Abstract: A modifiable hydrogel material has main chain polymers which are modified with anchor modules in the form of predetermined functionalized single strands of DNA. The main chain polymers can be crosslinked with one another by intermolecular DNA double strand formation. A DNA sequence of the anchor modules has a predetermined number of specific sequence positions N with different base combinations and/or is blocked by a temperature-dependent DNA blocking strand. In a method for producing a hydrogel with the modifiable hydrogel material, DNA modules in the form of free DNA single strands or DNA modules in the form of predetermined DNA single strand pairs which bind to anchor modules in a complementary manner are employed for crosslinking the main chain polymers, which form an intermolecular DNA double strand at a common binding domain.

Abstract: Compression testing apparatus for analyzing porous materials includes a cylindrical channel having a central bore, solid outside, upper and lower walls, the inner edge of the channel being open to the inner bore. A flexible sealing member having a central bore concentric to the bore of the cylindrical channel opposes the edge of the channel. The flexible walls of the flexible member overlap with and are sealingly affixed to the upper and lower surfaces of the channel. The central bore of the flexible sealing member thus forms a sample chamber for porous material to be tested. Top and bottom sealing members cover the sample chamber and a gas inlet enters through the outside wall of the cylindrical channel for applying biaxial or radial compression on the test material. Triaxial compression is applied with addition of a weight or piston sealingly engaged within the central bore of the flexible sealing member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the effect of naturally occurring compounds on tumor development. As an example of proof, we used low; non-toxic doses of three compound e.g. Calcium D-glucarate, a naturally occurring Ca++ salt of D-glucaric acid; Nicotinamide (NA), a naturally occurring vitamin and butyric acid (BA), a naturally occurring saturated short chain fatty acid. 7,12 dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA), which is a very potent skin carcinogen and is an environmental pollutant, was used for skin tumor development. Experiment was performed upto 30 weeks. All the above-mentioned compounds were used either alone or concomitantly any two or all the three. In the positive control group 100% tumorigenesis was attained in 28 weeks, use of single compound led to the inhibition of DMBA induced tumorigenesis between 33 to 47%, use of two compounds resulted in the 73 to 80% reduction in tumorigenesis but the concomitant use of three compounds resulted into 100% inhibition of tumor development at the end of 30 weeks.

Abstract: A sample chamber includes a movable upper chamber. The movable upper chamber includes a center bore opening to a bottom of the chamber, at least one port for introduction of gas under pressure to the center bore, and a first annular seal around the center bore. A stationary lower seat opposing the upper chamber has a center bore aligned with the upper chamber. and includes an exhaust and a second annular seal around the center bore. A test material is placed between the upper chamber and the lower seat. An actuator moves the upper chamber. When the upper chamber is moved down with the first annular seal in contact with an upper surface of a sample of the material and the second annular seal in contact with a lower surface of the sample, gas introduced to the upper chamber goes through the upper chamber and out through the exhaust.

Abstract: A sample chamber includes a movable upper chamber. The movable upper chamber includes a center bore opening to a bottom of the chamber, at least one port for introduction of gas under pressure to the center bore, and a first annular seal around the center bore. A stationary lower seat opposing the upper chamber has a center bore aligned with the upper chamber. and includes an exhaust and a second annular seal around the center bore. A test material is placed between the upper chamber and the lower seat. An actuator moves the upper chamber. When the upper chamber is moved down with the first annular seal in contact with an upper surface of a sample of the material and the second annular seal in contact with a lower surface of the sample, gas introduced to the upper chamber goes through the upper chamber and out through the exhaust.

Abstract: A three-fluid method of non-mercury liquid intrusion porosimetry. The sample to be tested and a quantity of non-wetting intrusion liquid other than mercury are introduced into a sealable, pressurizable chamber, the sample being above the intrusion liquid. The chamber is sealed and evacuated. An intermediate pressurizing liquid, such as mercury, is introduced into the chamber and pressurized by a primary pressurization fluid, such as alcohol or oil, so as to force the intrusion liquid into the pores of the sample. The volume of intermediate pressurization liquid introduced into the chamber is measured as the pressure is increased incrementally, to find the pore distribution of the sample.