The Beagle 2 microscope

The Beagle 2 microscope provides optical images of the Martian surface at a resolution 5x higher than any other experiment currently planned. By using a novel illumination system it images in three colors and can also detect fluorescent materials

The microscope for the Beagle 2 lander on ESA's Mars Express

The microscope for the Beagle 2 lander on Mars Express will provide 4 µm per pixel images of rock and soil samples. The instrument is described and test results are presented

A cryogenic dithering stage for moving SPHERE-IRDIS' detector

This paper describes the development of the detector motion stage for the instrument SPHERE (Spectro-Polarimetric High-contrast Exoplanet REsearch). The detector movement is necessary because the instrument SPHERE has exceptional requirements on the flatfield accuracy: In order not to limit planetary detections, the photon response of every pixel with respect to the detector's mean response must be known to an accuracy of 10-4. As only 10-3 can be reached by calibration procedures, detector dithering is essential to apply ~100 pixels at a single spatial detection area and time-average the result to reduce the residual flatfield noise. We will explain the design of the unit including the detector package and report on extensive cold and warm tests of individual actuators. The novel, patented NEXLINE® drive actuator design combines long travel ranges (hundreds of millimeters) with high stiffness and high resolution (better than 0.1 nm). Coordinated motion of shear and longitudinal piezo elements is what allows NEXLINE® to break away from the limitations of conventional nanopositioning actuators. Motion is possible in two different modes: a high resolution, high dynamics analogue mode, and a step mode with theoretically unlimited travel range. The drive can always be brought to a condition with zero-voltage on the individual piezo elements and with the full holding force available to provide nanometer stability, no matter where it is along its travel range. The NEXLINE® stage is equipped with capacitive sensors for the closed loop mode. The piezo modules are specially designed for cryogenic application

Position paper of the Food Allergy Working Group of the German Society for Allergology and Clinical Immunology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Allergologie und klinische Immunologie, DGAKI)

Background: Parents of school-age children with food allergies and potential anaphylactic reactions want their children to have an unburdened and risk-free everyday school life. Thus, particularly in the case of peanut allergy, demands for peanut-free schools are put forward. Results and discussion: The position paper of the food allergy working group of the German Society for Allergology and Clinical Immunology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Allergologie und klinische Immunologie) highlights why the concept of peanut-free schools does not protect peanut allergic children, but rather bears potential disadvantages and risks for all those involved. The focus on peanut as a potential trigger of anaphylactic reactions ignores other relevant triggers. Conclusion: In order to address the fears and concerns of patients, parents, and school staff, it is mandatory to develop various coping strategies. These should enable and ensure the safety and participation of food-allergic pupils in classes and other school activities. Therefore, it is important to implement adequate measures for allergen avoidance and emergency treatment for students with confirmed food allergies

Statement by the Food Allergy Working Group of the German Society for Allergology and Clinical Immunology (DGAKI)

Background: Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) may cause difficult-to-treat symptoms of the airways, skin, or gastrointestinal tract in hypersensitive patients. Due to the chemical relationship between salicylic acid and ASA, a role of a low-salicylate diet has been discussed. Methods: This review evaluates whether low salicylate diets are meaningful from an allergological or nutritional–physiological perspective. Results: The body’s arachidonic acid metabolism plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of ASA intolerance. Despite their chemical affinity, ASA and salicylic acid affect the arachidonic pathway differently. The intake of salicylic acid with food is low compared to therapeutic doses of ASA. There is increasing evidence that protective effects of a high fruit and vegetables diet is related in part to the intake of salicylates. In salicylatelow diets, fruit and vegetables are reduced, harboring the risk of an insufficient diet and malnutrition. Conclusion: Dietary therapy in ASA-intolerant patients is not recommended