Understanding how law enforcement agencies share information in an intelligence-led environment: How operational context influences different approaches

PurposeThe importance of multi-agency information sharing is recognised as central to tackling crime and disorder in an intelligence-driven environment. However, whilst technology can facilitate and enhance this process, barriers to effective agency information exchange are consistently reported. This paper aims to categorise how information sharing takes place in a law enforcement operational setting and whether there is scope to improve the process.Design/methodology/approachThere were two stages to the method; firstly, a select group of practitioners with intelligence-related experience (n = 28) were interviewed to identify the most common approaches to operational information sharing. This generated a categorisation model, which was tested with a larger group of practitioners (n = 73). A mixed-methods approach was adopted.FindingsThe research found consensus surrounding four different approaches to information sharing, labelled as: (1) inform and request, (2) meet and share, (3) customised database and (4) integrated systems. These are used at various levels of frequency, dependent on the operational context.Originality/valueThis research provides original evidence-based research to show law enforcement practitioners vary in the way they share information. By demystifying and categorising the process, it provides understanding for practitioners, policymakers and researchers, allowing barriers to be more readily tackled in a much more cost-effective manner

Grain Sorghum Variety Trial Archive

This report features the available sorghum data from 2003-2017. Crop performance testing results are released annually through the activities of SDSU Extension and the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station at SDSU

Field Pea Variety Trial Archive

This report features the available pea data from 2003-2017. Crop performance testing results are released annually through the activities of SDSU Extension and the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station at SDSU

Spring Wheat Variety Trial Archive

Crop performance testing results are released annually through the activities of SDSU Extension and the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station at SDSU

Eurovision 2023: Exploring Liverpool's multi-agency approach to a large-scale event

In May 2023, Liverpool hosted the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine, involving 37 competing nations. With over 12,000 accredited staff involved in the planning and delivery of Eurovision, it is the largest and most complex multi-agency event that Liverpool has ever hosted. The organisations involved included Culture Liverpool, Merseyside Police, Liverpool City Council, North West Ambulance Service, Liverpool One, BBC, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Camp and Furnace, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, and many more. This presented an exciting opportunity to explore multi-agency working for a major live event. The research will identify the key themes associated with a multi-agency approach, around relationship building, consistency, longevity, and trust. It will also investigate the ways in which multi-agency information sharing takes place in the preparation and delivery of a large-scale live event, informing a UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship on law enforcement information exchange. To understand how agencies work together and share information for Eurovision 2023, the following data is collected: i.) field observations during multi-agency meetings, the multi-agency tabletop exercise, and the live events (i.e. opening ceremony, semi-finals, final); ii.) policy documents; iii.) post-event online surveys; and iv.) post-event semi-structured interviews. Participants include practitioners from a range of the organisations involved. Quantitative (descriptives) and qualitative (content, thematic) analyses will be conducted. As a ‘work-in-progress’, an overview of the research and headline findings will be presented

Oats Variety Trial Archive

This report features the available oats data from 2003-2017. Crop performance testing results are released annually through the activities of SDSU Extension and the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station at SDSU

Winter Wheat Variety Trial Archive

Crop performance testing results are released annually through the activities of SDSU Extension and the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station at SDSU

Tolerogenic dendritic cells generated with dexamethasone and vitamin D3 regulate rheumatoid arthritis CD4⁺ T cells partly via transforming growth factor-β1

Tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDC) are a new immunotherapeutic tool for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune disorders. We have established a method to generate stable tolDC by pharmacological modulation of human monocyte‐derived DC. These tolDC exert potent pro‐tolerogenic actions on CD4(+) T cells. Lack of interleukin (IL)−12p70 production is a key immunoregulatory attribute of tolDC but does not explain their action fully. Here we show that tolDC express transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 at both mRNA and protein levels, and that expression of this immunoregulatory cytokine is significantly higher in tolDC than in mature monocyte‐derived DC. By inhibiting TGF‐β1 signalling we demonstrate that tolDC regulate CD4(+) T cell responses in a manner that is at least partly dependent upon this cytokine. Crucially, we also show that while there is no significant difference in expression of TGF‐βRII on CD4(+) T cells from RA patients and healthy controls, RA patient CD4(+) T cells are measurably less responsive to TGF‐β1 than healthy control CD4(+) T cells [reduced TGF‐β‐induced mothers against decapentaplegic homologue (Smad)2/3 phosphorylation, forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3) expression and suppression of (IFN)‐γ secretion]. However, CD4(+) T cells from RA patients can, nonetheless, be regulated efficiently by tolDC in a TGF‐β1‐dependent manner. This work is important for the design and development of future studies investigating the potential use of tolDC as a novel immunotherapy for the treatment of RA

Agrichemicals in surface water and birth defects in the United States

Objectives: To investigate if live births conceived in months when surface water agrichemicals are highest are at greater risk for birth defects