| 1. |
- Donnarumma, I., et al.
(författare)
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Multiwavelength Observations of 3C 454.3. II. The AGILE 2007 December Campaign
- 2009
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Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal Letters. - 2041-8205. ; 707:2, s. 1115-1123
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We report on the second Astrorivelatore Gamma a Immagini Leggero (AGILE) multiwavelength campaign of the blazar 3C 454.3 during the first half of 2007 December. This campaign involved AGILE, Spitzer, Swift, Suzaku, the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT) consortium, the Rapid Eye Mount (REM), and the Multicolor Imaging Telescopes for Survey and Monstrous Explosions (MITSuME) telescopes, offering a broadband coverage that allowed for a simultaneous sampling of the synchrotron and inverse Compton (IC) emissions. The two-week AGILE monitoring was accompanied by radio to optical monitoring by WEBT and REM, and by sparse observations in mid-infrared and soft/ hard X-ray energy bands performed by means of Target of Opportunity observations by Spitzer, Swift, and Suzaku, respectively. The source was detected with an average flux of similar to 250 x 10(-8) photons cm(-2) s(-1) above 100 MeV, typical of its flaring states. The simultaneous optical and gamma-ray monitoring allowed us to study the time lag associated with the variability in the two energy bands, resulting in a possible <= one-day delay of the gamma-ray emission with respect to the optical one. From the simultaneous optical and gamma-ray fast flare detected on December 12, we can constrain the delay between the gamma-ray and optical emissions within 12 hr. Moreover, we obtain three spectral energy distributions (SEDs) with simultaneous data for 2007 December 5, 13, and 15, characterized by the widest multifrequency coverage. We found that a model with an external Compton on seed photons by a standard disk and reprocessed by the broad-line regions does not describe in a satisfactory way the SEDs of 2007 December 5, 13, and 15. An additional contribution, possibly from the hot corona with T = 10(6) K surrounding the jet, is required to account simultaneously for the softness of the synchrotron and the hardness of the IC emissions during those epochs.
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| 2. |
- Pittori, C., et al.
(författare)
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First AGILE catalog of high-confidence gamma-ray sources
- 2009
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 506:3, s. 1563-1574
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present the first catalog of high-confidence gamma-ray sources detected by the AGILE satellite during observations performed from July 9, 2007 to June 30, 2008. Cataloged sources were detected by merging all the available data over the entire time period. AGILE, launched in April 2007, is an ASI mission devoted to gamma-ray observations in the 30 MeV-50 GeV energy range, with simultaneous X-ray imaging capability in the 18-60 keV band. This catalog is based on Gamma-Ray Imaging Detector (GRID) data for energies greater than 100 MeV. For the first AGILE catalog, we adopted a conservative analysis, with a high-quality event filter optimized to select gamma-ray events within the central zone of the instrument field of view (radius of 40 degrees). This is a significance-limited (4 sigma) catalog, and it is not a complete flux-limited sample due to the non-uniform first-year AGILE sky coverage. The catalog includes 47 sources, 21 of which are associated with confirmed or candidate pulsars, 13 with blazars (7 FSRQ, 4 BL Lacs, 2 unknown type), 2 with HMXRBs, 2 with SNRs, 1 with a colliding-wind binary system, and 8 with unidentified sources.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- de Vera, Jean Paul, et al.
(författare)
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EUROX (Europa Explorer): An astrobiology mission concept to the Jovian icy moon Europa.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Geophysical Research Abstracts. ; 10, EGU2008-A-01483, 2008
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The discovery of so-called extremophiles indicates how robust life is. That microbial life can resist extreme and harsh environmental conditions as e.g. very high and cold temperatures, desiccation, acidity, salinity and wide ranges of radiation spectra including UV and X-rays, suggests that micro organisms are capable of surviving and maintaining essential living functions, or often thriving, in conditions previously thought impossible. Recently it seems that only liquid water and an energy source are the core prerequisites for the development of life, greatly expanding the range of potential habitats for life both on Earth and in the solar system. In light of these discoveries, the definition of the “Habitable Zone” as the region where liquid water can exist at a planetary surface may need revision. Energy in the form of heat may be found on several volcanic worlds in our solar system, and subsurface liquid water may exist there, too. One likely candidate for such a reserve of water is the jovian icy moon Europa. Imaged by the Voyager and Galileo probes, this icy body appears to have a geologically young outer surface. Spectroscopic studies from Earth have confirmed that the European crust is composed of water ice. Long cracks across its surface may be suggestive of huge ice blocks rafting upon an underlying liquid layer. Darker non ice material also covers much of the surface and is spatially associated with the cracks. Recent modeling suggests that tidal forces imparted upon the moon by Jupiter may cause heating in the depth – raising the possibility of a liquid water ocean beneath Europa’s icy crust. Further on it is supposed that a weak induced magnetic field is present on the moon. This classifies Europa as an object of great scientific interest, warranting investigation for habitability and even the presence of life within the supposed ocean of the moon. The Europa Explorer (EUROX) mission complements other proposed missions to study Europa. EUROX will characterize the habitability potential of Europa, with the aim of understanding whether life could exist there or not. The mission will address the following key questions: (i) existence or non- existence of a liquid ocean beneath the surface, (ii) the nature of the non icy material visible upon the surface cracks, (iii) the physical characteristics of the ice crust, (iv) effects by local radiation on the surface chemistry, (v) the depth of radiation penetration in the ice and probably shielding effects by a magnetic field and (vi) the presence of organic compounds on or in the Europan ice crust. Our proposed mission will operate as a fully European and further on international mission, with the aim of providing the initial information required for later, larger missions to visit Europa. EUROX will involve both remote-sensing and in-situ research. Its mission architecture sees a single space craft deployed to Europa, launched by an Ariane 5. This vehicle will use conventional propulsion and a Venus-Earth-Earth flight path to travel to the jovian system in six years. Upon arrival at Europa, the space craft will commence remote observations of the icy moon, to determine the physical nature of the ice crust, and to investigate the presence of a subsurface liquid ocean. The orbiter will carry two independent vehicles (two penetrators) that will then separate, de-orbit, and penetrate the crust nearby or in the cracks to a depth of several meters. A suite of compact instruments will address the physical and chemical properties of the crust, as well as seeking organic compounds and pre-biotic material in the ice. The use of a laser communication system removes the need for a relay spacecraft in orbit around Jupiter, decreasing overall mission cost. Expected orbiter mission duration is on the order of two months, with each penetrator functioning for approximately 24 hours.
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| 5. |
- Melke, Jonas, 1971, et al.
(författare)
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Abnormal melatonin synthesis in autism spectrum disorders.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Molecular Psychiatry. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1359-4184 .- 1476-5578. ; 13:1, s. 90-98
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Melatonin is produced in the dark by the pineal gland and is a key regulator of circadian and seasonal rhythms. A low melatonin level has been reported in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but the underlying cause of this deficit was unknown. The ASMT gene, encoding the last enzyme of melatonin synthesis, is located on the pseudo-autosomal region 1 of the sex chromosomes, deleted in several individuals with ASD. In this study, we sequenced all ASMT exons and promoters in individuals with ASD (n=250) and compared the allelic frequencies with controls (n=255). Non-conservative variations of ASMT were identified, including a splicing mutation present in two families with ASD, but not in controls. Two polymorphisms located in the promoter (rs4446909 and rs5989681) were more frequent in ASD compared to controls (P=0.0006) and were associated with a dramatic decrease in ASMT transcripts in blood cell lines (P=2 x 10(-10)). Biochemical analyses performed on blood platelets and/or cultured cells revealed a highly significant decrease in ASMT activity (P=2 x 10(-12)) and melatonin level (P=3 x 10(-11)) in individuals with ASD. These results indicate that a low melatonin level, caused by a primary deficit in ASMT activity, is a risk factor for ASD. They also support ASMT as a susceptibility gene for ASD and highlight the crucial role of melatonin in human cognition and behavior.
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