A General Analysis of Wtb anomalous Couplings

We investigate new physics effects on the Wtb effective couplings in a model-independent manner. The new physics effects are summarized as four independent couplings $f_1^L$, $f_1^R$, $f_2^L$ and $f_2^R$. Using single-top-quark productions and W-helicity fraction measurements at the LHC and Tevatron, we perform a global fit to impose constraints on top quark effective couplings. We introduce a set of parameters $x_0$, $x_m$, $x_p$ and $x_5$ to study the correlations among Wtb effective couplings. We show that (i) improving the measurements of $\sigma_t$ and $\sigma_{tW}$ is important in constraining the correlation of $(f_1^R,f_2^R)$ and $(f_2^L,f_2^R)$; (ii) $f_1^L$ and $f_2^R$ are anti-correlated, which is sensitive to all the experiments; (iii) $f_1^R$ and $f_2^L$ are also anti-correlated, which is sensitive to the W-helicity measurements; (iv) the correlation between $f_2^L$ and $f_2^R$ is sensitive to the precision of $\sigma_t$, $\sigma_{tW}$ and $F_0$ measurements. The effective Wtb couplings are studied in three kinds of new physics models: $SU(2)_1 \times SU(2)_2 \times U(1)_X$ models, vector-like quark models and Littlest Higgs model with and without T-parity. The Wtb couplings in the left-right model and the un-unified model are sensitive to the ratio of gauge couplings when the new heavy gauge boson's mass ($M_{W'}$) is less than several hundred GeV, but the constraint is loose if $M_{W'}>1$ TeV. The Wtb couplings in vector-like quark models and the Littlest Higgs models are sensitive to the mixing angles of new heavy particles and SM particles. We also include the constraints of the oblique T-parameter and Zbb couplings which impose much tighter constraints on the mixing angles. We show that the Wtb coupling constraints become relevant if the precision of single top production cross section measurements could be reduced to 1\% relative to the SM predictions in future.Comment: Chin. Phys. C in pres

The Top Quark Production Asymmetries AFBtA_{FB}^t and AFBℓA_{FB}^{\ell}

A large forward-backward asymmetry is seen in both the top quark rapidity distribution $A_{FB}^t$ and in the rapidity distribution of charged leptons $A_{FB}^\ell$ from top quarks produced at the Tevatron. We study the kinematic and dynamic aspects of the relationship of the two observables arising from the spin correlation between the charged lepton and the top quark with different polarization states. We emphasize the value of both measurements, and we conclude that a new physics model which produces more right-handed than left-handed top quarks is favored by the present data.Comment: accepted for publication in Physical Review Letter

Interpretations and Implications of the Top Quark Rapidity Asymmetries AFBtA_{FB}^t and AFBℓA_{FB}^{\ell}

Forward-backward asymmetries $A_{FB}^t$ and $A_{FB}^\ell$ are observed in the top quark $t$ rapidity distribution and in the rapidity distribution of charged leptons $\ell$ from top quark decay at the Tevatron proton-antiproton collider, and a charge asymmetry $A_C$ is seen in proton-proton collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). In this paper, we update our previous studies of the Tevatron asymmetries using the most recent data. We provide expectations for $A_C$ at the LHC based first on model independent extrapolations from the Tevatron, and second based on new physics models that can explain the Tevatron asymmetries. We examine the relationship of the two asymmetries $A_{FB}^t$ and $A_{FB}^\ell$. We show their connection through the $(V-A)$ spin correlation between the charged lepton and the top quark with different polarization states. We show that the ratio of the two asymmetries provides independent insight into new physics models that are invoked to fit the top quark asymmetry. We emphasize the value of the measurement of both asymmetries, and we conclude that a model which produces more right-handed than left-handed top quarks is favored by the present Tevatron data.Comment: Some figures changed. A typo in appendix fixed. Published in Physical Review

Top Quark Polarization As A Probe of Models with Extra Gauge Bosons

New heavy gauge bosons exist in many models of new physics beyond the standard model of particle physics. Discovery of these W^\prime and Z^\prime resonances and the establishment of their spins, couplings, and other quantum numbers would shed light on the gauge structure of the new physics. The measurement of the polarization of the SM fermions from the gauge boson decays would decipher the handedness of the coupling of the new states, an important relic of the primordial new physics symmetry. Since the top quark decays promptly, its decay preserves spin information. We show how decays of new gauge bosons into third generation fermions (W^\prime \to tb, Z^\prime\to t\bar{t}) can be used to determine the handedness of the couplings of the new states and to discriminate among various new physics models

Top Quark Forward-Backward Asymmetry and Same-Sign Top Quark Pairs

The top quark forward-backward asymmetry measured at the Tevatron collider shows a large deviation from standard model expectations. Among possible interpretations, a non-universal $Z^\prime$ model is of particular interest as it naturally predicts a top quark in the forward region of large rapidity. To reproduce the size of the asymmetry, the couplings of the $Z^\prime$ to standard model quarks must be large, inevitably leading to copious production of same-sign top quark pairs at the energies of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). We explore the discovery potential for $tt$ and $ttj$ production in early LHC experiments at 7-8 TeV and conclude that if {\it no} $tt$ signal is observed with 1 fb$^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity, then a non-universal $Z^\prime$ alone cannot explain the Tevatron forward-backward asymmetry.Comment: Tevatron limit from same-sign tt search adde

Chloroquinone Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cell Lines

Purpose: To demonstrate the role of chloroquinone (CQ) in inducing apoptosis in HONE-1 and HNE-1, nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell lines.Methods: Water-soluble tetrazolium salt (WST)-1 assay was used for the determination of cell proliferation while an inverted microscope was employed for the analysis of alterations in the morphology of the cells.Results: CQ treatment led to a significant reduction in the rate of cell proliferation in NPC cells after 48 h. In HONE-1 and HNE-1 cell lines viability was reduced to 89 and 82 %, respectively on treatment with 10 μΜ concentration of CQ without affecting normal human skin keratinocyte cell line, K38. The expression of Ki67, a marker for proliferation as well as proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), decreased in the CQ-treated NPC cells. Morphological examination of NPC cells revealed cell apoptosis on treatment with CQ after 48 h. Treatment of NPC cells with CQ induced activation of caspases and DNA was damaged which further confirmed CQ mediated induction of apoptosis. The level of apoptotic cells in CQ treated and untreated control HONE-1 cell cultures was 53.67 and 3.78 %, respectively (p < 0.05). In addition, CQ treatment decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in NPC cells.Conclusion: CQ inhibits cell proliferation of NPC cells by inducing apoptosis via DNA damage, and may be of therapeutic use for the treatment of NPC. However, this requires clinical investigation to ascertain its therapeutic potential.Keywords: Chloroquinone, Caspases, Apoptosis, Nuclear antigen, Nasopharyngeal carcinom