scholarly journals Integrating Hydrogeological and Microbiological Data and Modelling to Characterize the Hydraulic Features and Behaviour of Coastal Carbonate Aquifers: A Case in Western Cuba

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1989 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebeca Hernàndez-Diaz ◽  
Emma Petrella ◽  
Antonio Bucci ◽  
Gino Naclerio ◽  
Alessandra Feo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Source ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Mixing Processes ◽  
Fresh Groundwater ◽  
Experimental Modelling ◽  
Carbonate Aquifers ◽  
Saltwater Wedge ◽  
Microbiological Data ◽  
Modelling Approach

Carbonate aquifers are the primary source of freshwater in Cuba. Unfortunately, coastal groundwater is often contaminated by seawater intrusion. The main aim of the present study was to test the efficacy of an experimental modelling approach, ranging from hydrogeology/geomorphology to microbiology, to better characterise both the hydraulic features and behaviour of a coastal carbonate aquifer and acquire useful information to prevent groundwater salinization. The interdisciplinary approach was an effective tool in order to understand (i) the hydraulic role played by some fault zones; (ii) the influence of discontinuous heterogeneities on groundwater flow and saltwater wedge shape; (iii) mixing processes between different water bodies (groundwater, surface water, seawater); (iv) the role of karst conduits in influencing the step-like halocline within the mixing zone between fresh groundwater and seawater.

The 2016 Police and Crime Commissioner elections

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 41-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Joyce
Keyword(s):  
Public Awareness ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Source Material ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Social ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Government

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the 2016 elections for Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and to compare them with those that took place in 2012. It seeks to evaluate the background of the candidates who stood for office in 2016, the policies that they put forward, the results of the contests and the implications of the 2016 experience for future PCC elections. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based around several key themes – the profile of candidates who stood for election, preparations conducted prior to the contests taking place, the election campaign and issues raised during the contests, the results and the profile of elected candidates. The paper is based upon documentary research, making particular use of primary source material. Findings The research establishes that affiliation to a political party became the main route for successful candidates in 2016 and that local issues related to low-level criminality will dominate the future policing agenda. It establishes that although turnout was higher than in 2012, it remains low and that further consideration needs to be devoted to initiatives to address this for future PCC election contests. Research limitations/implications The research focusses on the 2016 elections and identifies a number of key issues that emerged during the campaign affecting the conduct of the contests which have a bearing on future PCC elections. It treats these elections as a bespoke topic and does not seek to place them within the broader context of the development of the office of PCC. Practical implications The research suggests that in order to boost voter participation in future PCC election contests, PCCs need to consider further means to advertise the importance of the role they perform and that the government should play a larger financial role in funding publicity for these elections and consider changing the method of election. Social implications The rationale for introducing PCCs was to empower the public in each police force area. However, issues that include the enhanced importance of political affiliation as a criteria for election in 2016 and the social unrepresentative nature of those who stood for election and those who secured election to this office in these contests coupled with shortcomings related to public awareness of both the role of PCCs and the timing of election contests threaten to undermine this objective. Originality/value The extensive use of primary source material ensures that the subject matter is original and its interpretation is informed by an academic perspective.

scholarly journals The Role of the Bone Marrow Microenvironment in the Response to Infection

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney B. Johnson ◽  
Jizhou Zhang ◽  
Daniel Lucas
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Bone Marrow Microenvironment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Multipotent Stem Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem

Hematopoiesis in the bone marrow (BM) is the primary source of immune cells. Hematopoiesis is regulated by a diverse cellular microenvironment that supports stepwise differentiation of multipotent stem cells and progenitors into mature blood cells. Blood cell production is not static and the bone marrow has evolved to sense and respond to infection by rapidly generating immune cells that are quickly released into the circulation to replenish those that are consumed in the periphery. Unfortunately, infection also has deleterious effects injuring hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), inefficient hematopoiesis, and remodeling and destruction of the microenvironment. Despite its central role in immunity, the role of the microenvironment in the response to infection has not been systematically investigated. Here we summarize the key experimental evidence demonstrating a critical role of the bone marrow microenvironment in orchestrating the bone marrow response to infection and discuss areas of future research.

Cybervictimization. Research Matrix

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.V. Zhmurov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
The United States ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Crime Victim ◽  
Internet Crime ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Object Of Study ◽  
System Characteristics

The article presents an analysis of the cybervictimization phenomenon. The author justifies the use of an integrative (interdisciplinary) approach to the study of this problem, proposes the definition of the term under study as a process or end result of becoming a crime victim in the sphere of unified computer networks. A theoretical and methodological matrix for the analysis of cybervictimization (PCPPE model) was developed. The model includes five system characteristics of cybervictimization, the comprehensive study of which to a maximum extent will simplify the understanding of the essence of the object of study. These characteristics include: profiling, conditionality, prevalence, predictability and epidemicity. Each of these aspects is explained in detail: the author developed a detailed nomenclature of cybervictimization forms. The problems of identifying its extent, as well as the determinant role of gender, age, behavioral and personal factors are discussed in the article, and a list of key cybervictimization acts is formulated. This meta-analysis includes thirteen global categories and about seventy of its accent forms. Among the global categories the following ones are identified: threats, harassment, illegal interest, infringement, insult, spoofing, disclosure, compulsion, seizure, infecting, access and use. The prevalence rates of cybervictimization on the example of the United States (Internet Crime Report) are also studied, certain aspects of the methodology of cyber victim number counting are considered.

Modelling sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase and its regulation in cardiac myocytes

2009 ◽  
Vol 367 (1896) ◽  
pp. 2181-2202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jussi T. Koivumäki ◽  
Jouni Takalo ◽  
Topi Korhonen ◽  
Pasi Tavi ◽  
Matti Weckström
Keyword(s):  
Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cardiac Myocyte ◽  
Model Complexity ◽  
Transport Mechanisms ◽  
Physiological Properties ◽  
Theoretical Considerations ◽  
Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ◽  
Modelling Approach

When developing large-scale mathematical models of physiology, some reduction in complexity is necessarily required to maintain computational efficiency. A prime example of such an intricate cell is the cardiac myocyte. For the predictive power of the cardiomyocyte models, it is vital to accurately describe the calcium transport mechanisms, since they essentially link the electrical activation to contractility. The removal of calcium from the cytoplasm takes place mainly by the Na + /Ca 2+ exchanger, and the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ ATPase (SERCA). In the present study, we review the properties of SERCA, its frequency-dependent and β -adrenergic regulation, and the approaches of mathematical modelling that have been used to investigate its function. Furthermore, we present novel theoretical considerations that might prove useful for the elucidation of the role of SERCA in cardiac function, achieving a reduction in model complexity, but at the same time retaining the central aspects of its function. Our results indicate that to faithfully predict the physiological properties of SERCA, we should take into account the calcium-buffering effect and reversible function of the pump. This ‘uncomplicated’ modelling approach could be useful to other similar transport mechanisms as well.

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