Mathematical modeling of the space tug transfers between the Lagrange points of the Earth-Moon system

The paper outlines the mathematical modeling of the L1-L2 and L2-L1 missions using electric propulsion. The variation problem of the low thrust spacecraft transfer optimization, with total flight time as the optimization criterion is considered. The locally optimal control programs were obtained by using the Fedorenko method to estimate the derivatives, the gradient method to optimize the control laws and the Runge-Kutta method for the numerical integration of the differential equation system. As the result of optimization, optimal control programs and corresponding trajectories were determined for certain values of acceleration and jet stream velocity of the propulsion system

The link between abdominal obesity and the metabolic syndrome.

The clustering of cardiovascular risk factors associated with abdominal obesity is well established. Although currently lacking a universal definition, the metabolic syndrome describes a constellation of metabolic abnormalities, including abdominal obesity, and was originally introduced to characterize a population at high cardiovascular risk. Adipose tissue is a dynamic endocrine organ that secretes several inflammatory and immune mediators known as adipokines. Dysregulation of adipokine secretion, free fatty acid toxicity, and the site-specific differences in abdominal (visceral) versus subcutaneous fat support abdominal obesity as a causal factor mediating the insulin resistance, increased risk of diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in the metabolic syndrome