Evolution of nuclear shapes and structure in tellurium, xenon, barium and cerium isotopes

Different Skyrme functional parametrizations were tested for Te, Xe, Ba and Ce isotopes for N > 82. For the SVsym34 parametrization, which best fits the experimental binding energy, potential energy curves obtained from constrained beta(2), beta(3) and beta(4) Hartree-Fock+BCS calculations were investigated. Positions of the lowest quadrupole and octupole vibrational states and the lowest 2(+) rotational states in deformed nuclei were obtained within the Skyrme QRPA and compared to existing experimental data.Web of Science50356055

Mikroskopické a fenomenologické modely struktury atomových jader

This work involves the study of shape and structural changes of heavy neutron-rich nuclei in the framework of different microscopic and macroscopic nuclear models. The mean field Skyrme Hartree-Fock (SHF) plus Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) treatment of pairing correlations and the beyond mean field Random Phase Approximation (RPA) represent the microscopic approach while the Algebraic Collective Model (ACM) serves as an example of a macroscopic approach. The work focuses on the systematics of binding energies in the chains of Te, Xe, Ba, Ce, and Nd isotopes beyond N = 82 with the aim of finding the Skyrme parametrization best fitting the experimental nuclear binding energies of the studied isotopes. We then investigate the evolution of quadrupole, octupole and hexadecapole deformation along the Te, Xe, Ba, and Ce isotopic chains within the SHF+BCS approach. The beyond mean field Skyrme-QRPA (quasiparticle RPA) enables in addition to study collective quadrupole and octupole vibrational states and even the position of the lowest 2+ rotational states in the isotopic chains. Another topic represents the investigation of single-neutron and single-proton states around the Fermi level along the Ce and Nd isotopic chains beyond N = 82 again within the SHF+BCS. From the macroscopic point of view, within the ACM, we investigate the basic properties of even-even xenon isotopes 128Xe and 130Xe, considered to be candidates for an E(5) transition from spherical to O(6)-like nuclei, and compared our results to those obtained using the SHF+BCS method.Tato práce se věnuje studiu změn tvaru a struktury těžkých jader bohatých na neutrony pomocí ruzných mikroskopických a makroskopických jaderných modelů. Mikroskopický přístup představuje Hartree-Fockovo střední pole se Skyrme interakcí a BCS popis párových korelací doplněný o aproximaci náhodné fáze, zatímco algebraický kolektivní model je příkladem makroskopického přístupu. Práce se zaměřuje na systematiku vazebných energií u izotopů Te, Xe, Ba, Ce a Nd s N > 82 s cílem nalézt takovou parametrizaci Skyrme interakce, která by co nejlépe fitovala experimentální hodnoty vazebných energií těchto izotopů. Na to navazuje studium vývoje kvadrupólové, oktupólové a hexadekapólové deformace pomocí Skyrme-Hartree-Fockova + BCS přístupu. Skyrme-kvazičásticová aproximace náhodné fáze pak navíc umožňuje studium kolektivních kvadrupólových a oktupólových vibračních stavů i nejnižšího rotačního 2+ stavu. Dalším tématem práce je studium jednočásticových neutronových a protonových stavů kolem Fermiho hladiny pro izotopy Ce a Nd pro N > 82 opět pomocí Skyrme-Hartree-Fockova + BCS přístupu. Z makroskopického hlediska jsou v rámci algebraického kolektivního modelu zkoumány základní vlastnosti sudo-sudých izotopů 128Xe a 130Xe považovaných za kandidáty E(5) přechodu ze sférických k O(6) jádrům a výsledky jsou porovnány s výpočty pomocí Skyrme-Hartree-Fockova + BCS přístupu.480 - Katedra fyzikyvyhově

Macroscopic and Skyrme-Hartree-Fock test of E(5) symmetry in xenon isotopes

Algebraic collective model calculations for even-even xenon isotopes Xe-128,Xe-130 have been performed to describe collective properties of these two isotopes, considered to be candidates for an E(5) transition from spherical to gamma-soft, O(6)-like nuclei. The shape transitional point and the E(5) symmetry are characterised by large fluctuations in the triaxiality parameter gamma reflected by a very flat potential in the gamma direction resulting in two symmetric prolate and oblate minima in the potential energy curves. This has been studied using the Skyrme-Hartree-Fock calculations with different parametrisations of the Skyrme interaction.Web of Science953art. no. 03401

Relationship between self-esteem and obesity, and some lifestyle factors in employed women

Introduction: In recent years, the increase in obesity worldwide has drawn more attention to its undesirable effects on the people’s physical and psychological health. Studies done on the subject have produced contradictory results on the relation between obesity and self-esteem. The reason could be that individuals with higher self-esteem may have chosen a better lifestyle because they had a higher respect for themselves. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between self-esteem and BMI and some lifestyle factors in employed women.Materials and Methods: This was a case–control study conducted on 125 obese women 25-45 years of age, with BMI≥30 and 125 non- obese employed women from affiliated hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Dietary intake and physical activity, as components of lifestyle, were assessed by semi-quantitative and MET questionnaires, respectively. Self-esteem was assessed by Rosenberg questionnaire.Results: There was a significant difference between the two groups in level of education, economic status, physical activity (p<0.05) and self-esteem (p<0.001). Total energy intake and percentage of energy intake from fat were significantly different between the two groups (p<0.05).Conclusion: Self-esteem was higher in non-obese women. Women with higher self-esteem had a better lifestyle. Attention to psychological aspect of obesity is important in any health promotion progra

Macroscopic and microscopic description of phase transition in cerium isotopes

The spherical-to-deformed phase transition in cerium isotopes recently suggested to occur between 146Ce and 148Ce has been examined in the framework of the macroscopic algebraic collective model and two microscopic approaches, namely Skyrme-Hartree-Fock + Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) calculations and the symmetry conserving configuration mixing method with Gogny energy density functionals applied also to the neighboring nuclei along the cerium isotopic chain. Possible spectral signatures of the phase transition are discussed in more details. The microscopic calculations predict octupole softness manifested by rather flat potential energy curves as a function of the octupole deformation parameter beta 3 for 146Ce and 148Ce and shape coexistence characterized by axially symmetric 0+ states, triaxial 2+ bands, and octupole deformation for the lowest 1- states.Web of Science1065art. no. 05430

Dietary factors as the major determinants of overweight and obesity among Iranian adolescents. A cross-sectional study

This study investigated the determinants of overweight/obesity in adolescents. A cross-sectional survey was carried out on 1157 adolescents. Weight and height were measured. Information on socio-economic status (SES), dietary intakes, physical activity, and sedentary behaviours were collected by a self-administered questionnaire. Binary and multivariate binary logistic regressions were used to obtain the relationships and odds-ratios, respectively. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher among adolescents in low- or high-income families, adolescents whose mothers worked out of home, adolescents whose parents were both overweight, adolescents who watched a lot of TV or had excessive energy intake, adolescents with lower physical activity or lower intake of dietary fibre, those who skipped breakfast ≥4 times per week, and those with low and high fat intake. However, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that only energy intake was associated with increased odds and vegetables and fibre intake were associated with a reduction in the odds of being overweight (all p < 0.05). Adolescents from middle SES showed a lower risk of overweight/obesity than low and high SES due to better dietary intakes and less sedentary behaviours. Therefore, in overweight/obesity prevention programs, adolescents with determined risk factors from families with low and high SES should receive attention

Macroscopic and microscopic description of low-energy collective states in Se-86,Se-88

Algebraic collective model (ACM) calculations for the even-even selenium isotopes Se-86,Se-88 have been performed to describe collective properties of these two transitional nuclei with only two and four valence neutrons, respectively. From the perspective of the ACM the nuclei turn out to be only weakly deformed, described by a very gamma-soft potential. This is confirmed by Skyrme and Gogny energy density functional calculations. Additionally, the fully microscopic symmetry conserving configuration mixing method with the Gogny interaction has been applied to the study of these isotopes. The results show the transitional character of Se-86 and the relevant role of the triaxial degree of freedom in the structure of these nuclei.Web of Science986art. no. 06430