A Defense of the Neronic Date of the Book of Revelation

There are two primary dates for Revelation that are generally accepted: the early or Neronic date (A.D. 64-68) and the late or Domitianic date (A.D. 95-96). In this dissertation, the early date of the book of Revelation is defended against the commonly accepted late date. The study engages with two major texts: Kenneth L. Gentry Jr.’s Before Jerusalem Fell, supporting the Neronic date, and Mark L. Hitchcock’s dissertation “A Defense of the Domitianic Date of the Book of Revelation,” defending the Domitianic date. This present study discusses the central arguments of both Gentry and Hitchcock as it defends the Neronic date across five chapters. In each chapter, arguments are presented by advocates representing contrasting viewpoints, with particular emphasis being placed on the perspectives of Gentry and Hitchcock. The dissertation offers a rationale supporting the choice of the Neronic date while rebutting the claims put forth by advocates of the Domitianic date. The study concludes that the Domitianic theory relies on external evidence and such evidence is not definitive. Conversely, the internal evidence, when examined in conjunction with the earliest available external source materials, compellingly suggests a date preceding the destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple in A.D. 70

Ecomat und Dammkultur – Alternative Bodenbearbeitungssysteme im Ökologischen Landbau – Erste Ergebnisse aus einem Exaktversuch

In the interdisciplinary research project a field experiment of alternative tillage systems in organic farming was installed. Ridge till system from Turiel-Major and Ecomat-system from Kverneland will be compared with conventional ploughing system. Within the project, located on the experimental farm of the University of Kassel, regular yearly workshops are led. Due to the regular contact with farmers, advisers, developers and scientists knowledge of practice will be carried into scientific research, the transfer of knowledge will be carried on. The change to the Ecomat-system is simple. Take notice that after very shallow till-age, like stubble cultivation (short stubble) or turning grass-clover, the following tillage has to be done a few cm deeper. In the year of implementing the Ecomat-system there were no decreases in yields. The mineralization of Nitrogen was the same as in the ploughing system. When changing to the ridge till system the width of the dams (90 cm) must fit to the track width, planting and harvesting equipment. After stubble cultivation in the ridge till system mineralization of N increased. This N was taken up by the catch crop. Leaching of N is not expected. Even in the first year after changing the tillage systems the alternative systems Eco-mat and ridge till showed higher saturated hydraulic conductivity than the conventional ploughing system. This leads to much lower susceptibility of soil erosion when using these soil layer conservation systems

E+E-Projekt „Integration von Naturschutzzielen in den Ökologischen Landbau am Beispiel der Hessischen Staatsdomäne Frankenhausen“ - Maßnahmen in der bewirtschafteten Fläche

On the Hessian state domain Frankenhausen near Kassel the project “The Integration of Nature Conservation into Organic Farming” (supported by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation with funds of the Federal Environmental Ministry) aims to support biodiversity not only by restoring biotopes on the farmland. The focus lies on measures to enhance the diversity on the arable land and the pastures of the farm. A participatory approach is striven for, in which the scientists and planners take the role of a companion catalyst or moderator

Functional Implications of Novel Human Acid Sphingomyelinase Splice Variants

BACKGROUND: Acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) hydrolyses sphingomyelin and generates the lipid messenger ceramide, which mediates a variety of stress-related cellular processes. The pathological effects of dysregulated ASM activity are evident in several human diseases and indicate an important functional role for ASM regulation. We investigated alternative splicing as a possible mechanism for regulating cellular ASM activity. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We identified three novel ASM splice variants in human cells, termed ASM-5, -6 and -7, which lack portions of the catalytic- and/or carboxy-terminal domains in comparison to full-length ASM-1. Differential expression patterns in primary blood cells indicated that ASM splicing might be subject to regulatory processes. The newly identified ASM splice variants were catalytically inactive in biochemical in vitro assays, but they decreased the relative cellular ceramide content in overexpression studies and exerted a dominant-negative effect on ASM activity in physiological cell models. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These findings indicate that alternative splicing of ASM is of functional significance for the cellular stress response, possibly representing a mechanism for maintaining constant levels of cellular ASM enzyme activity

Error mapping controller: a closed loop neuroprosthesis controlled by artificial neural networks

BACKGROUND: The design of an optimal neuroprostheses controller and its clinical use presents several challenges. First, the physiological system is characterized by highly inter-subjects varying properties and also by non stationary behaviour with time, due to conditioning level and fatigue. Secondly, the easiness to use in routine clinical practice requires experienced operators. Therefore, feedback controllers, avoiding long setting procedures, are required. METHODS: The error mapping controller (EMC) here proposed uses artificial neural networks (ANNs) both for the design of an inverse model and of a feedback controller. A neuromuscular model is used to validate the performance of the controllers in simulations. The EMC performance is compared to a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) included in an anti wind-up scheme (called PIDAW) and to a controller with an ANN as inverse model and a PID in the feedback loop (NEUROPID). In addition tests on the EMC robustness in response to variations of the Plant parameters and to mechanical disturbances are carried out. RESULTS: The EMC shows improvements with respect to the other controllers in tracking accuracy, capability to prolong exercise managing fatigue, robustness to parameter variations and resistance to mechanical disturbances. CONCLUSION: Different from the other controllers, the EMC is capable of balancing between tracking accuracy and mapping of fatigue during the exercise. In this way, it avoids overstressing muscles and allows a considerable prolongation of the movement. The collection of the training sets does not require any particular experimental setting and can be introduced in routine clinical practice

Occupational UV exposure of environmental agents in Valencia, Spain

The aim of this paper is to measure UV exposure of environmental agents in their occupational schedules in summer in Valencia province (Spain) using VioSpor personal dosimeters attached to several parts of their bodies. Due to its geographical situation, Valencia receives large UVR doses throughout the year, and the work of environmental agents is directly related to the protection, care, and custody of natural, often in mountainous areas. Comparison with the occupational UV exposure limit showed that the agents received an erythemal UV dose in excess of occupational guidelines, indicating that protective measures against this risk are highly advisable.The authors wish to thank the environmental agents of the Conselleria de Infraestructuras, Territorio y Medio Ambiente of the Generalitat Valenciana for their cooperation in this study. We also wish to thank the Head of the Conselleria for permitting the workers to take part. We are also grateful to the State Agency for Meteorology and the Generalitat Valenciana for providing us with access to their meteorological data. The data used in this work were originally acquired as part of the activities of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, and are archived and distributed by the Goddard Earth Sciences (GES) Data and Information Services Center (DISC). The translation of this study was funded by the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Spain. The research was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science within Research Project CGL2010-15931 and by the Generalitat Valenciana within the PROMETEO/2010/064 Project.Serrano Jareño, MA.; Cañada, J.; Moreno Esteve, JC.; Gurrea Ysasi, G. (2014). Occupational UV exposure of environmental agents in Valencia, Spain. Photochemistry and Photobiology. 90:911-918. https://doi.org/10.1111/php.12252S91191890Juzeniene, A., Brekke, P., Dahlback, A., Andersson-Engels, S., Reichrath, J., Moan, K., … Moan, J. (2011). Solar radiation and human health. Reports on Progress in Physics, 74(6), 066701. doi:10.1088/0034-4885/74/6/066701Norval, M., Lucas, R. M., Cullen, A. P., de Gruijl, F. R., Longstreth, J., Takizawa, Y., & van der Leun, J. C. (2011). The human health effects of ozone depletion and interactions with climate change. Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, 10(2), 199. doi:10.1039/c0pp90044cSklar, L. R., Almutawa, F., Lim, H. W., & Hamzavi, I. (2013). Effects of ultraviolet radiation, visible light, and infrared radiation on erythema and pigmentation: a review. Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 12(1), 54-64. doi:10.1039/c2pp25152cGarbe, C., & Leiter, U. (2009). Melanoma epidemiology and trends. Clinics in Dermatology, 27(1), 3-9. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2008.09.001Madan, V., Lear, J. T., & Szeimies, R.-M. (2010). Non-melanoma skin cancer. The Lancet, 375(9715), 673-685. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(09)61196-xLomas, A., Leonardi‐Bee, J., & Bath‐Hextall, F. (2012). 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Parkin 2010 GLOBOCAN 2008 v2.0, Cancer Incidence and Mortality Worldwide: IARC CancerBase No. 10 [Internet] International Agency for Research on Cancer Lyon, France http://globocan.iarc.frHousman, T. S., Feldman, S. R., Williford, P. M., Fleischer, A. B., Goldman, N. D., Acostamadiedo, J. M., & Chen, G. J. (2003). Skin cancer is among the most costly of all cancers to treat for the Medicare population. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 48(3), 425-429. doi:10.1067/mjd.2003.186De Vries, E., van de Poll-Franse, L. V., Louwman, W. J., de Gruijl, F. R., & Coebergh, J. W. W. (2005). Predictions of skin cancer incidence in the Netherlands up to 2015. British Journal of Dermatology, 152(3), 481-488. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2005.06386.xCáncer en cifras Centro Nacional de Epidemiología Instituto de Salud Carlos III http://193.146.50.130/morta/grafs.php#grafsDe Vries, E., Bray, F. I., Coebergh, J. W. W., & Parkin, D. M. (2003). Changing epidemiology of malignant cutaneous melanoma in Europe 1953-1997: Rising trends in incidence and mortality but recent stabilizations in Western Europe and decreases in Scandinavia. International Journal of Cancer, 107(1), 119-126. doi:10.1002/ijc.11360Ferlay, J., Steliarova-Foucher, E., Lortet-Tieulent, J., Rosso, S., Coebergh, J. W. W., Comber, H., … Bray, F. (2013). Cancer incidence and mortality patterns in Europe: Estimates for 40 countries in 2012. European Journal of Cancer, 49(6), 1374-1403. doi:10.1016/j.ejca.2012.12.027European Detailed Mortality Database World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe http://data.euro.who.int/hfamdb/De Gruijl, F. R. (2011). Sufficient Vitamin D from Casual Sun Exposure? Photochemistry and Photobiology, 87(3), 598-601. doi:10.1111/j.1751-1097.2011.00918.xWebb, A. R., Kift, R., Berry, J. L., & Rhodes, L. E. (2011). The Vitamin D Debate: Translating Controlled Experiments into Reality for Human Sun Exposure Times. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 87(3), 741-745. doi:10.1111/j.1751-1097.2011.00898.xJohn, E. M., Koo, J., & Schwartz, G. G. (2007). Sun Exposure and Prostate Cancer Risk: Evidence for a Protective Effect of Early-Life Exposure. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, 16(6), 1283-1286. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.epi-06-1053Grant, W. B. (2010). Relation between prediagnostic serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and incidence of breast, colorectal, and other cancers. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 101(2), 130-136. doi:10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2010.04.008Kampman, M. T., & Steffensen, L. H. (2010). The role of vitamin D in multiple sclerosis. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 101(2), 137-141. doi:10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2010.04.003Zittermann, A., & Gummert, J. F. (2010). Sun, vitamin D, and cardiovascular disease. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 101(2), 124-129. doi:10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2010.01.006EUROMELANOMA Campaign 2012 http://www.euromelanoma.org/spain/home-1Stratigos, A. J., Forsea, A. M., van der Leest, R. J. T., de Vries, E., Nagore, E., Bulliard, J.-L., … del Marmol, V. (2012). Euromelanoma: a dermatology-led European campaign against nonmelanoma skin cancer and cutaneous melanoma. Past, present and future. British Journal of Dermatology, 167, 99-104. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.11092.xCAREX project http://www.esf.org/research-areas/space-sciences/activities/carex-project.htmlGies, P., & Wright, J. (2003). Measured Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Exposures of Outdoor Workers in Queensland in the Building and Construction Industry¶. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 78(4), 342. doi:10.1562/0031-8655(2003)0782.0.co;2Moehrle, M., Dennenmoser, B., & Garbe, C. (2003). Continuous long-term monitoring of UV radiation in professional mountain guides reveals extremely high exposure. International Journal of Cancer, 103(6), 775-778. doi:10.1002/ijc.10884Thieden, E., Collins, S. M., Philipsen, P. A., Murphy, G. M., & Wulf, H. C. (2005). Ultraviolet exposure patterns of Irish and Danish gardeners during work and leisure. British Journal of Dermatology, 153(4), 795-801. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2005.06797.xGlanz, K., Buller, D. B., & Saraiya, M. (2007). Reducing ultraviolet radiation exposure among outdoor workers: State of the evidence and recommendations. Environmental Health, 6(1). doi:10.1186/1476-069x-6-22Milon, A., Sottas, P.-E., Bulliard, J.-L., & Vernez, D. (2006). Effective exposure to solar UV in building workers: influence of local and individual factors. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, 17(1), 58-68. doi:10.1038/sj.jes.7500521Siani, A. M., Casale, G. R., Diémoz, H., Agnesod, G., Kimlin, M. G., Lang, C. A., & Colosimo, A. (2008). Personal UV exposure in high albedo alpine sites. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 8(14), 3749-3760. doi:10.5194/acp-8-3749-2008Gies, P., Watzl, R., Javorniczky, J., Roy, C., Henderson, S., Ayton, J., & Kingston, M. (2009). Measurement of the UVR Exposures of Expeditioners on Antarctic Resupply Voyages. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 85(6), 1485-1490. doi:10.1111/j.1751-1097.2009.00602.xHammond, V., Reeder, A. I., & Gray, A. (2009). Patterns of real-time occupational ultraviolet radiation exposure among a sample of outdoor workers in New Zealand. Public Health, 123(2), 182-187. doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2008.12.007Serrano, M. A., Cañada, J., & Moreno, J. C. (2009). Erythemal Ultraviolet Exposure in Two Groups of Outdoor Workers in Valencia, Spain. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 85(6), 1468-1473. doi:10.1111/j.1751-1097.2009.00609.xSchmalwieser, A. W., Cabaj, A., Schauberger, G., Rohn, H., Maier, B., & Maier, H. (2010). Facial Solar UV Exposure of Austrian Farmers During Occupation. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 86(6), 1404-1413. doi:10.1111/j.1751-1097.2010.00812.xSiani, A. M., Casale, G. R., Sisto, R., Colosimo, A., Lang, C. A., & Kimlin, M. G. (2011). Occupational Exposures to Solar Ultraviolet Radiation of Vineyard Workers in Tuscany (Italy). Photochemistry and Photobiology, 87(4), 925-934. doi:10.1111/j.1751-1097.2011.00934.xHåkansson, N., Floderus, B., Gustavsson, P., Feychting, M., & Hallin, N. (2001). Occupational Sunlight Exposure and Cancer Incidence among Swedish Construction Workers. Epidemiology, 12(5), 552-557. doi:10.1097/00001648-200109000-00015Gandini, S., Sera, F., Cattaruzza, M. S., Pasquini, P., Picconi, O., Boyle, P., & Melchi, C. F. (2005). Meta-analysis of risk factors for cutaneous melanoma: II. Sun exposure. European Journal of Cancer, 41(1), 45-60. doi:10.1016/j.ejca.2004.10.016Radespiel-Tröger, M., Meyer, M., Pfahlberg, A., Lausen, B., Uter, W., & Gefeller, O. (2008). Outdoor work and skin cancer incidence: a registry-based study in Bavaria. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 82(3), 357-363. doi:10.1007/s00420-008-0342-0Kenborg, L., Jørgensen, A. D., Budtz-Jørgensen, E., Knudsen, L. E., & Hansen, J. (2010). Occupational exposure to the sun and risk of skin and lip cancer among male wage earners in Denmark: a population-based case–control study. Cancer Causes & Control, 21(8), 1347-1355. doi:10.1007/s10552-010-9562-1Lichte, V., Dennenmoser, B., Dietz, K., Häfner, H.-M., Schlagenhauff, B., Garbe, C., … Moehrle, M. (2009). Professional risk for skin cancer development in male mountain guides - a cross-sectional study. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 24(7), 797-804. doi:10.1111/j.1468-3083.2009.03528.xDiepgen, T. L., Fartasch, M., Drexler, H., & Schmitt, J. (2012). Occupational skin cancer induced by ultraviolet radiation and its prevention. British Journal of Dermatology, 167, 76-84. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.11090.xSchmitt, J., Seidler, A., Diepgen, T. L., & Bauer, A. (2011). Occupational ultraviolet light exposure increases the risk for the development of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Dermatology, 164(2), 291-307. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.10118.xDe Vries, E., Trakatelli, M., Kalabalikis, D., Ferrandiz, L., Ruiz-de-Casas, A., … Moreno-Ramirez, D. (2012). Known and potential new risk factors for skin cancer in European populations: a multicentre case-control study. British Journal of Dermatology, 167, 1-13. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.11081.xSchmitt, J., Diepgen, T., & Bauer, A. (2010). Berufliche Exposition gegenüber natürlicher UV-Strahlung und nicht-melanozytärer Hautkrebs - ein systematischer Review zur Frage einer neuen Berufskrankheit. JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, 8(4), 250-264. doi:10.1111/j.1610-0387.2009.07260_supp.xBlumthaler, M., Ambach, W., & Ellinger, R. (1997). Increase in solar UV radiation with altitude. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 39(2), 130-134. doi:10.1016/s1011-1344(96)00018-8Aceituno-Madera, P., Buendía-Eisman, A., Olmo, F. J., Jiménez-Moleón, J. J., & Serrano-Ortega, S. (2011). Melanoma, altitud y radiación UVB. Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas, 102(3), 199-205. doi:10.1016/j.ad.2010.08.003Biosense Laboratories www.biosense.de/home-e.htmMoehrle, M., & Garbe, C. (2000). Personal UV Dosimetry by Bacillus subtilis Spore Films. Dermatology, 200(1), 1-5. doi:10.1159/000018306O’Riordan, D. L., Glanz, K., Gies, P., & Elliott, T. (2008). A Pilot Study of the Validity of Self-reported Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure and Sun Protection Practices Among Lifeguards, Parents and Children. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 84(3), 774-778. doi:10.1111/j.1751-1097.2007.00262.xFurusawa, Y., Quintern, L. E., Holtschmidt, H., Koepke, P., & Saito, M. (1998). Determination of erythema-effective solar radiation in Japan and Germany with a spore monolayer film optimized for the detection of UVB and UVA - results of a field campaign. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 50(5), 597-603. doi:10.1007/s002530051341Munakata, N., Kazadzis, S., Bais, A. F., Hieda, K., Rontó, G., Rettberg, P., & Horneck, G. (2000). Comparisons of Spore Dosimetry and Spectral Photometry of Solar-UV Radiation at Four Sites in Japan and Europe¶. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 72(6), 739. doi:10.1562/0031-8655(2000)0722.0.co;2Quintern, L. ., Furusawa, Y., Fukutsu, K., & Holtschmidt, H. (1997). Characterization and application of UV detector spore films: the sensitivity curve of a new detector system provides good similarity to the action spectrum for UV-induced erythema in human skin. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 37(1-2), 158-166. doi:10.1016/s1011-1344(96)04414-4Seckmeyer , G. B. Mayer G. Bernhard 1998 The 1997 Status of Solar UV Spectroradiometry in Germany: Results from the National Intercomparison of UV Spectroradiometers, with contributions from Albold A., Baum W., Dehne K., Feister U., Gericke K., Grewe R., Gross C., Sandmann H., Schreiber J., Seidlitz H.K., Steinmetz M., Thiel S., Wallasch M. and Weller M., Garmisch-Partenkirchen 55 166 Shaker-Verlag Aachen, GermanyPrograma Meteorología de la Fundación Centro de Estudios Ambientales del Mediterráneo (Generalitat Valenciana) http://www.gva.es/ceamet/vigilancia/radUV/radUV.htmlVilaplana, J. M., Cachorro, V. E., Sorribas, M., Luccini, E., de Frutos, A. M., Berjón, A., & de la Morena, B. (2006). Modified Calibration Procedures for a Yankee Environmental System UVB-1 Biometer Based on Spectral Measurements with a Brewer Spectrophotometer. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 82(2), 508. doi:10.1562/2005-06-23-ra-590Hülsen, G., & Gröbner, J. (2007). Characterization and calibration of ultraviolet broadband radiometers measuring erythemally weighted irradiance. Applied Optics, 46(23), 5877. doi:10.1364/ao.46.005877Cañada, J., Esteve, A. R., Marín, M. J., Utrillas, M. P., Tena, F., & Martínez-Lozano, J. A. (2008). Study of erythemal, UV (A + B) and global solar radiation in Valencia (Spain). International Journal of Climatology, 28(5), 693-702. doi:10.1002/joc.1569Tena, F., Martínez-Lozano, J. A., Utrillas, M. P., Marín, M. J., Esteve, A. R., & Cañada, J. (2009). The erythemal clearness index for Valencia, Spain. International Journal of Climatology, 29(1), 147-155. doi:10.1002/joc.1710GIOVANNI OMI/Aura Online Visualization and Analysis. Daily Level 3 Global Gridded Products http://gdata1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/daac-bin/G3/gui.cgi?instance_id=omiAcker, J. G., & Leptoukh, G. (2007). Online Analysis Enhances Use of NASA Earth Science Data. Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union, 88(2), 14. doi:10.1029/2007eo020003MIRADOR NASA's Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC) http://mirador.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-in/mirador/collectionlist.pl?keyword=omuvbdKalliskota, S., Kaurola, J., Taalas, P., Herman, J. R., Celarier, E. A., & Krotkov, N. A. (2000). Comparison of daily UV doses estimated from Nimbus 7/TOMS measurements and ground-based spectroradiometric data. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 105(D4), 5059-5067. doi:10.1029/1999jd900926AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) Ground-based Remote Sensing Aerosol Networks Established by NASA and PHOTONS (Univ. of Lille 1, CNES, and CNRS-INSU) http://aeronet.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/bamgomas_interactiveICNIRP STATEMENT—PROTECTION OF WORKERS AGAINST ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION. (2010). Health Physics, 99(1), 66-87. doi:10.1097/hp.0b013e3181d85908International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) 2007 Protecting Workers from Ultraviolet Radiation P. Vecchia M. Hietanen B. E. Stuck E. van Deventer S. Niu ICNIRP14 Oberschleissheim, GermanyAgencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET) http://www.aemet.es/NASA Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer http://jwocky.gsfc.nasa.gov/Weihs, P., Blumthaler, M., Rieder, H. E., Kreuter, A., Simic, S., Laube, W., … Tanskanen, A. (2008). Measurements of UV irradiance within the area of one satellite pixel. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 8(18), 5615-5626. doi:10.5194/acp-8-5615-2008Kazadzis, S., Bais, A., Balis, D., Kouremeti, N., Zempila, M., Arola, A., … Kazantzidis, A. (2009). Spatial and temporal UV irradiance and aerosol variability within the area of an OMI satellite pixel. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 9(14), 4593-4601. doi:10.5194/acp-9-4593-2009Tanskanen, A., Lindfors, A., Määttä, A., Krotkov, N., Herman, J., Kaurola, J., … Tamminen, J. (2007). Validation of daily erythemal doses from Ozone Monitoring Instrument with ground-based UV measurement data. Journal of Geophysical Research, 112(D24). doi:10.1029/2007jd008830Buchard, V., Brogniez, C., Auriol, F., Bonnel, B., Lenoble, J., Tanskanen, A., … Veefkind, P. (2008). Comparison of OMI ozone and UV irradiance data with ground-based measurements at two French sites. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 8(16), 4517-4528. doi:10.5194/acp-8-4517-2008Reinau, D., Weiss, M., Meier, C. R., Diepgen, T. L., & Surber, C. (2013). Outdoor workers’ sun-related knowledge, attitudes and protective behaviours: a systematic review of cross-sectional and interventional studies. British Journal of Dermatology, 168(5), 928-940. doi:10.1111/bjd.12160De Vries, E., Arnold, M., Altsitsiadis, E., Trakatelli, M., Hinrichs, B., … Stockfleth, E. (2012). Potential impact of interventions resulting in reduced exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation (UVA and UVB) on skin cancer incidence in four European countries, 2010-2050. British Journal of Dermatology, 167, 53-62. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.11087.

Adaptive robot training for the treatment of incoordination in Multiple Sclerosis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cerebellar symptoms are extremely disabling and are common in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) subjects. In this feasibility study, we developed and tested a robot therapy protocol, aimed at the rehabilitation of incoordination in MS subjects.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Eight subjects with clinically defined MS performed planar reaching movements while grasping the handle of a robotic manipulandum, which generated forces that either reduced (error-reducing, ER) or enhanced (error-enhancing, EE) the curvature of their movements, assessed at the beginning of each session. The protocol was designed to adapt to the individual subjects' impairments, as well as to improvements between sessions (if any). Each subject went through a total of eight training sessions. To compare the effect of the two variants of the training protocol (ER and EE), we used a cross-over design consisting of two blocks of sessions (four ER and four EE; 2 sessions/week), separated by a 2-weeks rest period. The order of application of ER and EE exercises was randomized across subjects. The primary outcome measure was the modification of the Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT) score. Other clinical scales and movement kinematics were taken as secondary outcomes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Most subjects revealed a preserved ability to adapt to the robot-generated forces. No significant differences were observed in EE and ER training. However over sessions, subjects exhibited an average 24% decrease in their NHPT score. The other clinical scales showed small improvements for at least some of the subjects. After training, movements became smoother, and their curvature decreased significantly over sessions.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results point to an improved coordination over sessions and suggest a potential benefit of a short-term, customized, and adaptive robot therapy for MS subjects.</p

Tremor in multiple sclerosis

Tremor is estimated to occur in about 25 to 60 percent of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This symptom, which can be severely disabling and embarrassing for patients, is difficult to manage. Isoniazid in high doses, carbamazepine, propranolol and gluthetimide have been reported to provide some relief, but published evidence of effectiveness is very limited. Most trials were of small size and of short duration. Cannabinoids appear ineffective. Tremor reduction can be obtained with stereotactic thalamotomy or thalamic stimulation. However, the studies were small and information on long-term functional outcome is scarce. Physiotherapy, tremor reducing orthoses, and limb cooling can achieve some functional improvement. Tremor in MS remains a significant challenge and unmet need, requiring further basic and clinical research