95 research outputs found
Characterization of Coalescence-Induced Droplet Jumping Height on Hierarchical Superhydrophobic Surfaces
Coalescence-induced
condensate droplet jumping from superhydrophobic
surfaces can be exploited in condensation heat-transfer enhancement,
imparting self-cleaning behavior to surfaces, anti-icing coatings,
and other industrial uses. An intriguing application would exploit
this phenomenon to achieve thermal rectification using a sealed vapor
chamber with opposing superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic surfaces.
During forward operation, continuous evaporation occurs from the heated
superhydrophilic evaporator surface; self-propelled jumping returns
the condensate droplets from the cooler superhydrophobic surface to
the evaporator, allowing passive recirculation of the working fluid
without a reliance on gravity or capillary wicking for fluid return.
In reverse operation, when the superhydrophobic surface is heated,
the absence of a mechanism for fluid return from the cooler superhydrophilic
side to the evaporator restricts heat transport across the (low conductivity)
vapor gap. The effectiveness of this jumping-droplet thermal diode
can be enhanced by maximizing the distance between the opposing superhydrophobic
and superhydrophilic surfaces. It is, therefore, important to investigate
the height to which the condensate droplets jump from the superhydrophobic
surfaces such that replenishment of liquid to the superhydrophilic
surface is maintained. In this study, we systematically investigate
the height to which the condensate droplets jump from the hierarchical
superhydrophobic surfaces having truncated microcones coated with
nanostructures. The condensate droplet jumping height increases with
a decrease in microcone pitch. A general theoretical model that accounts
for surface adhesion, line tension, and initial wetting states of
multiple coalescing droplets of different radii is used to predict
and explain the experimentally observed trend of droplet jumping height
with surface roughness. The insights provided regarding the effect
of surface topography on droplet jumping height are critical to the
design of high-performance thermal diode devices
Continuous Oil–Water Separation Using Polydimethylsiloxane-Functionalized Melamine Sponge
The development of absorbent materials
with high selectivity for
oils and organic solvents is of great ecological importance for removing
pollutants from contaminated water sources. We have developed a facile
solution-immersion process for creating polyÂdimethylÂsiloxane
(PDMS)-functionalized sponges for oil–water separation. Sponge
materials with densities ranging from 8 to 26 mg/cm<sup>3</sup> were
investigated as candidate skeletons. After functionalization, the
lowest-density melamine sponge exhibits superior superhydrophobic
and superoleophilic properties, absorption capacity, oil–water
selectivity, and absorption recyclability. Via suction through such
a functionalized sponge, we have experimentally demonstrated that
various kinds of oils can be continuously separated from immiscible
liquid mixtures without any water uptake. The widely available raw
materials (melamine sponge and PDMS solution) and simple synthesis
steps yield a cost-effective and scalable process for fabrication
of absorbent materials that can be readily adopted for the cleanup
of oil spills and industrial chemical leakage of low-surface-tension
solvents that are immiscible with water
Genetic Mapping and Comparative Expression Analysis of Transcription Factors in Cotton
<div><p>Transcription factors (TFs) play an important role in the regulation of plant growth and development. The study of the structure and function of TFs represents a research frontier in plant molecular biology. The findings of these studies will provide significant information regarding genetic improvement traits in crops. Currently, a large number of TFs have been cloned, and their function has been verified. However, relatively few studies that genetically map TFs in cotton are available. To genetically map TFs in cotton in this study, specific primers were designed for TF genes that were published in the Plant Transcription Factor Database. A total of 977 TF primers were obtained, and 31 TF polymorphic loci were mapped on 15 cotton chromosomes. These polymorphic loci were clearly preferentially distributed on chromosomes 5, 11, 19 and 20; and TFs from the same family mapped to homologous cotton chromosomes. <i>In-silico</i> mapping verified that many mapped TFs were mapped on their corresponding chromosomes or their homologous chromosomes’ corresponding chromosomes in the diploid genomes. QTL mapping for fiber quality revealed that TF-Ghi005602-2 mapped on Chr19 was associated with fiber length. Eighty-five TF genes were selected for RT-PCR analysis, and 4 TFs were selected for qRT-PCR analysis, revealing unique expression patterns across different stages of fiber development between the mapping parents. Our data offer an overview of the chromosomal distribution of TFs in cotton, and the comparative expression analysis between <i>Gossypium hirsutum</i> and <i>G</i>. <i>barbadense</i> provides a rough understanding of the regulation of TFs during cotton fiber development.</p></div
Locations of polymorphic TF loci on the BC<sub>1</sub> genetic linkage map.
<p>TF markers are underlined and bolded. The loci on each chromosome with an average of 10 cM of the original map were selected shown. The top and bottom markers and markers that were closely linked to the TF markers were retained for simplicity.</p
Primer design strategies for TFs.
<p>(a) TFs with one motif (GenBank acc No. Ghi003408); (b) TFs with two motifs (GenBank acc No. Ghi003040). *: Target sequence; >>>>>: Primer region.</p
Chromosomal location of TFs in the A<sub>2</sub> genome of <i>G</i>. <i>arboretum</i> (a) and D<sub>5</sub> genome of <i>G</i>. <i>raimondii</i> (b).
<p>Chromosomal location of TFs in the A<sub>2</sub> genome of <i>G</i>. <i>arboretum</i> (a) and D<sub>5</sub> genome of <i>G</i>. <i>raimondii</i> (b).</p
RT-PCR analysis of TFs between mapping parents.
<p>The numbers on the top represent fibers at 0 DPA, 5 DPA, 10 DPA, 15 DPA, 20 DPA, and 25 DPA for Emian22 and 3–79. Similar expression trends between Emian22 and 3–79 were classified as similar expression patterns. Apparent differences in expression between Emian22 and 3–79 were classified as different expression patterns. Obvious differences in expression levels between Emian22 and 3–79 were classified as obvious differences. Minor or no differences in expression levels between Emian22 and 3–79 were classified as no difference. Gene primers and their family names are indicated on the left.</p
Effect of various modifications on the 3′ terminal nucleotide of a small RNA on T4 RNA ligase- and yeast PAP-catalyzed reactions
<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "HEN1 recognizes 21–24 nt small RNA duplexes and deposits a methyl group onto the 2′ OH of the 3′ terminal nucleotide"</p><p>Nucleic Acids Research 2006;34(2):667-675.</p><p>Published online 30 Jan 2006</p><p>PMCID:PMC1356533.</p><p>© The Author 2006. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved</p> () T4 RNA ligase-mediated ligation of various miR173 forms to an RNA linker. () Activity of yeast PAP on various forms of miR173 in the presence of 2 pmol [α-P]-ATP. The ladders or smears represent products of PAP-catalyzed reaction. () Activity of yeast PAP on various forms of miR173 in the presence of 10 pmol [α-P]-ATP
Methyltransferase reaction by GST-HEN1 on siRNA/siRNA* duplexes and miRNA/miRNA* duplexes with 1–5 3′ overhangs
<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "HEN1 recognizes 21–24 nt small RNA duplexes and deposits a methyl group onto the 2′ OH of the 3′ terminal nucleotide"</p><p>Nucleic Acids Research 2006;34(2):667-675.</p><p>Published online 30 Jan 2006</p><p>PMCID:PMC1356533.</p><p>© The Author 2006. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved</p> All duplexes in this figure were methylated with the same GST-HEN1 preparation and are therefore comparable to one another. The numbers above the lanes correspond to those in
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