[en] Spanish electricity market has served as a basic model in the construction of the electricity market in Slovenia. However, in the final phase of its development additional solutions were adopted from other European and worldwide electricity markets. The electricity market thus obtained is in some aspects more complex and in others simpler with regard to the original model. This article describes two of the new solutions on the Slovenian electricity market: the introduction of numerous standardized electric energy products (Band, Peak, Off-peak, Hourly power etc.) to be traded on completely separate markets, and the introduction of continuous, real-time type trading on all of them but the hourly market.(author)

[en] We collected vegetation and soil samples from various locations along a route covering Eastern and Western Europe. We measured the level of elemental pollution in different places uniformly spread across the continent to determine which of them may have common sources. To achieve these objectives, samples were collected along the main roads from Romania to Portugal and analyzed using in-air PEE (Particle-Induced X-ray Emission).

[en] Finland''s entrance on the non-proliferation scene was in 1963 when President Kekkonen suggested a Nordic nuclear-weapons-free zone (NWFZ). This started a debate in and among the Nordic countries and it created a Finnish profile towards the Soviet Union. In most cases, the Soviets tried to bring Finland into a much closer relationship with the USSR. The mere prospect and debate on a Nordic NWFZ reduced the incentive for the Soviets to undermine Finnish neutrality or their desire to suggest consultations according to the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance on military assistance in the case of a threat to Soviet and/or Finnish security. During the negotiations on the Non-Proliferation Treaty, 1965-1968, Finland played a very active role as a bridge-builder, first between the superpowers and later between the developed and the developing world. This activity gave Finland a name in the UN, strengthened its neutrality and established good relations with the West as well. In 1978, Kekkonen brought up the Nordic NWFZ once more, this time under influence of certain strategic challenges to Finland and general East-West developments. In this Kekkonen had much backing by the public in Finland whereas other states reacted very reluctantly. Politics in Finland has to a large extent been marked by the relations with Russia and later the Soviet Union. However, nuclear non-proliferation was used to ease the weight of this imposing neighbour; a strategy that certainly must be regarded as successful. While achieving this, it was also possible to increase contacts with western states and remain accepted as a neutral state. For Finland, non-proliferation policy was initially a suitable issue to solve other problems than those related exclusively to proliferation. But it was also a policy with a high degree of persistence, pragmatism and willingness to work with concrete issues that maybe do not reach the international limelight in the short run but that work in the long run. And this approach continues for Finland even after the end of the Cold War when many other states that used to be strong actors in non-proliferation are losing this interest

No abstract available

[en] Problem of financing oil industry of Russia is discussed. Main forms of attracting external financing into the oil industry of the country are considered. Main attention is paid to direct investments

[en] Fundamental structural changes have been implemented in the Czech power industry since 1990. Electricity distribution has been completely separated from electricity generation. Governmental subsidies have been withdrawn. The Czech and Slovak power systems have been economically separated. Realistic electricity prices have been set and increased by VAT. The common Czechoslovak electricity system was divided into independent Czech and Slovak systems on 1 May 1994. The ownership of the economic entities was changed within the privatization process. Work has begun on the preparation of a new Electricity Industry Act, Gas Industry Act, and Heat Industry Act. A Business Act, State Administration in the Power Industry Act, and National Power Inspectorate Act have been passed. The continuing national economy transformation process will be associated with additional changes in the sphere of power generation and distribution. (J.B.)

[en] The natural system development of the Soviet Far East dates back to the paleolith. It accelerated more and more, and strong anthropogenic pressure is now evident. The main parts of the ecosystems appear to have changed as a result. The authors have elaborated specific methods of ecosystem disturbance assessment. Measurement of a natural scale was adopted; this scale is based on the period necessary to the changed landscape restoration until climax. Assessments for the Amur, Kamchatka, Khabarovsk, Magadan, Prymorie, and Sakhalin regions have been made

[en] Vilnius University is the first institution of higher education in Lithuania that began to teach students on radiation safety. The special course of radiation hygiene was delivered to students in 1962-1992. In 1992 it was introduced residency of radiation hygiene and graduated students qualified for title of radiation hygiene specialist. The residency lasted one year and included six cycles: fundamentals of nuclear physics, statistics and noninfectious epidemiology, radiobiology, radiological research methods, controls of radiation safety and hygienic analysis of radiation safety. From 1994 Vilnius University has been educating and training professionals of public health. The specialists of radiation safety aren't been training as isolated branch. All courses is divided into two parts. The first one is included into bachelor, the second part - into master study. The bachelor study consists of 2 credits (16 hours for lectures and 32 hours for practical studies). The future bachelors study introduction of radiation safety, elements of nuclear physics, dose limit values, fundamentals of radiological protection, natural radiation. The master study consists of 2 credits (8 hours for lectures and 48 hours for practical studies). The future masters study specific problems of radiation safety in medicine and industry, the safety problems of nuclear power - stations, the problems of radioactive wastes, radiation biology, radiation risk. Radiation safety study model in Faculty of medicine of Vilnius University differs from study model in most European countries as it makes great play of radiation safety while usual model includes radiation safety as insignificant part of environmental health. (author)

No abstract available

[en] The Russian laser science community has suffered a heavy loss. Artur Afanas'evich Mak, a renowned researcher, eminent organiser of Soviet and Russian science, Distinguished Science Worker of the Russian Federation, doctor of physics and mathematics, professor and a member of the Editorial Council of the Kvantovaya Elektronika (Quantum Electronics) journal, died in his 86th year. (obituary)