Nuclear dependence coefficient α(A,qT)\alpha(A,q_T) for the Drell-Yan and J/ψ\psi production

Define the nuclear dependence coefficient $\alpha(A,q_T)$ in terms of ratio of transverse momentum spectrum in hadron-nucleus and in hadron-nucleon collisions: $\frac{d\sigma^{hA}}{dq_T^2}/ \frac{d\sigma^{hN}}{dq_T^2}\equiv A^{\alpha(A,q_T)}$. We argue that in small $q_T$ region, the $\alpha(A,q_T)$ for the Drell-Yan and J/$\psi$ production is given by a universal function:\ $a+b q_T^2$, where parameters a and b are completely determined by either calculable quantities or independently measurable physical observables. We demonstrate that this universal function $\alpha(A,q_T)$ is insensitive to the A for normal nuclear targets. For a color deconfined nuclear medium, the $\alpha(A,q_T)$ becomes strongly dependent on the A. We also show that our $\alpha(A,q_T)$ for the Drell-Yan process is naturally linked to perturbatively calculated $\alpha(A,q_T)$ at large $q_T$ without any free parameters, and the $\alpha(A,q_T)$ is consistent with E772 data for all $q_T$.Comment: latex, 28 pages, 10 figures, updated two figures, and add more discussion

Resolved Photon Processes

We review the present level of knowledge of the hadronic structure of the photon, as revealed in interactions involving quarks and gluons ``in" the photon. The concept of photon structure functions is introduced in the description of deep--inelastic $e \gamma$ scattering, and existing parametrizations of the parton densities in the photon are reviewed. We then turn to hard \gamp\ and \gaga\ collisions, where we treat the production of jets, heavy quarks, hard (direct) photons, \jpsi\ mesons, and lepton pairs. We also comment on issues that go beyond perturbation theory, including recent attempts at a comprehensive description of both hard and soft \gamp\ and \gaga\ interactions. We conclude with a list of open problems.Comment: LaTeX with equation.sty, 85 pages, 29 figures (not included). A complete PS file of the paper, including figures, can be obtained via anonymous ftp from ftp://phenom.physics.wisc.edu/pub/preprints/1995/madph-95-898.ps.

Universality in nuclear dependence coefficient α(qT)\alpha(q_T)

We derive the nuclear dependence coefficient $\alpha(q_T)$ for Drell-Yan and J/$\psi$ production. We show that at small $q_T$, the $\alpha(q_T)$ is given by an universal functional form: $\alpha(q_T)=a+b q_T^2$, and the parameters $a$ and $b$ are completely determined by either perturbatively calculable or independently measurable quantities. This universal functional form $\alpha(q_T)$ is insensitive to the $A$, and is consistent with existing data.Comment: latex, 4 pages, 3 figures, slightly revise

Immobilization of Ionic Liquids, Types of Materials, and Applications

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Theory of hard photoproduction

The present theoretical knowledge about photons and hard photoproduction processes, i.e. the production of jets, light and heavy hadrons, quarkonia, and prompt photons in photon-photon and photon-hadron collisions, is reviewed. Virtual and polarized photons and prompt photon production in hadron collisions are also discussed. The most important leading and next-to-leading order QCD results are compiled in analytic form. A large variety of numerical predictions is compared to data from TRISTAN, LEP, and HERA and extended to future electron and muon colliders. The sources of all relevant results are collected in a rich bibliography.Comment: Habilitationsschrift, scheduled for publication in Rev. Mod. Phys., 126 pages, 61 figure

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. Findings Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. Interpretation Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic

An improved formula for dead time correction of G-M detectors

Different analytical formulae have been described in the literature to modify response of Geiger-Müller (G-M) detectors. In this work, improvement of a previously proposed dead time correction formula was investigated. A set of experimental data of a decaying source was the basis of the analysis. A general agreement is seen with the experimental data. The result was compared with those obtained by the original work. Numerical aspects were also examined