Neutron diffraction experiments for supercritical CO2 have been carried out over a wide range of Q (0.018≤Q≤30 Å−1) at ρ*=ρ/ρc=1.5, 1.2, 0.77, and 0.34 along an isotherm at 310 K (T*=T/Tc=1.02). The measurement enabled us to obtain quantitatively reliable radial distribution functions of the fluid including both short-ranged structure and long-ranged density fluctuation. The structure factor and radial distribution function showed the structural change from the attraction-predominant gaslike structure to the repulsion-predominant liquidlike one with increasing fluid density. With respect to the long-ranged structure, almost linear Ornstein–Zernike–Debye plots were obtained for S(Q) of the fluids at all densities. A plot of correlation length against reduced density seems to have a maximum at the critical density. A ratio, α(r), of the density fluctuation produced by the correlation within r to that to the infinity presented a new aspect of the density fluctuation. Molecular dynamics simulation has also been performed in order to investigate a molecular basis of the experimental radial distribution functions. The calculated GN(r)’s were in good agreement with experimental ones at each density. In laboratory space, a variety of orientational coordination structures are almost equally found in the fluid at all densities examined, while T-shaped structure is preferentially present in polar-angle space.

We performed a randomised, prospective study of 80 mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasties (80 knees) in order to measure the effects of varus-valgus laxity and balance on the range of movement (ROM) one year after operation. Forty knees had a posterior-cruciate-ligament (PCL)-retaining prosthesis and the other 40 a PCL-sacrificing prosthesis. In the balanced group (69 knees) in which the difference between varus and valgus was less than 2 degrees, the mean ROM improved significantly from 107.6 degrees to 117.7 degrees (p < 0.0001). By contrast, in the 11 knees which were unbalanced and in which the difference between varus and valgus laxity exceeded 2 degrees, the ROM decreased from a mean of 121.0 degrees to 112.7 degrees (p = 0.0061). We conclude that coronal laxity, especially balanced laxity, is important for achieving an improved ROM in mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty.

A metmyoglobin (Fe3+), an oxidized form of myoglobin (Fe2+), was confined in nanospaces of about 4 nm in diameter in mesoporous silica (FSM; folded-sheet mesoporous material), forming a metmyoglobin (Fe3+)-FSM nanoconjugate. The spectral characteristics of metmyoglobin (Fe3+)- and myoglobin (Fe2+)-FSM show an absorption curve quite similar to that of native metmyoglobin, indicating that myoglobin retains its higher-order structure in the pores of FSM. The metmyoglobin (Fe3+)-FSM conjugate had not only a peroxidase-like activity in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (a hydrogen acceptor) and 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfomic acid (ABTS) or guaiacol (a hydrogen donor) but also an advanced molecular recognition ability enabling it to distinguish between ABTS and guaiacol. Furthermore, the metmyoglobin (Fe3+)-FSM showed the peroxidase-like activity even in an organic media using benzoyl peroxide as the hydrogen acceptor and leucocrystal violet as the hydrogen donor. The simple immobilization of metmyoglobin (Fe3+) into FSM results in enhanced catalytic activity in organic media compared to that of native metmyoglobin (Fe3+).

The above values are considered the suitable degree of AP laxity in total knee arthroplasty for a satisfactory clinical outcome 5-9 years after surgery. The PCL in a PCLR prosthesis and the central tibial spine and femoral cam in a PCLS prosthesis might play comparable roles in determining the laxity in the posterior direction in these prostheses.

We have developed microporous organic-inorganic hybrid nanocomposites by alkoxysilylation of 4,49-biphenyl-bridged alkoxysilane compounds, which contain triethoxysilyl, methyldiethoxysilyl, and dimethylethoxysilyl groups at each end of the 4,49-biphenylene unit ((CH 3 ) n (C 2 H 5 O) 32n -Si-C 12 H 8 -Si-(OC 2 H 5 ) 32n (CH 3 ) n , n = 0, 1, or 2, abbreviated as BESB(0), BESB(2), or BESB(4), respectively, where the number in parentheses indicates the number of methyl groups in these molecules), in the interlayer of a crystalline layered silicate, ilerite. XRD, 29 Si solid-state NMR and fluorescence spectroscopy revealed the immobilization and bridging formation of the BESB molecules between the silicate layers by condensation, not only with H-ilerite, but also with the BESB molecules. The interlayer structures exhibited different molecular arrangements. BESB(0) and BESB(4) molecules are present as a monolayer arrangement in which BESB(0) molecules form the oligomeric species caused by close stacking like a dimer. BESB(2) molecules form mainly bilayer-like aggregates in the interlayer. The structural differences are caused by the different reactivities of the BESB molecules, which control their polymerization in the interlayer. The resultant BESB(0)-and BESB(2)-ilerite had high microporosity with BET surface areas (508 and 578 m 2 g 21 for BESB(0)-and BESB(2)-ilerite, respectively). The micropores showed higher toluene adsorptivity than several other porous silica materials due to the successful surface modification. Consequently, this approach provides a new method for constructing novel microporous nanocomposites, the key to improved selectivity and activity in separation and catalytic applications.

Requirements for flexible electronic substrate are successfully accomplished by green nanocomposite film fabricated with two natural components: glycol-modified biomass lignin and Li montmorillonite clay. In addition to these major components, a cross-linking polymer between the lignin is incorporated into montmorillonite. Multilayer-assembled structure is formed due to stacking nature of high aspect montmorillonite, resulting in thermal durability up to 573 K, low thermal expansion, and oxygen barrier property below measurable limit. Preannealing for montmorillonite and the cross-linking formation enhance moisture barrier property superior to that of industrial engineering plastics, polyimide. As a result, the film has advantages for electronic film substrate. Furthermore, these properties can be achieved at the drying temperature up to 503 K, while the polyimide films are difficult to fabricate by this temperature. In order to examine its applicability for substrate film, flexible electrodes are finely printed on it and touch sensor device can be constructed with rigid elements on the electrode. In consequence, this nanocomposite film is expected to contribute to production of functional materials, progresses in expansion of biomass usage with low energy consumption, and construction of environmental friendly flexible electronic devices.

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