Rapidly solidified Al-6.5 wt.% Ni alloy

Aluminium-nickel alloy with nominal composition 6.5 wt.% Ni has been manufactured by chill-casting and melt-spinning methods. The resulting microstructures have been examined by optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These results showed that the microstructure of the rapidly solidified ribbons is clearly different from that of the chill-casting alloy. The effect of the wheel speed on rapidly solidified ribbons dimension and the relationship between ribbon thickness and wheel speed was also examined. It was found that there is good relationship between ribbon thickness and wheel speed. The ribbon thickness decreased inversely with the wheel speed. Furthermore, the microhardness of the chill-casting alloy and the rapidly solidified ribbons were measured by using a Vickers indenter. The result showed that the microhardness of the rapidly solidified ribbons is higher than that of chill-casting alloy. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved

Evaluation of Anterior Segment Parameters and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness According to Pregnancy Trimester

WOS: 000441304600015Objective: To analyze the effects of pregnancy on anterior segment parameters and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. Methods: The study designed prospectively conducted among 122 singleton pregnant women and 49 non-pregnant women. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured via the Goldman applanation tonometry. Central corneal thickness (CCT), axial lenght (AxL) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) measurement were performed with Echoscan US 500. For investigating the thickness of RNFL in detail, the optical coherence tomography was used. One Way ANOVA test was used to make a comparison between normal distribution groups. Results: There was no statistically significant difference regarding age. The IOP were 16.0 mmHg in the 1st trimester, 14.6 mmHg in the 2nd trimester, 13.6 mmHg in the 3rd trimester and 15.56 mmHg in the non-pregnant. Statistically, the findings of the 2nd and the 3rd trimester were significantly different from that of the 1st trimester (p = 0.033, p = 0.001, respectively). CCT averages were 554 mu m, 564 mu m and 552 mu m, respectively, according to the trimester, while it was 542 mu m in non-pregnant women. The difference between CCT averages between pregnancies in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters and non-pregnant women was statistically significant (p = 0.022, p = 0.041, respectively). The comparison of average thickness of four RNFL showed no difference between the pregnant and non-pregnant. Conclusions: During gestation, there was an increase in CCT with a decrease in IOP. We also determined that the ACD, AxL, and RNFL thickness measurements do not change with pregnancy

Comparison of bone tissue trace-element concentrations and mineral density in osteoporotic femoral neck fractures and osteoarthritis

Purpose: This study examined the role of trace elements in osteoporosis by comparing the trace-element concentrations in bone and the radiographic bone density and bone mineral density (BMD) of patients with osteoporotic femur fractures and osteoarthritis