinal axis of the BPE. More than half the length of the anodic pole is covered by a Cu(OH) 2 /CuO composite layer of several micrometers thick, which is composed of dense micropillars with a decreasing spacing gradient to the anodic direction. The micropillar arrays are superhydrophilic, and after modified with 1-dodecanethiol, the tops of the dense micropillars constitute a hydrophobic and microscopically discontinuous surface with a wettability gradient. On such a gradient surface water droplets can move spontaneously to more hydrophilic direction at a velocity of about 16 mm s −1 . The superhydrophobicity of the modified micropillar arrays is discussed through a comparison with the wax tubules on a lotus leaf. Theoretical analysis of the driving force reveals that the concave surface effect of water at the spacings between the micropillars is the critical factor for driving the rolling motion of the droplets along the gradient micropillar arrays.

Background We encourage Hepatitis B virus-infected mothers to breastfeed postpartum, even when continuing pregnancy category B nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) treatment. However, a large proportion of the Hepatitis B virus-infected mothers were noncompliant with this breastfeeding recommendation. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with noncompliance with breastfeeding recommendation in Hepatitis B virus-infected mothers who had received NAs treatment during pregnancy. Methods A total of 155 mothers with chronic hepatitis B receiving NAs treatment for preventing mother-to-child transmission during the late gestation period were included and divided into exclusive breastfeeding (n = 63), mixed feeding (n = 34), and artificial feeding (n = 58) groups according to the postpartum feeding methods. Independent variables associated with feeding methods were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Results Compared to the breastfeeding and mixed feeding groups, the artificial feeding group had significantly more multiparity, later postpartum timing of stopping NAs treatment, and a lower proportion of having knowledge of NAs medications (all P < 0.05). In addition, multivariable logistic regression analysis confirmed that multiparity, later postpartum timing of stopping NAs treatment, and lacking knowledge of medication were independent factors associated with noncompliance with breastfeeding recommendation. Conclusions Hepatitis B virus-infected mothers who stopped NAs treatment at late postpartum period or had less knowledge of medication were more likely to be noncompliant with breastfeeding recommendation. Strengthening health education for participants taking NAs may be an important method to improve compliance with breastfeeding recommendation.

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