NLO QCD corrections to off-shell tt¯ W^± production at the LHC: correlations and asymmetries

AbstractRecent discrepancies between theoretical predictions and experimental data in multi-lepton plus b-jets analyses for the $$t{\bar{t}}W^\pm$$ t t ¯ W ± process, as reported by the ATLAS collaboration, have indicated that more accurate theoretical predictions and high precision observables are needed to constrain numerous new physics scenarios in this channel. To this end we employ NLO QCD computations with full off-shell top quark effects included to provide theoretical predictions for the $$\mathcal{R}= \sigma _{t{\bar{t}}W^+}/\sigma _{t{\bar{t}}W^-}$$ R = σ t t ¯ W + / σ t t ¯ W - cross section ratio at the LHC with $$\sqrt{s}=13$$ s = 13 TeV. Depending on the transverse momentum cut on the b-jet we obtain 2–3% theoretical precision on $$\mathcal{R}$$ R , which should help to shed some light on new physics effects that can reveal themselves only once sufficiently precise Standard Model theoretical predictions are available. Furthermore, triggered by these discrepancies we reexamine the charge asymmetry of the top quark and its decay products in the $$t{\bar{t}}W^\pm$$ t t ¯ W ± production process. In the case of charge asymmetries, that are uniquely sensitive to the chiral nature of possible new physics in this channel, theoretical uncertainties below 15% are obtained. Additionally, the impact of the top quark decay modelling is scrutinised by explicit comparison with predictions in the narrow-width approximation.</jats:p

tt¯ bb¯ at the LHC: on the size of corrections and b-jet definitions

Abstract We report on the calculation of the next-to-leading order QCD corrections to the production of a $$t\overline{t}$$ t t ¯ pair in association with two heavy-flavour jets. We concentrate on the di-lepton $$t\overline{t}$$ t t ¯ decay channel at the LHC with $$\sqrt{s}$$ s = 13 TeV. The computation is based on pp → e+νeμ−$$\overline{\nu}$$ ν ¯ μ$$b\overline{b}b\overline{b}$$ b b ¯ b b ¯ matrix elements and includes all resonant and non-resonant diagrams, interferences and off-shell effects of the top quark and the W gauge boson. As it is customary for such studies, results are presented in the form of inclusive and differential fiducial cross sections. We extensively investigate the dependence of our results upon variation of renormalisation and factorisation scales and parton distribution functions in the quest for an accurate estimate of the theoretical uncertainties. We additionally study the impact of the contributions induced by the bottom-quark parton density. Results presented here are particularly relevant for measurements of $$t\overline{t}H$$ t t ¯ H (H → $$b\overline{b}$$ b b ¯ ) and the determination of the Higgs coupling to the top quark. In addition, they might be used for precise measurements of the top-quark fiducial cross sections and to investigate top-quark decay modelling at the LHC.</jats:p

A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Significance Communicating in ways that motivate engagement in social distancing remains a critical global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study tested motivational qualities of messages about social distancing (those that promoted choice and agency vs. those that were forceful and shaming) in 25,718 people in 89 countries. The autonomy-supportive message decreased feelings of defying social distancing recommendations relative to the controlling message, and the controlling message increased controlled motivation, a less effective form of motivation, relative to no message. Message type did not impact intentions to socially distance, but people’s existing motivations were related to intentions. Findings were generalizable across a geographically diverse sample and may inform public health communication strategies in this and future global health emergencies. Abstract Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e., a controlling message) compared with no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared with the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing. Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intention to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges

NLO QCD corrections to full off-shell production of tt¯ Z including leptonic decays

Abstract Motivated by ongoing new physics searches in the top-quark sector at the Large Hadron Collider we report on the calculation of NLO QCD corrections to the Standard Model pp → $$t\overline{t}Z$$ t t ¯ Z + X process in the tetra-lepton decay channel. This calculation is based on the matrix elements for the $${e}^{+}{\nu}_e{\mu}^{-}{\overline{\nu}}_{\mu }b\overline{b}{\tau}^{+}{\tau}^{-}$$ e + ν e μ − ν ¯ μ b b ¯ τ + τ − final state and includes all resonant and non-resonant Feynman diagrams, interferences and off-shell effects of the top quark as well as the W and Z gauge bosons. Also incorporated are photon-induced contributions. As it is customary for such studies, we show theoretical predictions for both fixed and dynamical factorisation and renormalisation scale choices and different PDF sets. Furthermore, we study the main theoretical uncertainties that are associated with neglected higher-order terms in the perturbative expansion and with the parameterisation of the PDF sets. In order to investigate the size of off-shell effects and higher-order corrections in top-quark decays, we perform a second computation for this process, which is based on the narrow-width-approximation where the top quarks, W and Z gauge bosons are kept on-shell. Results are given for the integrated and differential fiducial cross sections for the LHC Run II center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV.</jats:p