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Introduction: The potentials of Africa for growth and economic transformation through science remains challenging because of existing gaps in knowledge and infrastructure. The Africa Pharmacological Science Gateway project and the Medicines Utilization Research in Africa Group seeks to meet the research needs of African pharmacologists. This study aimed at identifying priority needs that might be met by access to information and tools through e-infrastructure. Methods: A web-based cross-sectional study among 472 members of pharmacological societies in Africa to obtain information on their research interests and skills, available resources, needs and knowledge gaps. Descriptive analyses were done. Results: A total of 118 responses from 13 countries were received, mostly from Nigeria (48.3%) and South Africa (21.3%). Respondents had wide ranges of research interests predominantly in drug utilization research.The desired resources included drug utilization research training and tools, pharmacokinetics and pharmacometrics modelling training and tools, drug-drug interaction and medicine prices resources, statistical analysis resources, access to journals, training in specific laboratory techniques, equipment and funding for research-related activities. Conclusions: Key areas of needs not currently provided by the African Pharmacological Science Gateway e-infrastructure were identified to guide further provision of resources on the e-infrastructure and potentially enhance research capacity within the continent.

To effectively control the transmission of infections, a thorough understanding of the determinants, and patterns, of the spread of such infection is paramount. Scientists have used simulation techniques to develop computer models, ranging from deterministic to stochastic models, in order to determine the resultant networks between individuals. Once a simulation has been developed, there may be challenges in how a community of practice can access the simulation and how it can be run quickly. Using distributed computing resources to run these models can help, potentially, in allowing authorised scientists to access the simulation and to increase computational power. However, the deployment and use of these resources can be extremely complex and could be quite a daunting experience, which could, in turn, prevent non-ICT experts from adopting the technology. In view of this, this paper will focus on developing a simple but intuitive user interface, known as Science Gateway (SG), for running and analysing simulation experiments for an infection model on different distributed computing infrastructures. Our demonstration infection-model has been implemented using the Recursive Porous Agent Simulation Toolkit (REPAST) Simphony. The aim of the simulation is to show how agent-based simulation can study the behaviour of infections, with an annual outbreak, by using appropriate input data with respect to illustrating how SGs can be used in this context, particularly in Euro- African collaborations. There are different SG frameworks for building and customizing SG instances, for specific scientific domain, but, in this work, the Catania Science Gateway Framework (CSGF) approach has been adopted. We will show how a SG can be used to allow multiple users, across the world, to access an agent-based simulation running on the distributed computing resources of an e- Infrastructure.

ABC classification is a widely used technique for setting inventory policies for large inventories. Recently a novel cost-based approach, which seeks to minimise holding costs subject to target service levels for each class, has shown a potential for significant cost savings over more traditional approaches. As part of a study to adapt this approach to the particular characteristics of military inventories, a bespoke discrete-event simulation has been developed to validate the predictions of a theoretical model which implements the approach. Because the two models thus use radically different approaches to generate predictions which can be directly compared with each other, developing the simulation logic has provided an illuminating opportunity to evaluate the assumptions underlying the theoretical model. This informs a comparative analysis of the service levels and holding costs predicted by the two models. Various software design measures taken to optimise runtime performance are also described.

In order to survive in highly competitive business environments, companies have to continuously change their business processes. The paper stresses the necessity for organisational restructuring in the context of global information connectivity. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are extremely important to many countries and they should be encouraged to radically change the way their businesses are conducted. Internet and information technology should offer a suitable basis for SMEs to participate in the global marketplace at less cost and more efficiently. The necessary organisational changes of inefficient business processes could be the largest obstacles for the prospects of SMEs, therefore SMEs should be prepared for business process reengineering (BPR). Simulation modelling has a great potential in modelling and analysing business processes. It is acknowledged that developing dynamic models of business processes prior to their change can contribute towards more successful Business Process Reengineering (BPR). This paper presents a methodology that responds the needs of SMEs in their BPR projects. An example of retail process modelling in small to medium-sized enterprise using Petri nets (DES-nets) is provided. The suitability of Petri nets for modelling business processes is investigated. The benefits of the developed simulation model should be explored through further research in order to determine if it could be implemented as a general retail business process model for guiding SMEs performance improvement.