Constraints for nuclear gluon shadowing from DIS data

The $Q^2$ dependence of the ratios of the cross sections of deep inelastic lepton--nucleus scattering is studied in the framework of leading twist, lowest order perturbative QCD. The $\log Q^2$ slope of the ratio $F_2^{\rm Sn}/F_2^{\rm C}$ is computed by using the DGLAP evolution equations, and shown to be sensitive to the nuclear gluon distribution functions. Four different parametrizations for the nuclear effects of parton distributions are studied. We show that the NMC data on the $Q^2$ dependence of $F_2^{\rm Sn}/F_2^{\rm C}$ rule out the case where nuclear shadowing (suppression) of gluons at $x\sim 0.01$ is much larger than the shadowing observed in the ratio $F_2^A/F_2^{\rm D}$. We also show that the possible nonlinear correction terms due to gluon fusion in the evolution equations do not change this conclusion. Some consequences for computation of RHIC multiplicities, which probe the region x\gsim0.01, are also discussed.Comment: 11 pages, 3 eps figure

Global DGLAP fit analyses of the nPDF: EKS98 and HKM

The DGLAP analyses of the nuclear parton distribution functions (nPDF) based on the global fits to the data are reviewed, and the results from EKS98 and HKM are compared. The usefulness of measuring hard probes in $pA$ collisions, at the LHC in particular, is demonstrated.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures. Contribution to CERN Yellow Report on Hard Probes in Heavy Ion Collisions at the LH

Constraints for nuclear gluon densities from DIS data

The $Q^2$ dependence of the ratios of nuclear structure functions $F_2^A$ is studied by performing QCD evolution of nuclear parton distribution functions. The log $Q^2$ slope of these ratios is very sensitive to the nuclear gluon distribution function. Taking different parametrizations, we show that the NMC data on the $Q^2$ dependence of $F_2^{\rm Sn}/F_2^{\rm C}$ rule out the case where nuclear shadowing (suppression) of gluons at $x\sim 0.01$ is much larger than the shadowing observed in the ratio $F_2^A/F_2^{\rm D}$. We also take into account modifications to the DGLAP evolution by including gluon fusion terms and see that the effect is small at present energies, and, in any case, a strong gluon shadowing is not favored. The region studied ($x \sim 0.01$) is the most relevant for RHIC multiplicities.Comment: 4 pages, 3 postscript figures. Contributed to 37th Rencontres de Moriond on QCD and Hadronic Interactions, Les Arcs, France, 16-23 Mar 200

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

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

Nuclear parton distributions in the DGLAP approach

Determination of the nuclear parton distributions within the framework of perturbative QCD, the DGLAP equations in particular, is discussed. Scale and flavour dependent nuclear effects in the parton distributions are compared with the scale and flavour independent parametrizations of HIJING and of the Hard Probe Collaboration. A comparison with the data from deep inelastic lepton-nucleus scattering and the Drell-Yan process in proton-nucleus collisions is shown.Comment: 19 pages, 6 eps-figures, to appear in the Proceedings of the Hard Probe Collaboratio

Developing LCA-based benchmarks for sustainable consumption - for and with users

This article presents the development process of a consumer-oriented, illustrative benchmarking tool enabling consumers to use the results of environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) to make informed decisions. Active and environmentally conscious consumers and environmental communicators were identified as key target groups for this type of information. A brochure presenting the benchmarking tool was developed as an participatory, iterative process involving consumer focus groups, stakeholder workshops and questionnaire-based feedback. In addition to learning what works and what does not, detailed suggestions on improved wording and figures were obtained, as well as a wealth of ideas for future applications

Polarisation-independent Bragg gratings in ion-exchanged glass channel waveguides

The polarisation dependence of Bragg gratings photowritten in ion-exchanged glass waveguides is characterised for waveguides with different mask-opening widths and burial depths. It is found that polarisation-independent gratings can be written in waveguides with a wide variation in fabrication parameters

Long term life dissatisfaction and subsequent major depressive disorder and poor mental health

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Poor mental health, especially due to depression, is one of the main public health problems. Early indicators of poor mental health in general population are needed. This study examined the relationship between long-term life dissatisfaction and subsequent mental health, including major depressive disorder.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Health questionnaires were sent to a randomly selected population-based sample in 1998 and repeated in 1999 and 2001. In 2005, a clinically studied sub-sample (n = 330) was composed of subjects with (n = 161) or without (n = 169) repeatedly reported adverse mental symptoms at all three previous data collection times. Clinical symptom assessments were performed with several psychometric scales: life satisfaction (<b>LS</b>), depression (<b>HDRS, BDI</b>), hopelessness (<b>HS</b>), mental distress (<b>GHQ</b>), dissociative experiences (<b>DES</b>), and alexithymia (<b>TAS</b>). The long-term life dissatisfaction burden was calculated by summing these life satisfaction scores in 1998, 1999, 2001 and dividing the sum into tertiles. Psychiatric diagnoses were confirmed by SCID-I for DSM-IV in 2005. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the studied relationship.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The previous life dissatisfaction burden associated with adverse socio-demographic, life style and clinical factors. In adjusted logistic regression analyses, it was independently and strongly associated with subsequent major depressive disorder in 2005, even when the concurrent LS score in 2005 was included in the model. Excluding those with reported major depressive disorder in 1999 did not alter this finding.</p> <p>Limitations</p> <p>MDD in 1999 was based on self-reports and not on structured interview and LS data in 2001-2005 was not available.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The life satisfaction burden is significantly related to major depressive disorder and poor mental health, both in cross-sectional and longitudinal settings.</p

Personality Disorder and Physical Health Comorbidities: A Link With Bone Health?

We examined whether personality disorders (PDs) (any, cluster A/B/C) were associated with bone mineral density (BMD) in a population-based sample of Australian women (n = 696). Personality and mood disorders were assessed using semi-structured diagnostic interviews. BMD was measured at the spine, hip, and total body using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (GE-Lunar Prodigy). Anthropometrics, medication use, physical conditions, and lifestyle factors were documented. The association between PDs (any, cluster A/B/C) and BMD (spine/hip/total body) was examined with multiple linear regression models. The best models were identified by backward elimination including age, weight, physical activity, smoking status, alcohol consumption, dietary calcium intake, mood disorders, physical multimorbidity, socioeconomic status, and medications affecting bone. The variables were retained in the model if p &lt; 0.05. All potential interactions in final models were tested. Those with cluster A PD, compared to those without, had 6.7% lower hip BMD [age, weight adjusted mean 0.853 (95% CI 0.803&ndash;0.903) vs. 0.910 (95% CI 0.901&ndash;0.919) g/cm2, p = 0.027] and 3.4% lower total body BMD [age, weight, smoking, alcohol, calcium adjusted mean 1.102 (95% CI 1.064&ndash;1.140) vs. 1.139 (95% CI 1.128&ndash;1.150) g/cm2, p = 0.056]. No associations were observed between cluster B/C PDs and hip/total body BMD or between any of the PD clusters and spine BMD. To our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the bone health of women with PD in a population-based sample. Given the paucity of literature, replication and longitudinal research including the examination of underlying mechanisms and sex differences are warranted