Abstract: We determine the non-Abelian version of the four nontransverse form factors of the quark-gluon vertex, using exact expressions derived from the Slavnov-Taylor identity that this vertex satisfies. In addition to the quark and ghost propagators, a key ingredient of the present approach is the quark-ghost scattering kernel, which is computed within the one-loop dressed approximation. The vertex form factors obtained from this procedure are evaluated for arbitrary Euclidean momenta, and display features not captured by the well-known Ball-Chiu vertex, deduced from the Abelian (ghost-free) Ward identity. Particularly interesting in this analysis is the so-called soft-gluon limit, which, unlike other kinematic configurations considered, is especially sensitive to the approximations employed for the vertex entering in the quark-ghost scattering kernel, and may even be affected by a subtle numerical instability. As an elementary application of the results obtained, we evaluate and compare certain renormalization-point-independent combinations, which contribute to the interaction kernels appearing in the standard quark gap and Bethe-Salpeter equations. In doing so, even though all form factors of the quark-gluon vertex, and in particular the transverse ones which are unconstrained by our procedure, enter nontrivially in the aforementioned kernels, only the contribution of a single form factor, corresponding to the classical (tree-level) tensor, will be considered.

Abstract: We describe an extension of the SOFTSUSY spectrum calculator to include two-loop supersymmetric QCD (SUSYQCD) corrections of order O(alpha(2)(s)) to gluino and squark pole masses, either in the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM) or the next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model (NMSSM). This document provides an overview of the program and acts as a manual for the new version of SOFTSUSY, which includes the increase in accuracy in squark and gluino pole mass predictions. Program summary Program title: SOFTSUSY Program Files doi: http://dx.doLorg/10.17632/sh77x9j7hs.1 Licensing provisions: GNU GPLv3 Programming language: C++, fortran, C Nature of problem: Calculating supersymmetric particle spectrum, mixing parameters and couplings in the MSSM or the NMSSM. The solution to the renormalization group equations must be consistent with theoretical boundary conditions on supersymmetry breaking parameters, as well as a weak-scale boundary condition on gauge couplings, Yukawa couplings and the Higgs potential parameters. Solution method: Nested fixed point iteration. Restrictions: SOFTSUSY will provide a solution only in the perturbative regime and it assumes that all couplings of the model are real (i.e. CP-conserving). If the parameter point under investigation is nonphysical for some reason (for example because the electroWeak potential does not have an acceptable minimum), SOFTSUSY returns an error message. The higher order corrections included are for the MSSM (R-parity conserving or violating) or the real R-parity conserving NMSSM only. Journal reference of previous version: Comput. Phys. Comm. 189 (2015) 192. Does the new version supersede the previous version?: Yes. Reasons for the new version: It is desirable to improve the accuracy of the squark and gluinos mass predictions, since they strongly affect supersymmetric particle production cross-sections at colliders. Summary of revisions: The calculation of the squark and gluino pole masses is extended to be of next-to next-to leading order in SUSYQCD, i.e. including terms up to O(g(s)(4)/(16 pi(2))(2)). Additional comments: Program obtainable from http://softsusy.hepforge.org/

Abstract: We demonstrate that dispersion theory allows one to deduce crucial information on pi eta scattering from the final-state interactions of the light mesons visible in the spectral distributions of the decays (B) over bar (0)(d) -> J/psi(pi(0)eta, K+K-, K-0 (K) over bar (0)). Thus high-quality measurements of these differential observables are highly desired. The corresponding rates are predicted to be of the same order of magnitude as those for (B) over bar (0)(d) -> J/psi pi(+)pi(-) measured recently at LHCb, letting the corresponding measurement appear feasible.

Abstract: We consider the possibility of gauge coupling unification within the simplest realizations of the SU(3)(c) x SU(3)(L) x SU(3)(R) xU(1)(X) gauge theory. We present a first exploration of the renormalization group equations governing the “bottom-up” evolution of the gauge couplings in a generic model with free normalization for the generators. Interestingly, we find that for a SU(3)(c) x SU(3)(L) x SU(3)(R) x U(1)(X) symmetry breaking scale M-X as low as a few TeV one can achieve unification in the presence of leptonic octets. We briefly comment on possible grand unified theory frameworks which can embed the SU(3)(c) x SU(3)(L) x SU(3)(R) xU(1)(X) model as well as possible implications, such as lepton flavor violating physics at the LHC.

Abstract: We compute a new generation of standard solar models (SSMs) that includes recent updates on some important nuclear reaction rates and a more consistent treatment of the equation of state. Models also include a novel and flexible treatment of opacity uncertainties based on opacity kernels, required in. light of recent theoretical and experimental works on radiative opacity. Two large sets of SSMs, each based on a different canonical set of solar abundances with high and low metallicity (Z), are computed to determine model uncertainties and correlations among different observables. We present detailed comparisons of high-and low-Z models against different ensembles of solar observables,. including solar neutrinos, surface helium abundance, depth of the. convective envelope, and sound speed profile. A global comparison, including all observables, yields a p-value of 2.7 sigma for the high-Z model and 4.7 sigma for the low-Z one. When the sound speed differences in the narrow region of 0.65 < r/R-circle dot < 0.70 are excluded from the analysis, results are 0.9 sigma and 3.0 sigma for high-and low-Z models respectively. These results show that. high-Z models agree well with solar data but have a systematic problem right below the bottom of the convective envelope linked to steepness of molecular weight and temperature gradients, and that low-Z models lead to a much more general disagreement with solar data. We also show that, while simple parametrizations of opacity uncertainties can strongly alleviate the solar abundance problem, they are insufficient to substantially improve the agreement of SSMs with helioseismic data beyond that obtained for high-Z models due to the intrinsic correlations of theoretical predictions.