University of California, Irvine

About: University of California, Irvine is a education organization based out in Irvine, California, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Galaxy. The organization has 47031 authors who have published 113602 publications receiving 5521832 citations. The organization is also known as: UC Irvine & UCI.

Future climate risk from compound events

Abstract: Floods, wildfires, heatwaves and droughts often result from a combination of interacting physical processes across multiple spatial and temporal scales. The combination of processes (climate drivers and hazards) leading to a significant impact is referred to as a ‘compound event’. Traditional risk assessment methods typically only consider one driver and/or hazard at a time, potentially leading to underestimation of risk, as the processes that cause extreme events often interact and are spatially and/or temporally dependent. Here we show how a better understanding of compound events may improve projections of potential high-impact events, and can provide a bridge between climate scientists, engineers, social scientists, impact modellers and decision-makers, who need to work closely together to understand these complex events.

Studying context: a comparison of activity theory, situated action models, and distributed cognition

Abstract: It has been recognized that system design will benefit from explicit study of the context in which users work. The unaided individual divorced from a social group and from supporting artifacts is no longer the model user. But with this realization about the importance of context come many difficult questions. What exactly is context? If the individual is no longer central, what is the correct unit of analysis? What are the relations between artifacts, individuals, and the social groups to which they belong? This chapter compares three approaches to the study of context: activity theory, situated action models, and distributed cognition. I consider the basic concepts each approach promulgates and evaluate the usefulness of each for the design of technology. (http://www.ics.uci.edu/~corps/phaseii/nardi-ch4.pdf)

Assessment of Myocardial Mechanics Using Speckle Tracking Echocardiography: Fundamentals and Clinical Applications

Abstract: The authors summarize the recent developments in speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE), a relatively new technique that can be used in conjunction with two-dimensional or three-dimensional echocardiography for resolving the multidirectional components of left ventricular (LV) deformation. The tracking system is based on grayscale B-mode images and is obtained by automatic measurement of the distance between 2 pixels of an LV segment during the cardiac cycle, independent of the angle of insonation. The integration of STE with real-time cardiac ultrasound imaging overcomes some of the limitations of previous work in the field and has the potential to provide a unified framework to more accurately quantify the regional and global function of the left ventricle. STE holds promise to reduce interobserver and intraobserver variability in assessing regional LV function and to improve patient care while reducing health care costs through the early identification of subclinical disease. Following a brief overview of the approach, the authors pool the initial observations from clinical studies on the development, validation, merits, and limitations of STE.

Report of the American Society of Echocardiography Committee on Nomenclature and Standards in Two-dimensional Echocardiography.

Abstract: The Committee recommends that when the transducer is placed in the suprasternal notch that it be referred to as in the suprasternal location. When the transducer is located near the midline of the body and beneath the lowest ribs, the transducer should be referred to as in the subcostal location. When the transducer is located over the apex impulse, the Committee recommends that this be referred to as the apical location. If the term apical is used alone, it will be assumed that this refers to a left-sided apical position. The area bounded superiorly by the left clavicle, medially by the sternum and inferiorly by the apical region will be referred to as the parasternal location. If the term parasternal is used alone, it will be assumed to be the left parasternal location. In those unusual situations in which the apex impulse is palpated on the right chest, a transducer placed over the right-sided apex impulse will be referred to as in the right apical location. The region bounded superiorly by the right clavicle, medially by the sternum and inferiorly by the right apical region will be referred to as the right parasternal location.

Calcium dyshomeostasis and intracellular signalling in alzheimer's disease

Abstract: Calcium modulates many neural processes, including synaptic plasticity and apoptosis. Dysregulation of intracellular calcium signalling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Increased intracellular calcium elicits the characteristic lesions of this disorder, including the accumulation of amyloid-β, the hyperphosphorylation of TAU and neuronal death. Conversely, neurodegeneration that is induced by amyloid-β or TAU is probably mediated by changes in calcium homeostasis. Disruption of calcium regulation in the endoplasmic reticulum mediates the most significant signal-transduction cascades that are associated with Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, mutations that cause familial Alzheimer's disease have been linked to intracellular calcium signalling pathways. Destabilization of calcium signalling seems to be central to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, and targeting this process might be therapeutically beneficial.