The running BFKL: resolution of Caldwell's puzzle

The HERA data on the proton structure function F-2(x,Q(2)) at very small x and Q(2) show a dramatic departure of the logarithmic slope partial derivat ive F-2/partial derivative log Q(2) from theoretical predictions based on t he DGLAP evolution. We show that the running BFKL approach provides a quant itative explanation for the observed x and/or Q(2) dependence of partial de rivative F-2/partial derivative logQ(2). (C) 1999 American Institute of Phy sics. [S0021-3640(99)00302-3].