# A reassessment of the role of high x data on the MSHT global PDF fit

**Authors:** L. A. Harland-Lang, T. Cridge, M. Reader, R. S. Thorne

PMC · DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s10052-025-15253-z · The European Physical Journal. C, Particles and Fields · 2026-02-05

## TL;DR

This paper reassesses how high x data affects the MSHT global PDF fit, focusing on theoretical corrections and new experimental data.

## Contribution

The paper introduces target mass and higher twist corrections at approximate N3LO order in a global PDF analysis for the first time.

## Key findings

- Target mass and higher twist corrections have a moderate but non-negligible impact on PDFs and the strong coupling.
- SeaQuest fixed-target Drell Yan data significantly affect light quark separation at high x.
- Updated DIS data and ZEUS data have a mild impact on the global PDF fit.

## Abstract

We present updates within the MSHT global PDF fit that focus on the high x region, and on improving our understanding of the interplay of various theoretical contributions and experimental constraints here. We revisit the question of target mass and higher twist corrections, considering their impact for the first time at approximate \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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				\begin{document}$$\hbox {N}^3$$\end{document}N3LO order in a global PDF analysis. Their inclusion is found to be moderate but not negligible on both the PDFs and preferred value of the strong coupling. Increased stability in these at \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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				\begin{document}$$\hbox {aN}^3$$\end{document}aN3LO is observed in comparison to lower orders. We also study the impact of an updated treatment of various fixed-target DIS data, the inclusion of SeaQuest fixed-target Drell Yan data, and new ZEUS data that extends coverage into the high x region. The SeaQuest data have the largest effect of these, in particular on the light quark separation at high x, while the impact of the other updates is rather mild.

## Full text

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## Figures

21 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12876098/full.md

## References

31 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12876098/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12876098