Application of Citrullus lanatus rind as biosorbent for removal of trivalent chromium from aqueous solution

Watermelon rind (WR) an agro waste was evaluated as an adsorbent for the removal of Cr3+ ions from aqueous solution. Batch mode adsorption studies were performed by varying parameters such as pH, contact time, adsorbent dose and initial metal ion concentration. Maximum loading capacity of WR was found to be 172.6 mg g−1 for Cr3+ ions at pH 3. Kinetic studies show that removal of Cr3+ ions is rapid and follows a pseudosecond order model. Equilibrium data fit better with the Langmuir isotherm than the Freundlich isotherm. Thermodynamic parameters such as ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS° were derived for the current system. The negative values of ΔG° show that the nature of sorption process is spontaneous. FTIR studies reveal that hydroxyl and carboxyl groups were responsible for uptake of metal ions. Successive desorption of Cr3+ ions reveals that WR can be an economical sorbent for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solution. The results conclude that watermelon rind an agro waste can effectively be used for the removal of chromium ions from aqueous solution

Practice patterns and outcomes after stroke across countries at different economic levels (INTERSTROKE):an international observational study

Background: Stroke disproportionately affects people in low-income and middle-income countries. Although improvements in stroke care and outcomes have been reported in high-income countries, little is known about practice and outcomes in low and middle-income countries. We aimed to compare patterns of care available and their association with patient outcomes across countries at different economic levels. Methods: We studied the patterns and effect of practice variations (ie, treatments used and access to services) among participants in the INTERSTROKE study, an international observational study that enrolled 13 447 stroke patients from 142 clinical sites in 32 countries between Jan 11, 2007, and Aug 8, 2015. We supplemented patient data with a questionnaire about health-care and stroke service facilities at all participating hospitals. Using univariate and multivariate regression analyses to account for patient casemix and service clustering, we estimated the association between services available, treatments given, and patient outcomes (death or dependency) at 1 month. Findings: We obtained full information for 12 342 (92%) of 13 447 INTERSTROKE patients, from 108 hospitals in 28 countries; 2576 from 38 hospitals in ten high-income countries and 9766 from 70 hospitals in 18 low and middle-income countries. Patients in low-income and middle-income countries more often had severe strokes, intracerebral haemorrhage, poorer access to services, and used fewer investigations and treatments (p<0·0001) than those in high-income countries, although only differences in patient characteristics explained the poorer clinical outcomes in low and middle-income countries. However across all countries, irrespective of economic level, access to a stroke unit was associated with improved use of investigations and treatments, access to other rehabilitation services, and improved survival without severe dependency (odds ratio [OR] 1·29; 95% CI 1·14–1·44; all p<0·0001), which was independent of patient casemix characteristics and other measures of care. Use of acute antiplatelet treatment was associated with improved survival (1·39; 1·12–1·72) irrespective of other patient and service characteristics. Interpretation: Evidence-based treatments, diagnostics, and stroke units were less commonly available or used in low and middle-income countries. Access to stroke units and appropriate use of antiplatelet treatment were associated with improved recovery. Improved care and facilities in low-income and middle-income countries are essential to improve outcomes