Exposure to solar UV radiation is a double-edged sword: the benefits include vitamin D3 production and tanning, while the risks include diseases linked to free-radical production and DNA damage. Research during the past few years has demonstrated that the health benefits of solar UVB (290–315 nm), the primary source of vitamin D3 for many people, now include reduced risk for bone diseases, many...

Evidence from epidemiological research suggests that childhood exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is an important causative factor in the formation of skin cancer. A mathematical model was employed to investigate the effect of meal break times on solar UV radiation exposure to schoolchildren in Southeast Queensland for the month of February. The model incorporates UV irradiances measu...

We examined UV-B radiation flux and its environmental control within and among streams of northern Michigan. UV-B flux was estimated in streams by plastic dosimetry strips, which allow for the simultaneous and repeated in situ measurement of solar radiation. During the summer of 2004, UV-B flux was measured across depth gradients and along longitudinal transects in seven streams, which were cho...

The interfering effect of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the natural function of biological processes is wavelength specific and the UV spectrum must be weighted with the action spectrum for the process. The UV spectral irradiance may be measured with calibrated spectroradiometers. Alternatively, the biologically effective UV may be measured with broadband devices. This paper reviews the techniq...

Tree seedlings developing in the understory of the tropical forest have to endure short periods of high-light stress when tree-fall gaps are formed, and direct solar radiation, including substantial UV light, reaches the leaves. In experiments simulating the opening of a tree-fall gap, the response of photosynthesis in leaves of shade-acclimated seedlings (Anacardium excelsum, Virola surinamens...

The heliotherapy and the phototherapy are mainly focused on taking benefit of the therapeutic effects of the ultraviolet (UV) irradiance on different skin diseases. The use of UV-B narrowband lamps, with emissions centered at 311 nm, has spread out among the dermatologist community because of its high therapeutic effect in comparison with its low erythema dose. For cloudless sun exposure, the b...

A ternary nanostructured photocatalyst consisting of ZnO/TiO2/Au was designed to achieve an enhanced solar absorption due to the coupling of surface enhanced plasmonic absorption of metal and semiconductor excitons. TiO2 coated ZnO rods with an aspect ratio of 8-12 were decorated with citrate capped gold nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in simulated waste water...

All-inorganic visibly-transparent energy-harvesting clear laminated glass windows are the most practical solution to boosting building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) energy outputs significantly while reducing cooling- and heating-related energy consumption in buildings. By incorporating luminophore materials into lamination interlayers and using spectrally-selective thin-film coatings in conj...

Solar UV induces dimeric photolesions in the genome of human skin cells, which potentially cause cutaneous abnormalities including cancer and aging. Normal human cells possess various systems to protect their genome from the harmful DNA lesions and nucleotide excision repair plays a dominant role in removing and fixing those DNA lesions. Measuring DNA lesions induced in the cells as well as mon...

Background: Solar erythemally effective ultraviolet measured on the face, neck, arms, hands and legs of a cohort of school children was investigated with respect to student movement about a school environment located in Southern Queensland. Methods: A total of 147 erythemally effective solar UV exposures were measured using polysulphone film dosimeters. Measurements were made on exposed skin su...