The second report from the Project-Group ESRF-Beamline of the Forschungszentrum Rossendorf covers the period from July 1999 until December 2000. The ROssendorf BeamLine (ROBL) at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, France performed quite well during this time. In the beamtime used by the FZR and collaborating institutes 44 scheduled experiments were performed, while in the ESRF scheduled beamtime 12 experiments. Additionally, a distinct amount of beamtime was devoted to in-house research of the FZR and methodical experiments. Since February 2000 ROBL is part of the European Commission's programme "Access to Research Infrastructure" which supports user groups from member and associated states of the EU during experiments at ROBL. In the year 2000 ROBL hosted 6 groups for experiments. The report is organised in three main parts. The first part contains extended contributions on results obtained at ROBL. The second part gives an overview about the scheduled experiments, publications, guests having visited ROBL with support of the EC, and some other information. Finally, the third part collects the experimental reports of the user groups received.

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Prediction of flow is necessary for planning and management of water resources. The objective of this study is to estimate mean annual flows for the USA and mean monthly flows for the rivers of central Texas based on the precipitation and their watershed characteristics. Flow varies largely with topographic and climatic parameters and hence generalization of runoff models is difficult. This model aims at providing a prediction at ungaged locations with very few parameters that are easily available and measurable. Scatter in predicted data will be seen at the annual and monthly time scale in the range selected for each data. This model will work on annual and monthly means to reduce the scatter and produce better estimates.

A simulation game was designed to examine the impact of a guaranteed annual income (GAI). The sample of 158 player-objects included factory and clerical workers, high school dropouts, single mothers, and CEGEP and university social work students. To establish the validity of the game, the working and spending behaviour of players was compared with results reported for the New Jersey negative income tax experiment, and found to be similar in a number of respects. The game also simulated two features not present in the New Jersey experiment: (a) variable labour-market conditions, and (b) comparison of a partial, time-limited GAI with a permanent, universal plan. For players on a GAI, working hours were significantly lower when fellow-players were not on a GAI than when they were. Results suggest that work effort may be related to comparisions with a reference group on visible consumer goods.

D-Wave — Quantum computation is based on a very compelling idea: that physics, and physics alone, ultimately determines what can be computed, and how efficiently. Changing the laws of physics relevant for a computing device can open up new possibilities for manipulating information, allowing better algorithms that could transform the way we live. Quantum computation has, up until very recently, been the province of basic research. It is clear that the extreme difficulty and complexity of converting this basic science into useful technology cannot occur within a basic research environment. Here I will describe the conceptual framework behind D-Wave’s organization and technology development model, and compare and contrast this approach to other possible models.

Our goal in physics courses is to teach students to think about and solve physics problems like a physicist. But what does that really mean? I will discuss research on identifying those unique components of how a physicist thinks that distinguish their thinking from that of mere mortals. I will also discuss how these particular components of thinking can be better measured and taught. Audio begins at minute 09:10

Nuclear theory today aims at a comprehensive understanding of properties of nuclides in the whole nuclear chart. A number of challenges are encountered by theorists along the road of accomplishing this goal. Recent progresses in many fronts lead to a renaissance of nuclear physics. Advances in effective field theory provide us with a tool to derive nuclear forces starting from the fundamental theory of Quantum-Chromo-Dynamics: two- and three-body forces among nucleons arise naturally and consistently with each other. This complex nature of the nuclear force generates a broad diversity of phenomena, especially in nuclei far from stability. A fascinating example is the arising of halo nuclear structures leading to extremely large radial extensions. Owing to their short lifetimes, most of these nuclei do not naturally exist on Earth. To be studied they must be synthesized in the laboratory, at the so-called radioactive beam facilities, like TRIUMF. Measurements provide a test of the predictive power of theoretical models. Nowadays, thanks to the advent of high performance computing, new ab-initio methods for the solution of the quantum many-body problem become available. Exotic properties of nuclei can be derived directly from the interaction among protons and neutrons. Furthermore, the investigation of astrophysical implications of nuclear processes, e.g. in the nucleosynthesis of elements is another key aspect in nuclear theory. This synergy between nuclear physics and astrophysics makes the scenario even more exciting. I will discuss some advances in the field with emphasis on future perspective. Audio begins at minute 45:38

Dark Matter and Dark Energy are accepted as legitimate constituents of our Universe. In this talk I will review the numerous observational evidences supporting the existence of the dark side of the Universe, which is why cosmologists claim shamelessly that 95% of the Universe is made of something they do not know the nature of. I will then discuss many of the hypothetical physical origins for Dark Matter and Dark Energy and outline the major research directions now undertaken in order to test the various possible ideas. Audio begins at 01:19:30.

Fractals are patterns that repeat at many magnifications. These intricate patterns are found throughout nature, ranging from clouds, rivers and lightning through to our brains, blood vessels and lungs. Due to their prevalence in nature and their growing impact on cultures around the world, fractals have assumed a rapidly expanding role across the sciences and arts. In this talk, I will explore some of the intriguing properties of fractals by taking a meandering walk through the research disciplines I have worked in. These will include nano-electronic circuits, Antarctic ice-shelves, brain structure and artworks. I hope to show a common theme - that quantification of their underlying fractal geometry provides an enhanced understanding well beyond the traditional qualitative views of these diverse systems.

Dirbančiojo poilsis ir apmokėjimas už poilsio laiką yra visuotinė žmonijos problema, kurios tinkamas reglamentavimas užtikrina kitų gyvenimiškai svarbių sferų funkcionavimą. Dirbančio žmogaus teisės į atostogas įtvirtinimas konstitucijoje, šios teisės reglamentavimas tarptautiniu mastu, bei teisės normų reglamentuojančių šios teisės įgyvendinimą poreikis ir įvairovė atskleidžia šios temos aktualumą. Remiantis Konstitucija kiekvienas dirbantysis Lietuvoje turi teisę į kasmetinį laisvą nuo darbo funkcijų vykdymo laiką. Tam, kad darbuotojai galėtų pailsėti jiems yra suteikiamos kasmetinės apmokamos atostogos. Teisė į kasmetines apmokamas atostogas yra priskiriama prie pagrindinių kiekvieno dirbančiojo teisių. Tam, kad įgytų teisę į atostogų apmokėjimą dirbantysis privalo būti darbo teisinių santykių subjektu. Ši teisė nepriklauso nuo darbo vietos, užimamų pareigų, apmokėjimo už darbą formos, rėžimo, darbo sąlygų, darbo sutarties trukmės. Laisvas nuo darbo funkcijų vykdymo laikas ir apmokėjimas už jį yra suprantamas kaip darbo santykių garantija, kuri skiria darbo teisinius santykius nuo kitų panašių teisinių santykių, pvz., civilinių (rangos). / There is a wide range of literature concerning a holiday payment, nevertheless, the aspect of the peculiarities of a given paid holiday period has not been analysed and no research has been carried out in this sphere. The objective of the thesis is to reveal the character, accuracy and significance of a holiday payment as an additional guarantee for an employee. To determine the shortcomings of a holiday payment procedure regulated by legal acts and offer possible solutions. The aims of the thesis:1) to analyse the conception and concept of holidays; 2) to compare the legal and practical aspects of the different types of holiday payments; 3) to analyse the problems and shortcomings of a holiday payment implementation procedure which is determined by legal acts; 4) to analyse the court practice in solving legal disputes in the sphere of holiday payment. Methods applied: the analysis of scientific literature, comparative and historical-comparative methods.