Federal Foreign Office

Abstract I am very grateful to the Fritz Haber Institute for hosting this conference today.

New career concepts, such as the Boundaryless Career, have been discussed for decades. In this context, an increasing role for secondary employment or multiple job holding can be expected. This might include some sideline activities or dual employment arrangements as well. The relevant state of research regarding dual employment remains very limited. By means of qualitative research, the structure and dynamics of dual employment careers can be understood and conceptually captured. Quantitative analyses using the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP) for the years 1992 to 2020 provide an overview of some characteristics of dual employment and sideline activities over time. Furthermore, there is potential to identify a coherent pattern of dual employment in the German labour market via sequence pattern analysis. As a result, despite an increase in the number of cases, dual employment careers do not represent a relevant alternative to a professional trajectory oriented towards a main occupation. Dual employment is also unstable over time. However, there is a small cluster that exhibits a stable dual employment pattern. However, income compensation appears to play an important role.

Abstract This chapter provides an introduction into the intricate power dynamics surrounding nuclear weapons, exploring their role in shaping global politics. It outlines four central and interlinked themes: nuclear armament, proliferation, nonproliferation, and disarmament, explaining the strategic, technical, and political factors driving these processes. The chapter traces the evolution of nuclear weapons as instruments and symbols of power from their development during World War II, through the Cold War arms race, to present-day challenges. Special attention is given to the nonproliferation regime with the Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) at its core, as well as the ongoing geopolitical tensions around nuclear deterrence and the humanitarian impacts of nuclear weapons. The chapter also addresses the complex dynamics of nuclear disarmament, highlighting the technical, economic, and political obstacles to achieving a world without nuclear weapons.

SummaryWhat is this summary about?• This is a summary of a research article published in a medical journal that describes the main results from two studies called TRuE-V1 and TRuE-V2• These studies looked at the use of ruxolitinib cream to treat vitiligo, a long-term condition where white patches develop on the skin• Ruxolitinib belongs to a group of medicines called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, which have been shown to restore the skin color (also known as skin pigment) of some people with the most common form of vitiligo (non-segmentalvitiligo, also known as generalized vitiligo or bilateral vitiligo)What happened in the studies?• Researchers who designed the TRuE-V1 and TRuE-V2 studies wanted to understand if ruxolitinib cream helped to restore the skin color of people with non-segmentalvitiligo, compared with an identical cream that did not contain ruxolitinib. This is called a vehicle cream• In the studies, people aged 12 years and older with non-segmental vitiligo were randomly chosen to apply either ruxolitinib cream or vehicle cream to the parts of their body affected by vitiligo twice a day for 6 months. For every one person that used the vehicle cream, two people used the ruxolitinib cream• The main goal of the studies was to find out how many people had a 75% improvement in their facial vitiligo after 6 months○ This meant that three-quarters of the white patches on the face returned to normal skin color• Other goals included measuring:○ How many people had a 50% improvement in the vitiligo on their whole body after 6 months■ This meant that half of the white patches on the whole body returned to normal skin color○ How many people felt their vitiligo was less noticeable after 6 months• The study also looked at the side effects of ruxolitinib cream and the vehicle creamWhat do the results mean?• In both the TRuE-V1 and TRuE-V2 studies, people who used ruxolitinib cream for 6 months had greater improvements in their vitiligo compared with those who used the vehicle cream• The most common side effects were acne (red pimples located mainly on the face) and itchy skin where ruxolitinib cream was applied• Results from the studies suggest that ruxolitinib cream helps to restore the color of the skin over time in people with non-segmentalvitiligo

Abstract Digital transformation is the key to turning public authorities into organisations that make decisions based on data-driven insights. Big geodata analysis can enable public authorities to tackle complex sustainability issues in order to achieve long-term goals. However, the efficient management of large amounts of geodata through the implementation of viable and state-of-the-art data infrastructures represents a major challenge for public authorities. In this article, we propose a cloud-integrated decentralised Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) to meet the needs of public authorities mandated to provide data products and services based on Earth Observation (EO) imagery. We describe the SDI setup, the implementation process, big geodata components, and the integration of the Copernicus Data and Exploitation Platform—DE (CODE-DE), drawing on the specific SDI implementation in a federal agricultural authority in Germany. Two practical applications are illustrated, underpinning the added value of a cloud-integrated SDI. We elaborate on lessons learnt from the SDI-implementation by summarising key findings that may facilitate the effective establishment and use of the SDI, namely i) the need for an organisational strategy, ii) identifying stakeholders, including their participatory roles, and iii) planning of long-term financial and human resources. The SDI proposed serves as a blueprint for public authorities helping them on their way to become data service providers, leveraging the potential of big geodata, including EO imagery.

The first successful implantation of the HeartMate 3 LVAD in Iraq represents a transformative achievement in the nation’s medical history. Conducted collaboratively by German and Iraqi teams in December 2023, the procedure addressed end-stage heart failure in a 60-year-old male. Despite significant healthcare challenges, the patient’s functional status improved markedly, moving from New York Heart Association Class IV to Class I within a year. This groundbreaking case highlights the potential for Iraq to integrate advanced cardiac interventions into its healthcare system, paving the way for heart transplantation programs. Ongoing collaboration and investment in healthcare infrastructure will be pivotal for sustaining these innovations.

The successful establishment and roll-out of a post-licensing surveillance network to assess the reactogenicity of rarely used new vaccines by anonymous data donation to rapidly share early experiences from daily practice.