Top quark pair production at small transverse momentum in hadronic collisions

We investigate the transverse momentum resummation for top quark pair production at hadron colliders using the soft-collinear effective theory and the heavy-quark effective theory. We derive the factorization formula for $t\bar{t}$ production at small pair transverse momentum, and show in detail the procedure for calculating the key ingredient of the factorization formula: the next-to-leading order soft functions. We compare our numerical results with experimental data and find that they are consistent within theoretical and experimental uncertainties. To verify the correctness of our resummation formula, we expand it to the next-to-leading order and the next-to-next-to-leading order, and compare those expressions with the exact fixed-order results numerically. Finally, using the results of transverse momentum resummation, we discuss the transverse-momentum-dependent forward-backward asymmetry at the Tevatron.Comment: 39 pages, 7 figures, 1 table; final version in PR

Precise QCD predictions on top quark pair production mediated by massive color octet vector boson at hadron colliders

We present a theoretical framework for systematically calculating next-to-leading order (NLO) QCD effects to various experimental observables in models with massive COVB in a model independent way at hadron colliders. Specifically, we show the numerical results for the NLO QCD corrections to total cross sections, invariant mass distribution and AFB of top quark pairs production mediated by a massive COVB in both the fixed scale (top quark mass) scheme and the dynamical scale (top pair invariant mass) scheme. Our results show that the NLO QCD calculations in the dynamical scale scheme is more reasonable than the fixed scheme and the naive estimate of the NLO effects by simple rescaling of the LO results with the SM NLO K-factor is not appropriate.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables; version published in EPJ

Parton distribution functions and nuclear EMC effect in a statistical model

A new and simple statistical approach is performed to calculate the parton distribution functions (PDFs) of the nucleon in terms of light-front kinematic variables. Analytic expressions of x-dependent PDFs are obtained in the whole x region. And thereafter, we treat the temperature T as a parameter of the atomic number A to explain the nuclear EMC effect in the region $x \in [0.2, 0.7]$. We give the predictions of PDF ratios, and they are very different from those by other models, thus experiments aiming at measuring PDF ratios are suggested to provide a discrimination of different models.Comment: 4 pages, no figure; talk given at the 5th International Conference On Quarks and Nuclear Physics (QNP09), Sep 2009, Beijing Chin

Constraints on flavor-changing neutral-current HtqHtq couplings from the signal of tHtH associated production with QCD next-to-leading order accuracy at the LHC

We study a generic Higgs boson and a top quark associated production via model-independent flavor-changing neutral-current couplings at the LHC, including complete QCD next-to-leading order (NLO) corrections to the production and decay of the top quark and the Higgs boson. We find that QCD NLO corrections can increase the total production cross sections by about 48.9% and 57.9% for the $Htu$ and $Htc$ coupling induced processes at the LHC, respectively. After kinematic cuts are imposed on the decay products of the top quark and the Higgs boson, the QCD NLO corrections are reduced to 11% for the $Htu$ coupling induced process and almost vanish for the $Htc$ coupling induced process. Moreover, QCD NLO corrections reduce the dependence of the total cross sections on the renormalization and factorization scales. We also discuss signals of the $tH$ associated production with the decay mode t \rightarrow bl^{+}E \slash_{T}, H \rightarrow b\bar{b} and $t\bar{t}$ production with the decay mode \bar{t} \rightarrow H\bar{q}, t\rightarrow bl^{+}E \slash_{T}. Our results show that, in some parameter regions, the LHC may observe the above signals at the $5\sigma$ level. Otherwise, the upper limits on the FCNC $Htq$ couplings can be set.Comment: 28 pages, 14 figures, 5 tables; version published in PR

Smoking cessation and risk of esophageal cancer by histological type : systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Tobacco smoking strongly increases risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and moderately increases risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. How smoking cessation influences esophageal cancer risk across histological subtypes, time latencies, and geographic regions is not clear. Methods Studies were systematically searched on Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Pooled estimates of risk ratios (RRs) were derived using a random effects model. Cochran’s Q test and I2 statistic were used to detect heterogeneity. Results Among 15 009 studies, 52 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Using nonsmokers as a reference, risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was lower among former smokers (RR = 2.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.71 to 2.45) than among current smokers (RR = 4.18, 95% CI = 3.42 to 5.12). Compared with current smokers, a strong risk reduction was evident after five or more years (RR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.47 to 0.75), and became stronger after 10 or more years (RR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.34 to 0.51) and 20 or more years (RR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.25 to 0.47) following smoking cessation. The risk reduction was strong in Western populations, while weak in Asian populations. Using nonsmokers as reference, the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma was only slightly lower among former smokers (RR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.48 to 1.85) than among current smokers (RR = 2.34, 95% CI = 2.04 to 2.69). The risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma did not show any clear reduction over time after smoking cessation, with a risk ratio of 0.72 (95% CI = 0.52 to 1.01) 20 or more years after smoking cessation, compared with current smokers. Conclusions Smoking cessation time-dependently decreases risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, particularly in Western populations, while it has limited influence on the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma.Swedish Cancer SocietySwedish Research CouncilAccepte