The effect of trace levels of Ni and V on the microstructure and properties of four common aluminum alloys

The effect of nickel and vanadium with concentrations from <100ppm to ~550ppm on microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion behavior has been investigated for aluminium alloys 356, 6060/6063, 3004 and 5182. While the Ni and V additions appeared to have no adverse effect on strength, ductility was reduced by the presence of Ni but it was improved by the presence of V for all alloys. Low Ni combined with high V levels gave the best corrosion performance in all four alloy systems. However, there was no difference in corrosion between alloys with low (50ppm) Ni and low (150ppm) V and other combinations. It appears that Ni and V levels may be allowed to increase together within current alloy specifications without detrimental effects on properties. However, high Ni and low V concentrations may reduce ductility and corrosion performance. Some caution should be exercised in allowing Ni to increase alone

Risk of cataract and glaucoma in patients with multiple sclerosis

Background: the aim of the study was to evaluate whether multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with risk of cataract or glaucoma.Methods: we conducted a population-based cohort study utilizing the UK General Practice Research Database (1987–2009) linked to the national hospital registry of England (1997–2008). Incident MS patients (5576 cases) were identified and each was matched to six patients without MS (controls) by age, gender, and practice. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) of incident cataract and glaucoma in MS. Time-dependent adjustments were made for age, history of diseases and drug use.Results: MS patients had no overall increased risk of cataract, adjusted (adj.) HR 1.15 (95% CI 0.94–1.41) or glaucoma, adj. HR 1.02 (95% CI 0.78–1.33). Risk of cataract (adj. HR 2.45 (95% CI 1.56–3.86)) and glaucoma (adj. HR 1.70 (95% CI 1.01–2.86)) was significantly greater in patients < 50 years, particularly in men < 50 years: cataract, adj. HR 4.23 (95% CI 2.22–8.05) and glaucoma, adj. HR 2.76 (95% CI 1.28–5.93).Conclusion: this is the first study which showed that the risk of cataract and glaucoma is elevated in MS patients younger than 50 years, particularly me