Search

Your search keyword '"F. Nicastro"' showing total 59 results
Start Over Author "F. Nicastro"
59 results on '"F. Nicastro"'

1. The effects of selenium, zinc and vitamin E supplementation on performance of Broiler Breeder Males

Author

L. Zezza, F. Nicastro, P. Barile, E. Tafaro, O. Nacucchi, M. Veronico, and R. Gallo

Subjects
broilers, sperm quality, microelements, Animal culture, SF1-1100
Abstract

Evidence from the literature and practical experiences suggests that nutritional factors are perhaps the most crucial for their direct effects on the reproductive phenomenon. Several studies and reviews (Barnes et al., 1996; Brake and Garlich, 1989; Chen et al., 1994; Donoghue et al., 1995; Donoghue et al., 1997; Froman et al., 1997; Hocking and Bernard, 1997; Holm, 1998) describe the effects of quantitative feed and energy on reproductive performance of farm animals but only recently there was an increasing attention for the effects of micronutrients intake. The aim of the present work was to verify and compare the effects of a supplementation of selenium, zinc and vitamin E on quality of poultry semen, with a particular attention to the selenium, because its beneficial effects on reproduction (Surai, 2002) needs further elucidation. These micronutrients were chosen because play a fundamental role in semen quality, in fact it was known that chicken semen contains the natural antioxidant vitamin E (Surai, 1997; Surai, 2000) together with antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)...

Published
2011
Full Text
View/download PDF

2. Speed Limits for Radiation-driven SMBH Winds

Author

A Luminari, F Nicastro, M Elvis, E Piconcelli, F Tombesi, L Zappacosta, and F Fiore

Subjects
Astrophysics
Abstract

Context. Ultra-fast outflows (UFOs) have become an established feature in analyses of the X-ray spectra of active galactic nuclei (AGN). According to the standard picture, they are launched at accretion disc scales with relativistic velocities, up to 0.3-0.4 times the speed of light. Their high kinetic power is enough to induce an efficient feedback on a galactic scale, possibly contributing to the co-evolution between the central supermassive black hole (SMBH) and the host galaxy. It is, therefore, of paramount importance to gain a full understanding of UFO physics and, in particular, of the forces driving their acceleration and the relation to the accretion flow from which they originate. Aims. In this paper, we investigate the impact of special relativity effects on the radiative pressure exerted onto the outflow. The radiation received by the wind decreases for increasing outflow velocity, v, implying that the standard Eddington limit argument has to be corrected according to v. Due to the limited ability of the radiation to counteract the black hole gravitational attraction, we expect to find lower typical velocities with respect to the non-relativistic scenario. Methods. We integrated the relativistic-corrected outflow equation of motion for a realistic set of starting conditions. We concentrated on a range of ionisations, column densities, and launching radii consistent with those typically estimated for UFOs. We explore a one-dimensional, spherical geometry and a three-dimensional setting with a rotating, thin accretion disc. Results. We find that the inclusion of special relativity effects leads to sizeable differences in the wind dynamics and that v is reduced up to 50% with respect to the non-relativistic treatment. We compare our results with a sample of UFOs from the literature and we find that the relativistic-corrected velocities are systematically lower than the reported ones, indicating the need for an additional mechanism, such as magnetic driving, to explain the highest velocity components. Finally, we note that these conclusions, derived for AGN winds, are generally applicable.

Published
2021
Full Text
View/download PDF

3. The WISSH quasars project X. Discovery of a multi-component and highly-variable UV ultra-fast outflow in a z=3.6 quasar

Author

G. Vietri, T. Misawa, E. Piconcelli, P. Franzetti, A. Luminari, A. Travascio, M. Bischetti, S. Bisogni, A. Bongiorno, G. Bruni, C. Feruglio, A. Giunta, F. Nicastro, I. Saccheo, V. Testa, F. Tombesi, C. Vignali, L. Zappacosta, F. Fiore, Vietri, G., Misawa, T., Piconcelli, E., Franzetti, P., Luminari, A., Travascio, A., Bischetti, M., Bisogni, S., Bongiorno, A., Bruni, G., Feruglio, C., Giunta, A., Nicastro, F., Saccheo, I., Testa, V., Tombesi, F., Vignali, C., Zappacosta, L., and Fiore, F.

Subjects
absorption line [quasars], Settore FIS/05, galaxies: active, quasars: supermassive black holes, FOS: Physical sciences, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astrophysics - Astrophysics of Galaxies, quasars: absorption lines, supermassive black hole [quasars], quasars: individual: SDSS J153830.55+085517.0, individual: SDSS J153830.55+085517.0 [quasars], Space and Planetary Science, Astrophysics of Galaxies (astro-ph.GA), active [galaxies]
Abstract

We report on the variability of a multi-component broad absorption line (BAL) system observed in the hyper-luminous quasar J1538+0855 at z=3.6. Observations from SDSS, VLT, LBT and Subaru telescopes taken at five different epochs, spanning 17 yr in the observed frame, are presented. We detect three (A, B, C) CIV variable troughs exhibiting extreme velocities ($\sim$40,000-54,000 km s$^{-1}$) similar to the ultra-fast outflows (UFOs) typically observed in the X-ray spectra. The A component of the BAL UFO ($\rm v_{ufo}$ $\sim$0.17 c) shows strength variations, while B ($\rm v_{ufo}$ $\sim$0.15 c) and C ($\rm v_{ufo}$ $\sim$0.13 c) components show changes both in shape and strength, appearing and disappearing at different epochs. In addition, during the last observation on June 2021 the entire BAL system disappears. The variability trends observed during the first two epochs (1.30 yr rest-frame) in the CIV, SiIV, OVI and NV absorption spectral regions are the same for B and C troughs, while the A component of the BAL varies independently. This suggests a change in the ionization state of the absorbing gas for B and C components and tangential motion for the A component, as causes of this temporal behavior. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an upper limit for distance of the gas responsible for the A component of $R\rm_{out}^{A}$$\le$58 pc, and in turn, a kinetic power of $\dot{E}\rm_{K,ufo}$ $\le$5.2 $\times$ 10$^{44}$ erg s$\rm^{-1}$. We also obtain $R\rm_{out}^{B,C}$ $\le$2.7 kpc for B and C components, which implies an upper limit estimation of $\dot{E}\rm_{K,ufo}$ $\le$2.1$\times$10$^{46}$ erg s$\rm^{-1}$ and $\dot{E}\rm_{K,ufo}$ $\le$1.4$\times$10$^{46}$ erg s$\rm^{-1}$, respectively. Future spectral monitoring with high-resolution instruments is mandatory to accurately constrain physical properties of the BAL UFO discovered in the UV spectrum of J1538+0855., Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A

Published
2022
Full Text
View/download PDF

4. EFFECT OF PREVENTOX ON THE STORAGE STABILITY OF RAW AND PRECOOKED PORK PATTIES

Author

Youling L. Xiong, J. Gomez-Basauri, L. Wang, F. Nicastro, and G. Chen

Subjects
Antioxidant, Chemistry, medicine.medical_treatment, food and beverages, Shelf life, Substance content, Lipid oxidation, Metmyoglobin, Color loss, Food products, medicine, Rosemary extract, Food science, Food Science
Abstract

A commercial blend of antioxidants (Preventox, Alltech, Inc., Nicholasville, KY) was evaluated for its antioxidant efficacy in raw and precooked pork patties subjected to storage at 2C up to 10 days. Both raw and precooked pork patties containing 313 and 625 ppm Preventox had a reduced peroxide formation and a lower thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance content during storage (P

Published
2008

5. EDGE: explorer of diffuse emission and gamma-ray burst explosionsProceedings of SPIE

Author

J. W. den Herder, L. Piro, T. Ohashi, L. Amati, J. Atteia, S. Barthelmy, M. Barbera, D. Barret, S. Basso, M. Boer, O. Boyarskiy, E. Branchini, G. Branduardi Raymont, M. Briggs, G. Brunetti, C. Budtz Jorgensenf, D. Burrows, S. Campana, E. Caroli, G. Chincarini, F. Christensen, M. Cocchi, A. Comastri, A. Corsi, V. Cotroneo, P. Conconi, L. Colasanti, G. Cusamano, A. de Rosa, M. Del Santo, S. Ettori, Y. Ezoe, L. Ferrari, M. Feroci, M. Finger, G. Fishman, R. Fujimoto, M. Galeazzi, A. Galli, F. Gatti, N. Gehrels, B. Gendre, G. Ghirlanda, G. Ghisellini, P. Giommi, L. Guzzo, F. Haardt, I. Hepburn, W. Hermsen, H. Hoevers, A. Holland, J. In't Zand, Y. Ishisaki, H. Kawahara, N. Kawai, J. Kaastra, M. Kippen, P. A. J. de Korte, C. Kouveliotou, A. Kusenko, C. Labanti, R. Lieu, C. Macculi, K. Makishima, G. Matt, P. Mazotta, D. McCammon, M. Mendez, T. Mineo, S. Mitchell, K. Mitsuda, S. Molendi, L. Moscardini, R. Mushotzky, L. Natalucci, F. Nicastro, P. O'Brien, J. Osborne, F. Paerels, M. Page, S. Paltani, G. Pareschi, E. Perinati, C. Perola, T. Ponman, A. Rasmussen, M. Roncarelli, P. Rosati, O. Ruchayskiy, E. Quadrini, I. Sakurai, R. Salvaterra, S. Sasaki, G. Sato, J. Schaye, J. Schmidtt, S. Scioritino, M. Shaposhnikov, K. Shinozaki, D. Spiga, Y. Suto, G. Tagliaferri, T. Takahashi, Y. Takei, Y. Tawara, P. Tozzi, H. Tsunemi, T. Tsuru, P. Ubertini, E. Ursino, M. Viel, J. Vink, N. White, R. Willingale, R. Wijers, K. Yoshikawa, N. Yamasaki, BORGANI, STEFANO, GIRARDI, MARISA, O'Dell, Stephen L., Pareschi, Giovanni, J. W., den Herder, L., Piro, T., Ohashi, L., Amati, J., Atteia, S., Barthelmy, M., Barbera, D., Barret, S., Basso, M., Boer, Borgani, Stefano, O., Boyarskiy, E., Branchini, G., Branduardi Raymont, M., Brigg, G., Brunetti, C., Budtz Jorgensenf, D., Burrow, S., Campana, E., Caroli, G., Chincarini, F., Christensen, M., Cocchi, A., Comastri, A., Corsi, V., Cotroneo, P., Conconi, L., Colasanti, G., Cusamano, A., de Rosa, M., Del Santo, S., Ettori, Y., Ezoe, L., Ferrari, M., Feroci, M., Finger, G., Fishman, R., Fujimoto, M., Galeazzi, A., Galli, F., Gatti, N., Gehrel, B., Gendre, G., Ghirlanda, G., Ghisellini, P., Giommi, Girardi, Marisa, L., Guzzo, F., Haardt, I., Hepburn, W., Hermsen, H., Hoever, A., Holland, J., In't Zand, Y., Ishisaki, H., Kawahara, N., Kawai, J., Kaastra, M., Kippen, P. A. J., de Korte, C., Kouveliotou, A., Kusenko, C., Labanti, R., Lieu, C., Macculi, K., Makishima, G., Matt, P., Mazotta, D., Mccammon, M., Mendez, T., Mineo, S., Mitchell, K., Mitsuda, S., Molendi, L., Moscardini, R., Mushotzky, L., Natalucci, F., Nicastro, P., O'Brien, J., Osborne, F., Paerel, M., Page, S., Paltani, G., Pareschi, E., Perinati, C., Perola, T., Ponman, A., Rasmussen, M., Roncarelli, P., Rosati, O., Ruchayskiy, E., Quadrini, I., Sakurai, R., Salvaterra, S., Sasaki, G., Sato, J., Schaye, J., Schmidtt, S., Scioritino, M., Shaposhnikov, K., Shinozaki, D., Spiga, Y., Suto, G., Tagliaferri, T., Takahashi, Y., Takei, Y., Tawara, P., Tozzi, H., Tsunemi, T., Tsuru, P., Ubertini, E., Ursino, M., Viel, J., Vink, N., White, R., Willingale, R., Wijer, K., Yoshikawa, and N., Yamasaki

Subjects
Clusters, Gamma-Ray Bursts, Warm-hot intergalactic edium, Clusters, Gamma-Ray Bursts, Missions, Warm-hot intergalactic edium, X-rays, X-rays, Missions
Abstract

How structures of various scales formed and evolved from the early Universe up to present time is a fundamental question of astrophysics. EDGE will trace the cosmic history of the baryons from the early generations of massive stars by Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) explosions, through the period of galaxy cluster formation, down to the very low redshift Universe, when between a third and one half of the baryons are expected to reside in cosmic filaments undergoing gravitational collapse by dark matter (the so-called warm hot intragalactic medium). In addition EDGE, with its unprecedented capabilities, will provide key results in many important fields. These scientific goals are feasible with a medium class mission using existing technology combined with innovative instrumental and observational capabilities by: (a) observing with fast reaction Gamma-Ray Bursts with a high spectral resolution (R ~ 500). This enables the study of their (star-forming) environment and the use of GRBs as back lights of large scale cosmological structures; (b) observing and surveying extended sources (galaxy clusters, WHIM) with high sensitivity using two wide field of view X-ray telescopes (one with a high angular resolution and the other with a high spectral resolution). The mission concept includes four main instruments: a Wide-field Spectrometer with excellent energy resolution (3 eV at 0.6 keV), a Wide- Field Imager with high angular resolution (HPD 15") constant over the full 1.4 degree field of view, and a Wide Field Monitor with a FOV of 1/4 of the sky, which will trigger the fast repointing to the GRB. Extension of its energy response up to 1 MeV will be achieved with a GRB detector with no imaging capability. This mission is proposed to ESA as part of the Cosmic Vision call. We will briefly review the science drivers and describe in more detail the payload of this mission.

Published
2007

6. A concept for a lightweight, low-power and sensitive silicon-based all sky monitor for transient sources and gamma ray bursts

Author

R. Campana, L. Pacciani, M. Feroci, E. Costa, E. Del Monte, I. Donnarumma, Y. Evangelista, F. Lazzarotto, M. Mastropietro, F. Muleri, A. Rubini, M. Rapisarda, L. Amati, F. Fuschino, C. Labanti, M. Marisaldi, M. Orlandini, F. Perotti, V. Bonvicini, A. Rashevsky, A. Vacchi, G. Zampa, N. Zampa, L. A. Antonelli, F. Fiore, G. L. Israel, F. Nicastro, A. Comastri, L. Angelini, and M. Cappi

Subjects
Physics, Astrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena, media_common.quotation_subject, Antenna aperture, Detector, Astrophysics::Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics, Steradian, Field of view, Astrophysics, Physics and Astronomy (all), Sky, Instrumentation:detectors, X-rays:general, Angular resolution, Transient (oscillation), Gamma-ray burst, media_common
Abstract

We present a concept for a coded‐mask All Sky Monitor based on Silicon Drift Detectors. The current design has a high level of readiness, minimizes the total weight ( 2 steradians and an on‐axis sensitivity of ∼3 mCrab (5σ, 50 ks). The intrinsic modularity of the detector allows to envisage experiments with different configurations, in terms of field of view, angular resolution or effective area. We show the expected scientific performances of such an experiment, with emphasis on the observations of X‐ray Galactic transients and gamma‐ray bursts.

Published
2010

7. The Prompt, High-Resolution Spectroscopic View of the 'Naked-Eye' GRB080319B

Author

V. D'Elia, F. Fiore, R. Perna, Y. Krongold, S. Covino, D. Fugazza, D. Lazzati, F. Nicastro, L. A. Antonelli, S. Campana, G. Chincarini, P. D'Avanzo, M. Della Valle, P. Goldoni, D. Guetta, C. Guidorzi, E. J. A. Meurs, F. Mirabel, E. Molinari, L. Norci, S. Piranomonte, L. Stella, G. Stratta, G. Tagliaferri, P. Ward, APC - Astrophysique des Hautes Energies (APC - AHE), AstroParticule et Cosmologie (APC (UMR_7164)), Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna [Bologna] (UNIBO), Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Observatoire de Paris, PSL Research University (PSL)-PSL Research University (PSL)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Observatoire de Paris, PSL Research University (PSL)-PSL Research University (PSL)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Dipartimento di Astronomia, Universita degli Studi di Bologna, Università di Bologna [Bologna] (UNIBO)-Università di Bologna [Bologna] (UNIBO), Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Dipartimento di Astronomia, Universita degli Studi di Bologna, and Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna [Bologna] (UNIBO)-Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna [Bologna] (UNIBO)

Subjects
gamma rays: bursts, [SDU.ASTR.CO]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph]/Cosmology and Extra-Galactic Astrophysics [astro-ph.CO], Ciencias Físicas, FOS: Physical sciences, Flux, Astrophysics, 01 natural sciences, [PHYS.ASTR.CO]Physics [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph]/Cosmology and Extra-Galactic Astrophysics [astro-ph.CO], purl.org/becyt/ford/1 [https], 0103 physical sciences, Optical depth (astrophysics), 010306 general physics, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, Physics, Astrophysics (astro-ph), bursts [gamma rays], Astronomy and Astrophysics, purl.org/becyt/ford/1.3 [https], Galaxy, Afterglow, Astronomía, Space and Planetary Science, Excited state, Magnitude (astronomy), Ground state, Gamma-ray burst, CIENCIAS NATURALES Y EXACTAS
Abstract

GRB080319B reached 5th optical magnitude during the burst prompt emission. Thanks to the VLT/UVES rapid response mode, we observed its afterglow just 8m:30s after the GRB onset when the magnitude was R ~ 12. This allowed us to obtain the best signal-to-noise, high resolution spectrum of a GRB afterglow ever (S/N per resolution element ~ 50). The spectrum is rich of absorption features belonging to the main system at z=0.937, divided in at least six components spanning a total velocity range of 100 km/s. The VLT/UVES observations caught the absorbing gas in a highly excited state, producing the strongest Fe II fine structure lines ever observed in a GRB. A few hours later the optical depth of these lines was reduced by a factor of 4-20, and the optical/UV flux by a factor of ~ 60. This proves that the excitation of the observed fine structure lines is due to "pumping" by the GRB UV photons. A comparison of the observed ratio between the number of photons absorbed by the excited state and those in the Fe II ground state suggests that the six absorbers are ~ 2-6 kpc from the GRB site, with component I ~ 3 times closer to the GRB site than components III to VI. Component I is characterized also by the lack of Mg I absorption, unlike all other components. This may be due both to a closer distance and a lower density, suggesting a structured ISM in this galaxy complex., Comment: 7 pages, 6 .ps figures, ApJL, submitted version #2. Substantial modification with respect to version #1

Published
2009

8. High Resolution Spectroscopy of Gamma-Ray Burst Afterglows

Author

V. D’Elia, F. Fiore, F. Nicastro, R. Perna, Y. Krongold, Giuliana Giobbi, Amedeo Tornambe, Gabriella Raimondo, Marco Limongi, L. A. Antonelli, Nicola Menci, and Enzo Brocato

Subjects
Interstellar medium, Physics, Signal-to-noise ratio, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Gamma-ray burst, Cosmology, Redshift, Galaxy, Noise (radio), Afterglow
Abstract

The launch of the Swift mission has opened up new windows in the study of the Gamma‐Ray Burst. The optical follow‐up of the early afterglow is one among the scientific fields that have been revolutionized. Thanks to the fast broadcast of the GRB coordinates and to the rapid response mode systems built up in 8‐meter class telescopes, these afterglows can be observed from hours down to a few minutes after the GRB explosion. The high signal‐to noise achievable allows us to acquire high resolution spectra, which carry a lot of information both on the GRB environment and the Inter‐Stellar Medium of high redshift galaxies. In this paper, I will give a short review of what we have learned through the high resolution spectroscopy of GRB afterglows; I will focus in particular on the case of GRB080319B, the first naked‐eye GRB observed to date, for which high resolution observations reach an unprecedented level of the signal to noise ratio.

Published
2009

9. A Light and Effective Wide Field Monitor for Gamma Ray Bursts and Transient Sources

Author

M. Feroci, L. Amati, L. A. Antonelli, V. Bonvicini, R. Campana, E. Costa, E. Del Monte, I. Donnarumma, Y. Evangelista, F. Fiore, F. Fuschino, G. L. Israel, C. Labanti, I. Lapshov, F. Lazzarotto, M. Marisaldi, M. Mastropietro, E. Morelli, F. Muleri, F. Nicastro, M. Orlandini, L. Pacciani, F. Perotti, M. Rapisarda, A. Rashevsky, A. Rubini, P. Soffitta, A. Vacchi, G. Zampa, N. Zampa, Charles Meegan, Chryssa Kouveliotou, and Neil Gehrels

Subjects
Physics, business.industry, Astrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena, media_common.quotation_subject, Detector, Astrophysics::Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics, Astronomy, X-ray detectors, Modular design, All sky monitoring, Gamma ray bursts, Physics and Astronomy (all), Optics, Sky, Scintillation counter, Angular resolution, Transient (oscillation), Gamma-ray burst, business, Event (particle physics), media_common
Abstract

We present here a concept for a light and low‐power wide field monitor working in the X‐ray range, suitable for simultaneous imaging of large portions of the sky and GRB localizations. Our concept evolves from and improves on the design of the 5‐kg SuperAGILE experiment, flying on the AGILE mission and currently delivering arcmin‐localizations of GRBs at a rate of about 1/month. Similar to SuperAGILE, our concept is based on position sensitive silicon detectors equipped with one‐dimensional coded masks. Different options are available for the detector, whose properties, combined with the scientific requirements, drive the design of the experiment. Our approach is based on a modular detector. The experiment design can then be tailored to specific scientific goals of the experiment or the mission (e.g., to cite GRBs only: the brightest GRBs/XRFs on a large field of view—FoV, or many low‐fluence GRBs/XRFs on a smaller FoV, or the low energy spectrum of the prompt event, or the detection of high‐z GRBs). In this paper we describe the concept, the main detector properties and outline some possible experiment configurations, with examples of their expected performance. Different experiment configurations in terms of area, FoV, angular resolution may be designed starting from the same detectors. Instead, the band‐pass is mostly related to the detector properties. A key point of our project is the high degree of readiness of the detectors that are at production level and may be immediately proposed for a future experiment onboard missions with high readiness requirements.

Published
2009

10. GRB080319B: a high resolution spectroscopic view

Author

V. D’Elia, F. Fiore, F. Nicastro, Y. Krongold, R. Perna, Yong-Feng Huang, Zi-Gao Dai, and Bing Zhang

Subjects
Physics, Interstellar medium, Photon, Excited state, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Gamma-ray burst, Ground state, Galaxy, Optical depth, Afterglow
Abstract

GRB080319B reached 5th optical mag during the burst. Thanks to the VLT/UVES rapid response mode, we observed its afterglow just 8m:30s after the GRB onset when R was ∼12. This allowed us to obtain the best signal‐to‐noise, high resolution spectrum of a GRB afterglow ever (S/N ∼50). The spectrum is rich of absorption features belonging to the main system at z = 0.937, divided in at least six components spanning a velocity range of 120 km/s. The observations caught the absorbing gas in a highly excited state, producing the strongest FeII fine structure lines ever observed in a GRB. A few hours later the optical depth of these lines was reduced by a factor of 4–20, and the optical/UV flux by a factor of ∼60. This proves that the excitation of the observed fine structure lines is due to “pumping” by the GRB UV photons. A comparison of the observed ratio between the number of photons absorbed by the excited and ground state of the FeII suggests that the six absorbers are ∼18–34 kpc from the GRB site, with component I ∼2 times closer to the GRB site than components III to VI. This suggests a structured ISM in this galaxy complex.

Published
2008

12. WEBT and XMM-Newton observations of 3C 454.3 during the post-outburst phase. Detection of the little and big blue bumps

Author

C. M. Raiteri, M. Villata, V. M. Larionov, T. Pursimo, M. A. Ibrahimov, K. Nilsson, M. F. Aller, O. M. Kurtanidze, L. Foschini, J. Ohlert, I. E. Papadakis, N. Sumitomo, A. Volvach, H. D. Aller, A. A. Arkharov, U. Bach, A. Berdyugin, M. Böttcher, C. S. Buemi, P. Calcidese, P. Charlot, A. J. Delgado Sánchez, A. Di Paola, A. A. Djupvik, M. Dolci, N. V. Efimova, J. H. Fan, E. Forné, C. A. Gomez, A. C. Gupta, V. A. Hagen-Thorn, L. Hooks, T. Hovatta, Y. Ishii, M. Kamada, T. Konstantinova, E. Kopatskaya, Yu. A. Kovalev, Y. Y. Kovalev, A. Lähteenmäki, L. Lanteri, J.-F. Le Campion, C.-U. Lee, P. Leto, H.-C. Lin, E. Lindfors, M. G. Mingaliev, S. Mizoguchi, F. Nicastro, M. G. Nikolashvili, S. Nishiyama, L. Östman, E. Ovcharov, P. Pääkkönen, M. Pasanen, E. Pian, T. Rector, J. A. Ros, K. Sadakane, J. H. Selj, E. Semkov, D. Sharapov, A. Somero, I. Stanev, A. Strigachev, L. Takalo, K. Tanaka, M. Tavani, I. Torniainen, M. Tornikoski, C. Trigilio, G. Umana, S. Vercellone, A. Valcheva, L. Volvach, M. Yamanaka, INAF - Osservatorio Astrofisico di Torino (OATo), Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF), Laboratoire d'astrodynamique, d'astrophysique et d'aéronomie de bordeaux (L3AB), Université Sciences et Technologies - Bordeaux 1-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux [Pessac] (LAB), Université de Bordeaux (UB)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), and Observatoire aquitain des sciences de l'univers (OASU)

Subjects
Brightness, Astrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena, galaxies: active, FOS: Physical sciences, Astrophysics, Astrophysics::Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics, 01 natural sciences, Spectral line, [PHYS.ASTR.CO]Physics [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph]/Cosmology and Extra-Galactic Astrophysics [astro-ph.CO], 0103 physical sciences, galaxies: quasars: individual: 3C 454.3, Astrophysics::Solar and Stellar Astrophysics, Blazar, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, Astrophysics::Galaxy Astrophysics, Line (formation), Physics, [SDU.ASTR]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph], 010308 nuclear & particles physics, Astrophysics (astro-ph), Astronomy and Astrophysics, Light curve, Wavelength, Amplitude, galaxies: quasars: general, Space and Planetary Science, Radio frequency
Abstract

The blazar 3C 454.3 underwent an unprecedented optical outburst in spring 2005. This was first followed by a mm and then by a cm radio outburst, which peaked in February 2006. We report on follow-up observations by the WEBT to study the multiwavelength emission in the post-outburst phase. XMM-Newton observations on July and December 2006 added information on the X-ray and UV fluxes. The source was in a faint state. The radio flux at the higher frequencies showed a fast decreasing trend, which represents the tail of the big radio outburst. It was followed by a quiescent state, common at all radio frequencies. In contrast, moderate activity characterized the NIR and optical light curves, with a progressive increase of the variability amplitude with increasing wavelength. We ascribe this redder-when-brighter behaviour to the presence of a "little blue bump" due to line emission from the broad line region, which is clearly visible in the source SED during faint states. Moreover, the data from the XMM-Newton OM reveal a rise of the SED in the UV, suggesting the existence of a "big blue bump" due to thermal emission from the accretion disc. The X-ray spectra are well fitted with a power-law model with photoelectric absorption, possibly larger than the Galactic one. However, the comparison with previous X-ray observations would imply that the amount of absorbing matter is variable. Alternatively, the intrinsic X-ray spectrum presents a curvature, which may depend on the X-ray brightness. In this case, two scenarios are possible., 9 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in A&A

Published
2007

13. The unprecedented optical outburst of the quasar 3C 454.3. The WEBT campaign of 2004-2005

Author

M. Villata, C. M. Raiteri, T. J. Balonek, M. F. Aller, S. G. Jorstad, O. M. Kurtanidze, F. Nicastro, K. Nilsson, H. D. Aller, A. Arai, A. Arkharov, U. Bach, E. Benítez, A. Berdyugin, C. S. Buemi, M. Böttcher, D. Carosati, R. Casas, A. Caulet, W. P. Chen, P.-S. Chiang, Y. Chou, S. Ciprini, J. M. Coloma, G. Di Rico, C. Díaz, N. V. Efimova, C. Forsyth, A. Frasca, L. Fuhrmann, B. Gadway, S. Gupta, V. A. Hagen-Thorn, J. Harvey, J. Heidt, H. Hernandez-Toledo, F. Hroch, C.-P. Hu, R. Hudec, M. A. Ibrahimov, A. Imada, M. Kamata, T. Kato, M. Katsuura, T. Konstantinova, E. Kopatskaya, D. Kotaka, Y. Y. Kovalev, Yu. A. Kovalev, T. P. Krichbaum, K. Kubota, M. Kurosaki, L. Lanteri, V. M. Larionov, L. Larionova, E. Laurikainen, C.-U. Lee, P. Leto, A. Lähteenmäki, O. López-Cruz, E. Marilli, A. P. Marscher, I. M. McHardy, S. Mondal, B. Mullan, N. Napoleone, M. G. Nikolashvili, J. M. Ohlert, S. Postnikov, T. Pursimo, M. Ragni, J. A. Ros, K. Sadakane, A. C. Sadun, T. Savolainen, E. A. Sergeeva, L. A. Sigua, A. Sillanpää, L. Sixtova, N. Sumitomo, L. O. Takalo, H. Teräsranta, M. Tornikoski, C. Trigilio, G. Umana, A. Volvach, B. Voss, S. Wortel, Aalto-yliopisto, and Aalto University

Subjects
Physics, Brightness, quasars: general [galaxies], Astrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena, education, Astrophysics (astro-ph), jets [galaxies], Radio flux, quasars: individual: 3C 454.3 [galaxies], FOS: Physical sciences, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Quasar, Astrophysics, Astrophysics::Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics, Light curve, Viewing angle, law.invention, Telescope, Space and Planetary Science, law, active [galaxies], Radio frequency, Blazar, Astrophysics::Galaxy Astrophysics
Abstract

The radio quasar 3C 454.3 underwent an exceptional optical outburst lasting more than 1 year and culminating in spring 2005. The maximum brightness detected was R = 12.0, which represents the most luminous quasar state thus far observed (M_B ~ -31.4). In order to follow the emission behaviour of the source in detail, a large multiwavelength campaign was organized by the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT). Continuous optical, near-IR and radio monitoring was performed in several bands. ToO pointings by the Chandra and INTEGRAL satellites provided additional information at high energies in May 2005. The historical radio and optical light curves show different behaviours. Until about 2001.0 only moderate variability was present in the optical regime, while prominent and long-lasting radio outbursts were visible at the various radio frequencies, with higher-frequency variations preceding the lower-frequency ones. After that date, the optical activity increased and the radio flux is less variable. This suggests that the optical and radio emissions come from two separate and misaligned jet regions, with the inner optical one acquiring a smaller viewing angle during the 2004-2005 outburst. Moreover, the colour-index behaviour (generally redder-when-brighter) during the outburst suggests the presence of a luminous accretion disc. A huge mm outburst followed the optical one, peaking in June-July 2005. The high-frequency (37-43 GHz) radio flux started to increase in early 2005 and reached a maximum at the end of our observing period (end of September 2005). VLBA observations at 43 GHz during the summer confirm the, 7 pages, 4 figures, to be published in A&A

Published
2006

17. Pathologic Fractures of the Humerus

Author

Gary G. Poehling, G D Rovere, Koman La, Adair Dm, A G Gristina, Lancaster Jm, and J F Nicastro

Subjects
Adult, Male, Humeral Fractures, medicine.medical_specialty, Pathologic fracture, medicine.medical_treatment, Bone Neoplasms, law.invention, Intramedullary rod, Immobilization, Fixation (surgical), Postoperative Complications, law, medicine, Humans, Internal fixation, Humerus, Aged, Retrospective Studies, Aged, 80 and over, business.industry, Shoulder Fracture, Retrospective cohort study, General Medicine, Middle Aged, medicine.disease, Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary, Surgery, Fractures, Spontaneous, medicine.anatomical_structure, Shoulder Fractures, Local irradiation, Female, business
Abstract

In a study of 57 actual or impending pathologic fractures of the humerus in 52 patients with inoperable cancer treated between 1972 and 1982, we retrospectively reviewed the charts for analysis and comparison of the functional result and pain relief afforded by the various treatments used. Function of the extremity and relief of pain were each graded as excellent, good, fair, or poor using a modification of Perez's rating system. Seven pathologic fractures were treated nonoperatively. These patients generally had only fair pain relief and a poor functional result. Forty-six pathologic fractures were treated with intramedullary fixation using a Rush rod (n = 16), a Küntscher rod (n = 29), or an Ender rod (n = 1); the Neer endoprosthesis was used in four patients. Thirty-one patients received radiation to the humerus. There were seven operative complications, the most common (n = 3) being prominence of an intramedullary rod at the insertion site which required a second minor procedure for advancement of the rod. From this series, we conclude that any patient who has a pathologic fracture or impending fracture of the humerus and a predicted survival of six weeks or more is likely to benefit from rigid internal fixation with an appropriately selected device, adjunctive use of methylmethacrylate, and postoperative local irradiation therapy as needed.

Published
1988

18. Medical Problems of a Professional Hockey Team: A Three-Season Experience

Author

Anthony G. Gristina, Joseph F. Nicastro, and George D. Rovere

Subjects
03 medical and health sciences, 0302 clinical medicine, History, medicine, Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, 030229 sport sciences, 030212 general & internal medicine, Medical emergency, League, medicine.disease, human activities
Abstract

Over a three-season period, a Southern Hockey League team sustained 233 injuries, ranging from spinal and skull fractures to lacerations and abrasions. The authors outline measures to help prevent these injuries.

Published
1978

19. Quality of Dry-Cured Hams Produced from Pre-Frozen Hams as Affected by Mechanical Tenderization and Vacuum Packaging

Author

J. D. Fox, Bruce E. Langlois, F. Nicastro, and James D. Kemp

Subjects
Curing (food preservation), Chemistry, virus diseases, food and beverages, Vacuum packing, Microbiology, chemistry.chemical_compound, immune system diseases, hemic and lymphatic diseases, mental disorders, Palatability, Food science, Nitrite, Sodium nitrite, Dry cured, Flavor, Food Science
Abstract

Fifty frozen hams were thawed for 3 d at 2-3°C, skinned and partially defatted. Half the hams were passed twice through a Ross Industries needle tenderizer and half were not tenderized. All hams were dry-cured for 16 d with a mixture of salt, sugar, sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite. Cores of 2.54-cm diameter were obtained from the cushion of 5 hams from each group weekly for 5 weeks. Outer, middle and inner portions of the cores were analyzed for salt and nitrite. After curing, all hams were held at 13°C for 14 or 15 d for salt equalization. The intact hams were smoked and aged at 24°C until a yield of 82% or less was achieved. Half the hams in each group were then placed in vacuum bags and half were left uncovered. All were aged 4 additional weeks at 24°C. Hams were cut and examined visually, by a palatability panel, by shearing and by analyzing a center slice for moisture, salt and nitrite. Tenderization allowed faster salt and nitrite absorption but resulted in slightly lower flavor and overall satisfaction scores. Tenderized hams achieved the required 18% weight loss (82%) approximately 10 d sonner than non-tenderized hams. Vacuum packaged hams had higher final yields and contained a higher level of moisture and lower level of salt than non-vacuum packaged hams. Shear values in semitendinosus muscles were greater for tenderized than for nontenderized hams while shear values in biceps femoris muscles were higher in non-vacuum packaged than in the vacuum packaged hams. Aerobic and yeast and mold counts were higher while lactobacillus counts were lower in non-tenderized than in tenderized hams. Aerobic and lactobacillus counts were higher in vacuum packaged than in non-vacuum packaged hams. In general, tenderization allowed faster curing and aging while final aging in vacuum bags allowed higher yields.

Published
1986

20. Anin vitro study of bacterial response to inert and reactive metals and to methyl methacrylate

Author

Joseph F. Nicastro, George D. Rovere, Hirumo Shoji, and Anthony G. Gristina

Subjects
Inert, Materials science, Bacteria, biology, Surface Properties, Metallurgy, Biomedical Engineering, Biocompatible Materials, Bacterial growth, biology.organism_classification, In vitro, Biomaterials, chemistry.chemical_compound, chemistry, Metals, In vivo, Biophysics, Methylmethacrylates, Reactivity (chemistry), Vitallium, Methyl methacrylate
Abstract

The clinical use of inert materials for internal fixation and joint replacement devices is increasing rapidly; studies on the effect of these materials on bacteria and host resistance to infection have not kept apace. Any substance placed within the body may interfere with host-parasite interaction, either by its physical presence or by physiochemical activity at its interface with the surrounding tissue. Either mechanism, by altering the normal host defense mechanism, may promote or retard bacterial growth. Bacterial growth may also be altered if a trace element essential to or inhibitory to the bacteria or an element that antagonizes or potentiates humoral antibacterial systems is leached from the substance. We have tested bacterial growth and inhibition in vitro in the presence of substances used as implant materials: surgical silver, iron, zinc-coated galvanized iron, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, Vitallium, and methyl methacrylate. Our results showed: 1) metals that have low grades of tissue reactivity and little bacteriotoxic effect provided a framework along which bacterial growth and propagation occurred; 2) metals that have higher levels of cellular reactivity, specifically aluminum and galvanized wire, caused selective bacterial toxicity. The in vitro response of bacteria to methyl methacrylate was similar to that of Vitallium and other inert substances, i.e., growth and propagation were abundant adjacent to methyl methacrylate. These studies led us to speculate that, if similar phenomena occur in vivo, bacterial growth and dissemination might be increased when an inert implant material was used and decreased when the implant material was more reactive.

Published
1976

22. A new skeletal dysplasia: clinical, radiologic, and pathologic findings

Author

Gerald E. Adomian, David L. Kelly, Thomas E. Sumner, David L. Rimoin, Ralph S. Lachman, Joseph F. Nicastro, Barbara K. Burton, R. Grey Weaver, and Leonard O. Langer

Subjects
Male, Pathology, medicine.medical_specialty, Bone Diseases, Developmental, Microstomia, business.industry, Infant, Genes, Recessive, Anatomy, Syndrome, medicine.disease, Bone and Bones, Ectopia Lentis, Radiography, Cartilage, Kniest dysplasia, Dysplasia, Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health, medicine, Humans, Female, Coronal clefts, Ectopia lentis, business
Abstract

Two siblings, one male and one female, were noted to have a distinct skeletal dysplasia. The clinical and radiographic features resemble those observed in Kniest dysplasia and Rolland-Desbuquois syndrome, but important differences were noted. Specifically, these two patients have microstomia, "pursed" lips, and ectopia lentis, and their radiographs reveal no coronal clefts. Chondro-osseous features also differ from those observed in either of the other disorders. Scattered dense patches consisting of collagen fibers 10 to 30 times broader than normal are seen scattered throughout the cartilage matrix; the "Swiss cheese" appearance characteristic of Kniest dysplasia is not observed. These patients appear to have a new skeletal dysplasia, most likely inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion.

Published
1986

23. Fracture-dislocation of the shoulder in a 32-month-old child

Author

Joseph F. Nicastro and Daniel M. Adair

Subjects
Child abuse, medicine.medical_specialty, Percutaneous, medicine.medical_treatment, Poison control, medicine, Humans, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Kirschner wire, Child Abuse, Reduction (orthopedic surgery), Shoulder Fracture, business.industry, Shoulder Dislocation, General Medicine, Surgery, Radiography, medicine.anatomical_structure, Epiphysis, Child, Preschool, Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health, Shoulder Fractures, Female, Range of motion, business, Radius Fractures
Abstract

A case of fracture-separation and dislocation of the proximal humeral epiphysis, a rare injury, is reported. The patient, a 32-month-old girl suspected of being an abused child, was reported to have fallen from her crib 2 days earlier. She had a painful, swollen, slightly ecchymotic left shoulder, which she held in the neutral position and refused to move. Radiographs showed a healing, nondisplaced radial fracture and fracture-separation of the proximal humeral epiphysis, which was dislocated into an anterior subglenoid location. Surgery under general anesthesia showed the humeral head to lie in a subglenoid position and the distal fragment of the separated epiphysis to have penetrated the posterior lateral capsule. The reduction was stabilized with a single, percutaneous, smooth Kirschner wire and shoulder immobilized in a Velpeau cast for 3 weeks. At 2 year follow-up, the patient has painless, full range of motion, the epiphysis is open, and the length of the humerous appears normal.

Published
1982

25. Two-stage resection and spinal stabilization for aneurysmal bone cyst. A report of two cases

Author

J F, Nicastro and K D, Leatherman

Subjects
Adult, Ilium, Radiography, Lumbar Vertebrae, Spinal Fusion, Bone Cysts, Humans, Female, Spinal Diseases, Kyphosis, Child, Orthopedic Fixation Devices
Abstract

Two cases of aneurysmal bone cyst of the dorsal lumbar spine are presented with four- and seven-year follow-up periods. The lesion in each case involved the vertebral bodies and posterior elements and extended to contiguous bony structures. Both anterior and posterior staged procedures were required for maximal excision, rendering the spine extremely unstable at the involved levels. Anterior strut grafting with autogenous iliac bone was done during the first stage after the vertebral bodies had been curetted. Three weeks later the remaining dorsal elements and associated tumor were removed through a posterior approach, and the spine was stabilized with the Harrington compression-distraction system and posterior autogenous iliac crest grafts. Both patients were neurologically normal after operation, and the spines in both were stable and solidly fused. Both have remained symptom-free and have had no evidence of recurrence.

Published
1983

27. The Changing-look Quasar Mrk 590 Is Awakening.

Author

S. Mathur, K. D. Denney, A. Gupta, M. Vestergaard, G. De Rosa, Yair Krongold, F. Nicastro, J. Collinson, M. Goad, K. Korista, R. W. Pogge, and B. M. Peterson

Subjects
QUASARS, ACTIVE galactic nuclei, SEYFERT galaxies, LUMINOSITY
Abstract

Mrk 590 was originally classified as a Seyfert 1 galaxy, but then it underwent dramatic changes: the nuclear luminosity dropped by over two orders of magnitude and the broad emission lines all but disappeared from the optical spectrum. Here we present follow-up observations to the original discovery and characterization of this “changing-look” active galactic nucleus (AGN). The new Chandra and Hubble Space Telescope observations from 2014 show that Mrk 590 is awakening, changing its appearance again. While the source continues to be in a low state, its soft excess has re-emerged, though not to the previous level. The UV continuum is brighter by more than a factor of two and the broad Mg ii emission line is present, indicating that the ionizing continuum is also brightening. These observations suggest that the soft excess is not due to reprocessed hard X-ray emission. Instead, it is connected to the UV continuum through warm Comptonization. Variability of the Fe Kα emission lines suggests that the reprocessing region is within ∼10 lt-yr or 3 pc of the central source. The change in AGN type is neither due to obscuration nor due to one-way evolution from Type 1 to Type 2, as suggested in the literature, but may be related to episodic accretion events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2018
Full Text
View/download PDF

29. TWO-STAGE RESECTION AND SPINAL STABILIZATION FOR ANEURYSMAL BONE CYST. A REPORT OF TWO CASES

Author

Kenton D. Leatherman and Joseph F. Nicastro

Subjects
musculoskeletal diseases, business.industry, General Medicine, Anatomy, Aneurysmal bone cyst, musculoskeletal system, medicine.disease, Iliac crest, Posterior approach, Resection, Lesion, medicine.anatomical_structure, Iliac bone, Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health, medicine, Surgery, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Lumbar spine, medicine.symptom, Stage (cooking), business
Abstract

Two cases of aneurysmal bone cyst of the dorsal lumbar spine are presented with four- and seven-year follow-up periods. The lesion in each case involved the vertebral bodies and posterior elements and extended to contiguous bony structures. Both anterior and posterior staged procedures were required for maximal excision, rendering the spine extremely unstable at the involved levels. Anterior strut grafting with autogenous iliac bone was done during the first stage after the vertebral bodies had been curetted. Three weeks later the remaining dorsal elements and associated tumor were removed through a posterior approach, and the spine was stabilized with the Harrington compression-distraction system and posterior autogenous iliac crest grafts. Both patients were neurologically normal after operation, and the spines in both were stable and solidly fused. Both have remained symptom-free and have had no evidence of recurrence.

Published
1984

30. HOCKEY INJURIES-THREEE SEASONS EXPERIENCE

Author

J F Nicastro, George D. Rovere, and A. G. Gristina

Subjects
History, Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Published
1976

32. ORIGIN: metal creation and evolution from the cosmic dawn

Author

den, Herder Jan-Willem, Piro, Luigi, Kouveliotou, Chryssa, Hartmann, Dieter H., Kaastra, Jelle S., Amati, L., Andersen, M. I., Arnaud, M., Atteia, J.-L., Bandler, S., Barbera, M., Barcons, X., Barthelmy, S., Basa, S., Basso, S., Boer, M., Branchini, E., Branduardi-Raymont, G., Borgani, S., Boyarsky, A., Brunetti, G., Budtz-Jorgensen, C., Burrows, D., Butler, N., Campana, S., Caroli, E., Ceballos, M., Christensen, F., Churazov, E., Comastri, A., Colasanti, L., Cole, R., Content, R., Corsi, A., Costantini, E., Conconi, P., Cusumano, G., de, Plaa J., De, Rosa A., Del, Santo M., Di, Cosimo S., De, Pasquale M., Doriese, R., Ettori, S., Evans, P., Ferrari, L., Finger, H., Figueroa-Feliciano, T., Friedrich, P., Furuzawa, A., Fynbo, J., Gatti, F., Galeazzi, M., Gehrels, N., Gendre, B., Ghirlanda, G., Ghisellini, G., Gilfanov, M., Giommi, P., Girardi, M., Grindlay, J., Cocchi, M., Godet, O., Guedel, M., Haardt, F., den, Hartog R., Hepburn, I., Hermsen, W., Hjorth, J., Hoekstra, H., Holland, A., Hornstrup, A., van, der Horst A., int, Zand J., Irwin, K., Jonker, P., Kitayama, T., Kawahara, H., Kawai, N., Kelley, R., Kilbourne, C., de, Korte P., Kusenko, A., Kuvvetli, I., Labanti, M., Macculi, C., Maiolino, R., Mas, Hesse M., Matsushita, K., Mazzotta, P., McCammon, D., Mendez, M., Mignani, R., Mineo, T., Mushotzky, R., Molendi, S., Moscardini, L., Natalucci, L., Nicastro, F., O'Brien, P., Osborne, J., Paerels, F., Page, M., Paltani, S., Pedersen, K., Perinati, E., Ponman, T., Pointecouteau, E., Predehl, P., Porter, S., Rasmussen, A., Rauw, G., Rottgering, H., Roncarelli, M., Rosati, P., Quadrini, E., Ruchayskiy, O., Salvaterra, R., Sasaki, S., Sato, K., Savaglio, S., Schaye, J., Sciortino, S., Shaposhnikov, M., Sharples, R., Shinozaki, K., Spiga, D., Sunyaev, R., Suto, Y., Tanvir, N., Troja, E., Ubertini, P., Ullom, J., Ursino, E., Verbunt, F., van, de Voort F., Viel, M., Wachter, S., Watson, D., Weisskopf, M., Werner, N., White, N., Willingale, R., Wijers, R., Yoshikawa, K., Zane, S., Ohashi, Takaya, Ezoe, Y., Fujimoto, R., Hoshino, A., Ishisaki, Y., Mitsuda, Kazuhisa, Takei, Yoh, Tashiro, Makoto, Tamura, Takayuki, Tawara, Yuzuru, Tsujimoto, Masahiro, Tsuru, Takeshi, Yamasaki, Noriko, den Herder, JW, Piro, L, Ohashi, T, Kouveliotou, C, Hartmann, DH, Kaastra, JS, Amati, L, Andersen, MI, Arnaud, M, Attèia, JL, Bandler, S, Barbera, M, Barcons, X, Barthelmy, S, Basa, S, Basso, S, Boer, M, Branchini, E, Branduardi-Raymont, G, Borgani, S, Boyarsky, A, Brunetti, G, Budtz-Jorgensen, C, Burrows, D, Butler, N, Campana, S, Caroli, E, Ceballos, M, Christensen, F, Churazov, E, Comastri, A, Colasanti, L, Cole, R, Content, R, Corsi, A, Costantini, E, Conconi, P, Cusumano, G, de Plaa, J, De Rosa, A, Del Santo, M, Di Cosimo, S, De Pasquale, M, Doriese, R, Ettori, S, Evans, P, Ezoe, Y, Ferrari, L, Finger, H, Figueroa-Feliciano, T, Friedrich, P, Fujimoto, R, Furuzawa, A, Fynbo, J, Gatti, F, Galeazzi, M, Gehrels, N, Gendre, B, Ghirlanda, G, Ghisellini, G, Gilfanov, M, Giommi, P, Girardi, M, Grindlay, J, Cocchi, M, Godet, O, Guedel, M, Haardt, F, den Hartog, R, Hepburn, I, Hermsen, W, Hjorth, J, Hoekstra, H, Holland, A, Hornstrup, A, van der Horst, A, Hoshino, A, in't Zand, J, Irwin, K, Ishisaki, Y, Jonker, P, Kitayama, T, Kawahara, H, Kawai, N, Kelley, R, Kilbourne, C, de Korte, P, Kusenko, A, Kuvvetli, I, Labanti, M, Macculi, C, Maiolino, R, Hesse, MM, Matsushita, K, Mazzotta, P, McCammon, D, Mèndez, M, Mignani, R, Mineo, T, Mitsuda, K, Mushotzky, R, Molendi, S, Moscardini, L, Natalucci, L, Nicastro, F, O'Brien, P, Osborne, J, Paerels, F, Page, M, Paltani, S, Pedersen, K, Perinati, E, Ponman, T, Pointecouteau, E, Predehl, P, Porter, S, Rasmussen, A, Rauw, G, Rottgering, H, Roncarelli, M, Rosati, P, Quadrini, E, Ruchayskiy, O, Salvaterra, R, Sasaki, S, Sato, K, Savaglio, S, Schaye, J, Sciortino, S, Shaposhnikov, M, Sharples, R, Shinozaki, K, Spiga, D, Sunyaev, R, Suto, Y, Takei, Y, Tanvir, N, Tashiro, M, Tamura, T, Tawara, Y, Troja, E, Tsujimoto, M, Tsuru, T, Ubertini, P, Ullom, J, Ursino, E, Verbunt, F, van de Voort, F, Viel, M, Wachter, S, Watson, D, Weisskopf, M, Werner, N, White, N, Willingale, R, Wijers, R, Yamasaki, N, Yoshikawa, K, Zane, S, Airbus, High Energy Astrophys. & Astropart. Phys (API, FNWI), Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Physics, Figueroa-Feliciano, Enectali, Astronomy, J. W., den Herder, L., Piro, T., Ohashi, C., Kouveliotou, D. H., Hartmann, J. S., Kaastra, L., Amati, M. I., Andersen, M., Arnaud, J. L., Attéia, S., Bandler, M., Barbera, X., Barcon, S., Barthelmy, S., Basa, S., Basso, M., Boer, E., Branchini, G., Branduardi Raymont, Borgani, Stefano, A., Boyarsky, G., Brunetti, C., Budtz Jorgensen, D., Burrow, N., Butler, S., Campana, E., Caroli, M., Ceballo, F., Christensen, E., Churazov, A., Comastri, L., Colasanti, R., Cole, R., Content, A., Corsi, E., Costantini, P., Conconi, G., Cusumano, J., de Plaa, A., De Rosa, M., Del Santo, S., Di Cosimo, M., De Pasquale, R., Doriese, S., Ettori, P., Evan, Y., Ezoe, L., Ferrari, H., Finger, T., Figueroa Feliciano, P., Friedrich, R., Fujimoto, A., Furuzawa, J., Fynbo, F., Gatti, M., Galeazzi, N., Gehrel, B., Gendre, G., Ghirlanda, G., Ghisellini, M., Gilfanov, P., Giommi, Girardi, Marisa, J., Grindlay, M., Cocchi, O., Godet, M., Guedel, F., Haardt, R., den Hartog, I., Hepburn, W., Hermsen, J., Hjorth, H., Hoekstra, A., Holland, A., Hornstrup, A., van der Horst, A., Hoshino, J. in t., Zand, K., Irwin, Y., Ishisaki, P., Jonker, T., Kitayama, H., Kawahara, N., Kawai, R., Kelley, C., Kilbourne, P., de Korte, A., Kusenko, I., Kuvvetli, M., Labanti, C., Macculi, R., Maiolino, M., Mas Hesse, K., Matsushita, P., Mazzotta, D., Mccammon, M., Méndez, R., Mignani, T., Mineo, K., Mitsuda, R., Mushotzky, S., Molendi, L., Moscardini, L., Natalucci, F., Nicastro, P. O., Brien, J., Osborne, F., Paerel, M., Page, S., Paltani, K., Pedersen, E., Perinati, T., Ponman, E., Pointecouteau, P., Predehl, S., Porter, A., Rasmussen, G., Rauw, H., Röttgering, M., Roncarelli, P., Rosati, E., Quadrini, O., Ruchayskiy, R., Salvaterra, S., Sasaki, K., Sato, S., Savaglio, J., Schaye, S., Sciortino, M., Shaposhnikov, R., Sharple, K., Shinozaki, D., Spiga, R., Sunyaev, Y., Suto, Y., Takei, N., Tanvir, M., Tashiro, T., Tamura, Y., Tawara, E., Troja, M., Tsujimoto, T., Tsuru, P., Ubertini, J., Ullom, E., Ursino, F., Verbunt, F., van de Voort, M., Viel, S., Wachter, D., Watson, M., Weisskopf, N., Werner, N., White, R., Willingale, R., Wijer, N., Yamasaki, K., Yoshikawa, S., Zane, Jan-Willem Herder, Luigi Piro, Takaya Ohashi, Chryssa Kouveliotou, Dieter H. Hartmann, Jelle S. Kaastra, L. Amati, M. I. Andersen, M. Arnaud, J. -L. Attéia, S. Bandler, M. Barbera, X. Barcon, S. Barthelmy, S. Basa, S. Basso, M. Boer, E. Branchini, G. Branduardi-Raymont, S. Borgani, A. Boyarsky, G. Brunetti, C. Budtz-Jorgensen, D. Burrow, N. Butler, S. Campana, E. Caroli, M. Ceballo, F. Christensen, E. Churazov, A. Comastri, L. Colasanti, R. Cole, R. Content, A. Corsi, E. Costantini, P. Conconi, G. Cusumano, J. Plaa, A. Rosa, M. Santo, S. Cosimo, M. Pasquale, R. Doriese, S. Ettori, P. Evan, Y. Ezoe, L. Ferrari, H. Finger, T. Figueroa-Feliciano, P. Friedrich, R. Fujimoto, A. Furuzawa, J. Fynbo, F. Gatti, M. Galeazzi, N. Gehrel, B. Gendre, G. Ghirlanda, G. Ghisellini, M. Gilfanov, P. Giommi, M. Girardi, J. Grindlay, M. Cocchi, O. Godet, M. Guedel, F. Haardt, R. Hartog, I. Hepburn, W. Hermsen, J. Hjorth, H. Hoekstra, A. Holland, A. Hornstrup, A. Horst, A. Hoshino, J. Zand, K. Irwin, Y. Ishisaki, P. Jonker, T. Kitayama, H. Kawahara, N. Kawai, R. Kelley, C. Kilbourne, P. Korte, A. Kusenko, I. Kuvvetli, M. Labanti, C. Macculi, R. Maiolino, M. Mas Hesse, K. Matsushita, P. Mazzotta, D. McCammon, M. Méndez, R. Mignani, T. Mineo, K. Mitsuda, R. Mushotzky, S. Molendi, L. Moscardini, L. Natalucci, F. Nicastro, P. O’Brien, J. Osborne, F. Paerel, M. Page, S. Paltani, K. Pedersen, E. Perinati, T. Ponman, E. Pointecouteau, P. Predehl, S. Porter, A. Rasmussen, G. Rauw, H. Röttgering, M. Roncarelli, P. Rosati, E. Quadrini, O. Ruchayskiy, R. Salvaterra, S. Sasaki, K. Sato, S. Savaglio, J. Schaye, S. Sciortino, M. Shaposhnikov, R. Sharple, K. Shinozaki, D. Spiga, R. Sunyaev, Y. Suto, Y. Takei, N. Tanvir, M. Tashiro, T. Tamura, Y. Tawara, E. Troja, M. Tsujimoto, T. Tsuru, P. Ubertini, J. Ullom, E. Ursino, F. Verbunt, F. Voort, M. Viel, S. Wachter, D. Watson, M. Weisskopf, N. Werner, N. White, R. Willingale, R. Wijer, N. Yamasaki, K. Yoshikawa, S. Zane, den Herder Jan, Willem, Piro, Luigi, Ohashi, Takaya, Kouveliotou, Chryssa, Hartmann Dieter, H., Kaastra Jelle, S., Amati, L., Andersen, M. I., Arnaud, M., Atteia, J. L., Bandler, S., Barbera, M., Barcons, X., Barthelmy, S., Basa, S., Basso, S., Boer, M., Branchini, ENZO FRANCO, Branduardi Raymont, G., Borgani, S., Boyarsky, A., Brunetti, G., Budtz Jorgensen, C., Burrows, D., Butler, N., Campana, S., Caroli, E., Ceballos, M., Christensen, F., Churazov, E., Comastri, A., Colasanti, L., Cole, R., Content, R., Corsi, A., Costantini, E., Conconi, P., Cusumano, G., de Plaa, J., De Rosa, A., Del Santo, M., Di Cosimo, S., De Pasquale, M., Doriese, R., Ettori, S., Evans, P., Ezoe, Y., Ferrari, L., Finger, H., Figueroa Feliciano, T., Friedrich, P., Fujimoto, R., Furuzawa, A., Fynbo, J., Gatti, F., Galeazzi, M., Gehrels, N., Gendre, B., Ghirlanda, G., Ghisellini, G., Gilfanov, M., Giommi, P., Girardi, M., Grindlay, J., Cocchi, M., Godet, O., Guedel, M., Haardt, F., den Hartog, R., Hepburn, I., Hermsen, W., Hjorth, J., Hoekstra, H., Holland, A., Hornstrup, A., van der Horst, A., Hoshino, A., in't Zand, J., Irwin, K., Ishisaki, Y., Jonker, P., Kitayama, T., Kawahara, H., Kawai, N., Kelley, R., Kilbourne, C., de Korte, P., Kusenko, A., Kuvvetli, I., Labanti, M., Macculi, C., Maiolino, R., Mas Hesse, M., Matsushita, K., Mazzotta, P., Mccammon, D., Mendez, M., Mignani, R., Mineo, T., Mitsuda, K., Mushotzky, R., Molendi, S., Moscardini, L., Natalucci, L., Nicastro, F., O'Brien, P., Osborne, J., Paerels, F., Page, M., Paltani, S., Pedersen, K., Perinati, E., Ponman, T., Pointecouteau, E., Predehl, P., Porter, S., Rasmussen, A., Rauw, G., Rottgering, H., Roncarelli, M., Rosati, P., Quadrini, E., Ruchayskiy, O., Salvaterra, R., Sasaki, S., Sato, K., Savaglio, S., Schaye, J., Sciortino, S., Shaposhnikov, M., Sharples, R., Shinozaki, K., Spiga, D., Sunyaev, R., Suto, Y., Takei, Y., Tanvir, N., Tashiro, M., Tamura, T., Tawara, Y., Troja, E., Tsujimoto, M., Tsuru, T., Ubertini, P., Ullom, J., Ursino, E., Verbunt, F., van de Voort, F., Viel, M., Wachter, S., Watson, D., Weisskopf, M., Werner, N., White, N., Willingale, R., Wijers, R., Yamasaki, N., Yoshikawa, K., and Zane, S.

Subjects
HOT INTERGALACTIC MEDIUM, UNIVERSE, Chemical evolution, Mission, 7. Clean energy, 01 natural sciences, Spectral line, Settore FIS/05 - Astronomia E Astrofisica, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, media_common, Physics, High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena (astro-ph.HE), NUCLEOSYNTHESIS, COSMIC cancer database, Clusters of galaxies, Satellite Mission, Epoch (reference date), Astrophysics::Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics, FOREST, GALAXIES, Gamma-ray bursts, Astrophysics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics, Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena, X-ray, Mission, Gamma-ray bursts, Clusters of galaxies, Warm-hot intergalactic medium, Chemical evolution, Warm-hot intergalactic medium, Astrophysics - Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics, Astrophysics and Astronomy, Structure formation, Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics (astro-ph.CO), Clusters of galaxie, media_common.quotation_subject, Astrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena, REDSHIFT, FOS: Physical sciences, Astrophysics::Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics, X-ray Mission, Gamma-ray bursts, Clusters of galaxies, Warm-hot intergalactic medium, Chemical evolution, ABSORPTION-SPECTRA, 010309 optics, X-ray, YIELDS, 0103 physical sciences, Gamma-ray burst, Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics (astro-ph.IM), Astronomy, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Redshift, Galaxy, Universe, 13. Climate action, Space and Planetary Science, CLUSTERS
Abstract

Herder, Jan-Willem den et al., ORIGIN is a proposal for the M3 mission call of ESA aimed at the study of metal creation from the epoch of cosmic dawn. Using high-spectral resolution in the soft X-ray band, ORIGIN will be able to identify the physical conditions of all abundant elements between C and Ni to red-shifts of z = 10, and beyond. The mission will answer questions such as: When were the first metals created? How does the cosmic metal content evolve? Where do most of the metals reside in the Universe? What is the role of metals in structure formation and evolution? To reach out to the early Universe ORIGIN will use Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) to study their local environments in their host galaxies. This requires the capability to slew the satellite in less than a minute to the GRB location. By studying the chemical composition and properties of clusters of galaxies we can extend the range of exploration to lower redshifts (z-0.2). For this task we need a high-resolution spectral imaging instrument with a large field of view. Using the same instrument, we can also study the so far only partially detected baryons in the Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium (WHIM). The less dense part of the WHIM will be studied using absorption lines at low redshift in the spectra for GRBs. The ORIGIN mission includes a Transient Event Detector (coded mask with a sensitivity of 0.4 photon/cm2/s in 10 s in the 5–150 keV band) to identify and localize 2000 GRBs over a five year mission, of which -65 GRBs have a redshift > 7. The Cryogenic Imaging Spectrometer, with a spectral resolution of 2.5 eV, a field of view of 30 arcmin and large effective area below 1 keV has the sensitivity to study clusters up to a significant fraction of the virial radius and to map the denser parts of the WHIM (factor 30 higher than achievable with current instruments). The payload is complemented by a Burst InfraRed Telescope to enable onboard red-shift determination of GRBs (hence securing proper follow up of high-z bursts) and also probes the mildly ionized state of the gas. Fast repointing is achieved by a dedicated ControlledMomentum Gyro and a low background is achieved by the selected low Earth orbit., The team likes to express its appreciation for the support of Astrium UK for the present study.

Published
2011

33. EDGE: explorer of diffuse emission and gamma-ray burst explosions

Author

Piro, L., den Herder, J. W. , Ohashi, T. , Amati, L. , Atteia, J. L. , Barthelmy, S. , Barbera, M. , Barret, D. , Basso, S. , Boer, M. , Borgani, S. , Boyarskiy, Branduardi Raymont, G. , Briggs, M. , Brunetti, Budtz Jorgensen, C. , Burrows, D. , Campana, S. , Caroli, E. , Chincarini, G. , Christensen, F. , Cocchi, M. , Comastri, A. , Corsi, A. , Cotroneo, V. , Conconi, P. , Colasanti, L. , Cusumano, de Rosa, Del Santo, M. , Ettori, S. , Ezoe, Y. , Ferrari, L. , Feroci, M. , Finger, M. , Fishman, G. , Fujimoto, R. , Galeazzi, M. , Galli, A. , Gatti, F. , Gehrels, N. , Gendre, B. , Ghirlanda, G. , Ghisellini, G. , Giommi, P. , Girardi, M. , Guzzo, L. , Haardt, F. , Hepburn, I. , Hermsen, W. , Hoevers, H. , Holland, in't Zand, J. , Ishisaki, Y. , Kawahara, H. , Kawai, N. , Kaastra, J. , Kippen, de Korte, P. A. J. , Kouveliotou, C. , Kusenko, A. , Labanti, C. , Lieu, R. , Macculi, C. , Makishima, K. , Matt, G. , Mazzotta, P. , McCammon, D. , Méndez, M. , Mineo, T. , Mitchell, S. , Mitsuda, K. , Molendi, S. , Moscardini, L. , Mushotzky, R. , Natalucci, L. , Nicastro, F. , O'Brien, P. , Osborne, J. , Paerels, F. , Page, M. , Paltani, S. , Pareschi, G. , Perinati, E. , Perola, C. , Ponman, T. , Rasmussen, A. , Roncarelli, M. , Rosati, P. , Ruchayskiy, O. , Quadrini, E. , Sakurai, I. , Salvaterra, R. , Sasaki, S. , Sato, G. , Schaye, J. , Schmitt, J. , Sciortino, S. , Shaposhnikov, M. , Shinozaki, K. , Spiga, D. , Suto, Y. , Tagliaferri, G. , Takahashi, T. , Takei, Y. , Tawara, Y. , Tozzi, P. , Tsunemi, H. , Tsuru, T. , Ubertini, P. , Ursino, E. , Viel, M. , Vink, J. , White, N. , Willingale, R. , Wijers, R. , Yoshikawa, K. , Yamasaki, BRANCHINI, ENZO FRANCO, Piro, L, den Herder, J W, Ohashi, T, Amati, L, Atteia, J L, Barthelmy, S, Barbera, M, Barret, D, Basso, S, Boer, M, Borgani, S, Boyarskiy, O, Branchini, E, Branduardi-Raymont, G, Briggs, M, Brunetti, G, Budtz-Jorgensen, C, Burrows, D, Campana, S, Caroli, E, Chincarini, G, Christensen, F, Cocchi, M, Comastri, A, Corsi, A, Cotroneo, V, Conconi, P, Colasanti, L, Cusumano, G, de Rosa, A, Del Santo, M, Ettori, S, Ezoe, Y, Ferrari, L, Feroci, M, Finger, M, Fishman, G, Fujimoto, R, Galeazzi, M, Galli, A, Gatti, F, Gehrels, N, Gendre, B, Ghirlanda, G, Ghisellini, G, Giommi, P, Girardi, M, Guzzo, L, Haardt, F, Hepburn, I, Hermsen, W, Hoevers, H, Holland, A, in't Zand, J, Ishisaki, Y, Kawahara, H, Kawai, N, Kaastra, J, Kippen, M, de Korte, P A J, Kouveliotou, C, Kusenko, A, Labanti, C, Lieu, R, Macculi, C, Makishima, K, Matt, G, Mazzotta, P, McCammon, D, Méndez, M, Mineo, T, Mitchell, S, Mitsuda, K, Molendi, S, Moscardini, L, Mushotzky, R, Natalucci, L, Nicastro, F, O'Brien, P, Osborne, J, Paerels, F, Page, M, Paltani, S, Pareschi, G, Perinati, E, Perola, C, Ponman, T, Rasmussen, A, Roncarelli, M, Rosati, P, Ruchayskiy, O, Quadrini, E, Sakurai, I, Salvaterra, R, Sasaki, S, Sato, G, Schaye, J, Schmitt, J, Sciortino, S, Shaposhnikov, M, Shinozaki, K, Spiga, D, Suto, Y, Tagliaferri, G, Takahashi, T, Takei, Y, Tawara, Y, Tozzi, P, Tsunemi, H, Tsuru, T, Ubertini, P, Ursino, E, Viel, M, Vink, J, White, N, Willingale, R, Wijers, R, Yoshikawa, K, Yamasaki, N, JW DEN HERDER, L PIRO, T OHASHI, L AMATI, J ATTEIA, S BARTHELMY, BARBERA M, D BARRET, S BASSO, M BOER, S BORGANI, O BOYARSKIY BRANCHINI, BRANDUARDI-RAYMONT, M BRIGGS, G BRUNETTI, C BUDTZ-JORGENSEN, D BURROWS, S CAMPANA, E CAROLI, F CHRISTENSEN, M COCCHI, A COMASTRI, A CORSI, V COTRONEO, P CONCONI, L COLASANTI, G CUSUMANO, A DE ROSA, M DEL SANTO, S ETTORI, Y EZOE, L FERRARI, M FEROCI, M FINGER, G FISHMAN, R FUJIMOTO, M GALEAZZI, A GALLI, F GATTI, N GEHRELS, B GENDRE, G GHIRLANDA, G GHISELLINI, P GIOMMI, M GIRARDI, L GUZZO, F HAARDT, I HEPBURN, W HERMSEN, H HOEVERS, A HOLLAND, J INT ZAND, Y ISHISAKI, H KAWAHARA, N KAWAI, J KAASTRA, M KIPPEN, PAJ DE KORTE, C KOUVELIOTOU, A KUSENKO, C LABANTI, R LIEU, C MACCULI, K MAKISHIMA, G MATT, P MAZOTTA, D MCCAMMON, M MNDEZ, T MINEO, S MITCHELL, K MITSUDA, S MOLENDI, L MOSCARDINI, R MUSHOTZKY, L NATALUCCI, F NICASTRO, P OBRIEN, J OSBORNE, F PAERELS, M PAGE, S PALTANI, G PARESCHI, E PERINATI, C PEROLA, T PONMAN, A RASMUSSEN, M RONCARELLI, P ROSATI, O RUCHAYSKIY, E QUADRINI, I SAKURAI, R SALVATERRA, S SASAKI, G SATO, J SCHAYE, J SCHMIDTT, S SCIORITINO, M SHAPOOSHNIKOV, K SHINOZAKI, D SPIGA, Y SUTO, G TAGLIAFERRI, T TAKAHASHI, Y TAKEI, Y TAWARA, P TOZZI, H TSUNEMI, T TSURU, P UBERTINI, E URSINO, M VIEL, J VINK, N WHITE, R WILLINGALE, R WIJERS, K YOSHIKAWA, N YAMASAKI, Laboratoire Astrophysique de Toulouse-Tarbes (LATT), Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre d'étude spatiale des rayonnements (CESR), INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera (OAB), Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF), Observatoire de Haute-Provence (OHP), Institut Pythéas (OSU PYTHEAS), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Aix Marseille Université (AMU)-Institut national de recherche en sciences et technologies pour l'environnement et l'agriculture (IRSTEA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Aix Marseille Université (AMU)-Institut national de recherche en sciences et technologies pour l'environnement et l'agriculture (IRSTEA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL), University College of London [London] (UCL), INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Palermo (OAPa), Istituto di Astrofisica Spaziale e Fisica cosmica - Roma (IASF-Roma), L. Piro, J. W. den Herder, T. Ohashi, L. Amati, J. L. Atteia, S. Barthelmy, M. Barbera, D. Barret, S. Basso, M. Boer, S. Borgani, O. Boyarskiy, E. Branchini, G. Branduardi-Raymont, M. Brigg, G. Brunetti, C. Budtz-Jorgensen, D. Burrow, S. Campana, E. Caroli, G. Chincarini, F. Christensen, M. Cocchi, A. Comastri, A. Corsi, V. Cotroneo, P. Conconi, L. Colasanti, G. Cusumano, A. Rosa, M. Del Santo, S. Ettori, Y. Ezoe, L. Ferrari, M. Feroci, M. Finger, G. Fishman, R. Fujimoto, M. Galeazzi, A. Galli, F. Gatti, N. Gehrel, B. Gendre, G. Ghirlanda, G. Ghisellini, P. Giommi, M. Girardi, L. Guzzo, F. Haardt, I. Hepburn, W. Hermsen, H. Hoever, A. Holland, J. in’t Zand, Y. Ishisaki, H. Kawahara, N. Kawai, J. Kaastra, M. Kippen, P. A. J. Korte, C. Kouveliotou, A. Kusenko, C. Labanti, R. Lieu, C. Macculi, K. Makishima, G. Matt, P. Mazzotta, D. McCammon, M. Méndez, T. Mineo, S. Mitchell, K. Mitsuda, S. Molendi, L. Moscardini, R. Mushotzky, L. Natalucci, F. Nicastro, P. O’Brien, J. Osborne, F. Paerel, M. Page, S. Paltani, G. Pareschi, E. Perinati, C. Perola, T. Ponman, A. Rasmussen, M. Roncarelli, P. Rosati, O. Ruchayskiy, E. Quadrini, I. Sakurai, R. Salvaterra, S. Sasaki, G. Sato, J. Schaye, J. Schmitt, S. Sciortino, M. Shaposhnikov, K. Shinozaki, D. Spiga, Y. Suto, G. Tagliaferri, T. Takahashi, Y. Takei, Y. Tawara, P. Tozzi, H. Tsunemi, T. Tsuru, P. Ubertini, E. Ursino, M. Viel, J. Vink, N. White, R. Willingale, R. Wijer, K. Yoshikawa, N. Yamasaki, High Energy Astrophys. & Astropart. Phys (API, FNWI), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera, Aix Marseille Université (AMU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national de recherche en sciences et technologies pour l'environnement et l'agriculture (IRSTEA)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Aix Marseille Université (AMU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national de recherche en sciences et technologies pour l'environnement et l'agriculture (IRSTEA)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Astronomy, Stephen L. O'Dell, Giovanni Pareschi, den Herder, J. W., Piro, L., Ohashi, T., Amati, L., Atteia, J., Barthelmy, S., Barbera, M., Barret, D., Basso, S., Boer, M., Borgani, S., Boyarskiy, O., Branchini, E., Branduardi-Raymont, G., Briggs, M., Brunetti, G., Budtz-Jorgensenf, C., Burrows, D., Campana, S., Caroli, E., Chincarini, G., Christensen, F., Cocchi, M., Comastri, A., Corsi, A., Cotroneo, V., Conconi, P., Colasanti, L., Cusamano, G., de Rosa, A., Del Santo, M., Ettori, S., Ezoe, Y., Ferrari, L., Feroci, M., Finger, M., Fishman, G., Fujimoto, R., Galeazzi, M., Galli, A., Gatti, F., Gehrels, N., Gendre, B., Ghirlanda, G., Ghisellini, G., Giommi, P., Girardi, M., Guzzo, L., Haardt, F., Hepburn, I., Hermsen, W., Hoevers, H., Holland, A., In't Zand, J., Ishisaki, Y., Kawahara, H., Kawai, N., Kaastra, J., Kippen, M., de Korte, P. A. J., Kouveliotou, C., Kusenko, A., Labanti, C., Lieu, R., Macculi, C., Makishima, K., Matt, G., Mazotta, P., Mccammon, D., Méndez, M., Mineo, T., Mitchell, S., Mitsuda, K., Molendi, S., Moscardini, L., Mushotzky, R., Natalucci, L., Nicastro, F., O'Brien, P., Osborne, J., Paerels, F., Page, M., Paltani, S., Pareschi, G., Perinati, E., Perola, C., Ponman, T., Rasmussen, A., Roncarelli, M., Rosati, P., Ruchayskiy, O., Quadrini, E., Sakurai, I., Salvaterra, R., Sasaki, S., Sato, G., Schaye, J., Schmidtt, J., Scioritino, S., Shaposhnikov, M., Shinozaki, K., Spiga, D., Suto, Y., Tagliaferri, G., Takahashi, T., Takei, Y., Tawara, Y., Tozzi, P., Tsunemi, H., Tsuru, T., Ubertini, P., Ursino, E., Viel, M., Vink, J., White, N., Willingale, R., Wijers, R., Yoshikawa, K., Yamasaki, N., DEN HERDER, J. W. . OHASHI T., Atteia, J. L., Borgani, Stefano, Coauthors, Girardi, Marisa, Den, Herder, J. W., Ohashi, T., Amati, L., Atteia, J. L., Barthelmy, S., Barbera, M., Barret, D., Basso, S., Boer, M., Borgani, S., Boyarskiy, Branchini, ENZO FRANCO, Branduardi, Raymont, G., Brigg, M., Brunetti, Budtz, Jorgensen, C., Burrow, D., Campana, S., Caroli, E., Chincarini, G., Christensen, F., Cocchi, M., Comastri, A., Corsi, A., Cotroneo, V., Conconi, P., Colasanti, L., Cusumano, De, Rosa, Del, Santo, M., Ettori, S., Ezoe, Y., Ferrari, L., Feroci, M., Finger, M., Fishman, G., Fujimoto, R., Galeazzi, M., Galli, A., Gatti, F., Gehrel, N., Gendre, B., Ghirlanda, G., Ghisellini, G., Giommi, P., Girardi, M., Guzzo, L., Haardt, F., Hepburn, I., Hermsen, W., Hoever, H., Holland, In'T, Zand, J., Ishisaki, Y., Kawahara, H., Kawai, N., Kaastra, J., Kippen, De, Korte, P. A. J., Kouveliotou, C., Kusenko, A., Labanti, C., Lieu, R., Macculi, C., Makishima, K., Matt, G., Mazzotta, P., Mccammon, D., Méndez, M., Mineo, T., Mitchell, S., Mitsuda, K., Molendi, S., Moscardini, L., Mushotzky, R., Natalucci, L., Nicastro, F., O'Brien, P., Osborne, J., Paerel, F., Page, M., Paltani, S., Pareschi, G., Perinati, E., Perola, C., Ponman, T., Rasmussen, A., Roncarelli, M., Rosati, P., Ruchayskiy, O., Quadrini, E., Sakurai, I., Salvaterra, R., Sasaki, S., Sato, G., Schaye, J., Schmitt, J., Sciortino, S., Shaposhnikov, M., Shinozaki, K., Spiga, D., Suto, Y., Tagliaferri, G., Takahashi, T., Takei, Y., Tawara, Y., Tozzi, P., Tsunemi, H., Tsuru, T., Ubertini, P., Ursino, E., Viel, M., Vink, J., White, N., Willingale, R., Wijer, R., Yoshikawa, K., Yamasaki, Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), and Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3)

Subjects
Vision, [SDU.ASTR.CO]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph]/Cosmology and Extra-Galactic Astrophysics [astro-ph.CO], Warm–hot intergalactic medium, Astrophysics, 7. Clean energy, 01 natural sciences, Cosmology, Settore FIS/05 - Astronomia E Astrofisica, Intergalactic Medium, Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium, X-rays, Cosmology, Clusters, Gamma-ray bursts, Warm-hot intergalactic medium, Missions, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, X-ray telescopes, X-rays, Clusters, Gamma-ray bursts, Warm– hot intergalactic medium, Missions, Physics, Equipment and services, Satellite Mission, Spectrometers, Astrophysics (astro-ph), X-rays, Cosmology, Clusters, Gamma-ray bursts, Warm–, hot intergalactic medium, Missions, Temperature, Astrophysics::Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics, Cosmic Vision, Spectral resolution, Galaxy Clusters, Astrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena, Dark matter, FOS: Physical sciences, Warm&ndash, Astrophysics::Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics, hot intergalactic medium, Absorption, NO, 010309 optics, X-ray, Galaxy groups and clusters, 0103 physical sciences, Imaging systems, 010306 general physics, Gamma-ray burst, Galaxy cluster, Spatial resolution, Sensors, Astronomy, X-rays, clusters, Gamma-Ray Bursts, Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium, missions, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Galaxy, Redshift, Cluster, 13. Climate action, Space and Planetary Science
Abstract

How structures on various scales formed and evolved from the early Universe up to present time is a fundamental question of astrophysical cosmology. EDGE will trace the cosmic history of the baryons from the early generations of massive star by Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) explosions, through the period of cluster formation, down to very low redshifts, when between a third and one half of the baryons are expected to reside in cosmic filaments undergoing gravitational collapse by dark matter (Warm Hot Intragalactic Medium: WHIM). In addition EDGE, with its unprecedented observational capabilities, will provide key results on several other topics. The science is feasible with a medium class mission using existing technology combined with innovative instrumental and observational capabilities on a single satellite by: a) observing with fast reaction Gamma-Ray Bursts with a high spectral resolution (R ~ 500). This enables the study of their (star-forming) environment from the Dark to the local Universe and the use of GRB as back light of large scale cosmological structures b) Observing and surveying extended sources (clusters, WHIM) with high sensitivity using two wide field of view X-ray telescopes (one with a high angular resolution and the other with a high spectral resolution)., This is a low resolution version of the proposal submitted to ESA in response to the Cosmic Vision Call. A high quality version is available at the web address reported in the cover page

Published
2007

34. Chandra View of the Warm-hot Intergalactic Medium toward 1ES 1553+113: Absorption-line Detections and Identifications. I

Author

Nicastro, F., Elvis, M., Krongold, Y., Mathur, S., Gupta, A., Danforth, C., Barcons, X., Borgani, S., Branchini, E., Cen, R., Dave, R., Kaastra, J., Paerels, F., Piro, L., Shull, J. M., Zappacosta, L., Takei, Yoh, Universidad de Cantabria, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana, Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, University of Colorado, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), Nicastro, F., Elvis, M., Krongold, Y., Mathur, S., Gupta, A., Danforth, C., Barcons, X., Borgani, S., Branchini, ENZO FRANCO, Cen, R., Dave, R., Kaastra, J., Paerels, F., Piro, L., Shull, J. M., Takei, Y., Zappacosta, L., F., Nicastro, M., Elvi, Y., Krongold, S., Mathur, A., Gupta, C., Danforth, X., Barcon, Borgani, Stefano, E., Branchini, R., Cen, R., Davé, J., Kaastra, F., Paerel, L., Piro, J. M., Shull, Y., Takei, and L., Zappacosta

Subjects
Opacity, Absorption spectroscopy, media_common.quotation_subject, atomic processes, Astrophysics, X-rays: general, 01 natural sciences, Spectral line, general [X-rays], 0103 physical sciences, identification [Line], atomic processe, 010306 general physics, Blazar, Absorption (electromagnetic radiation), 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, media_common, Intergalactic medium, Physics, Sigma, intergalactic medium, line: identification, opacity, Astronomy and Astrophysics, opacity - X-rays: general, Atomic processes, Redshift, Baryon, Space and Planetary Science, Sky
Abstract

Nicastro et al., We present the first results from our pilot 500 ks Chandra Low Energy Transmission Grating Large Program observation of the soft X-ray brightest source in the z ≳ 0.4 sky, the blazar 1ES 1553+113, aimed to secure the first uncontroversial detections of the missing baryons in the X-rays. We identify a total of 11 possible absorption lines, with single-line statistical significances between 2.2σ and 4.1σ. Six of these lines are detected at high single-line statistical significance (3.6 ≤ σ ≤ 4.1), while the remaining five are regarded as marginal detections in association with either other X-ray lines detected at higher significance and/or far-ultraviolet (FUV) signposts. Three of these lines are consistent with metal absorption at z ≃ 0, and we identify them with Galactic O I and C II. The remaining eight lines may be imprinted by intervening absorbers and are all consistent with being high-ionization counterparts of FUV H I and/or O VI intergalactic medium signposts. In particular, five of these eight possible intervening absorption lines (single-line statistical significances of 4.1σ, 4.1σ, 3.9σ, 3.8σ, and 2.7σ), are identified as C V and C VI Kα absorbers belonging to three WHIM systems at zX = 0.312, z X = 0.237, and 〈zX 〉 = 0.133, which also produce broad H I (and O VI for the zX = 0.312 system) absorption in the FUV. For two of these systems (zX = 0.312 and 0.237), the Chandra X-ray data led the a posteriori discovery of physically consistent broad H I associations in the FUV (for the third system the opposite applies), so confirming the power of the X-ray-FUV synergy for WHIM studies. The true statistical significances of these three X-ray absorption systems, after properly accounting for the number of redshift trials, are 5.8σ (z X = 0.312; 6.3σ if the low-significance O V and C V Kβ associations are considered), 3.9σ (zX = 0.237), and 3.8σ (zX 〉 = 0.133), respectively. © 2013. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved., F.N. acknowledges support from Chandra Grant GO1-12174X, and from INAF-ASI ADAE Grant 1.05.04.13.15. M.S. and C.D. acknowledge support from COS Grant NNX08AC14G to the University of Colorado, from NASA. X.B. acknowledges support by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through grant AYA2010-21490-C02-01.

Published
2013

35. The XMM Deep survey in the CDF-S. I. First results on heavily obscured AGN

Author

Cristian Vignali, Maurizio Paolillo, W. N. Brandt, Vincenzo Mainieri, Piero Ranalli, John D. Silverman, I. Georgantopoulos, Paolo Tozzi, G. Hasinger, Piero Rosati, Francisco J. Carrera, Andrea Merloni, Fabrizio Nicastro, Fabrizio Fiore, G. Zamorani, Hermann Brunner, Simonetta Puccetti, Andrea Comastri, Yongquan Xue, K. Iwasawa, B. Luo, Italo Balestra, Marcella Brusa, Nico Cappelluti, Xavier Barcons, Franz E. Bauer, Francesca Civano, Roberto Gilli, Universidad de Cantabria, A., Comastri, P., Ranalli, K., Iwasawa, C., Vignali, R., Gilli, I., Georgantopoulo, X., Barcon, W. N., Brandt, H., Brunner, M., Brusa, N., Cappelluti, F. J., Carrera, F., Civano, F., Fiore, G., Hasinger, V., Mainieri, A., Merloni, F., Nicastro, Paolillo, Maurizio, S., Puccetti, P., Rosati, J. D., Silverman, P., Tozzi, G., Zamorani, I., Balestra, F. E., Bauer, B., Luo, Y. Q., Xue, Comastri A., Ranalli P., Iwasawa K., Vignali C., Gilli R., Georgantopoulos I., Barcons X., Brandt W.N., Brunner H., Brusa M., Cappelluti N., Carrera F.J., Civano F., Fiore F., Hasinger G., Mainieri V., Merloni A., Nicastro F., Paolillo M., Puccetti S., Rosati P., Silverman J.D., Tozzi P., Zamorani G., Balestra I., Bauer F.E., Luo B., and Xue Y.Q.

Subjects
Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics (astro-ph.CO), active [Galaxies], Astrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena, FOS: Physical sciences, Astrophysics, Astrophysics::Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics, diffuse background [X-rays], 01 natural sciences, Spectral line, high-redshift [Galaxies], 0103 physical sciences, Spectroscopy, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, Astrophysics::Galaxy Astrophysics, High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena (astro-ph.HE), Physics, 010308 nuclear & particles physics, Spectral properties, Galaxies: high-redshift, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Galaxies: active, Redshift, galaxies [X-rays], X-rays: galaxies, Space and Planetary Science, Chandra Deep Field South, X-rays: diffuse background, Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena, X-rays: galaxie, Astrophysics - Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics
Abstract

We present the first results of the spectroscopy of distant, obscured AGN as obtained with the ultra-deep (~3.3 Ms) XMM-Newton survey in the Chandra Deep Field South (CDFS). One of the primary goals of the project is to characterize the X-ray spectral properties of obscured and heavily obscured Compton-thick AGN over the range of redhifts and luminosities that are relevant in terms of their contribution to the X-ray background. The ultra-deep exposure, coupled with the XMM detector's spectral throughput, allowed us to accumulate good quality X-ray spectra for a large number of X-ray sources and, in particular, for heavily obscured AGN at cosmological redshifts. Specifically we present the X-ray spectral properties of two high-redshift - z= 1.53 and z=3.70 - sources. The XMM spectra of both are very hard, with a strong iron Kalpha line at a rest-frame energy of 6.4 keV. A reflection-dominated continuum provides the best description of the X-ray spectrum of the z=1.53 source, while the intrinsic continuum of the z=3.70 AGN is obscured by a large column N_H ~ 10^24 cm-2 of cold gas. Compton-thick absorption, or close to it, is unambiguously detected in both sources. Interestingly, these sources would not be selected as candidate Compton thick AGN by some multiwavelength selection criteria based on the mid-infrared to optical and X-ray to optical flux ratios., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, 1 table. Minor changes applied to match the published version [A&A 526, L9 (2011)]

Published
2011

36. Concept for an innovative wide-field camera for x-ray astronomy

Author

G. Zampa, L. Pacciani, Martino Marisaldi, Lorenzo Amati, Alexander Rashevsky, Miriam Grassi, Paolo Soffitta, G. L. Israel, Fabio Muleri, I. Donnarumma, Mauro Orlandini, L. A. Antonelli, Fabrizio Nicastro, F. Fuschino, A. Vacchi, Y. Evangelista, Enrico Costa, E. Morelli, Francesco Lazzarotto, Piero Malcovati, F. Perotti, M. Rapisarda, M. Feroci, E. Del Monte, M. Mastropietro, Filippo Frontera, Fabrizio Fiore, N. Zampa, Riccardo Campana, L. Picolli, Giuseppe Baldazzi, A. Rubini, V. Bonvicini, Claudio Labanti, R. Campana, M. Feroci, A. Vacchi, C. Labanti, G. Zampa, E. Del Monte, Y. Evangelista, F. Muleri, L. Pacciani, A. Rubini, P. Soffitta, E. Costa, I. Donnarumma, F. Lazzarotto, M. Mastropietro, E. Morelli, M. Rapisarda, F. Fuschino, M. Marisaldi, V. Bonvicini, A. Rashevsky, N. Zampa, F. Perotti, L. Amati, F. Frontera, L. A. Antonelli, F. Fiore, G. L. Israel, F. Nicastro, M. Orlandini, G. Baldazzi, L. Picolli, M. Grassi, and and P. Malcovati

Subjects
Detectors - X-rays, Silicon, Physics::Instrumentation and Detectors, Astrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena, Instrumentation, chemistry.chemical_element, General, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Condensed Matter Physics, Computer Science Applications1707 Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, Applied Mathematics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, X-ray astronomy, Optics, Electronic, Angular resolution, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Image resolution, Physics, business.industry, large-area, Detector, fine-pitch Silicon detector, Power (physics), chemistry, business, Energy (signal processing)
Abstract

The use of large-area, “ne-pitch Silicon detectors has demonstrated the feasibility of wide “eld imaging experi-ments requesting very low resources in terms of weight, volume, power and costs. The ”ying SuperAGILE instru-ment is the “rst such experiment, adopting large-area Silicon microstrip detectors coupled to one-dimensionalcoded masks. With less than 10 kg, 12 watt and 0.04 m 3 it provides 6-arcmin angular resolution over > 1 sr “eldof view. Due to odd operational conditions, SuperAGILE works in the unfavourable energy range 18 60 keV. Inthis paper we show that the use of innovative large-area Silicon Drift Detectors allows to design experiments witharcmin-imaging performance over steradian-wide “elds of view, in the energy range 2 50 keV, with spectroscopicresolution in the range of 300 570 eV (FWHM) at room temperature. We will show the concept, design andreadiness of such an experiment, supported by laboratory tests on large-area prototypes. We will quantify theexpected performance in potential applications on X-ray astronomy missions for the observation and long-termmonitoring of Galactic and extragalactic transient and persistent sources, as well as localization and “ne studyof the prompt emission of Gamma-Ray Bursts in soft X-rays.Keywords: Instrumentation:detectors „ X-rays:general

Published
2010

37. The XMM-Newton view of IRAS 09104+4109: evidence for a changing-look Type 2 quasar?

Author

Fabrizio Nicastro, Simonetta Puccetti, Smita Mathur, Marcella Brusa, Andrea Comastri, Enrico Piconcelli, Fabrizio Fiore, E. Piconcelli, F. Fiore, F. Nicastro, S. Mathur, M. Brusa, A. Comastri, and S. Puccetti

Subjects
Physics, Line-of-sight, Astrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena, Bolometer, galaxies: active, Astrophysics (astro-ph), galaxies: individual: IRAS 09104+4109, FOS: Physical sciences, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Quasar, Thermal emission, Astrophysics, Astrophysics::Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics, EPIC, law.invention, Space and Planetary Science, law, Emission spectrum, galaxies: nuclei, X-ray: galaxies, Astrophysics::Galaxy Astrophysics
Abstract

We analyzed the spectroscopic data from the PN and the MOS cameras in the 0.4-10 keV band. We also used an archival BeppoSAX 1-50 keV observation of IRAS 09104+4109 to investigate possible variations of the quasar emission. The X-ray emission in the EPIC band is dominated by the intra-cluster medium thermal emission. We found that the quasar contributes ~35% of the total flux in the 2-10 keV band. Both a transmission- (through a Compton-thin absorber with a Compton optical depth of \tau_C~0.3, i.e. Nh~5 x 10^{23} cm^-2) and a reflection-dominated (\tau_C>1) model provide an excellent fit to the quasar continuum emission. However, the value measured for the EW of Fe Kalpha emission line is only marginally consistent with the presence of a Compton-thick absorber in a reflection-dominated scenario, which had been suggested by a previous, marginal (i.e. 2.5\sigma) detection with the hard X-ray (15-50 keV), non-imaging BeppoSAX/PDS instrument. Moreover, the value of luminosity in the 2-10 keV band measured by the transmission-dominated model is fully consistent with that expected on the basis of the bolometric luminosity of IRAS 09104+4109. From the analysis of the XMM-Newton data we therefore suggest the possibility that the absorber along the line of sight to the nucleus of IRAS 09104+4109 is Compton-thin. Alternatively, the absorber column density could have changed from Compton-thick to -thin in the five years elapsed between the observations. If this is the case, then IRAS 09104+4109 is the first 'changing-look' quasar ever detected., Comment: Accepted by Astronomy and Astrophysics

Published
2007
Full Text
View/download PDF

38. The role of MRI in traumatic rupture of the diaphragm. Our experience in three cases and review of the literature

Author

Barbiera F, Nicastro N, Finazzo M, LO CASTO, Antonio, RUNZA, Giuseppe, BARTOLOTTA, Tommaso Vincenzo, MIDIRI, Massimo, and Barbiera F, Nicastro N, Finazzo M, Lo Casto A, Runza G, Bartolotta TV, Midiri M

Subjects
traumatic rupture of the diaphragm
Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role and effectiveness of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in blunt diaphragmatic injuries by reviewing the literature and our experience in three cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records and MRI findings of three patients with diaphragmatic injury due to blunt abdominal trauma. All patients were previously examined with chest X-ray and CT and later with MRI at our institution. Coronal and sagittal SE TI-w and fast SE T2-w sequence images were acquired. All patients underwent surgery. RESULTS: MRI showed a 5.5 cm tear in the left hemidiaphragmatic dome with herniation of the stomach and colon into the thoracic cavity in the first case; a 1 cm tear in the diaphragmatic dome with herniation of the stomach and posterior abscess in the second case; and an 8 cm breach in the left diaphragm with visceral herniation in the third case. CONCLUSIONS: The major advantage of MRI lies in its capability of directly acquiring coronal and sagittal images allowing evaluation of the entire diaphragm, both in normal and in pathological conditions. In our experience, MRI showed the exact site and size of the diaphragmatic rupture in all cases. However, this technique cannot be performed in emergency situations or in multitrauma patients. Therefore, in agreement with the literature, helical CT remains the modality of choice in traumatic patients. MR imaging is useful only in doubtful cases and in haemodynamically stable patients.

Published
2003

39. Solar UV-B/A radiation is highly effective in inactivating SARS-CoV-2.

Author

Nicastro F, Sironi G, Antonello E, Bianco A, Biasin M, Brucato JR, Ermolli I, Pareschi G, Salvati M, Tozzi P, Trabattoni D, and Clerici M

Subjects
Humans, Seasons, COVID-19 epidemiology, SARS-CoV-2 radiation effects, Sunlight
Abstract

Solar UV-C photons do not reach Earth's surface, but are known to be endowed with germicidal properties that are also effective on viruses. The effect of softer UV-B and UV-A photons, which copiously reach the Earth's surface, on viruses are instead little studied, particularly on single-stranded RNA viruses. Here we combine our measurements of the action spectrum of Covid-19 in response to UV light, Solar irradiation measurements on Earth during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemics, worldwide recorded Covid-19 mortality data and our "Solar-Pump" diffusive model of epidemics to show that (a) UV-B/A photons have a powerful virucidal effect on the single-stranded RNA virus Covid-19 and that (b) the Solar radiation that reaches temperate regions of the Earth at noon during summers, is sufficient to inactivate 63% of virions in open-space concentrations (1.5 × 10 3 TCID 50 /mL, higher than typical aerosol) in less than 2 min. We conclude that the characteristic seasonality imprint displayed world-wide by the SARS-Cov-2 mortality time-series throughout the diffusion of the outbreak (with temperate regions showing clear seasonal trends and equatorial regions suffering, on average, a systematically lower mortality), might have been efficiently set by the different intensity of UV-B/A Solar radiation hitting different Earth's locations at different times of the year. Our results suggest that Solar UV-B/A play an important role in planning strategies of confinement of the epidemics, which should be worked out and set up during spring/summer months and fully implemented during low-solar-irradiation periods., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Published
2021
Full Text
View/download PDF

40. Evaluation of OpenArray™ as a Genotyping Method for Forensic DNA Phenotyping and Human Identification.

Author

Ragazzo M, Puleri G, Errichiello V, Manzo L, Luzzi L, Potenza S, Strafella C, Peconi C, Nicastro F, Caputo V, and Giardina E

Subjects
DNA Fingerprinting, Forensic Genetics trends, Genotype, High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing, Humans, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide genetics, Eye Color genetics, Forensic Anthropology methods, Genotyping Techniques, Hair Color genetics, Skin Pigmentation genetics
Abstract

A custom plate of OpenArray™ technology was evaluated to test 60 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) validated for the prediction of eye color, hair color, and skin pigmentation, and for personal identification. The SNPs were selected from already validated subsets (Hirisplex-s, Precision ID Identity SNP Panel, and ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep Kit). The concordance rate and call rate for every SNP were calculated by analyzing 314 sequenced DNA samples. The sensitivity of the assay was assessed by preparing a dilution series of 10.0, 5.0, 1.0, and 0.5 ng. The OpenArray™ platform obtained an average call rate of 96.9% and a concordance rate near 99.8%. Sensitivity testing performed on serial dilutions demonstrated that a sample with 0.5 ng of total input DNA can be correctly typed. The profiles of the 19 SNPs selected for human identification reached a random match probability (RMP) of, on average, 10 -8 . An analysis of 21 examples of biological evidence from 8 individuals, that generated single short tandem repeat profiles during the routine workflow, demonstrated the applicability of this technology in real cases. Seventeen samples were correctly typed, revealing a call rate higher than 90%. Accordingly, the phenotype prediction revealed the same accuracy described in the corresponding validation data. Despite the reduced discrimination power of this system compared to STR based kits, the OpenArray™ System can be used to exclude suspects and prioritize samples for downstream analyses, providing well-established information about the prediction of eye color, hair color, and skin pigmentation. More studies will be needed for further validation of this technology and to consider the opportunity to implement this custom array with more SNPs to obtain a lower RMP and to include markers for studies of ancestry and lineage.

Published
2021
Full Text
View/download PDF

41. Artificial Intelligence as a Business Partner in Cardiovascular Precision Medicine: An Emerging Approach for Disease Detection and Treatment Optimization.

Author

Visco V, Ferruzzi GJ, Nicastro F, Virtuoso N, Carrizzo A, Galasso G, Vecchione C, and Ciccarelli M

Subjects
Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, Humans, Precision Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases diagnosis, Cardiovascular Diseases drug therapy, Cardiovascular System
Abstract

Background: In the real world, medical practice is changing hand in hand with the development of new Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems and problems from different areas have been successfully solved using AI algorithms. Specifically, the use of AI techniques in setting up or building precision medicine is significant in terms of the accuracy of disease discovery and tailored treatment. Moreover, with the use of technology, clinical personnel can deliver a very much efficient healthcare service., Objective: This article reviews AI state-of-the-art in cardiovascular disease management, focusing on diagnostic and therapeutic improvements., Methods: To that end, we conducted a detailed PubMed search on AI application from distinct areas of cardiology: heart failure, arterial hypertension, atrial fibrillation, syncope and cardiovascular rehabilitation. Particularly, to assess the impact of these technologies in clinical decision-making, this research considers technical and medical aspects., Results: On one hand, some devices in heart failure, atrial fibrillation and cardiac rehabilitation represent an inexpensive, not invasive or not very invasive approach to long-term surveillance and management in these areas. On the other hand, the availability of large datasets (big data) is a useful tool to predict the development and outcome of many cardiovascular diseases. In summary, with this new guided therapy, the physician can supply prompt, individualised, and tailored treatment and the patients feel safe as they are continuously monitored, with a significant psychological effect., Conclusion: Soon, tailored patient care via telemonitoring can improve clinical practice because AI-based systems support cardiologists in daily medical activities, improving disease detection and treatment. However, the physician-patient relationship remains a pivotal step., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Published
2021
Full Text
View/download PDF

42. Forcing Seasonality of Influenza-like Epidemics with Daily Solar Resonance.

Author

Nicastro F, Sironi G, Antonello E, Bianco A, Biasin M, Brucato JR, Ermolli I, Pareschi G, Salvati M, Tozzi P, Trabattoni D, and Clerici M

Abstract

Seasonality of acute viral respiratory diseases is a well-known and yet not fully understood phenomenon. Several models have been proposed to explain the regularity of yearly recurring outbreaks and the phase differences observed at different latitudes on the Earth. Such models consider known internal causes, primarily the periodic emergence of new virus variants that evade the host immune response. Yet, this alone is generally unable to explain the regularity of recurrences and the observed phase differences. Here we show that seasonality of viral respiratory diseases, as well as its distribution with latitude on the Earth, can be fully explained by the virucidal properties of UV-B and UV-A solar photons through a daily, minute-scale, resonant forcing mechanism. Such an induced periodicity can last, virtually unperturbed, from tens to hundreds of cycles, and even in the presence of internal dynamics (host's loss of immunity) much slower than seasonal will, on a long period, generate seasonal oscillations., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Published
2020
Full Text
View/download PDF

43. Comparative Analysis of ANDE 6C Rapid DNA Analysis System and Traditional Methods.

Author

Ragazzo M, Melchiorri S, Manzo L, Errichiello V, Puleri G, Nicastro F, and Giardina E

Subjects
DNA isolation & purification, Genotype, Humans, Species Specificity, Specimen Handling, DNA genetics, DNA Fingerprinting methods, Forensic Genetics trends, Microsatellite Repeats genetics
Abstract

Rapid DNA analysis is an ultrafast and fully automated DNA-typing system, which can produce interpretable genetic profiles from biological samples within 90 minutes. This "swab in-profile out" method comprises DNA extraction, amplification by PCR multiplex, separation and detection of DNA fragments by capillary electrophoresis. The aim of study was the validation of the Accelerated Nuclear DNA Equipment (ANDE) 6C system as a typing method for reference samples according to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard. Here, we report the evaluation of the validity and reproducibility of results by the comparison of the genetic profiles generated by the ANDE 6C System with those generated by standard technologies. A quantity of 104 buccal swabs were analyzed both through the ANDE 6C technology and the traditional method (DNA extraction and quantification, amplification and separation by capillary electrophoresis). Positive typing was observed in 97% of cases for ANDE 6C technology with only three buccal swabs failing to reveal interpretable signals. Concordance was determined by comparing the allele calls generated by ANDE 6C and conventional technology. Comparison of 2800 genotypes revealed a concordance rate of 99.96%. These results met the ISO/IEC 17025 requirements, enabling us to receive the accreditation for this method. Finally, rapid technology has certainly reached a level of reliability which has made its use in laboratories of forensic genetics a reality.

Published
2020
Full Text
View/download PDF

44. Observations of the missing baryons in the warm-hot intergalactic medium.

Author

Nicastro F, Kaastra J, Krongold Y, Borgani S, Branchini E, Cen R, Dadina M, Danforth CW, Elvis M, Fiore F, Gupta A, Mathur S, Mayya D, Paerels F, Piro L, Rosa-Gonzalez D, Schaye J, Shull JM, Torres-Zafra J, Wijers N, and Zappacosta L

Abstract

It has been known for decades that the observed number of baryons in the local Universe falls about 30-40 per cent short 1,2 of the total number of baryons predicted 3 by Big Bang nucleosynthesis, as inferred 4,5 from density fluctuations of the cosmic microwave background and seen during the first 2-3 billion years of the Universe in the so-called 'Lyman α forest' 6,7 (a dense series of intervening H I Lyman α absorption lines in the optical spectra of background quasars). A theoretical solution to this paradox locates the missing baryons in the hot and tenuous filamentary gas between galaxies, known as the warm-hot intergalactic medium. However, it is difficult to detect them there because the largest by far constituent of this gas-hydrogen-is mostly ionized and therefore almost invisible in far-ultraviolet spectra with typical signal-to-noise ratios 8,9 . Indeed, despite large observational efforts, only a few marginal claims of detection have been made so far 2,10 . Here we report observations of two absorbers of highly ionized oxygen (O VII) in the high-signal-to-noise-ratio X-ray spectrum of a quasar at a redshift higher than 0.4. These absorbers show no variability over a two-year timescale and have no associated cold absorption, making the assumption that they originate from the quasar's intrinsic outflow or the host galaxy's interstellar medium implausible. The O VII systems lie in regions characterized by large (four times larger than average 11 ) galaxy overdensities and their number (down to the sensitivity threshold of our data) agrees well with numerical simulation predictions for the long-sought warm-hot intergalactic medium. We conclude that the missing baryons have been found.

Published
2018
Full Text
View/download PDF

45. The Domains of Human Nutrition: The Importance of Nutrition Education in Academia and Medical Schools.

Author

Donini LM, Leonardi F, Rondanelli M, Banderali G, Battino M, Bertoli E, Bordoni A, Brighenti F, Caccialanza R, Cairella G, Caretto A, Cena H, Gambarara M, Gentile MG, Giovannini M, Lucchin L, Migliaccio P, Nicastro F, Pasanisi F, Piretta L, Radrizzani D, Roggi C, Rotilio G, Scalfi L, Vettor R, Vignati F, Battistini NC, and Muscaritoli M

Abstract

Human nutrition encompasses an extremely broad range of medical, social, commercial, and ethical domains and thus represents a wide, interdisciplinary scientific and cultural discipline. The high prevalence of both disease-related malnutrition and overweight/obesity represents an important risk factor for disease burden and mortality worldwide. It is the opinion of Federation of the Italian Nutrition Societies (FeSIN) that these two sides of the same coin, with their sociocultural background, are related to a low "nutritional culture" secondary, at least in part, to an insufficient academic training for health-care professionals (HCPs). Therefore, FeSIN created a study group, composed of delegates of all the federated societies and representing the different HCPs involved in human nutrition, with the aim of identifying and defining the domains of human nutrition in the attempt to more clearly define the cultural identity of human nutrition in an academically and professionally oriented perspective and to report the conclusions in a position paper. Three main domains of human nutrition, namely, basic nutrition, applied nutrition, and clinical nutrition, were identified. FeSIN has examined the areas of knowledge pertinent to human nutrition. Thirty-two items were identified, attributed to one or more of the three domains and ranked considering their diverse importance for academic training in the different domains of human nutrition. Finally, the study group proposed the attribution of the different areas of knowledge to the degree courses where training in human nutrition is deemed necessary (e.g., schools of medicine, biology, nursing, etc.). It is conceivable that, in the near future, a better integration of the professionals involved in the field of human nutrition will eventually occur based on the progressive consolidation of knowledge, competence, and skills in the different areas and domains of this discipline.

Published
2017
Full Text
View/download PDF

46. Intra-arterial transplantation of HLA-matched donor mesoangioblasts in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Author

Cossu G, Previtali SC, Napolitano S, Cicalese MP, Tedesco FS, Nicastro F, Noviello M, Roostalu U, Natali Sora MG, Scarlato M, De Pellegrin M, Godi C, Giuliani S, Ciotti F, Tonlorenzi R, Lorenzetti I, Rivellini C, Benedetti S, Gatti R, Marktel S, Mazzi B, Tettamanti A, Ragazzi M, Imro MA, Marano G, Ambrosi A, Fiori R, Sormani MP, Bonini C, Venturini M, Politi LS, Torrente Y, and Ciceri F

Published
2016
Full Text
View/download PDF

47. Impaired bone remodeling in children with osteogenesis imperfecta treated and untreated with bisphosphonates: the role of DKK1, RANKL, and TNF-α.

Author

Brunetti G, Papadia F, Tummolo A, Fischetto R, Nicastro F, Piacente L, Ventura A, Mori G, Oranger A, Gigante I, Colucci S, Ciccarelli M, Grano M, Cavallo L, Delvecchio M, and Faienza MF

Subjects
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing, Bone Morphogenetic Proteins blood, Child, Female, Genetic Markers, Glycoproteins, Humans, Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins blood, Male, Osteoclasts cytology, Osteogenesis, Osteoprotegerin blood, RANK Ligand blood, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha blood, Bone Remodeling, Diphosphonates therapeutic use, Osteogenesis Imperfecta drug therapy, Osteogenesis Imperfecta physiopathology
Abstract

Unlabelled: In this study, we investigated the bone cell activity in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) treated and untreated with neridronate. We demonstrated the key role of Dickkopf-1 (DKK1), receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in regulating bone cell of untreated and treated OI subjects. These cytokines could represent new pharmacological targets for OI., Introduction: Bisphosphonates are widely used in the treatment of children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) with the objective of reducing the risk of fractures. Although bisphosphonates increase bone mineral density in OI subjects, the effects on fracture incidence are conflicting. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying bone cell activity in subjects with mild untreated forms of OI and in a group of subjects with severe OI treated with cycles of intravenous neridronate., Methods: Sclerostin, DKK1, TNF-α, RANKL, osteoprotegerin (OPG), and bone turnover markers were quantified in serum of 18 OI patients (12 females, mean age 8.86 ± 3.90), 8 of which were receiving cyclic intravenous neridronate, and 21 sex- and age-matched controls. The effects on osteoblastogenesis and OPG expression of media conditioned by the serum of OI patients and anti-DKK1 neutralizing antibody were evaluated. Osteoclastogenesis was assessed in cultures from patients and controls., Results: DKK1 and RANKL levels were significantly increased both in untreated and in treated OI subjects with respect to controls. The serum from patients with high DKK1 levels inhibited both osteoblast differentiation and OPG expression in vitro. High RANKL and low OPG messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were found in lymphomonocytes from patients. High amounts of TNF-α were expressed by monocytes, and an elevated percentage of circulating CD11b-CD51/CD61+ osteoclast precursors was observed in patients., Conclusions: Our study demonstrated the key role of DKK1, RANKL, and TNF-α in regulating bone cell activity of subjects with OI untreated and treated with bisphosphonates. These cytokines could represent new pharmacological targets for OI patients.

Published
2016
Full Text
View/download PDF

48. Longitudinal MRI quantification of muscle degeneration in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Author

Godi C, Ambrosi A, Nicastro F, Previtali SC, Santarosa C, Napolitano S, Iadanza A, Scarlato M, Natali Sora MG, Tettamanti A, Gerevini S, Cicalese MP, Sitzia C, Venturini M, Falini A, Gatti R, Ciceri F, Cossu G, Torrente Y, and Politi LS

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting the progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) by quantification of fat infiltration (FI) and muscle volume index (MVI, a residual-to-total muscle volume ratio)., Methods: Twenty-six patients (baseline age: 5-12 years) with genetically proven DMD were longitudinally analyzed with lower limb 3T MRI, force measurements, and functional tests (Gowers, 10-m time, North Star Ambulatory Assessment, 6-min walking test). Five age-matched controls were also examined, with a total of 85 MRI studies. Semiquantitative (scores) and quantitative MRI (qMRI) analyses (signal intensity ratio - SIR, lower limb MVI, and individual muscle MVI) were carried out. Permutation and regression analyses according to both age and functional test-outcomes were calculated. Age-related quantitative reference curves of SIRs and MVIs were generated., Results: FI was present on glutei and adductor magnus in all patients since the age of 5, with a proximal-to-distal progression and selective sparing of sartorius and gracilis. Patients' qMRI measures were significantly different from controls' and among age classes. qMRI were more sensitive than force measurements and functional tests in assessing disease progression, allowing quantification also after loss of ambulation. Age-related curves with percentile values were calculated for SIRs and MVIs, to provide a reference background for future experimental therapy trials. SIRs and MVIs significantly correlated with all clinical measures, and could reliably predict functional outcomes and loss of ambulation., Interpretations: qMRI-based indexes are sensitive measures that can track the progression of DMD and represent a valuable tool for follow-up and clinical studies.

Published
2016
Full Text
View/download PDF

49. Intra-arterial transplantation of HLA-matched donor mesoangioblasts in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Author

Cossu G, Previtali SC, Napolitano S, Cicalese MP, Tedesco FS, Nicastro F, Noviello M, Roostalu U, Natali Sora MG, Scarlato M, De Pellegrin M, Godi C, Giuliani S, Ciotti F, Tonlorenzi R, Lorenzetti I, Rivellini C, Benedetti S, Gatti R, Marktel S, Mazzi B, Tettamanti A, Ragazzi M, Imro MA, Marano G, Ambrosi A, Fiori R, Sormani MP, Bonini C, Venturini M, Politi LS, Torrente Y, and Ciceri F

Subjects
Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy, Histocompatibility Testing, Humans, Infusions, Intra-Arterial statistics & numerical data, Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne surgery, Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne therapy
Abstract

Intra-arterial transplantation of mesoangioblasts proved safe and partially efficacious in preclinical models of muscular dystrophy. We now report the first-in-human, exploratory, non-randomized open-label phase I-IIa clinical trial of intra-arterial HLA-matched donor cell transplantation in 5 Duchenne patients. We administered escalating doses of donor-derived mesoangioblasts in limb arteries under immunosuppressive therapy (tacrolimus). Four consecutive infusions were performed at 2-month intervals, preceded and followed by clinical, laboratory, and muscular MRI analyses. Two months after the last infusion, a muscle biopsy was performed. Safety was the primary endpoint. The study was relatively safe: One patient developed a thalamic stroke with no clinical consequences and whose correlation with mesoangioblast infusion remained unclear. MRI documented the progression of the disease in 4/5 patients. Functional measures were transiently stabilized in 2/3 ambulant patients, but no functional improvements were observed. Low level of donor DNA was detected in muscle biopsies of 4/5 patients and donor-derived dystrophin in 1. Intra-arterial transplantation of donor mesoangioblasts in human proved to be feasible and relatively safe. Future implementation of the protocol, together with a younger age of patients, will be needed to approach efficacy., (© 2015 The Authors. Published under the terms of the CC BY 4.0 license.)

Published
2015
Full Text
View/download PDF

50. De novo microduplication of CHL1 in a patient with non-syndromic developmental phenotypes.

Author

Palumbo O, Fischetto R, Palumbo P, Nicastro F, Papadia F, Zelante L, and Carella M

Abstract

Background: The CHL1 gene codes for a member of the L1 family of neural cell adhesion molecules. It is highly expressed in the central and peripheral nervous system playing an important role in the building and functioning on the brain. CHL1 proteins are also involved in axonal migration, synaptic formation and plasticity. In mice, functional studies showed that the haploinsufficiency of Chl1 gene in the developing brain results in cognitive deficits suggesting that the CHL1 gene at 3p26.3 is a candidate for an autosomal form of intellectual disability. Furthermore, in humans deletions of CHL1 have been described in patients with neurodevelopmental delay characterized by learning and language difficulties, seizures. Less is known about the potential effect of CHL1 overexpression, and microduplications of CHL1 have been rarely identified., Case Presentation: In this report, we describe a male patient with a phenotype characterized by developmental delay, symptoms of hyperactivity, short attention span and speech delay. In addition, minor facial dysmorphic features have been observed. Chromosomal microarray analysis revealed a rare de novo 0.85 Mb microduplication on the short arm (p26.3) of chromosome 3, encompassing a single gene, CHL1. To the best of our knowledge, duplication of chromosome 3p26.3, including only the CHL1 gene, has been described in only one intellectually disabled girl with epilepsy. The duplication described here is the smallest reported so far. In addition, this is the first report describing a patient in which the CHL1 duplication is a de novo event., Conclusions: The clinical and molecular findings reported here are useful to provide further evidence that CHL1 is a dosage sensitive gene suggesting that not only the deletion but also its duplication can cause non-syndromic neurodevelopmental phenotypes.

Published
2015
Full Text
View/download PDF

Catalog

Books, media, physical & digital resources
See catalog results