Cold performance tests of blocked-impurity-band Si:As detectors developed for DARWIN

We report first results of laboratory tests of Si:As blocked-impurity-band (BIB) mid-infrared (4 to 28 um) detectors developed by IMEC. These prototypes feature 88 pixels hybridized on an integrated cryogenic readout electronics (CRE). They were developed as part of a technology demonstration program for the future DARWIN mission. In order to be able to separate detector and readout effects, a custom build TIA circuitry was used to characterize additional single pixel detectors. We used a newly designed test setup at the MPIA to determine the relative spectral response, the quantum efficiency, and the dark current. All these properties were measured as a function of operating temperature and detector bias. In addition the effects of ionizing radiation on the detector were studied. For determining the relative spectral response we used a dual-grating monochromator and a bolometer with known response that was operated in parallel to the Si:As detectors. The quantum efficiency was measured by using a custom-build high-precision vacuum black body together with cold (T ~ 4 K) filters of known (measured) transmission.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, to appear in "High Energy, Optical, and Infrared Detectors for Astronomy" SPIE conference Proc. 7021, Marseille, 23-28 June 200

No cold dust within the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A

A large amount (about three solar masses) of cold (18 K) dust in the prototypical type II supernova remnant Cassiopeia A was recently reported. It was concluded that dust production in type II supernovae can explain how the large quantities (10^8 solar masses) of dust observed in the most distant quasars could have been produced within only 700 million years after the Big Bang. Foreground clouds of interstellar material, however, complicate the interpretation of the earlier submillimetre observations of Cas A. Here we report far-infrared and molecular line observations that demonstrate that most of the detected submillimetre emission originates from interstellar dust in a molecular cloud complex located in the line of sight between the Earth and Cas A, and is therefore not associated with the remnant. The argument that type II supernovae produce copious amounts of dust is not supported by the case of Cas A, which previously appeared to provide the best evidence for this possibility.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figure

Preparing Herschel's commissioning phase: Ge:Ga detector tuning

The Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer (Pacs) instrument aboard the Herschel space observatory contains an integral field spectrometer with two camera channels which consist of 25 linear arrays of 16 stressed Gallium doped Germanium crystals (Ge:Ga) each. The space radiation environment induces changes in the detector performance. Therefore, testing the Ge:Ga detectors under space radiation environment during the commissioning phase (CP) is important for optimization of later detector operation in orbit. The test program for Ge:Ga detector tuning during this phase has been designed according to findings obtained in laboratory experiments: Protons as well as a 137Cs-gamma-source have been used to simulate the space radiation environment and to induce the radiation impacts on the photoconductor arrays. From comparison of the performance of the detectors during CP versus laboratory tests the best strategy for operating the detectors during scientific observations will be derived. This includes annealing, proposals for on-board data reduction algorithms and the best estimated strategy for well-calibrated scientific measurements

Treatment of Sialorrhea with Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A - Consensus Practice Recommendations for Children and Adults

Sialorrhea, uncontrolled, excessive drooling, accompanies different, mostly neurological disorders from childhood to adulthood. With incobotulinumtoxinA(Xeomin, IncoBoNT/A, Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH), an approved medication for the treatment of sialorrhea has been available since 2019. Patient selection, possible therapy goals, treatment and the management of specific treatment situations build the focus of this interdisciplinary expert consensus recommendations with the intent to facilitate access to treatment and to contribute to qualified botulinum toxin therapy

Botulinum neurotoxin type A in the interdisciplinary treatment of sialorrhea in adults and children-update and practice recommendations.

Jost WH, Bäumer T, Bevot A, et al. Botulinum neurotoxin type A in the interdisciplinary treatment of sialorrhea in adults and children-update and practice recommendations. Frontiers in Neurology . 2023;14: 1275807.Sialorrhea is defined as a chronic excessive flow of saliva from the mouth, often with adverse consequences for health and quality of life of patients. In addition to currently used non-drug treatment and systemic drugs, intraglandular Botulinum Neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) injections have been examined in case studies, controlled trials and clinical practice. Two pivotal Phase III trials recently led to market approval in the USA and EU for IncobotulinumtoxinA [Xeomin, IncoBoNT/A, Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin type A (150 kD), free from complexing proteins, Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH] for treatment of chronic sialorrhea in adults and pediatric patients. This review provides a multidisciplinary approach to discuss the current state of sialorrhea therapy as well as benefits and current limitations of BoNT/A injections. A consensus regarding treatment recommendations made available to physicians in Germany in 2022 has now been updated here for presentation to an international audience. This review provides a framework including a flow chart for patient selection, recommendations for dosing and the injection process, as well as a discussion of therapeutic goals, long-term benefits and safety aspects. This review is aimed at supporting physicians in developing multidisciplinary and individualized treatment approaches to achieve optimal benefits for patients. Copyright © 2023 Jost, Baumer, Bevot, Birkmann, Buhmann, Grosheva, Guntinas-Lichius, Laskawi, Paus, Pflug, Schroeder, Spittau, Steffen, Wilken, Winterholler and Berweck