Nonlinear Stress-Induced Transformations in Collagen Fibrillar Organization, Disorder and Strain Mechanisms in the Bone-Cartilage Unit.

By developing a 3D X-ray modeling and spatially correlative imaging method for fibrous collagenous tissues, this study provides a comprehensive mapping of nanoscale deformation in the collagen fibril network across the intact bone-cartilage unit (BCU), whose healthy functioning is critical for joint function and preventing degeneration. Extracting the 3D fibril structure from 2D small-angle X-ray scattering before and during physiological compression reveals of dominant deformation modes, including crystallinity transitions, lateral fibril compression, and reorientation, which vary in a coupled, nonlinear, and correlated manner across the cartilage-bone interface. A distinct intermolecular arrangement of collagen molecules, and enhanced molecular-level disorder, is found in the cartilage (sliding) surface region.

Ultra-low oxygen, liquid sample cell for in situ synchrotron-based small-wide angle scattering (SAXS-WAXS).

Here, we report the design and successful implementation of an ultra-low oxygen sample cell for use on the SAXS-WAXS (small-wide angle x-ray scattering) beamline I22 at DIAMOND. The rigorous exclusion of oxygen is found to require double jacketing with purge gas throughout the entire system, pipework, pumps, and the sample cell itself. This particularly includes a "double-window" arrangement at the sample location to accommodate the very tight geometrical restrictions of the sample position.

Correction to "Continuous-Flow Laboratory SAXS for In Situ Determination of the Impact of Hydrophilic Block Length on Spherical Nano-Object Formation during Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.

Continuous-Flow Laboratory SAXS for In Situ Determination of the Impact of Hydrophilic Block Length on Spherical Nano-Object Formation during Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly.

In situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is a powerful technique for characterizing block-copolymer nano-object formation during polymerization-induced self-assembly. To work effectively in situ, it requires high intensity X-rays which enable the short acquisition times required for real-time measurements. However, routine access to synchrotron X-ray sources is expensive and highly competitive.

Evaluation of cataract formation in fish exposed to environmental radiation at Chernobyl and Fukushima.

Recent studies apparently finding deleterious effects of radiation exposure on cataract formation in birds and voles living near Chernobyl represent a major challenge to current radiation protection regulations. This study conducted an integrated assessment of radiation exposure on cataractogenesis using the most advanced technologies available to assess the cataract status of lenses extracted from fish caught at both Chernobyl in Ukraine and Fukushima in Japan. It was hypothesised that these novel data would reveal positive correlations between radiation dose and early indicators of cataract formation.