Impact analysis of TOTEM data at the LHC: black disk limit exceeded

We discuss the profile of the impact--parameter dependent elastic scattering amplitude. Extraction of impact-parameter dependence from the dataset with inclusion of the experimental data on elastic scattering at the LHC energies helps to reveal the asymptotics of hadron interactions. Analysis of the data clearly indicates that the impact-parameter elastic scattering amplitude exceed the black disk limit at the LHC energy 7TeV and the inelastic overlap function reaches its maximum value at $b>0$Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

Nonlinearities and Pomeron Nonfactorizability in Conventional Diffraction

Alternatives for describing the nonlinear behavior of the first diffraction cone in differential $pp$ and $\bar pp$ elastic cross-section are investigated. High quality fits to the data are presented. We show that the presence in the Pomeron amplitude of two terms with different $t$ dependences is strongly suggested by the data, hinting at a non-factorizable Pomeron even in the field of purely hadronic reactions. The available data, however, do no allow to choose among a nonlinearity in the residues or in the Pomeron trajectory or in both. In all cases, we find an effective slope of the trajectory larger than the one currently used. A nonlinear trajectory with the fitted parameters is used for predicting the mass and the width of the 2$^{++}$ glueball. An excellent agreement is found with the X(1900) candidate from the WA91 experiment.Comment: Plain TeX, 24 pages, 6 eps figures, to be published in Nuovo Ciment

Unified Model for Small-t and High-t Scattering at High Energies: Predictions at RHIC and LHC

The urgency of predictions in large-t region at LHC stimulated us to present a unified model of small and high t scattering at high energies. Our model is based upon a safe theoretical ground: analyticity, unitarity, Regge behavior, gluon exchange and saturation of bounds established in axiomatic quantum field theory. We make precise predictions for the behavior of the differential cross sections at high t, the evolution of the dip-shoulder structure localized in the region of -t between 0.5 and 0.8 GeV**2 and the radical violation of the exponential behavior of the first diffraction cone at small t.Comment: 6 pages, 2 table, 7 figures. Misprints are correcte

Geodemography of the Saint Petersburg Suburbs

In this article, we analyse the structure and the development dynamics of the Saint Petersburg suburbs - home to over 1.6 million people. To this end, we employ statistical, historical, and empirical research methods and carry out a comparative analysis. Geodemographic studies should take into account not only demographic data but also the characteristics of the settlement system. Such studies are particularly important for suburbs. Russian social geography pays little attention to suburban studies, although such territories have become an independent object of research in international geographical science. The Saint Petersburg suburbs are of special interest from the perspective of geodemography, which is explained by the significant size of the area - a result of the territory’s historical development. The formation of the settlement system of the Saint Petersburg suburbs started with the foundation of the city, and continues to this day. Today, their spatial structure is shaped by the current administrative border between Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad region - a product of the territory’s development in the Soviet period of Russia’s history. The lengthy process of border formation has given it a peculiar character. The most vibrant and attractive areas of the suburbs are located at a distance of 14-32 km from the centre of Saint Petersburg, between the isochrones of forty- and ninety-minute transport accessibility. Lying at a distance of approximately 60 km from the city centre, the two-hour travel time band marks the border of both the commuter zone and the Saint Petersburg agglomeration. A new settlement system is emerging within the suburban area of Saint Petersburg - the most economically, demographically, and socially vibrant territory of Russia’s North-West