A new multiferroic composite ceramics with the general formula (x)Ba(Sr)Fe12O19-(1-x)BaTiO3 (x=0.1, 0.5) was synthesized via a simple solid-state reaction technique. Crystal structure analysis performed for both materials revealed the presence of two crystalline phases pertinent to the initial composite components. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to testify the crystallinity, microstructure, and local magnetoelectric interactions between ferroelectric and ferromagnetic grains. Magnetic measurements revealed that the saturation magnetization is proportional to the volume fraction of ferrite phase. Dielectric studies demonstrated strong frequency relaxation due to space charge polarization and high conductivity loss making macroscopic magnetoelectric measurements difficult. Novel nanoscale magnetoelectric effect observed by AFM is discussed.

Three experiments were conducted to estimate the effects of single intramuscular (IM) administrations of vitamin E on blood plasma and tissue concentrations of α-tocopherol in sheep. In Expt 1, plasma kinetics of α-tocopherol in sheep (n 30) were investigated following IM administration of three doses (ten sheep/dose) of DL-α-tocopheryl acetate, (20, 40 and 60 mg/kg live weight). Plasma profiles of α-tocopherol consisted of a lag phase followed by an apparent first-order absorption and elimination phase. The rate of absorption and elimination, as well as the lag phase, were independent of the dose, but the extent of absorption was directly proportional to dose. In Expt 2 (eighteen experimental and five control sheep), the animals were injected as in Expt 1 and were killed at 0, 80 and 176 h. Increases in α-tocopherol levels in organs were much higher than in plasma. Some tissues such as liver, spleen, lung and adrenal appeared to exhibit rapid absorption and elimination phases. The amount absorbed was proportional to the dose administered. Other organs such as heart, kidney and pancreas had a slow elimination rate. In Expt 3, D-α-tocopherol was injected IM into ten sheep at either 604 mg or 1208 mg. The mean hepatic α-tocopherol concentrations in both groups rose rapidly and after 4 weeks of dosing its concentrations were higher than the predosing levels. The increase in hepatic tocopherol concentrations were higher following 1208 mg dosing than 604 mg D-α-tocopherol. No simple relationship existed between plasma and hepatic α-tocopherol concentrations. This suggests a difference in body mechanisms controlling vitamin E in blood and liver.

A review of the phase diagram studies of the YBaCuO and GaN systems under high active gas (O2 or N2) pressure is given. The P,T equilibrium conditions for three superconducting phases existing in YBaCuO system vary as a function of Cu content. Application of high O2 pressure allows crystal growth of the 124 and 247 compounds and high N2 pressure alow crystal growth of GaN. We discuss also indications, that other YBaCuO compounds may exist.

The fate of radiotocopherol was studied in plasma and tissues of sheep at various intervals after injection of single intravenous doses of 3H-labelled D-α-tocopherol. Plasma samples were taken at regular intervals after dosing and selected tissues were taken from all sheep after slaughter and assayed for radioactivity and D-α-tocopherol. Sheep were killed in groups of five at 24, 72, 96, 272 and 432 h post-dosing. Plasma profiles were characterized as a sum of three exponential terms. A principal component analysis of tissue concentrations was carried out to identify tissues with parallel profiles of log (disintegrations/min per μg) over time. Five groups of tissues with distinct uptake and elimination processes were identified. The D-α-tocopherol in the liver and heart appeared to be consistent with the post-distributive kinetics of a highly perfused shallow compartment, while lung kinetics appeared to reflect a non-linear kinetic process. The third group, which included the spleen, neck brachiocephalicus muscle and pancreas, had depletion rates parallel to those of plasma for 24–272 h, but slower decreases than plasma over 272–432 h. Hip gluteus muscle and kidney comprised a fourth group, with depletion parallel to plasma rates for 24–96 h but progressively slower than plasma decreases over 96–272 h. Adrenal kinetics resembled the fourth group, but had a more rapid decrease in specific activities over 24–72 h.

1. Increases in plasma tocopherol concentrations were compared in sheep after a single oral administration of (per kg body-weight): 67 mg D- and 91 mg DL-epimers of α-tocopherol, and 74 mg D- and 100 mg DL-epimers of α-tocopheryl acetate, or intravenous administration of DL-α-tocopherol and DL-epimers of DL-α-tocopheryl acetate.

2. The results showed that biological availability was higher after D-α-tocopherol dosing than after the other forms. Intravenous administration of D-α-tocopherol acetate was a more effective way of dosing in sheep than equivalent intravenous amounts of DL-α-tocopheryl acetate or DL-α-tocopherol.

1. Kinetics of physiological doses of D-α-[5-Me-3H]tocopherol(200 μCi) administered to twenty-four sheep were studied using one of four routes: intravenous, oral (capsules), intraruminal and intramuscular.

2. Blood samples were withdrawn from the jugular vein periodically for 96 h after the intravenous and oral administrations, for 168 h after the intraruminal administration and for 216 h after the intramuscular administration.

3. The study indicated that the biological availability of α-tocopherol followed the order intravenous > intramuscular > oral > intraruminal.

4. The rate of elimination was in the order intravenous > oral > intraruminal ˜ intramuscular.

5. The intravenous route was fitted with a three-compartment model, whereas the other routes exhibited a good fit for either a one- or two-compartment model.