The Effect of General Adiposity and Central Body Fat Distribution on the Circulating Metabolome: a Multi-Cohort Non-Targeted Metabolomics Observational and Mendelian Randomization Study

Obesity is associated with adverse health outcomes, but the metabolic effects have not yet been fully elucidated. We aimed to investigate the association between adiposity with circulating metabolites and to address causality with Mendelian randomization (MR). Metabolomics data was generated by non-targeted ultra-performance liquid-chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass-spectrometry in plasma and serum from three population-based Swedish cohorts: ULSAM (N=1,135), PIVUS (N=970), and TwinGene (N=2,059). We assessed associations between general adiposity measured as body mass index (BMI) and central body fat distribution measured as waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI (WHRadjBMI) with 210 annotated metabolites. We employed MR analysis to assess causal effects. Lastly, we attempted to replicate the MR findings in the KORA and TwinsUK cohorts (N=7,373), the CHARGE consortium (N=8,631), the Framingham Heart Study (N=2,076) and the DIRECT consortium (N=3,029). BMI was associated with 77 metabolites, while WHRadjBMI was associated with 11 and 3 metabolites in women and men, respectively. The MR analyses in the Swedish cohorts suggested a causal association (<i>p</i>-value <0.05) of increased general adiposity and reduced levels of arachidonic acid, dodecanedioic acid and lysophosphatidylcholine (<i>P-</i>16:0) as well as with increased creatine levels. The replication effort provided support for a causal association of adiposity on reduced levels of arachidonic acid (<i>p</i>-value 0.03). Adiposity is associated with variation of large parts of the circulating metabolome, however causality needs further investigation in well-powered cohorts.

The influence of the layout features of the trimaran hull on its hydrodynamic resistance

В статье отражена история, состояние развития и сложившаяся тенденция применения аутригеров. Показано как сформировалась терминология по судам данного типа. В статье затронута тема влияния расположения аутригеров на гидродинамическое сопротивление тримарана. Целью работы является получение методики для нахождения гидродинамического сопротивления тримарана. Состояние данного вопроса на сегодня недостаточно изучено т.к. нет четкого ответа при какой схеме по длине и ширине судна необходимо располагать аутригеры для того, чтобы судно могло включить в себя все возможные положительные качества. На основании анализа полученных данных модельных испытаний были построены графики зависимости гидродинамического сопротивления от числа Фруда которые показывают влияние расположения аутригеров по длине и ширине относительно центрального корпуса на гидродинамическое сопротивление тримарана. Сделаны выводы о влиянии размеров аутригеров и их расположения относительно центрального корпуса тримарана на его гидродинамическое сопротивление. The article reflects the history, state of development and current trends in the use of outriggers. It is shown how the terminology for vessels of this type was formed. The article touches on the topic of the influence of the location of outriggers on the hydrodynamic resistance of the trimaran. The aim of the work is to obtain a methodology for determining the hydrodynamic resistance of a trimaran. The state of this issue has not been sufficiently studied to date, since there is no clear answer according to which scheme for the length and width of the vessel it is necessary to place outriggers so that the vessel includes all possible positive qualities. Based on the analysis of the obtained model test data, graphs of the dependence of hydrodynamic resistance on the Froude number were constructed, which show the influence of the location of outriggers along the length and width relative to the central body on the hydrodynamic resistance of the trimaran. Conclusions are drawn about the influence of the size of outriggers and their location relative to the central body of the trimaran on its hydrodynamic resistance.

The Effect of General Adiposity and Central Body Fat Distribution on the Circulating Metabolome: a Multi-Cohort Non-Targeted Metabolomics Observational and Mendelian Randomization Study

Obesity is associated with adverse health outcomes, but the metabolic effects have not yet been fully elucidated. We aimed to investigate the association between adiposity with circulating metabolites and to address causality with Mendelian randomization (MR). Metabolomics data was generated by non-targeted ultra-performance liquid-chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass-spectrometry in plasma and serum from three population-based Swedish cohorts: ULSAM (N=1,135), PIVUS (N=970), and TwinGene (N=2,059). We assessed associations between general adiposity measured as body mass index (BMI) and central body fat distribution measured as waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI (WHRadjBMI) with 210 annotated metabolites. We employed MR analysis to assess causal effects. Lastly, we attempted to replicate the MR findings in the KORA and TwinsUK cohorts (N=7,373), the CHARGE consortium (N=8,631), the Framingham Heart Study (N=2,076) and the DIRECT consortium (N=3,029). BMI was associated with 77 metabolites, while WHRadjBMI was associated with 11 and 3 metabolites in women and men, respectively. The MR analyses in the Swedish cohorts suggested a causal association (<i>p</i>-value <0.05) of increased general adiposity and reduced levels of arachidonic acid, dodecanedioic acid and lysophosphatidylcholine (<i>P-</i>16:0) as well as with increased creatine levels. The replication effort provided support for a causal association of adiposity on reduced levels of arachidonic acid (<i>p</i>-value 0.03). Adiposity is associated with variation of large parts of the circulating metabolome, however causality needs further investigation in well-powered cohorts.

The Effect of General Adiposity and Central Body Fat Distribution on the Circulating Metabolome: a Multi-Cohort Non-Targeted Metabolomics Observational and Mendelian Randomization Study

Obesity is associated with adverse health outcomes, but the metabolic effects have not yet been fully elucidated. We aimed to investigate the association between adiposity with circulating metabolites and to address causality with Mendelian randomization (MR). Metabolomics data was generated by non-targeted ultra-performance liquid-chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass-spectrometry in plasma and serum from three population-based Swedish cohorts: ULSAM (N=1,135), PIVUS (N=970), and TwinGene (N=2,059). We assessed associations between general adiposity measured as body mass index (BMI) and central body fat distribution measured as waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI (WHRadjBMI) with 210 annotated metabolites. We employed MR analysis to assess causal effects. Lastly, we attempted to replicate the MR findings in the KORA and TwinsUK cohorts (N=7,373), the CHARGE consortium (N=8,631), the Framingham Heart Study (N=2,076) and the DIRECT consortium (N=3,029). BMI was associated with 77 metabolites, while WHRadjBMI was associated with 11 and 3 metabolites in women and men, respectively. The MR analyses in the Swedish cohorts suggested a causal association (<i>p</i>-value <0.05) of increased general adiposity and reduced levels of arachidonic acid, dodecanedioic acid and lysophosphatidylcholine (<i>P-</i>16:0) as well as with increased creatine levels. The replication effort provided support for a causal association of adiposity on reduced levels of arachidonic acid (<i>p</i>-value 0.03). Adiposity is associated with variation of large parts of the circulating metabolome, however causality needs further investigation in well-powered cohorts.

Numerical simulation of gas flow in nozzle channels with a central body

The development of a reusable launch system is one of the most promising directions in the development of cosmonautics. World rocket companies are striving to create a space vehicle with improved tactical and technical characteristics. The main task is to ensure the most efficient flight mode of the reusable spacecraft from the point of view of the full load of the injection system. Since the main costs are spent on transporting the fuel of the rocket and its own design, the developers strive to fully load such a system not only when sending into orbit, but also when returning back. The implementation of the idea of a reusable spacecraft entails large energy losses, which suggests the idea of creating a single-stage reusable launch system.

Laplace surface dynamics, revisited: satellites, exo-planets and debris with distant, eccentric companions

To date, studies of Laplace Surface dynamics have concerned themselves with test particle orbits of fixed shape and orientation in the combined field of an oblate central body (to which the particle is bound) and a distant, inclined, companion which is captured to quadrupolar order. While amply sufficient for satellites around planets on near-circular orbits, the quadrupolar approximation fails to capture essential dynamical features induced by a wide binary companion (be it a star, a planet or a black hole) on a fairly eccentric orbit. With similar such astronomical settings in mind, we extend the classical Laplace framework to higher multipoles, and map out the backbone of stationary orbits, now complexified by the broken axial symmetry. Eccentric and inclined Laplace equilibria, which had been presaged in systems of large enough mutual inclination, are here delineated over a broad range of mutually inclined perturbations. We recover them for test particles in the field of a hot Jupiter and a wide eccentric stellar binary, highlighting their relevance for the architecture of multi-planet systems in binaries. We then extend and deploy our machinery closer to home, as we consider the secular dynamics of Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs) in the presence of a putative ninth planet. We show how generalized Laplace equilibria seed islands for Trans-Neptunian objects to be sheltered around, islands within chaotic seas which we capture via Poincaré sections, while highlighting a beautiful interplay between Laplace and Kozai-Lidov secular dynamical structures. An eminently classical tale revived for the exo-planetary 21st century!

From Worm to Wyvern

How did the classical dragon, essentially just a massive snake in form, a worm, evolve, in early Christian culture, into the very particular fantasy creature we know as a ‘dragon’ today in the West? It is argued that the dragon acquired its animalian head and more bulbous central body from another well-established creature of classical fantasy, the ancient sea-monster (kētos), this by virtue of the fact that, whilst dragon and sea-monster had remained largely distinct creatures in classical culture, they had been confounded by the Septuagint. Its wings, however, and probably too in effect its two legs (the latter placed in the position of the sea-monster’s front flippers), it derived rather from demons and the Devil, the latter being associated with snakes already in the Old Testament, and then spectacularly so in the New Testament’s Revelation. By the ninth century AD these two developments had crystallized in the wyvern-type dragon.

Design, Modeling, and Control of a Differential Drive Rimless Wheel That Can Move Straight and Turn

A rimless wheel or a wheel without a rim, is the simplest example of a legged robot and is an ideal testbed to understand the mechanics of locomotion. This paper presents the design, modeling, and control of a differential drive rimless wheel robot that achieves straight-line movement and turning. The robot design comprises a central axis with two 10-spoked springy rimless wheels on either side and a central body that houses the electronics, motors, transmission, computers, and batteries. To move straight, both motors are commanded to constant pitch control of the central body. To turn while maintaining constant pitch, a differential current is added and subtracted from currents on either motor. In separate tests, the robot achieved the maximum speed of 4.3 m per sec (9.66 miles per hour), the lowest total cost of transport (power per unit weight per unit velocity) of 0.13, and a smallest turning radius of 0.5 m. A kinematics-based model for steering and a dynamics-based sagittal (fore-aft) plane model for forward movement is presented. Finally, parameters studies that influence the speed, torque, power, and energetics of locomotion are performed. A rimless wheel that can move straight and turn can potentially be used to navigate in constrained spaces such as homes and offices.