Novel Artificial Intelligence Tool for Real-time Patient Identification to Prevent Misidentification in Health Care.

Purpose: Errors in the identification of true patients in a health-care facility may result in the wrong dose or dosage being given to the wrong patient at the wrong site during radiotherapy sessions, radiopharmaceutical administration, radiological scans, etc. The aim of this article is to reduce the error in the identification of correct patients by implementation of the Python deep learning-based real-time patient identification program. Materials and Methods: The authors utilized and installed Anaconda Prompt (miniconda 3), Python (version 3.9.12), and Visual Studio Code (version 1.71.0) for the design of the patient identification program. In the field of view, the area of interest is merely face detection. The overall performance of the developed program is accomplished over three steps, namely image data collection, data transfer, and data analysis, respectively. The patient identification tool was developed using the OpenCV library for face recognition. Results: This program provides real-time patient identification information, together with the other preset parameters such as disease site, with a precision of 0.92%, recall rate of 0.80%, and specificity of 0.90%. Furthermore, the accuracy of the program was found to be 0.84%. The output of the in-house developed program as "Unknown" is provided if a patient's relative or an unknown person is found in restricted region. Interpretation and Conclusions: This Python-based program is beneficial for confirming the patient's identity, without manual interventions, just before therapy, administering medications, and starting other medical procedures, among other things, to prevent unintended medical and health-related complications that may arise as a result of misidentification.

Cerebrospinal fluid tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels in children with cerebral malaria.

This prospective cross-sectional study evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in children with cerebral malaria (CM) and its role in the differentiation of CM from non-cerebral severe malaria. CSF TNF-α was measured using a human TNF-α enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit of 39 cases of CM and 19 cases of non-cerebral severe malaria. CSF TNF-α levels were significantly higher in CM (p < 0.001). Based on the receiver operating characteristics curve, a cutoff value of CSF TNF-α was 5.7 pg/ml for diagnosis of CM with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 87.2%, 94.7%, 97.1% and 78.3% respectively. The cutoff value of CSF TNF-α was 13.7 pg/ml for predicting adverse outcomes in CM with sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of 100%, 96.8%, 88.9% and 100%, respectively. However, the cutoff value of CSF TNF-α was 4.96 pg/ml for predicting adverse outcomes in non-cerebral severe malaria with a sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of 100%, 94.1%, 88.9% and 100% respectively. So, CSF TNF-α is an excellent biomarker and can be used as a diagnostic and prognostic tool. More studies are needed to establish CSF TNF-α as a predictor of neurological sequelae.

A Comparative Evaluation of Topical Application Versus Perilesional Injection of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Diabetic Foot Ulcer.

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is globally a major health burden predisposing to limb amputation. Among the various treatment modalities, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is emerging as a promising agent. It stimulates wound healing by providing a higher concentration of essential growth factors locally. Though the role of PRP in DFU healing is established, still the route of administration with maximal efficacy is yet to be defined. Our study aims to evaluate the efficacy of autologous PRP in the treatment of diabetic ulcers and compare the effect of topical and perilesional injections of PRP in DFU healing. We conducted a single-centre, prospective, interventional study on 60 patients with DFU, in 2 groups of 30 patients each. They were treated with freshly prepared autologous PRP injection perilesionally and topically respectively, once a week for 4 weeks. Ulcer size was assessed, using "imito-measure" software at presentation and 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks post-therapy. Serum MMP-9 levels were assessed in both groups, pretreatment and post-treatment. For statistical analysis, SPSS software V-23 was used. On assessment, both groups had comparable baseline characteristics, Wagner's grading, and glycemic indices. The percentage reduction in the size of the wound at 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months was greater in the perilesional group as compared to the topical PRP group.

Multi-location evaluation of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) in Indian climates: Ecophenological dynamics, yield relation, and characterization of locations.

Crop yield varies considerably within agroecology depending on the genetic potential of crop cultivars and various edaphic and climatic variables. Understanding site-specific changes in crop yield and genotype × environment interaction are crucial and needs exceptional consideration in strategic breeding programs. Further, genotypic response to diverse agro-ecologies offers identification of strategic locations for evaluating traits of interest to strengthen and accelerate the national variety release program. In this study, multi-location field trial data have been used to investigate the impact of environmental conditions on crop phenological dynamics and their influence on the yield of mungbean in different agroecological regions of the Indian subcontinent. The present attempt is also intended to identify the strategic location(s) favoring higher yield and distinctiveness within mungbean genotypes. In the field trial, a total of 34 different mungbean genotypes were grown in 39 locations covering the north hill zone (n = 4), northeastern plain zone (n = 6), northwestern plain zone (n = 7), central zone (n = 11) and south zone (n = 11). The results revealed that the effect of the environment was prominent on both the phenological dynamics and productivity of the mungbean. Noticeable variations (expressed as coefficient of variation) were observed for the parameters of days to 50% flowering (13%), days to maturity (12%), reproductive period (21%), grain yield (33%), and 1000-grain weight (14%) across the environments. The genotype, environment, and genotype × environment accounted for 3.0, 54.2, and 29.7% of the total variation in mungbean yield, respectively (p < 0.001), suggesting an oversized significance of site-specific responses of the genotypes. Results demonstrated that a lower ambient temperature extended both flowering time and the crop period. Linear mixed model results revealed that the changes in phenological events (days to 50 % flowering, days to maturity, and reproductive period) with response to contrasting environments had no direct influence on crop yields (p > 0.05) for all the genotypes except PM 14-11. Results revealed that the south zone environment initiated early flowering and an extended reproductive period, thus sustaining yield with good seed size. While in low rainfall areas viz., Sriganganagar, New Delhi, Durgapura, and Sagar, the yield was comparatively low irrespective of genotypes. Correlation results and PCA indicated that rainfall during the crop season and relative humidity significantly and positively influenced grain yield. Hence, the present study suggests that the yield potential of mungbean is independent of crop phenological dynamics; rather, climatic variables like rainfall and relative humidity have considerable influence on yield. Further, HA-GGE biplot analysis identified Sagar, New Delhi, Sriganganagar, Durgapura, Warangal, Srinagar, Kanpur, and Mohanpur as the ideal testing environments, which demonstrated high efficiency in the selection of new genotypes with wider adaptability.

Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency occurs in most patients following pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) is a well-defined complication of malignant diseases and pancreatic resection; however, study results of PEI are less consistent. Assessment of PEI by estimation of fecal elastase (FE)-1 in stool by enzyme-linked immunosorbent essay (ELISA) is a relatively inexpensive, noninvasive, and simple test. This study assessed exocrine function of pancreas following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) by estimating FE-1. METHODS: This prospective hospital-based study involved 30 patients who had undergone PD for malignancy. All 30 patients had an uneventful postoperative period under the unit's enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol with no Grade B, C postoperative pancreatic fistula/postpancreatectomy hemorrhage as per the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) definitions. Stool samples were collected postoperatively 3 months after surgery from all patients irrespective of clinical symptoms. The analysis was based on a solid phase ELISA used for the quantitative determination of human elastase 1 in feces. Fecal elastase was considered normal if >200 µg/gm stool, moderately reduced if 100-200 µg/gm stool, and severely reduced if <100 µg/gm stool. RESULTS: Among 30 patients included, fecal elastase levels were moderately reduced in 10 (33.33%) and severely reduced in 20 (66.67%) patients (P <0.0001). Mean (± standard deviation) of fecal elastase was 87.12 ± 38.76 with median of 74.6 µg/gm stool. There was no significant difference in the fecal elastase levels between men and women (P = 0.057), age (P = 0.48), pancreatic duct diameter (P = 0.609), pancreatic texture (P = 0.286), and presence or absence of clinical symptoms (P = 0.181). CONCLUSIONS: PD was frequently associated with PEI. Unfortunately PEI is an under recognized and under treated long-term sequel of PD. Fecal elastase 1 should be performed routinely in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy should be considered in every patient after PD.

Assessment of Exocrine Function of Pancreas Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) is a common long-term complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and is observed in 23-80% of patients. As the postoperative mortality after PD has substantially decreased, it warrants more attention on the diagnosis and treatment of functional long-term consequences after PD. These include PEI and endocrine insufficiency that can result in significant nutritional impairment and often adversely impacts quality of life (QOL) of the patient. A PubMed search was performed for articles using key words "pancreatic exocrine insufficiency"; "pancreaticoduodenectomy"; "quality of life after pancreaticoduodenectomy"; "stool elastase"; "direct, indirect tests for pancreatic exocrine insufficiency"; "pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy." Relevant studies were shortlisted and analyzed. This review summarizes relevant studies addressing PEI following PD. We also discuss functional changes after PD, risk factors and predictive factors for postoperative PEI, clinical symptoms, direct and indirect tests for estimation of PEI, pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), and QOL after pancreatic resection for malignancy. It was found that significant PEI occurs in most patients following PD. Fecal elastase 1 is an easy indirect test and should be performed routinely in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients after PD. PERT should be considered in every patient after PD with the aim to improve the QOL and perhaps even their long time survival.

Craniospinal Irradiation in Medulloblastoma using High Energy Medical Linear Accelerator: an Innovative Approach to Planning Technique.

BACKGROUND: Craniospinal irradiation (CSI) of medulloblastoma poses technological challenges due to the involvement of large treatment volume. Commonly, the whole treatment length is covered with two different isocentric plans in which the junction is shifted after every five fractions to overcome the possibility of hot and cold spot. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate dosimetrically and clinically the innovative planning technique for the CSI which doesn't need re-planning and re-setup of patients after every five fractions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Computed tomography was done for fifteen (ten children and five adults) patients diagnosed with medulloblastoma. Treatment planning for 36 Gray (Gy) in 20 fractions (#) at the rate of 1.8Gy/# was done on the treatment planning system. A single plan for children was created with two bilateral fields of 6 Mega Voltage (MV) energy for cranium and one posterior field of 6 MV for spinal cord (C1-S2). Two plans for adult patients were created, first plan was with two bilateral fields of 6 MV for cranium and two posterior oblique fields of 6 MV for cervical and the part of thoracic spinal cord (up to T8-T9). The second plan was with a single posterior field of 15 MV covering remaining thoracic (T8-T9 to T12), lumbar and sacrum (up to lower border of S2) spine. After careful evaluation of all the plans, treatment was delivered; acute toxicities were recorded. RESULTS: 95% of prescribed dose was received by more than 95% of planning target volume in all the plans with the acceptable hot spot and good homogeneity index. All the patients reported common radiation induced acute toxicities (headache, vomiting, weakness) during radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: The new planning technique for CSI has acceptable dosimetric and acute clinical possibilities; therefore it can be used for CSI for improved homogeneous dose delivery.

Implications of applicators orientations on bladder, and rectal doses in gynecological mHDR brachytherapy: A retrospective analysis of reproducibility in multi-fractionated regimen.

INTRODUCTION: Variation of doses due to positional uncertainties of applicators based on orthogonal radiograph has been evaluated by several researchers. The present study has analyzed the various possibilities of special alterations of applicator placements in intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) and its impact on the dose to target volume, rectum, and bladder. An innovative approach has been suggested to quantify and utilize the special coordinates for reproducibility of applicator based on the pelvic bone landmark. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 27 fractions of 9 (n = 9) cancer cervix patients treated with external beam radiotherapy followed by ICBT have been evaluated retrospectively. The first fraction of each patient was planned as per the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements report 38 guidelines and was considered reference for consecutive fractions regarding dwell positions, dose to target volume, bladder, and rectum points. For each fraction, positioning of applicators regarding their spatial orientations with respect to pelvic bone landmarks and their correlation with dose to bladder and rectum was recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: It was found that mean angulations between (1) the two applicator points with respect to tip of central tandem (α), (2) the two applicator points with junction point situated on the sacrum bone (ß) and (3) the angle between the line joining applicator points and a point defined on pelvic bone (γ) is 62.20° ± 5.74°, 37.13° ± 5.64° and 105.51° ± 6.58°, respectively. Bladder dose increased with increment in α but decreased with increase of ß and γ. Dose to rectum remained unaffected for γ. Mean distance from couch top to tip of central tandem and two ovoids is, respectively, 11.17 cm and 8.70 cm. CONCLUSION: Optimal plans even with orthogonal radiographs may be generated by verifying the application based on the parameters mentioned in the present study and computed tomography-based plans could be utilized more effectively instead of doing automatic or manual optimization. Whereever orthogonal radiograph based or template based ICBT practices is performed this study may create a dataset to have an optimal treatment plan even without three-dimensional images.

Evaluation of Volumetric Doses of Organs at Risk in Carcinoma Cervix Patients with HDR Intracavitary Brachytherapy and Comparison of CT-based and Conventional Plans.

BACKGROUND: Brachytherapy treatment planning in cervix carcinoma patients using two dimensional (2D) orthogonal images provides only point dose estimates while CT-based planning provides volumetric dose assessment helping in understanding the correlation between morbidity and the dose to organs at risk (OARs) and treatment volume. OBJECTIVE: Aim of present study is to compare International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements Report 38 (ICRU 38) reference point doses to OARs with volumetric doses using 2D images and CT images in patients with cervical cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this prospective study, 20 patients with cervical cancer stages (IIB-IIIB) were planned for a brachytherapy dose of 7Gy per fraction for three fractions using 2D image-based treatment plan and CT-based plan. ICRU 38 points for bladder and rectum were identified on both 2D image-based plan and CT-based plan and doses (DICRU) at these points were compared to the minimum dose to 2cc volume (D2cc) of bladder and rectum receiving the highest dose. RESULTS: D2cc bladder dose was 1.60 (±0.67) times more than DICRUb bladder dose whereas D2cc rectum dose was 1.13±0.40 times DICRUr. Significant difference was found between DICRUb and D2cc dose for bladder (p=.0.016) while no significant difference was seen between DICRUr and D2cc dose for rectum (p=0.964). CONCLUSION: The study suggests that ICRU 38 point doses are not the true representation of maximum doses to OARs. CT-based treatment planning is more a reliable tool for OAR dose assessment than the conventional 2D radiograph-based plan.

Analysis of Isocitrate Dehydrogenase -2 (IDH-2) Activity in Human Serum as a Biomarker in Chemotherapy Patients of Breast Carcinoma: A Case-Control Study.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer represents a major public health problem in women worldwide. For many cancers, serum tumour markers play an important role in patient treatment and monitoring. Isocitrate dehydrogenase enzyme is also used as a biomarker for various types of cancer. AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine serum Isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 (IDH-2) enzyme activity in breast cancer patients (pre and post chemotherapy) and also correlate the changes in enzyme activity with stages of cancer and control groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, histologically confirmed 40 female patients aged 28-80 years who fulfilled the criteria for diagnosis of invasive breast cancer were selected in our study groups from surgery outpatient department of SS Hospital, BHU, Varanasi, India, and 40 healthy age matched females were selected between October 2013 to July 2015. The estimation of serum IDH-2 enzyme activity in before and after two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy patients was performed by spectrophotometry assay. RESULTS: The mean serum IDH-2 activity in cases (Mean±SD) was significantly more than control group (p<0.001). The mean serum IDH-2 activity in cases was significantly decrease after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (p=0.019). In stage II pre chemotherapy patients serum IDH-2 activity was higher than post chemotherapy (p<0.05), but in stage III the correlation between pre and post chemotherapy patients serum IDH-2 activity was not significant (p-value>0.05). CONCLUSION: The serum IDH-2 can be a potential biomarker in breast carcinoma and can be used for prognosis and monitoring the chemotherapy response of the patients.

Performance Evaluation of Algorithms in Lung IMRT: A comparison of Monte Carlo, Pencil Beam, Superposition, Fast Superposition and Convolution Algorithms.

BACKGROUND: Inclusion of inhomogeneity corrections in intensity modulated small fields always makes conformal irradiation of lung tumor very complicated in accurate dose delivery. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, the performance of five algorithms via Monte Carlo, Pencil Beam, Convolution, Fast Superposition and Superposition were evaluated in lung cancer Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy planning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Treatment plans for ten lung cancer patients previously planned on Monte Carlo algorithm were re-planned using same treatment planning indices (gantry angel, rank, power etc.) in other four algorithms. RESULTS: The values of radiotherapy planning parameters such as Mean dose, volume of 95% isodose line, Conformity Index, Homogeneity Index for target, Maximum dose, Mean dose; %Volume receiving 20Gy or more by contralateral lung; % volume receiving 30 Gy or more; % volume receiving 25 Gy or more, Mean dose received by heart; %volume receiving 35Gy or more; %volume receiving 50Gy or more, Mean dose to Easophagous; % Volume receiving 45Gy or more, Maximum dose received by Spinal cord and Total monitor unit, Volume of 50 % isodose lines were recorded for all ten patients. Performance of different algorithms was also evaluated statistically. CONCLUSION: MC and PB algorithms found better as for tumor coverage, dose distribution homogeneity in Planning Target Volume and minimal dose to organ at risks are concerned. Superposition algorithms found to be better than convolution and fast superposition. In the case of tumors located centrally, it is recommended to use Monte Carlo algorithms for the optimal use of radiotherapy.

Free radicals and antioxidant status in protein energy malnutrition.

Background/Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate oxidant and antioxidant status in children with different grades of Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM). Subjects/Methods. A total of two hundred fifty (250) children (age range: 6 months to 5 years) living in eastern UP, India, were recruited. One hundred and ninety-three (193) of these children had different grades of PEM (sixty-five (65) children belong to mild, sixty (60) to moderate, and sixty-eight (68) to severe group). Grading in group was done after standardization in weight and height measurements. Fifty-seven (57) children who are age and and sex matched, healthy, and well-nourished were recruited from the local community and used as controls after checking their protein status (clinical nutritional status) with height and weight standardization. Redox homeostasis was assessed using spectrophotometric/colorimetric methods. Results. In our study, erythrocyte glutathione (GSH), plasma Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD,EC 1.15.1.1), ceruloplasmin (Cp), and ascorbic acid were significantly (P < 0.001) more decreased in children with malnutrition than controls. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), and protein carbonyl (PC) were significantly (P < 0.001) raised in cases as compared to controls. Conclusion. Stress is created as a result of PEM which is responsible for the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROSs). These ROSs will lead to membrane oxidation and thus an increase in lipid peroxidation byproducts such as MDA and protein oxidation byproducts such as PC mainly. Decrease in level of antioxidants suggests an increased defense against oxidant damage. Changes in oxidant and antioxidant levels may be responsible for grading in PEM.

Radiation dose verification using real tissue phantom in modern radiotherapy techniques.

In vitro dosimetric verification prior to patient treatment has a key role in accurate and precision radiotherapy treatment delivery. Most of commercially available dosimetric phantoms have almost homogeneous density throughout their volume, while real interior of patient body has variable and varying densities inside. In this study an attempt has been made to verify the physical dosimetry in actual human body scenario by using goat head as "head phantom" and goat meat as "tissue phantom". The mean percentage variation between planned and measured doses was found to be 2.48 (standard deviation (SD): 0.74), 2.36 (SD: 0.77), 3.62 (SD: 1.05), and 3.31 (SD: 0.78) for three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) (head phantom), intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT; head phantom), 3DCRT (tissue phantom), and IMRT (tissue phantom), respectively. Although percentage variations in case of head phantom were within tolerance limit (< ± 3%), but still it is higher than the results obtained by using commercially available phantoms. And the percentage variations in most of cases of tissue phantom were out of tolerance limit. On the basis of these preliminary results it is logical and rational to develop radiation dosimetry methods based on real human body and also to develop an artificial phantom which should truly represent the interior of human body.

Oxidative stress in children with severe malaria.

Fifty cases of severe malaria were studied for their oxidant and antioxidant status. Severe anemia (54%) was the most common presentation followed by hyperpyrexia, cerebral malaria and jaundice. Plasma malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl, nitrite, ascorbic acid and copper levels were significantly raised in cases as compared with controls (p < 0.001). Plasma ceruloplasmin, glutathione and superoxide dismutase levels were significantly decreased in children with severe malaria (p < 0.001). Plasma zinc was increased in cases but difference is not statistically significant. Significantly decreased level of nitrites and increased value of glutathione was found in patients with hemoglobinuria and jaundice, respectively. The significantly elevated malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl levels reflect the increased oxidative stress, whereas decreased levels of glutathione and superoxide dismutase point toward utilization of the antioxidants in severe malaria. Thus, changes in oxidants and antioxidants observed suggest the production of reactive oxygen species and their possible role in pathogenesis of severe malaria.

EPR investigations on radiation induced chemical transformations in Pd(ClO4)2/i-PrOH/HClO4 system from 77 to 300 K.

The EPR studies have been carried out on gamma irradiated samples of Pd(ClO4)2 in 9 M/4M HClO4 in the presence and absence of isopropanol [i-PrOH (5%, v/v)], in the temperature range of 77-300 K. The EPR studies revealed the formation of Pd+ complex, Pd3+ complex and several radicals such as H., OH., ClO3., ClO4. and O3- on radiolysis of these systems. Reduction of Pd2+ to Pd clusters could not be observed in the absence of i-PrOH and warming of the irradiated sample finally resulted in recovery of Pd2+ complex. However, in the presence of 5% i-PrOH, strongly oxidizing radicals like OH., ClO3. and ClO4. are suppressed and (CH3)2C.OH radical was produced along with reducing species like H.. EPR spectra in these strongly reducing conditions showed formation of Pd+ complex, which on heating above 230 K, disproportionated into Pd0 and Pd2+ complex and finally lead to formation of Pd metal aggregates. Simultaneously, pulse radiolysis technique has been employed as an alternative method to verify the EPR observations.

Use of oxide minerals to abate fluoride from water.

The removal of fluoride from aqueous solutions has been investigated using various oxide ores such as refractory grade bauxite, feed bauxite, manganese ore, and hydrated oxides of manganese ores (WAD). The refractory grade bauxite showed promising results. The studies were carried out as functions of contact time, pH, concentration of adsorbents, concentration of adsorbate, and temperature. The adsorption was rapid during the initial 5 min but equilibrium was attained within 120 min. The adsorption followed first-order kinetics. The present system followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. Various thermodynamic parameters such as free energy, enthalpy, entropy, and equilibrium constants were calculated. The isosteric heat calculations showed that the adsorption process followed a heterogeneous model.

Kinetics of SO4(-2) reduction under different growth media by sulfate reducing bacteria.

Sulfate Reducing Bacteria (SRB) were used to reduce the SO4(-2) concentration in waste water. The growth pattern of SRB was found by varying the concentration of nutrients and the biomass. The specific reaction constant was evaluated in each case.

Ion exchangers in radioactive waste management. Part XI. Removal of barium and strontium ions from aqueous solutions by hydrous ferric oxide.

The uptake of Ba(II) and Sr(II) by hydrous ferric oxide (HFO) was studied as a function of contact time, concentration, temperature and pH of the respective adsorptive solutions employing the 'radiotracer technique'. The uptake of both the ions was found to increase with the increase in concentration, temperature and pH of the adsorptive solutions. Concentration dependence data fitted well to the Freundlich adsorption isotherm over the entire range of concentration (10(-2)-10(-7) M) and the uptake process followed first-order rate kinetics. The desorption experiments demonstrate the irreversible nature of the uptake process, however, in the presence of H+ ions, i.e. on acidification, an appreciable amount of metal ions were removed in the bulk solution. The radiation stability of hydrous ferric oxide towards the uptake of Ba(II) and Sr(II) was also examined by using samples of hydrous ferric oxide irradiated by neutrons and gamma-rays prior to be employing as sorbents. The presence of some mono- and divalent co-ions along with the studied ions suppressed their removal appreciably.

The uptake behaviour of rice (Jaya) husk in the removal of Zn(II) ions--a radiotracer study.

Sequestering of Zn(II) ions at the surface of rice husk has been studied as a function of contact time, adsorptive concentration, temperature and pH, using the radiotracer technique employing a 65Zn radiotracer. A relatively slow uptake of metal ion increasing with bulk dilution (10(-2) to 10(-7) mol/dm3) was seen, which obeys the first-order rate law and agrees well with the classical Freundlich adsorption isotherm. The removal of metal ions from the bulk increases with the increase in pH (3.2-10.2) and temperature (293-323K) and evaluation of the thermodynamic data shows that the process involved is endothermic and apparently irreversible in nature, suggesting an ion exchange mechanism along with surface complexation. On the other hand Cd(II) was not adsorbed on the surface of the rice husk at pH 6.2.