Catalytic ozonation for the removal of reactive black 5 (RB-5) dye using zeolites modified with CuMn2O4/gC3N4 in a synergic electro flocculation-catalytic ozonation process.

This study aims to investigate the decolourization efficiency of reactive black 5 (RB-5) dye by using CuMn2O4/gC3N4 coated zeolites (zeolite 4A) for the first time in a hybrid electro-flocculation-catalytic ozonation process. A comparison between various treatment options such as electro-flocculation, electro-flocculation in the presence of a catalyst, and catalytic ozonation in combination with electro-flocculation was explored. Moreover, the effect of different factors such as pH, time, catalyst dose, ozone dose, radical scavenger, and voltage has been studied in each treatment option mentioned earlier. The results indicated that the best treatment option was found to be catalytic ozonation in combination with electro-flocculation with removal efficiency (RE) of 90.31% at pH 10 after 30 min of the treatment process. The hydroxyl radical scavenger effect indicated that the synergistic catalytic process follows a radical mechanism. It is therefore concluded that CuMn2O4/gC3N4-zeolite catalysts in synergic electro-flocculation-catalytic ozonation process may be effectively used for the treatment of textile wastewaters.

Comparison of BISAP Score with Ranson's Score in Determining the Severity of Acute Pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of BISAP score in finding out the frequency of severity and mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis by comparing it with Ranson's score. STUDY DESIGN: Crosse-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Surgery, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, from April to December 2010. METHODOLOGY: Atotal of 80 patients who presented in emergency with acute pancreatitis were included by consecutive non probability sampling technique. Cases of acute pancreatitis were classified as mild or severe based on the organ failure criteria and/or local complications according to the Atlanta Symposium. All patients were scored according to both Ranson's score and BISAP score. RESULTS: Out of 80 patients, 35 (44%) were males and 45 (56%) were females. The mean age was 46.89 ± 15.75 years. Twenty five patients (31.25%) were classified as severe acute pancreatitis and 3 patients (3.75%) had evidence of pancreatic necrosis on CT scan. The duration of hospital stay was 1 - 54 days with a mean of 13.12 ± 12.83 days and mortality rate was 5%. The number of patients with a BISAP score of ≥ 3 was 15 and Ranson's score ≥ 3 was 25. The observed incidence of severe disease stratified by the BISAP score has (p < 0.001) and by Ranson's score has (p < 0.001). In regards to mortality, patients having BISAP score ≥ 3 has p=0.003, while patients having Ranson's score ≥ 3 has p=0.002, both are statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The newly proposed BISAP score is a simple and accurate tool for severity stratification and is equally effective in finding out frequency of severity and in turns mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis as Ranson's score.