Development of X-ray micro-focus computed tomography to image and quantify biofilms in central venous catheter models in vitro.

Bacterial infections of central venous catheters (CVCs) cause much morbidity and mortality, and are usually diagnosed by concordant culture of blood and catheter tip. However, studies suggest that culture often fails to detect biofilm bacteria. This study optimizes X-ray micro-focus computed tomography (X-ray µCT) for the quantification and determination of distribution and heterogeneity of biofilms in in vitro CVC model systems.

In situ powder neutron diffraction study of non-stoichiometric phase formation during the hydrogenation of Li3N.

The hydrogenation of Li3N at low chemical potential has been studied in situ by time-of-flight powder neutron diffraction and the formation of a non-stoichiometric Li4-2xNH phase and Li4NH observed. The results are interpreted in terms of a model for the reaction pathway involving the production of Li4NH and Li2NH, which subsequently react together to form Li4-2xNH. Possible mechanisms for the production of Li4NH from the hydrogenation of Li3N are discussed.

Pressure-dependent deuterium reaction pathways in the Li-N-D system.

Neutron diffraction data from in situ deuteration and dedeuteration of Li(3)N are presented under different pressure regimes, whereby reaction pathways differing from the widely reported stoichiometric pathway of Li(3)N + 2D(2)<--> Li(2)ND + LiD + D(2)<--> LiND(2) + 2LiD are observed. At sufficiently high pressures, where the deuterium chemical potential is comparable with the heat of amide formation, the reaction appears to be driven straight to the amide plus deuteride phase mixture. At lower pressures, a cubic phase exhibiting a concentration-dependent variation in lattice parameter is observed.