[en] A study was performed on the opportunity of buying, for the ICTP use, one of the following visualization systems: Advanced Visualization Systems (AVS) - release 5.02 IRIS Explorer - release 2.2 from NAG IBM Data Explorer (DX) - release 2.1.5 Khoros - Developer's Release 2.0+p2. Criteria for an optimal choice were defined and it was concluded that none of these visualization systems would be a good today compromise. Conservative consideration of the market opportunities shows that substantially improved releases of these systems are expected to be operational within at most an year. For short term period, the ratio benefit to burden still makes public domain low-end graphics attractive. (author)

[en] During the last two decades, development of digital electronic computers has led to the deployment of new, distinct methods in theoretical physics. These methods, based on the advances of modern numerical analysis as well as on specific equations describing physical processes, enabled to perform precise calculations of high complexity which have completed and sometimes changed our image of many physical phenomena. Our efforts have concentrated on the development of numerical methods with such intrinsic performances as to allow a successful approach of some Key issues in present theoretical physics on smaller computation systems. The basic principle of such methods is to translate, in numerical analysis language, the theory of perturbations which is suited to numerical rather than to analytical computation. This idea has been illustrated by working out two problems which arise from the time independent Schroedinger equation in the non-relativistic approximation, within both quantum systems with a small number of particles and systems with a large number of particles, respectively. In the first case, we are led to the numerical solution of some quadratic ordinary differential equations (first section of the thesis) and in the second case, to the solution of some secular equations in the Brillouin area (second section). (author)

[en] A numerical solution of a number of 53,249 test integrals belonging to nine parametric classes was attempted by two computer codes: EAQWOM (Adam and Nobile, IMA Journ. Numer. Anal. (1991) 11, 271-296) and DO1ANF (Mark 13, 1988) from the NAG library software. For the considered test integrals, EAQWOM was found to be superior to DO1ANF as it concerns robustness, reliability, and friendly user information in case of failure. (author). 9 refs, 3 tabs

[en] Throughout the European Union, the energy infrastructure, whether developed by public or municipal enterprise, has accepted the ''natural'' monopoly of control of power generation, transmission and distribution. However, since the privatisation of the United Kingdom's electric power industry, this view has been challenged as these three functions are now carried out by separate companies, and competition has become both desirable and possible in practice. This paper explores how an internal energy market for the whole of Europe could be created and how energy industries should be regulated so as to encourage competition, while protecting consumers. (UK)

No abstract available

[en] The virial coefficient isotope effect of the differently deuterated methyl amines CH₃NH₂, CH₃ND₂, CD₃NH₂ and CD₃ND₂ was measured in a temperature region of 300 to 500 K. The deuterated substances were self-prepared. The measurement was carried out according to the temperature change method, with which a relative accuracy of about 1 cm³/mol can be achieved with an exactly known absolute value as initial value. As methyl amine is an aggressive and readily soluble gas for many substances, an apparatus was constructed whose measuring part is free of tap-grease and plastic. The sensitive membrane condenser for the determination of pressure uniformity consists of glass parts with a steel foil as membrane. The Stockmayer potential was used to describe the measured values of methyl amine against nitrogen as reference gas which takes account of the electrical dipole moment in a simple manner. The amino group deuteration increases the absolute values /B(T)/ of the virial coefficients which would correspond to stronger intermolecular forces; methyl group deuteration, on the other hand, has a reverse effect. The fully deuterated amine finally shows a result which approximately corresponds to the addition of these two effects. (orig/HK)

[en] The authors have evaluated the value of Gd-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis in 20 patients. MR imaging was performed on a 1.5-T imager with a surface coil and T1-weighted spin echo and gradient-echo sequences, before and after gadolinium administration and nonenhanced T2-weighted gradient-echo sequences

[en] The European Union is one of the political battlegrounds where the future of the nuclear industry will be determined. This is the context in which one has to assess the contribution that the British nuclear industry is making to improving nuclear safety standards in Russia and other Eastern European countries. This paper looks at the issues facing public acceptance and a rational approach to nuclear power in the Eastern European countries in the face of growing opposition from the Greens and the lack of awareness of the Western European contribution. The paper takes a political viewpoint of the way forward in tackling these problems successfully. (author)

[en] Also in the new Federal States gas coking plants are being shut down. Natural gas has more to offer: for instance, lower pollutant emission and a higher calorific value enabling industry to optimize heat processes. In order to ensure supply in the long term, the energy industry concludes centenary agreements. (orig.)

[en] The conference paper gives a summary of the energy policy in Europe with the focus on trends and changes in the energy situation. Aspects discussed in this paper are energy and society, energy demand, policy issues, the European response, and the European Energy Charter