Abstract: Apparatus for permanently and protectively mounting "wet" thin sections of biological specimens on microscope slides, wherein each specimen is initially bathed in a low-volatile solvent containing a low concentration of first polymerizable material. Such solvent is allowed to evaporate, whereby the liquid polymerizable material permeates and protects the specimen. Following solvent evaporation, a second polymerizable material is layered over the specimen. Preferably, the first and second polymerizable materials comprise a mixture of low-volatility, low-viscosity, liquid acrylic reactomers and a U.V. light-sensitive catalyst system. A conventional cover slip or other planar transparent member can be positioned over the polymerizable materials, and the same are polymerized by exposure to U.V. radiation. The first and second now-polymerized materials encapsulate the specimen on the microscope slide, become integral and completely hardened and are fully devoid of any solvent.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling the relative humidity of a soil environment at a pre-set value using an enclosed volume of a water-soluble or water-swellable material, said enclosed volume separated from the external environment by a relatively stiff and strong semipermeable membrane and separated from a pressurized irrigation water supply by a water-impermeable constrictable flexible section or diaphragm in the supply line. When the soil is more moist than the pre-set value, intake of water through the membrane causes expansion of the water-swellable material which in turn constricts the flexible section of the water supply line to interrupt the flow of water to the soil. When the soil moisture falls below the pre-set value, egress of water from the water-swellable material releases the constricting force on the flexible section thereby allowing increased flow of water through the flexible section of supply line to the soil.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for permanently and protectively mounting "wet" thin sections of biological specimens on microscope slides, wherein each specimen is initially bathed in a low-volatile solvent containing a low concentration of first polymerizable material. Such solvent is allowed to evaporate, whereby the liquid polymerizable material permeates and protects the specimen. Following solvent evaporation, a second polymerizable material is layered over the specimen. Preferably, the first and second polymerizable materials comprise a mixture of low-volatility, low-viscosity, liquid acrylic reactomers and a U.V. light-sensitive catalyst system. A conventional cover slip or other planar transparent member can be positioned over the polymerizable materials, and the same are polymerized by exposure to U.V. radiation. The first and second now-polymerized materials encapsulate the specimen on the microscope slide, become integral and completely hardened and are fully devoid of any solvent.

Abstract: Blood is preserved by combining samples with a preservative reagent consisting of an aqueous mixture of a mono-, di- or trisaccharide component and formaldehyde.