Ultrastructure, distribution, and transovarial transmission of symbiotic microorganisms in Nysius ericae and Nithecus jacobaeae (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae: Orsillinae)

The organization of the symbiotic system (i.e., distribution and ultrastructure of symbionts) and the mode of inheritance of symbionts in two species, Nysius ericae and Nithecus jacobaeae belonging to Heteroptera: Lygaeidae, are described. Like most hemipterans, Nysius ericae and Nithecus jacobaeae harbor obligate prokaryotic symbionts. The symbiotic bacteria are harbored in large, specialized cells termed bacteriocytes which are localized in the close vicinity of the ovaries as well as inside the ovaries. The ovaries are composed of seven ovarioles of the telotrophic type. Bacteriocytes occur in each ovariole in the basal part of tropharium termed the infection zone. The bacteriocytes form a ring surrounding the early previtellogenic oocytes. The cytoplasm of the bacteriocytes is tightly packed with large elongated bacteria. In the bacteriocytes of Nysius ericae, small, rod-shaped bacteria also occur. Both types of bacteria are transovarially transmitted from one generation to the next

Chandra measurements of gas homogeneity and turbulence at intermediate radii in the Perseus Cluster

We present a Chandra study of surface brightness fluctuations in the diffuse intracluster medium of the Perseus Cluster. Our study utilizes deep, archival imaging of the cluster core as well as a new mosaic of 29 short 5 ks observations extending in 8 different directions out to radii of r_500 ~ 2.2r_2500. Under the assumption that the distribution of densities at a given radius is log-normally distributed, two important quantities can be derived from the width of the log-normal density distribution on a given spatial scale: the density bias, which is equal to the square root of the clumping factor C; and the one-component turbulent velocity, v_(k, 1D). We forward-model all contributions to the measured surface brightness, including astrophysical and particle background components, and account for the Poisson nature of the measured signal. Measuring the distribution of surface brightness fluctuations in 1 arcmin^2 regions, spanning the radial range 0.3-2.2 r_2500 (7.8-57.3 arcmin), we find a small to moderate average density bias of around 3% at radii below 1.6r_2500. We also infer an average turbulent velocity at these radii of v_1D <400 km s^-1. Direct confirmation of our results on turbulent velocities inferred from surface brightness fluctuations should be possible using the X-ray calorimeter spectrometers to be flown aboard the XRISM and Athena. observatories.Comment: 17 pages, 11 figures. to be published in MNRA

The gamma-ray emitting region of the jet in Cyg X-3

We study models of the gamma-ray emission of Cyg X-3 observed by Fermi. We calculate the average X-ray spectrum during the gamma-ray active periods. Then, we calculate spectra from Compton scattering of a photon beam into a given direction by isotropic relativistic electrons with a power-law distribution, both based on the Klein-Nishina cross section and in the Thomson limit. Applying the results to scattering of stellar blackbody radiation in the inner jet of Cyg X-3, we find that a low-energy break in the electron distribution at a Lorentz factor of ~ 300--1000 is required by the shape of the observed X-ray/gamma-ray spectrum in order to avoid overproducing the observed X-ray flux. The electrons giving rise to the observed \g-rays are efficiently cooled by Compton scattering, and the power-law index of the acceleration process is ~ 2.5--3. The bulk Lorentz factor of the jet and the kinetic power before the dissipation region depend on the fraction of the dissipation power supplied to the electrons; if it is ~ 1/2, the Lorentz factor is ~ 2.5, and the kinetic power is ~ 10^38 erg/s, which represents a firm lower limit on the jet power, and is comparable to the bolometric luminosity of Cyg X-3. Most of the power supplied to the electrons is radiated. The broad band spectrum constrains the synchrotron and self-Compton emission from the gamma-ray emitting electrons, which requires the magnetic field to be relatively weak, with the magnetic energy density < a few times 10^-3 of that in the electrons. The actual value of the magnetic field strength can be inferred from a future simultaneous measurement of the IR and gamma-ray fluxes.Comment: MNRAS, in press, 13 page

Compton scattering simulations using Monte Carlo method - description and astrophysical applications

Astrophysical sources, where comptonization plays dominant role in molding spectra are described, with close focus on black hole binaries and their spectral states. Basic theoretical relations for Compton scattering are presented as well as scheme for Monte Carlo comptonization simulations with exemplary results obtained.W poniższej pracy omówiono źródła astrofizyczne, w których proces comptonizacji fotonów na termicznych elektronach w znaczącym stopniu kształtuje widmo promieniowania; w szczególności skupiono się na opisie ciasnych układów podwójnych z czarną dziurą oraz ich stanów spektralnych. Przedstawiono podstawowe zależności teoretyczne dla rozpraszania Comptona oraz opisano schemat symulacji Monte Carlo comptonizacji wraz z przykładowymi uzyskanymi wynikami

Effects of Chemical Structure of Silicone Polyethers Used as Fabric Softener Additives on Selected Utility Properties of Cotton Fabric

The study addressed the effect of the structure of silicone polyethers on selected functional properties of cotton fabric rinsed in conditioners containing the additives under study. Fabric softener formulations containing two comb-structured compounds (PEG/PPG-14/0 Dimethicone and PEG/PPG-20/20 Dimethicone) and one block-structured compound (Bis-PEG/PPG-20/20 Dimethicone) were developed. Cotton fabric rinsed in conditioners containing silicone glycols was not found to be affected by yellowing. However, differences were noted in the softening ability and re-wettability of rinsed fabrics due to diverse structures of the additives used. The most desirable soft hand effect was observed after cotton rinsing in fabric softeners containing the block-structured compound Bis-PEG/PPG-20/20 Dimethicone. In contrast, the highest fabric re-wettability was shown for the conditioner enriched with a comb-structured compound (PEG/PPG-20/20 Dimethicone). The study results demonstrate that the prototypical fabric softeners containing silicone derivatives have a potential to provide quality characteristic required by consumers of this product group

The outcomes in children with Hirschsprung’s disease treated with transanal endorectal pull-through method

Introduction and aim. The evaluation of functional results, complications and problems of children with Hirschsprung’s disease treated with one-stage surgery (TEPT) or two-stage surgery (colostomy, TEPT) in Paediatric Surgery Clinic in Rzeszów. Material and methods. Medical documentation of 41 children treated due to Hirschsprung’s disease in years 2006-2018 in Rzeszów were retrospectively analysed. The results of the questionnaires conducted among the parents of operated children were surveyed. Results. The average time of the radical surgery was 189 minutes. The mean length of the resected intestine in the classic form was 19 centimeters, in long-segment 35 centimeters. In the post-operative period, 15 patients had a blood transfusion. The mean time of the children’s stay calculated from the date of surgery until the discharge equaled 13.4 days. Early post-operative complications: enterocolitis occurred in 6 patients (1 death in a septic shock mechanism), total dehiscence of anastomosis in 1 patient, abscess of perirectal space in 1 patient, anastomotic retraction in 1 patient and in 3 patients inaccurate intra-operative evaluation of the section (intra), buttock dermatitis appeared in all patients. Late post-operative complications (a control trial of 38 patients): Soiling was confirmed in 9 patients, periodic constipation in one. The abnormal consistency of stool was signaled in 3 children. Two children were repetitively hospitalized due to enterocolitis. The frequency of defecation almost in all patients was reduced after a three, four-month period since the operation from 10-15 per day to the age norm. In one child, where the retraction of the anastomosis was diagnosed, the soiling and heightened frequency of defecation throughout the day persists. All of the parents of the older children view the outcome of the surgery as positive and the life quality of their children does not differ from their peers. Conclusion. TEPT is a method which can be performed in newborns, infants, babies as well as in case of a long-segment aganglionosis. Barium enema is not reliable in evaluation of the length of the aganglionic section in the long-segment type of Hirschsprung’s disease. The treatment of choice in the early post-operative enterocolitis should be colostomy. Worse functional results were observed in children after two-stage treatment – especially, in cases where the colostomy was created due to the intestinal re-distention

What should be the topics of a prospective study on ovarian masses in children? - results of a multicenter retrospective study and a scoping literature review

Purpose: to determine management problems of ovarian masses in girls in order to form a baseline for prospective randomized studies of the established topics and quality improvement of our management. Materials and Methods: We performed a national analysis of clinical aspects of ovarian masses in girls operated on in Poland, analyzed retrospectively medical files of all consecutive patients aged 0–18 who underwent surgeries for ovarian lesions between 2012 and 2017 at 17 pediatric surgical departments and complemented the analysis with a scoping review of a recent primary research related to ovarian masses in children. Results: The study group comprised 595 patients. Forty-four (7.39%) girls were diagnosed with malignant tumors. The overall preservation rate was 64.54%. The analysis revealed that positive tumor markers (OR = 10.3), lesions larger than 6 cm (OR = 4.17) and solid mass on ultrasound examination (OR = 5.34) are interdependent variables differentiating malignant tumors from non-malignant lesions ([Formula: see text] = 79.1; p = 0.00000). Our scoping review revealed 10 major branches of research within the topic of ovarian masses in pediatric population. Conclusions: We have developed an overview of the field with the emphasis on the local environment. Our next step is a multi-institutional prospective study of a quality improvement project implementation based on the obtained knowledge

Mapping the Intracluster Medium in the Era of High-resolution X-ray Spectroscopy

High-resolution spectroscopy in soft X-rays will open a new window to map multiphase gas in galaxy clusters and probe physics of the intracluster medium (ICM), including chemical enrichment histories, circulation of matter and energy during large-scale structure evolution, stellar and black hole feedback, halo virialization, and gas mixing processes. An eV-level spectral resolution, large field-of-view, and effective area are essential to separate cluster emissions from the Galactic foreground and efficiently map the cluster outskirts. Several mission concepts that meet these criteria have been proposed recently, e.g., LEM, HUBS, and SuperDIOS. This theoretical study explores what information on ICM physics could be recovered with such missions and the associated challenges. We emphasize the need for a comprehensive comparison between simulations and observations to interpret the high-resolution spectroscopic observations correctly. Using Line Emission Mapper (LEM) characteristics as an example, we demonstrate that it enables the use of soft X-ray emission lines (e.g., O VII/VIII and Fe-L complex) from the cluster outskirts to measure the thermodynamic, chemical, and kinematic properties of the gas up to $r_{200}$ and beyond. By generating mock observations with full backgrounds, analysing their images/spectra with observational approaches, and comparing the recovered characteristics with true ones from simulations, we develop six key science drivers for future missions, including the exploration of multiphase gas in galaxy clusters (e.g., temperature fluctuations, phase-space distributions), metallicity, ICM gas bulk motions and turbulence power spectra, ICM-cosmic filament interactions, and advances for cluster cosmology.Comment: 24 pages, 26 figures, submitted to MNRAS. Comments are welcom