A dataset describing chip parameters for rock breaking by chisel pick under deep-sea hydrostatic pressure

Chip is a visual representation of rock breaking by cutter, and their related parameters are crucial for revealing the rock breaking mechanism in deep-sea mining. Based on sieving and three-dimensional size measurement methods widely used in mining engineering, this paper reports a dataset of chip parameters for rock breaking by chisel pick under deep-sea hydrostatic pressure. Specifically, we first designed an experimental setup that can accurately simulate deep-sea hydrostatic pressure, conducted rock breaking experiments and carefully collected chips. Subsequently, those chips were sieved, high-resolution images were collected, and the coarseness index (CI), chip size uniformity (n), absolute chip size (de), and fractal dimension (D) were measured. Finally, three-dimensional size (long, intermediate and short) was measured for 3064 chips with particle sizes greater than 4.75 mm. This dataset will be used by researchers to validate numerical simulations or optimize equipment structures related to deep-sea mining, including deep-sea rock mechanics, mining cutter and conveyor pipes

Searching for new globular clusters in M 31 with Gaia EDR3

We found 50 new globular cluster (GC) candidates around M\,31 with Gaia Early Data Release 3 (EDR3), with the help from Pan-STARRS1 DR1 magnitudes and Pan-Andromeda Archaeological Survey (PAndAS) images. Based on the latest Revised Bologna Catalog and \textit{simbad}, we trained 2 Random Forest (RF) classifiers, the first one to distinguish extended sources from point sources and the second one to further select GCs from extended sources. From 1.85 million sources of $16^m{<}g{<}19.5^m$ and within a large area of $\sim$392\,deg$^2$ around M\,31, we selected 20,658 extended sources and 1,934 initial GC candidates. After visual inspection of the PAndAS images to eliminate the contamination of non-cluster sources, particularly galaxies, we finally got 50 candidates. These candidates are divided into 3 types (\textbf{a}, \textbf{b}, \textbf{c}) according to their projected distance $D$ to the center of M\,31 and their probability to be a true GC, $P_{GC}$, which is calculated by our second RF classifier. Among these candidates, 14 are found to be associated (in projection) with the large-scale structures within the halo of M\,31. We also provided several simple parameter criteria for selecting extended sources effectively from the Gaia EDR3, which can reach a completeness of 92.1\% with a contamination fraction lower than 10\%

Balloon Rupture during Pre-Dilation for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients with a Bicuspid Aortic Valve: Classification, Treatment Strategies, and Prevention

Balloon rupture during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a rare but serious complication. Here, we present two cases of balloon rupture in patients with severe aortic stenosis and type 0 bicuspid aortic valves. Three-dimensional models based on pre-procedure cardiac CT angiography were used to investigate these cases post hoc. The models revealed asymmetrical distribution of calcifications with sharply spiked features in the bicuspid aortic valves. The narrow calcified orifices resulted in uneven force distribution on the expanded balloon, thus leading to balloon rupture. We additionally review the classification and causes of balloon rupture, summarize methods for avoiding complications, and describe treatment options. Accurate pre-procedural anatomy evaluation and computer modeling are crucial for planning and managing TAVR procedures. Further investigation through computer simulation is necessary to determine the appropriate balloon size and inflation locations, to provide a reference for pre-procedural preparation

Mutual effect of homocysteine and uric acid on arterial stiffness and cardiovascular risk in the context of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine

Background: Arterial stiffness is a major risk factor and effective predictor of cardiovascular diseases and a common pathway of pathological vascular impairments. Homocysteine (Hcy) and uric acid (UA) own the shared metabolic pathways to affect vascular function. Serum uric acid (UA) has a great impact on arterial stiffness and cardiovascular risk, while the mutual effect with Hcy remains unknown yet. This study aimed to evaluate the mutual effect of serum Hcy and UA on arterial stiffness and 10-year cardiovascular risk in the general population. From the perspective of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (PPPM/3PM), we assumed that combined assessment of Hcy and UA provides a better tool for targeted prevention and personalized intervention of cardiovascular diseases via suppressing arterial stiffness. Methods: This study consisted of 17,697 participants from Beijing Health Management Cohort, who underwent health examination between January 2012 and December 2019. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was used as an index of arterial stiffness. Results: Individuals with both high Hcy and UA had the highest baPWV, compared with those with low Hcy and low UA (β: 30.76, 95 % CI: 18.36 – 43.16 in males; β: 53.53, 95 % CI: 38.46–68.60 in females). In addition, these individuals owned the highest 10-year cardiovascular risk (OR: 1.49, 95 % CI: 1.26 – 1.76 in males; OR: 7.61, 95 % CI: 4.63 – 12.68 in females). Of note, males with high homocysteine and low uric acid were significantly associated with increased cardiovascular risk (OR: 1.30, 95 % CI: 1.15 – 1.47), but not the high uric acid and low homocysteine group (OR: 1.02, 95 % CI: 0.90 – 1.16). Conclusions: This study found the significantly mutual effect of Hcy and UA on arterial stiffness and cardiovascular risk using a large population and suggested the clinical importance of combined evaluation and control of Hcy and UA for promoting cardiovascular health. The adverse effect of homocysteine on arteriosclerosis should be addressed beyond uric acid, especially for males. Monitoring of the level of both Hcy and UA provides a window opportunity for PPPM/3PM in the progression of arterial stiffness and prevention of CVD. Hcy provides a novel predictor beyond UA of cardiovascular health to identify individuals at high risk of arterial stiffness for the primary prevention and early treatment of CVD. In the progressive stage of arterial stiffness, active control of Hcy and UA levels from the aspects of dietary behavior and medication treatment is conducive to alleviating the level of arterial stiffness and reducing the risk of CVD. Further studies are needed to evaluate the clinical effect of Hcy and UA targeted intervention on arterial stiffness and cardiovascular health

Association of TyG index and TG/HDL-C ratio with arterial stiffness progression in a non-normotensive population

Background: Cross-sectional studies have reported that insulin resistance (IR) is associated with arterial stiffness. However, the relationship between IR and arterial stiffness progression remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the association of triglyceride glucose (TyG) index and triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio with arterial stiffness progression in a non-normotensive population. Methods: A total of 1895 prehypertensive (systolic pressure 120–139 mmHg or diastolic pressure 80–90 mmHg) or hypertensive (systolic pressure ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic pressure ≥ 90 mmHg or using antihypertensive medication) participants were enrolled in 2013 and 2014, and followed until December 31, 2019. Arterial stiffness progression was measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) change (absolute difference between baseline and last follow-up), baPWV change rate (change divided by following years), and baPWV slope (regression slope between examination year and baPWV). Results: During a median follow-up of 4.71 years, we observed an increasing trend of baPWV in the population. There were linear and positive associations of the TyG index and TG/HDL-C ratio with the three baPWV parameters. The difference (95% CI) in baPWV change (cm/s) comparing participants in the highest quartile versus the lowest of TyG index and TG/HDL-C ratio were 129.5 (58.7–200.0) and 133.4 (52.0–214.9), respectively. Similarly, the evaluated baPWV change rates (cm/s/year) were 37.6 (15.3–60.0) and 43.5 (17.8–69.2), while the slopes of baPWV were 30.6 (9.3–51.8) and 33.5 (9.0–58.0). The observed association was stronger in the hypertensive population. Conclusion: Our study indicates that the TyG index and TG/HDL-C ratio are significantly associated with arterial stiffness progression in hypertensive population, not in prehypertensive population

Longitudinal association of remnant cholesterol with joint arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis progression beyond LDL cholesterol

Background: Arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis are closely related with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Remnant cholesterol (RC) could predict CVD. However, its effect on joint arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis progression remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the association of RC with joint arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis progression trajectories in the general population. Methods: This study collected data across five biennial surveys of the Beijing Health Management Cohort from 2010 to 2019. Multi-trajectory model was used to determine the joint arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis progression patterns by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and ankle brachial index (ABI). We also performed discordance analyses for RC vs. low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) using ordinal logistics model. Results: A total of 3186 participants were included, with three clusters following distinct arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis progression patterns identified using a multi-trajectory model. In the multivariable-adjusted ordinal logistics analyses, RC was significantly associated with baPWV and ABI progression (OR: 1.20; 95 % CI: 1.13 – 1.28, per 10 mg/dL). For the discordance analyses, the discordant low RC group was associated with decreased risk compared to the concordant group (OR: 0.73; 95 % CI: 0.60 – 0.89). People with a high RC level were at an increased risk of joint arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis progression, even with optimal LDL-C. Conclusions: RC is independently associated with joint arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis progression beyond LDL-C. RC could be an earlier risk factor than LDL-C of arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis in the general population

Angiography-based superficial wall strain of de novo stenotic coronary arteries:serial assessment of vessels treated with bioresorbable scaffold or drug-eluting stent

Objectives: This study sought to present an angiography-based computational model for serial assessment of superficial wall strain (SWS, dimensionless) of de-novo coronary stenoses treated with either bioresorbable scaffold (BRS) or drug-eluting stent (DES). Background: A novel method for SWS allows the assessment of the mechanical status of arteries in-vivo, which may help for predicting cardiovascular outcomes. Methods: Patients with arterial stenosis treated with BRS (n = 21) or DES (n = 21) were included from ABSORB Cohort B1 and AIDA trials. The SWS analyses were performed along with quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) at pre-PCI, post-PCI, and 5-year follow-up. Measurements of QCA and SWS parameters were quantified at the treated segment and adjacent 5-mm proximal and distal edges. Results: Before PCI, the peak SWS on the ‘to be treated’ segment (0.79 ± 0.36) was significantly higher than at both virtual edges (0.44 ± 0.14 and 0.45 ± 0.21; both p &lt; 0.001). The peak SWS in the treated segment significantly decreased by 0.44 ± 0.13 (p &lt; 0.001). The surface area of high SWS decreased from 69.97mm2 to 40.08mm2 (p = 0.002). The peak SWS in BRS group decreased to a similar extent (p = 0.775) from 0.81 ± 0.36 to 0.41 ± 0.14 (p &lt; 0.001), compared with DES group from 0.77 ± 0.39 to 0.47 ± 0.13 (p = 0.001). Relocation of high SWS to device edges was often observed in both groups after PCI (35 of 82 cases, 41.7 %). At follow-up of BRS, the peak SWS remained unchanged compared to post-PCI (0.40 ± 0.12 versus 0.36 ± 0.09, p = 0.319). Conclusion: Angiography-based SWS provided valuable information about the mechanical status of coronary arteries. Device implantation led to a significant decrease of SWS to a similar extent with either polymer-based scaffolds or permanent metallic stents.</p