Cloud computing is widely recognised as a mean for bringing cost savings and better utilisation of resources to the IT departments and their limited budgets. Cloud computing, where IT is delivered as an on-demand pay-per-use service, is rapidly evolving from a hype to a serious alternative to traditional IT procurement. This development is vastly driven by big international players. If the Nordic region is to influence and gain from this development it is essential that the Nordic governments act now. This report sets the scene for a common understanding of the notion of cloud computing across the Nordic region. The report offers a list of recommendations for key action points where cooperation across the Nordic region will be beneficial in order to establish the Nordic region as a driving force for cloud computing in the public sector.

This is an open access book. The book provides an overview of the state of research in developing countries – Africa, Latin America, and Asia (especially India) and why research and publications are important in these regions. It addresses budding but struggling academics in low and middle-income countries. It is written mainly by senior colleagues who have experienced and recognized the challenges with design, documentation, and publication of health research in the developing world. The book includes short chapters providing insight into planning research at the undergraduate or postgraduate level, issues related to research ethics, and conduct of clinical trials. It also serves as a guide towards establishing a research question and research methodology. It covers important concepts such as writing a paper, the submission process, dealing with rejection and revisions, and covers additional topics such as planning lectures and presentations. The book will be useful for graduates, postgraduates, teachers as well as physicians and practitioners all over the developing world who are interested in academic medicine and wish to do medical research.

This first issue of Volume 51 for 2004 includes a new paper by Peter B. Clark and Jacques J. Polak, along with a tribute from the Editor to Mr. Polak in honor of his 90th birthday. This issue also launches a new featured section, "Data Issues," which will be devoted in future issues to on-going discussions of the latest in econometric and statistical tools for economists, data puzzles, and other related topics of interest to researchers.