Floodwater was characterized through ®eld surveys over three years in rainfed lowland and deepwater rice areas of Eastern India. Measurements focused on dissolved O 2 and CO 2 , pH and irradiance during¯ash¯oods in rice ®elds. Over locations and time, dissolved O 2 concentrations ranged from zero to 0.28 mol m 73 (0±1.1 times air-saturated water at 30 8C) while dissolved CO 2 ranged from 0.28 to 1.96 mol m 73 (31±217 times air-saturated water). Floodwater pH varied from 6.6 to 9.7. Irradiance decreased with depth in the water pro®le to an extent depending on turbidity. Turbidity varied greatly over locations and time. The signi®cance of these measurements in assessing rice submergence tolerance is discussed.

Nanoparticles have a wide range of applications in various fields such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals. Synthesis of nanoparticles using plant extract is a very efficient, cost-effective, useful, and environmentally friendly method. A plant extract acts as a reducing agent in the formation of nanoparticles. Catharanthus roseus is one of the potential plants for biosynthesis of nanoparticles due to its easy availability. In the present study, the Catharanthus roseus plant extract was used to synthesize iron nanoparticles. UV-vis spectroscopy, DLS, and FTIR were performed for characterization of synthesized nanoparticles. Further antibacterial and dye degrading properties of synthesized iron nanoparticles have been investigated. It was found that Catharanthus roseus-synthesized iron nanoparticles showed antibacterial activity against E. coli and dye degradation activity against methyl orange dye.

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Breast imaging has made huge advances in the last decade, and along with newer techniques to diagnose primary breast cancer, many novel methods are being used and look promising in detecting distant metastasis, recurrent disease and assessing response to treatment. Full-field digital mammography optimizes the lesion-background contrast and gives better sensitivity, and it is possible to see through the dense tissues by altering computer windows; this may be particularly useful in younger women with dense breasts. The need for repeat imaging is reduced, with the added advantage of reduced radiation dose to patients. Computer-aided detection systems may help the radiologist in interpretation of both conventional and digital mammograms. MRI has a role in screening women at high risk for breast cancer. It also aids in cancer management by assessing response to treatment and can help in deciding appropriate surgery by providing accurate information on the extent of the tumor. Newer diagnostic techniques such as sestamibi scans, optical imaging and molecular diagnostic techniques look promising, but need more investigation into their use. Their roles will appear clearer in coming years, and they may prove to be of help in further investigating lesions that are indeterminate on standard imaging. Other upcoming techniques are contrast-enhanced mammography and tomosynthesis. These may give additional information in indeterminate lesions, and when used in screening they aid in reducing recall rates, as shown in recent studies. PET/computed tomography has a role in detecting local disease recurrence and distant metastasis in breast cancer patients.