Spent ion exchange resin-its treatment from the point of view of safe disposal.

Ion exchange process is one of the treatment methods for radioactive waste. The resin becomes no longer useful after number of cycles of usage. At the same time the regenerated resin cannot be considered as non active waste for disposal. Hence it is felt necessary that the regenerated resin is treated in a fashion so as to result in a form which can be considered as inactive material. It is possible to convert this spent resin into multivalent ionic form which are generally non leachable, thus providing the necessary properties for meeting the disposal criteria. Studies were carried out for the exchange of radioactive ions on these resins with ions like Al3+, Sn4+, Pb2+ and Fe3+ etc. The studies included leachability aspects, exchange with other active ions, thermal characteristics, compressive strength of the cement blocks loaded with the resin etc. Our studies indicated that the order of the stability of the resin with respect to properties like leachability, exchange properties etc. follow the trend as follows: Sn4+ > Pb2+ > Al3+ > Fe3+.

The trabecular pattern of the calcaneum as an index of osteoporosis.

Radiographs of the foot and hip in 61 patients with fractures of the upper end of femur have been studied, noting the progressive loss of bone trabeculae with age. The trabecular pattern in the calcaneum (expressed as the calcaneal index) closely parallels that in the upper end of the femur (Singh's index) and is easier to assess. Both indices have a significant correlation with age.

A case of congenital bifid sternum.

A case of bifid sternum is reported, which illustrates that it is sometimes not possible to repair the sternal defect either by approximation of the sternal bars or by a large autogenous cartilage graft from the ninth, tenth and eleventh ribs. In such cases, the only alternative is to take a graft from the mother.