We have performed experiments to determine the extents to which Fe and H2O are lost from hydrous basaltic melts contained in Au80Pd20 and graphite-lined Pt capsules at 0.7 –1 GPa and 1300–1350°C. All experiments were performed in the piston-cylinder apparatus. In order to minimize the possibility of rupture of the AuPd capsule and to control H2O loss we used a double-capsule method. The inner welded 2 mm diameter Au80Pd20 capsule was placed inside a welded 3 mm diameter Pt capsule, the intervening space being packed with hydrous sample. Loss of FeO* from the sample was found to be ≤4% relative in both the Au80Pd20 and graphite-lined Pt capsules in experiments of up to 24 h duration. Loss of H2O is greater and it depends on the oxidation state of the starting materials and the nature of the capsule. For starting mixes fired at 1 log fO2 unit above the quartz-fayalite-magnetite (QFM) buffer at 1 atm, H2O loss from Au80Pd20 capsules averaged 9% relative. Starting mixes fired at 1 log fO2 unit below the QFM buffer at 1atm lost, on average, 32% of their H2O when run in Au80Pd20 capsules at high pressure. All samples run in graphite-lined Pt capsules experienced dramatic H2O loss, averaging 52% relative, irrespective of initial oxidation state. We conclude that Au80Pd20 capsules are suitable for high-pressure hydrous melting experiments and that the sample loses very little Fe. In order to minimize H2O-loss, however, it is important that the starting materials be relatively oxidized.

In 1979 and 1980, ivyleaf morningglory [Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacq. # IPOHE] seed were planted in field plots at monthly intervals beginning with March and continuing through October. During the first 9 weeks, seedlings from the July plantings grew more rapidly than those from the other monthly plantings and produced the heaviest fresh weights. Vegetative growth slowed after the 9-week harvest and seedlings from June plantings had heavier fresh weights at the 12-week harvest. Plants from the July planting produced the greatest number of seed at both the 9- and 12-week harvests. After scarifying, seed produced by plants from April through August (12-week harvest) germinated best with the 27/32 C night/day air temperature regime, but also germinated at 15/21, 21/27, and 27/32 C regimes. Ivyleaf morningglory seed did not germinate at an air temperature regime of 10/15 C. With an air temperature regime of 32/38 C the germination of some lots began to decrease.

Vitamin D is typically supplied in capsule form, both in trials and in clinical practice. However, little is known regarding the efficacy of vitamin D administered via oral sprays – a method that primarily bypasses the gastrointestinal absorption route. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of vitamin D3 liquid capsules and oral spray solution in increasing wintertime total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations. In this randomised, open-label, cross-over trial, healthy adults (n 22) received 3000 IU (75 µg) vitamin D3 daily for 4 weeks in either capsule or oral spray form. Following a 10-week washout phase, participants received the opposite treatment for a final 4 weeks. Anthropometrics and fasted blood samples were obtained before and after supplementation, with samples analysed for total 25(OH)D, creatinine, intact parathyroid hormone and adjusted Ca concentrations. At baseline, vitamin D sufficiency (total 25(OH)D>50 nmol/l), insufficiency (31–49 nmol/l) and clinical deficiency (<30 nmol/l) were evident in 59, 23 and 18 % of the participants, respectively. Overall, baseline total mean 25(OH)D concentration averaged 59·76 (sd 29·88) nmol/l, representing clinical sufficiency. ANCOVA revealed no significant difference in the mean and standard deviation change from baseline in total 25(OH)D concentrations between oral spray and capsule supplementation methods (26·15 (sd 17·85) v. 30·38 (sd 17·91) nmol/l, respectively; F=1·044, adjusted r2 0·493, P=0·313). Oral spray vitamin D3 is an equally effective alternative to capsule supplementation in healthy adults.

β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB), a leucine metabolite, has long been supplemented as a Ca salt (Ca-HMB) to increase strength and performance gains with exercise and to reduce recovery time. Recently, the free acid form of HMB (HMB-FA) has become commercially available in capsule form (gelcap). The current study was conducted to compare the bioavailability of HMB using the two commercially available capsule forms of HMB-FA and Ca-HMB. We also compared the pharmacokinetics of each form when administered mixed in water. Ten human subjects (five male and five female) were studied in a randomised crossover design. There was no significant sex by treatment interaction for any of the pharmacokinetic parameters measured. HMB-FA administered in capsules was more efficient than Ca-HMB capsule at HMB delivery with a 37 % increase in plasma clearance rate (74·8 (sem 4·0) v. 54·5 (sem 3·2) ml/min, P<0·0001) and a 76 % increase in peak plasma HMB concentration (270·2 (sem 17·8) v. 153·9 (sem 17·9) μmol/l, P<0·006), which was reached in one-third the time (P<0·009). When HMB-FA and Ca-HMB were administered in water, the differences still favoured HMB-FA, albeit to a lesser degree. Plasma HMB with HMB-FA administered in water was greater during the early phase of absorption (up to 45 min postadministration, P<0·05); this resulted in increased AUC during the first 60 min after administration, when compared with Ca-HMB mixed in water (P<0·03). In conclusion, HMB-FA in capsule form improves clearance rate and availability of HMB compared with Ca-HMB in capsule form.