The AGILE Mission

AGILE is an Italian Space Agency mission dedicated to observing the gamma-ray Universe. The AGILE's very innovative instrumentation for the first time combines a gamma-ray imager (sensitive in the energy range 30 MeV-50 GeV), a hard X-ray imager (sensitive in the range 18-60 keV), a calorimeter (sensitive in the range 350 keV-100 MeV), and an anticoincidence system. AGILE was successfully launched on 2007 April 23 from the Indian base of Sriharikota and was inserted in an equatorial orbit with very low particle background. Aims. AGILE provides crucial data for the study of active galactic nuclei, gamma-ray bursts, pulsars, unidentified gamma-ray sources, galactic compact objects, supernova remnants, TeV sources, and fundamental physics by microsecond timing. Methods. An optimal sky angular positioning (reaching 0.1 degrees in gamma- rays and 1-2 arcmin in hard X-rays) and very large fields of view (2.5 sr and 1 sr, respectively) are obtained by the use of Silicon detectors integrated in a very compact instrument. Results. AGILE surveyed the gamma- ray sky and detected many Galactic and extragalactic sources during the first months of observations. Particular emphasis is given to multifrequency observation programs of extragalactic and galactic objects. Conclusions. AGILE is a successful high-energy gamma-ray mission that reached its nominal scientific performance. The AGILE Cycle-1 pointing program started on 2007 December 1, and is open to the international community through a Guest Observer Program

Extensional shear zones as imaged by reflection seismic lines: The Lardello geothermal field (central Italy)

The Larderello geothermal field is located in the Inner Northern Apennines, in an area which has been subject to extension since the Early Miocene. The latest extensional episode (Pliocene-Present) has resulted in the formation of NW-trending, NE- dipping listric normal faults, whose geometry is controlled down to ∼3 km by borehole data. In this paper, we integrate a new interpretation of seismic reflection lines with existing seismic, field, and borehole data to analyse the relations among listric normal faults, the top of the brittle-ductile transition, and the migration of geothermal fluids. In accordance with previous interpretations, we consider the strong reflector (K-horizon) marking the top of the reflective mid-lower crust, and located at a depth of 3-5 km in the geothermal area, to represent the top of the brittle-ductile transition. Its reflectivity most probably derives from the presence of overpressured fluids. We identify three main NW-trending, NE- dipping extensional brittle shear zones, showing listric geometry and soling out in the vicinity of the K-horizon. The latter appears to be dislocated in correspondence of the soling out of the shear zones. These shear zones, because of the associated intense fracturing, represent the most natural channels of upward migration of geothermal fluids from the magmatic sources located below the K-horizon. We suggest that these two conclusions-that listric normal faults root at or near the brittle-ductile transition, and that they act as preferential upward migration paths for magmatic fluids-may be of general validity for geothermal fields located in extensional settings

Crustal structures in the geothermal areas of southern Tuscany (Italy): Insights from the CROP 18 deep seismic reflection lines

Two deep seismic reflection lines, named CROP 18A and 18B and roughly NNW-SSE-oriented, were acquired to investigate the crust between the Larderello and the Mt. Amiata geothermal areas, both located in southern Tuscany. Since the Early-Middle Miocene, southern Tuscany has been affected by extensional tectonics, and since the Pliocene, by widespread magmatism. Presently, extension is demonstrated by NE-dipping normal faults and brittle shear zones which affect the crust down to the brittle/ductile transition. In the Larderello area, these shear zones are seismically evidenced by NE-dipping weak reflections and by the loss of the K-horizon reflectivity, a regional mid-crustal high amplitude reflector, located at the top of the brittle/ductile transition. The CROP 18A and 18B lines were reprocessed down to 10 s TWT, down to the crust/mantle boundary. Their reflectivity results are closely related to the direction of the survey: a clear decrease in reflectivity occurs when the survey plane intersects the crustal shear zones along strike. Nevertheless, both lines display segments with low reflectivity and homogeneous acoustic impedance which indicate intrusive magmatic bodies at different crustal levels. A wide, partially crystallised granitoid may be sited at about 7-8 km depth underneath the Larderello geothermal field. In the lower part of the crust, the CROP 18A and 18B transects show group of bright reflections, mainly related to the occurrence of pressurised fluids and/or lithological differences. The base of the crust is located at about 20 km depth

The influence of gender on clinical and social characteristics of patients at psychosis onset: A Report from the Psychosis Incident Cohort Outcome Study (PICOS)

BACKGROUND: This paper examined the hypothesis that males with first-episode psychosis (FEP) experience lower pre-morbid adjustment, greater social disability and more self-perceived needs at illness onset than females (by controlling for duration of untreated psychosis, diagnosis, age and symptoms at onset). Results disconfirming this hypothesis were thought to suggest the potentially mediating role of social context in determining the impact of symptoms and disability on the everyday lives of male patients in the early phase of psychosis.MethodA large epidemiologically representative cohort of FEP patients (n=517) was assessed within the Psychosis Incident Cohort Outcome Study (PICOS) framework - a multi-site research project examining incident cases of psychosis in Italy's Veneto region.RESULTS: Despite poorer pre-morbid functioning and higher social disability at illness onset, males reported fewer unmet needs in the functioning domain than females did. An analysis of help provided by informal caregivers showed that males received more help from their families than females did. This finding led us to disconfirm the second part of the hypothesis and suggest that the impact of poorer social performance and unmet needs on everyday life observed in male patients might be hampered by higher tolerance and more support within the family context.CONCLUSIONS: These findings shed new light on rarely investigated sociocultural and contextual factors that may account for the observed discrepancy between social disability and needs for care in FEP patients. They also point to a need for further research on gender differences, with the ultimate aim of delivering gender-sensitive effective mental health care

Is Neuregulin 1 Involved in Determining Cerebral Volumes in Schizophrenia? Preliminary Results Showing a Decrease in Superior Temporal Gyrus Volume

&lt;i&gt;Background/Aims:&lt;/i&gt; Reduced left superior temporal gyrus (STG) volume is one of the most replicated imaging findings in schizophrenia. However, it remains unclear whether genes play any role in our understanding of such structural alteration. It has been proposed that Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) might be a promising gene involved in schizophrenia, because of its role in neurodevelopment and neuroplasticity. In this study, the association between NRG1 and STG anatomy in patients with schizophrenia was explored for the first time. &lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt; We investigated a 1-year treated prevalence cohort of patients with schizophrenia in contact with the South Verona Community-Based Mental Health Service. A blood sample was collected for DNA extraction and brain structure was assessed with an MRI scan. A total of 27 subjects with schizophrenia underwent both assessments and were included in the study. &lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt; We investigated the association between the polymorphism SNP8NRG222662 (rs4623364) of NRG1 and volume of the STG. We found that patients homozygous for the C allele had reduced left STG gray and white matter volumes in comparison to those homozygous for the G allele (p &lt; 0.01 and p &lt; 0.001, respectively). &lt;i&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/i&gt; This exploratory study suggests that NRG1 may be involved in determining STG size in schizophrenia, and may play a role in the neurogenetic basis of the language disturbances seen in this disorder. However, due to our small sample size, the results should be regarded as preliminary and replicated in a larger sample.</jats:p

Multicenter quality control study for human cytomegalovirus DNAemia quantification

Abstract Standardized protocols and methods for virological monitoring are mandatory for the correct surveillance of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection in transplanted patients receiving pre-emptive therapy. Fifteen Italian viral diagnostic laboratories belonging to different transplantation centers participated in the external Quality Control Programme for Molecular Diagnostics of HCMV-DNA by using two in-house and five commercial methods for HCMV-DNA quantification. The different methods shared 100% specificity, and sensitivity reached 100% when samples containing > 1,000 copies/ml were considered. The variability range was wide (about 2 log10) for samples containing a lower amount of HCMV-DNA ( or = 5,000 copies/ml, the different methods provided results within a +/- 0.5 log10 variability range, while the 80% range (range in which 80% of results obtained will fall) was within +/- 0.3 log10 or less. An acceptable level of variability was reached among different in-house and commercial methods for HCMV-DNA quantification in samples containing a clinically significant viral DNA amount. Based on these data, standardized cutoffs established for pre-emptive therapy in different transplantation centers should provide comparable clinical and virological results among centers