Modeling the Impact Parameter Dependence of the nPDFs With EKS98 and EPS09 Global Fits

So far the nuclear PDFs (nPDFs) in the global DGLAP fits have been taken to be spatially independent. In this work, using the $A$-dependence of the globally fitted sets EPS09 and EKS98, we have determined the spatial dependence of the nPDFs in terms of powers of the nuclear thickness functions. New spatially dependent nPDF sets EPS09s (NLO, LO, error sets) and EKS98s (LO) are released. As an application, we consider the nuclear modification factor $R_{dAu}^{\pi^0}$ at midrapidity for neutral pion production in deuteron-gold collisions at RHIC in NLO. Comparison with the PHENIX data in different centrality classes is also shown. In addition, predictions for the corresponding nuclear modification factor $R_{pPb}^{\pi^0}$ in proton-lead collisions at the LHC are discussed.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, Talk given at Hard Probes 2012, 27 May - 1 June, 2012, Cagliari (Sardinia, Italy). V2: Added one commen

Varhaiskasvatuksen opettajien käsityksiä ryhmäsensitiivisyydestä ja yhteenkuuluvuuden tunteen edistämisestä lapsiryhmässä

Tässä laadullisessa kandidaatintutkielmassa tavoitteena oli tutkia varhaiskasvatuksen opettajien käsityksiä ryhmäsensitiivisyydestä ja sen ilmenemistä lapsiryhmän toiminnassa. Lisäksi selvitettiin, kuinka varhaiskasvatuksen opettajat edistävät lasten yhteenkuuluvuuden tunnetta ryhmissä. Tutkimuksen tutkimuskysymyksiksi muodostuivat seuraavanlaiset: 1) Miten ryhmäsensitiivisyys toteutuu varhaiskasvatuksen opettajien toiminnassa ja 2) Millä tavoin yhteenkuuluvuuden tunnetta edistetään lapsiryhmässä? Tarkoituksena on lisätä tietoisuutta ryhmäsensitiivisyydestä sekä keinoista tukea yhteenkuuluvuuden tunnetta lapsiryhmän toiminnassa. Tutkimuksen aineisto kerättiin puolistrukturoidulla sähköisellä kyselylomakkeella. Tavoitteena oli mahdollisimman avoimien kysymysten esittäminen erilaisten käsitysten esiintuomiseksi. Tutkimukseen osallistujat olivat varhaiskasvatuksen opettajia Pirkanmaalta. Kyselylomakkeet analysoitiin aineistolähtöisesti. Tutkimuksessa hyödynnettiin fenomenografista tutkimussuuntausta, ja aineistosta löytyi yhteensä neljä kuvauskategoriaa vastaamaan kumpaankin tutkimuskysymykseen. Kuvauskategorioiksi muodostuivat: pedagogisesti sensitiivinen aikuinen, ryhmäsensitiivisen ympäristön luominen, ammatillinen sensitiivisyys ja sen kehittäminen sekä yhteenkuuluvuuden tunnetta edistävät keinot lapsiryhmässä. Varhaiskasvatuksen opettajien käsitysten mukaan ryhmäsensitiivisyys toteutuu lapsiryhmässä yksilöllisyyden huomiointina ja lasten erilaisiin tarpeisiin vastaamisena. Varhaiskasvatuksen opettajat käyttävät lämpimän vuorovaikutustyylin mukaista vuorovaikutusta huomioiden sekä sanattoman että sanallisen viestinnän tasot. Ryhmäsensitiivisen ympäristön luomisessa korostuivat taas myönteinen ilmapiiri ja lasten joukkoon kuulumisen kokemuksien tukeminen ryhmässä. Oma ammatillinen sensitiivisyys nähtiin keskeisenä osana ryhmäsensitiivisyyden toteutumista, joka muodostuu ammattilaisen tiedoista, osaamisesta ja asenteista pedagogista sensitiivisyyttä kohtaan. Lisäksi koko työyhteisön tuki koettiin merkitykselliseksi ja lisäkoulutusmahdollisuudet asian suhteen tarpeellisiksi. Yhteenkuuluvuuden tunnetta edistäviä keinoja oli monia. Näitä olivat vertaissuhteiden tukeminen ja yhteinen toiminta ryhmänä, pienryhmätoiminta, lapsen henkilökohtainen tuki lapsiryhmän yhteisessä toiminnassa sekä positiivisen pedagogiikan menetelmät

EPS09s and EKS98s: Impact parameter dependent nPDF sets

In our recent study we have determined two new spatially dependent nuclear PDF (nPDF) sets, EPS09s and EKS98s. With these, the hard-process cross-sections can be calculated in different centrality classes consistently with the globally analyzed nPDFs for the first time. The sets were determined by exploiting the $A$-systematics of the globally fitted nPDF sets, EPS09 and EKS98. For the spatial dependence of the nPDFs we used a power series ansatz in the nuclear thickness function $T_A$. In this flash talk we introduce the framework, and present our NLO EPS09s-based predictions for the nuclear modification factor in four centrality classes for inclusive neutral pion production in p+Pb collisions at the LHC and for inclusive prompt photon production in d+Au collisions at RHIC at midrapidity.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, Contribution to the proceedings of the Quark Matter 2012, Washington D.C., August 12-18, 201

Applications of Basis Light-Front Quantization to QED

Hamiltonian light-front quantum field theory provides a framework for calculating both static and dynamic properties of strongly interacting relativistic systems. Invariant masses, correlated parton amplitudes and time-dependent scattering amplitudes, possibly with strong external time-dependent fields, represent a few of the important applications. By choosing the light-front gauge and adopting an orthonormal basis function representation, we obtain a large, sparse, Hamiltonian matrix eigenvalue problem for mass eigenstates that we solve by adapting ab initio no-core methods of nuclear many-body theory. In the continuum limit, the infinite matrix limit, we recover full covariance. Guided by the symmetries of light-front quantized theory, we adopt a two-dimensional harmonic oscillator basis for transverse modes that corresponds with eigensolutions of the soft-wall anti-de Sitter/quantum chromodynamics (AdS/QCD) model obtained from light-front holography. We outline our approach and present results for non-linear Compton scattering, evaluated non-perturbatively, where a strong and time-dependent laser field accelerates the electron and produces states of higher invariant mass i.e. final states with photon emission.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, proceedings for Lightcone 2012 conference at Delhi, Indi

Generalized Parton Distributions from Hadronic Observables: Zero Skewness

We propose a physically motivated parametrization for the unpolarized generalized parton distributions. At zero value of the skewness variable, $\zeta$, the parametrization is constrained by simultaneously fitting the experimental data on both the nucleon elastic form factors and the deep inelastic structure functions. A rich phenomenology can be addressed based on this parametrization. In particular, we track the behavior of the average: {\it i)} interparton distances as a function of the momentum fraction, $X$, {\it ii)} $X$ as a function of the four-momentum transfer, $t$; and {\it iii)} the intrinsic transverse momentum $k_\perp$ as a function of $X$. We discuss the extension of our parametrization to $\zeta \neq 0$ where additional constraints are provided by higher moments of the generalized parton distributions obtained from {\it ab initio} lattice QCD calculations.Comment: 42 pages, 21 figure

Microbiome and type 1 diabetes

The steep increase in the incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D), in the Western world after World War II, cannot be explained solely by genetic factors but implies that this rise must be due to crucial interactions between predisposing genes and environmental changes. Three parallel phenomena in early childhood – the dynamic development of the immune system, maturation of the gut microbiome, and the appearance of the first T1D-associated autoantibodies – raise the question whether these phenomena might reflect causative relationships. Plenty of novel data on the role of the microbiome in the development of T1D has been published over recent years and this review summarizes recent findings regarding the associations between islet autoimmunity, T1D, and the intestinal microbiota.Peer reviewe

Associations between personality and musculoskeletal disorders in the general population: A systematic review protocol

There is growing evidence of the comorbidity between personality disorder (PD) and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). However, there are no systematic reviews including critical appraisal and meta-analyses that identify, evaluate, and synthesize the available evidence on these associations. Therefore, we present here a protocol of the methodology to undertake a systematic review, with the objective to evaluate associations between PD and MSDs in epidemiological population-based studies. A systematic review of observational studies will be conducted. A complete search strategy will be developed in consultation with a health librarian. To identify peer-reviewed literature, the search will be translated for, and implemented in Medline Complete, CINAHL Complete, and PsycINFO via the EBSCOhost platform from 1990 to the present. Gray literature will be identified. Studies will be eligible if they examine general population participants aged 15 years and over. Associations of interest are the presence of threshold or positive screen according to the DSM-V/5 (groupings: any, Clusters A, B, C, specific PD) or ICD-10 for PD in relation to arthritis, back/neck conditions, fibromyalgia, osteopenia/osteoporosis, and/or “any” of these MSDs. Data extraction and critical appraisal will be conducted in line with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidance for systematic reviews of etiology and risk. The results from all studies will be presented in tables, text, and figures. A descriptive synthesis will present the characteristics of included studies, critical appraisal results, and descriptions of the main findings. Where appropriate, meta-analyses will be performed. If heterogeneity (e.g., I2 = 50%) is detected, subgroup/sensitivity analysis may be used to explore the possible sources. The systematic review does not require ethics approval. The proposed systematic review will strengthen the evidence base on what is known regarding associations between PD and MSDs by identifying, evaluating, and synthesizing the findings of existing observational studies including meta-analyses, where appropriate

Life satisfaction and morbidity among postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE: To investigate associations between morbidity and global life satisfaction in postmenopausal women taking into account type and number of diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 11,084 women (age range 57-66 years) from a population-based cohort of Finnish women (OSTPRE Study) responded to a postal enquiry in 1999. Life satisfaction was measured with a 4-item scale. Self-reported diseases diagnosed by a physician and categorized according to ICD-10 main classes were used as a measure of morbidity. Enquiry data on health and lifestyle were used as covariates in the multivariate logistic models. RESULTS: Morbidity was strongly associated with life dissatisfaction. Every additional disease increased the risk of life dissatisfaction by 21.1% (p < .001). The risk of dissatisfaction was strongest among women with mental disorders (OR = 5.26; 95%CI 3.84-7.20) and neurological disorders (OR = 3.62; 95%CI 2.60-5.02) compared to the healthy (each p < .001). Smoking, physical inactivity and marital status were also associated with life dissatisfaction (each p < .001) but their introduction to the multivariate model did not attenuate the pattern of associations. CONCLUSIONS: Morbidity and life dissatisfaction have a disease-specific and dose-dependent relationship. Even if women with mental and neurological disorders have the highest risk for life dissatisfaction, monitoring life satisfaction among aging women regardless of disorders should be undertaken in order to intervene the joint adverse effects of poor health and poor well-being

Subjective well-being predicts health behavior in a population-based 9-years follow-up of working-aged Finns

Publisher Copyright: © 2021The cross-sectional association between measures of subjective well-being (SWB) and various health behaviors is well-established. In this 9-year (2003–2012) follow-up study, we explored how a composite indicator of SWB (range 4–20) with four items (interest, happiness, and ease in life, as well as perceived loneliness) predicts a composite health behavior measure (range 0–4) including dietary habits, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking status. Study subjects (n = 10,855) originated from a population-based random sample of working-age Finns in the Health and Social Support study (HeSSup). According to linear regression analysis, better SWB predicted better health behavior sum score with a β = 0.019 (p < 0.001) with a maximum effect of 0.3 points after adjusting for age (p = 0.038), gender (p < 0.001), education (p = 0.55), baseline self-reported diseases (p = 0.020), baseline health behavior (β = 0.49, p < 0.001), and the interaction between SWB and education (p < 0.001). The results suggest that SWB has long-term positive effect on health behavior. Thus, interventions aiming at health behavioral changes could benefit from taking into account SWB and its improvement in the intervention.Peer reviewe

Electron g-2 in Light-Front Quantization

Basis Light-front Quantization has been proposed as a nonperturbative framework for solving quantum field theory. We apply this approach to Quantum Electrodynamics and explicitly solve for the light-front wave function of a physical electron. Based on the resulting light-front wave function, we evaluate the electron anomalous magnetic moment. Nonperturbative mass renormalization is performed. Upon extrapolation to the infinite basis limit our numerical results agree with the Schwinger result obtained in perturbation theory to an accuracy of 0.06%.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure