Randomised broadcasting: Memory vs. randomness

In this paper we analyse broadcasting in d-regular networks with good expansion properties. For the underlying communication, we consider modifications of the so-called random phone call model. In the standard version of this model, each node is allowed in every step to open a channel to a randomly chosen neighbour, and the channels can be used for bi-directional communication. Then, broadcasting on the graphs mentioned above can be performed in time O(logn), where n is the size of the network. However, every broadcast algorithm with runtime O(logn) needs on average Ω(logn/logd) message transmissions per node for random graphs with expected degree d [11]. In this paper we show that it is possible to save significantly on communications if the standard model is modified such that nodes can avoid opening channels to exactly the same neighbours in two consecutive steps. We consider the so-called Rr model where we assume that every node has a cyclic list of all of its neighbours, ordered in a random way. Then, in step i the node communicates with the i-th neighbour from that list. We provide an O(√logn) time algorithm which produces in average O(logn) transmissions per node in networks with suitably defined expansion properties. Furthermore, we present a related lower bound of Ω(√logn/loglogn) for the average number of message transmissions. These results show that by using memory it is possible to reduce the number of transmissions per node by almost a quadratic factor. Crown Copyright © 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Current Wildland Fire Patterns and Challenges in Europe : A Synthesis of National Perspectives

Changes in climate, land use, and land management impact the occurrence and severity of wildland fires in many parts of the world. This is particularly evident in Europe, where ongoing changes in land use have strongly modified fire patterns over the last decades. Although satellite data by the European Forest Fire Information System provide large-scale wildland fire statistics across European countries, there is still a crucial need to collect and summarize in-depth local analysis and understanding of the wildland fire condition and associated challenges across Europe. This article aims to provide a general overview of the current wildland fire patterns and challenges as perceived by national representatives, supplemented by national fire statistics (2009-2018) across Europe. For each of the 31 countries included, we present a perspective authored by scientists or practitioners from each respective country, representing a wide range of disciplines and cultural backgrounds. The authors were selected from members of the COST Action "Fire and the Earth System: Science & Society" funded by the European Commission with the aim to share knowledge and improve communication about wildland fire. Where relevant, a brief overview of key studies, particular wildland fire challenges a country is facing, and an overview of notable recent fire events are also presented. Key perceived challenges included (1) the lack of consistent and detailed records for wildland fire events, within and across countries, (2) an increase in wildland fires that pose a risk to properties and human life due to high population densities and sprawl into forested regions, and (3) the view that, irrespective of changes in management, climate change is likely to increase the frequency and impact of wildland fires in the coming decades. Addressing challenge (1) will not only be valuable in advancing national and pan-European wildland fire management strategies, but also in evaluating perceptions (2) and (3) against more robust quantitative evidence.Peer reviewe

Best practices in the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization initiative: Perspectives of regulators and medicines manufacturers

In the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization initiative, national regulatory authorities (NRAs) within each of Africa’s regional economic communities coordinate their activities, rely on the work of one another and other trusted regulatory authorities, and apply other principles of smart regulation. The first regional medicines regulatory harmonization (MRH) initiative in Africa was launched in 2012, with the goal of accelerating access to quality, safe, effective medical products, and now five MRH initiatives are active on the continent. Thus, a wealth of knowledge regarding best practices and approaches to dealing with common challenges has accumulated. The goal of this qualitative study was to gather and share information on these best practices. To do this, we conducted interviews with key participants from four regional MRH initiatives—the East African Community (EAC), Southern African Development Community (SADC), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)—as well as representatives from the pharmaceutical industry. Here we explore major themes that emerged from the interviews: 1. Transparency and reliability are critical; 2. Reliance is essential for smart regulation; 3. Multiple successful strategies for NRA capacity building have been identified; 4. Communication between heads of agencies is essential; 5. Cooperation at the regional level is not possible without leadership at the NRA level; 6. Sustainable funding remains challenging; and 7. Industry has important insights. We hope that the information on best practices shared in this article can benefit regional MRH initiatives inside and outside of Africa, ultimately helping them accelerate access to quality, safe, effective medical products

Questions asked during interviews of industry representatives.

Questions asked during interviews of industry representatives.</p

Questions asked during interviews of MRH initiative participants.

Questions asked during interviews of MRH initiative participants.</p

AMRH initiative best practices report.

In the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization initiative, national regulatory authorities (NRAs) within each of Africa’s regional economic communities coordinate their activities, rely on the work of one another and other trusted regulatory authorities, and apply other principles of smart regulation. The first regional medicines regulatory harmonization (MRH) initiative in Africa was launched in 2012, with the goal of accelerating access to quality, safe, effective medical products, and now five MRH initiatives are active on the continent. Thus, a wealth of knowledge regarding best practices and approaches to dealing with common challenges has accumulated. The goal of this qualitative study was to gather and share information on these best practices. To do this, we conducted interviews with key participants from four regional MRH initiatives—the East African Community (EAC), Southern African Development Community (SADC), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)—as well as representatives from the pharmaceutical industry. Here we explore major themes that emerged from the interviews: 1. Transparency and reliability are critical; 2. Reliance is essential for smart regulation; 3. Multiple successful strategies for NRA capacity building have been identified; 4. Communication between heads of agencies is essential; 5. Cooperation at the regional level is not possible without leadership at the NRA level; 6. Sustainable funding remains challenging; and 7. Industry has important insights. We hope that the information on best practices shared in this article can benefit regional MRH initiatives inside and outside of Africa, ultimately helping them accelerate access to quality, safe, effective medical products.</div

The four medicines regulatory harmonization initiatives featured in this study are coordinated by the four corresponding regional economic communities pictured here: The East African Community (EAC), Southern African Development Community (SADC), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

Adapted from a map published in Ndomondo-Sigonda et al, 2020 [10] and modified and published here under the CC-BY 4.0 license.</p

Entwicklung und Erprobung eines Curriculums zur Integration der Oekologie in die wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Ausbildung zweiter Zwischenbericht zum Forschungsprojekt

IAB / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEDEGerman