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The paper reports a new rapid radioanalytical procedure for the determination of plutonium (Pu) in sediments by solid phase extraction chromatography (SPEC) using Bis-(2-ethylhexyl) carbamoyl methoxy phenoxy-bis-(2-ethylhexyl) grafted resin, abbreviated as Benzodioxodiamide (BenzoDODA) grafted resin. The resin was synthesized and evaluated for its sorption behaviour towards Pu in batch and column mode to determine its efficacy for selective recovery of Pu from sediment samples. The analytical procedure was based on the radiochemical separation of samples by acid digestion, followed by preconcentration of actinides by co-precipitation with Fe(OH)3 and finally selective recovery of Pu by SPEC using a column filled with BenzoDODA grafted resin. Pu was then radiometrically assayed by preparing alpha disc sources with electro-deposition followed by alpha spectrometry. The method was further validated with IAEA reference materials. This method gives reliable and reproducible results for the activity concentration of Pu in sediment samples within 24 h.

Alpha spectrometry is used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of actinides in biological and environmental samples. This technique requires a thin, homogenous and carrier-free deposit. Numerous methods for source preparation are electrolytic deposition, spontaneous deposition, micro-precipitation, direct evaporation, vacuum sublimation, etc. The most widely used method for preparation of actinides for alpha spectrometry is electro-deposition of actinides onto a stainless steel planchette. This procedure is time consuming, requires elaborate equipment and is expensive. Micro-precipitation method on the other hand is comparatively faster and more reliable. Thus, the present study was taken-up to optimize various parameters for rapid alpha source preparation of actinides by micro-precipitation method.

Background and aims : Morphological and morphometric data of cuboid is of significance in creating 3D model of midfoot alignment and in understanding pathologies and instabilities in the region. There is minimal data on biometric values of cuboid. The objective of the study was to evaluate morphological variations in calcaneal articulating facet and metatarsal articulating facet The other obj ective was to report morphometric data of cuboid. Methodology: This descriptive study was conducted in the department of Anatomy, using 24 dry cuboid bones. Each bone was observed for pattern of articular surfaces. Articular surface of each bone was photographed and categorized, Presence of navicular facet was noted. Results: Pattern of calcaneal articular facet was classified into four types: 1A - concavo-convex facet with posteromedial projection and overall oval or remfonn shaped; IB- concavo-convex facet without posteromedial projection and rectangular shaped; 2A - plane facet with posteromedial projection and oval or reniform shaped; 2B - plane facet without posteromedial projection and rectangular shaped. Type 1 was the most common. Pattern of metatarsal articulating facet was classified into three groups: Concave - the edges of metatarsal articulating facet projected anteriorly making a depression for articulation of 4th and 5th metatarsal bones; Plane - articulating facet is flat; Convex - the articulating surface slopes posteriorly. Concave pattern was most common. Mean medial length of cuboid was 33.9 [±3.3] mm, lateral length was 17.9[±1.6]mm, height was 22[±1.5] mm, length index was 188.8, area of calcaneal articular facet was 124.9 [±10.9] mm2, area of metatarsal articulating facet was 91.9[±5.7]mm2, depth of peroneal groove was 1.83 [±1.3]mm. Conclusion: Morphological characterization of articular surfaces of cuboid, especially the calcaneal facet helps to understand the degree of movement at calcaneocuboidjoint and also joint pathologies.

In-vitro bioassay monitoring generally involves analysis of overnight urine samples (~12 h) collected from radiation workers to estimate the excretion rate of radionuclides from the body. The unknown duration of sample collection (10–16 h) adds to the overall uncertainty in computation of internal dose. In order to minimize this, IAEA recommends measurement of specific gravity or creatinine excretion rate in urine. Creatinine is excreted at a steady rate with normally functioning kidneys therefore, can be used as a normalization factor to infer the duration of collection and/or dilution of the sample, if any. The present study reports the chemical procedure standardized and its application for the estimation of creatinine as well as creatinine co-efficient in normal healthy individuals. Observations indicate higher inter-subject variability and lower constancy in daily excretion of creatinine for the same subject. Thus creatinine excretion rate may not be a useful indicator for extrapolating to 24 h sample collection.

Sorption behavior of 241 Am (*10 -9 M) on naturally occurring mineral pyrite (particle size: B70 lm) has been studied under varying conditions of pH (2-11), and ionic strength (0.01-1.0 M (NaClO4)). The effects of humic acid (2 mg/L), other complexing anions (1 9 10 -4 M CO3 2- ,S O 4 2- ,C 2O4 2- and PO4 3- ), di- and trivalent metal ions (1 9 10 -3 MM g 2? ,C a 2? and Nd 3? ) on sorption behavior of Am 3? at a fixed ionic strength (I = 0.10 M (NaClO4)) have been studied. The sorption of 241 Am on pyrite increased with pH from 2.8 (84%) to 8.1 (97%). The sorption of 241 Am decreased with ionic strength at low pH values (2 B pH B 4), but was insensitive in the pH range of 4-10, suggesting the formation of outer-sphere complexes on pyrite surface at lower pH, and inner-sphere complexes at higher pH values. The sorption of 241 Am increased in the presence of (i) humic acid (5 \ pH \ 7.5), and (ii) C2O4 2- (2 \ pH \ 3). By contrast, other complexing anions such as (carbonate, phosphate, and sulphate) showed negligible influence on 241 Am sorption. The presence of Mg 2? ,C a 2? ions showed marginal effect on the sorption profile of 241 Am; while the presence of Nd 3? ion suppressed its sorption sig- nificantly under the conditions of present study. The sorption of 241 Am on pyrite decreased with increased temperature

Mycetoma and actinomycosis are common in tropical countries and are increasingly diagnosed in other parts of the world due to rapid mobilization of the population. They are usually diagnosed on histopathology. There is very limited data on the role of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in diagnosing these lesions. We report here two cases: one of eumycetoma and the other of an actinomycosis that were reliably diagnosed with FNAC. The cytological features were similar to histopathology features and differentiated eumycetoma and actinomycosis. FNAC is a rapid, simple and inexpensive outpatient procedure that helps in rapid diagnosis.