Partial Dynamical SU(3) Symmetry and the Nature of the Lowest K=0 Collective Excitation in Deformed Nuclei

We discuss the implications of partial dynamical SU(3) symmetry (PDS) for the structure of the lowest K=0^{+} (K=0_2) collective excitation in deformed nuclei. We consider an interacting boson model Hamiltonian whose ground and gamma bands have good SU(3) symmetry while the K=0_2 band is mixed. It is shown that the double-phonon components in the K=0_2 wave function arise from SU(3) admixtures which, in turn, can be determined from absolute E2 rates connecting the K=0_2 and ground bands. An explicit expression is derived for these admixtures in terms of the ratio of K=0_2 and gamma bandhead energies. The SU(3) PDS predictions are compared with existing data and with broken-SU(3) calculations for ^{168}Er.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figure

Generator Coordinate Truncations

We investigate the accuracy of several schemes to calculate ground-state correlation energies using the generator coordinate technique. Our test-bed for the study is the $sd$ interacting boson model, equivalent to a 6-level Lipkin-type model. We find that the simplified projection of a triaxial generator coordinate state using the $S_3$ subgroup of the rotation group is not very accurate in the parameter space of the Hamiltonian of interest. On the other hand, a full rotational projection of an axial generator coordinate state gives remarkable accuracy. We also discuss the validity of the simplified treatment using the extended Gaussian overlap approximation (top-GOA), and show that it works reasonably well when the number of boson is four or larger.Comment: 19 pages, 6 eps figure

Partial Dynamical Symmetry in the Symplectic Shell Model

We present an example of a partial dynamical symmetry (PDS) in an interacting fermion system and demonstrate the close relationship of the associated Hamiltonians with a realistic quadrupole-quadrupole interaction, thus shedding new light on this important interaction. Specifically, in the framework of the symplectic shell model of nuclei, we prove the existence of a family of fermionic Hamiltonians with partial SU(3) symmetry. We outline the construction process for the PDS eigenstates with good symmetry and give analytic expressions for the energies of these states and E2 transition strengths between them. Characteristics of both pure and mixed-symmetry PDS eigenstates are discussed and the resulting spectra and transition strengths are compared to those of real nuclei. The PDS concept is shown to be relevant to the description of prolate, oblate, as well as triaxially deformed nuclei. Similarities and differences between the fermion case and the previously established partial SU(3) symmetry in the Interacting Boson Model are considered.Comment: 9 figure

Global Properties of fp-Shell Interactions in Many-nucleon Systems

Spectral distribution theory, which can be used to compare microscopic interactions over a broad range of nuclei, is applied in an analysis of two modern effective interactions based on the realistic CD-Bonn potential for $0\hbar\Omega$ no-core shell model calculations in the fp shell, as well as in a comparison of these with the realistic shell-model GXPF1 interaction. In particular, we explore the ability of these interaction to account for the development of isovector pairing correlations and collective rotational motion in the fp shell. Our findings expose the similarities of these two-body interactions, especially as this relates to their pairing and rotational characteristics. Further, the GXPF1 interaction is used to determine the strength parameter of a quadrupole term that can be used to augment an isovector-pairing model interaction with Sp(4) dynamical symmetry, which in turn is shown to yield reasonable agreement with the low-lying energy spectra of $^{58}$Ni and $^{58}$Cu.Comment: 21 pages, 3 figures, accepted in Nuclear Physics

Combined impacts of future land-use and climate stressors on water resources and quality in groundwater and surface waterbodies of the upper Thames river basin, UK

It is widely acknowledged that waterbodies are becoming increasingly affected by a wide range of drivers of change arising from human activity. To illustrate how this can be quantified a linked modelling approach was applied in the Thames river basin in southern UK. Changes to river flows, water temperature, river and reservoir quality were predicted under three contrasting future “storylines”; one an extension of present day rates of economic development, the others representing more extreme and less sustainable visions. Modelling revealed that lower baseflow conditions will arise under all storylines. For the less extreme storyline river water quality is likely to deteriorate but reservoir quality will improve slightly. The two more extreme futures could not be supported by current management strategies to meet water demand. To satisfy these scenarios, transfer of river water from outside the Thames river basin would be necessary. Consequently, some improvement over present day water quality in the river may be seen, and for most indicators conditions would be better than in the less extreme storyline. However, because phosphorus concentrations will rise, the invoked changes in water demand management would not be of a form suitable to prevent a marked deterioration in reservoir water quality

Quasi-SU(3) truncation scheme for even-even sd-shell nuclei

The Quasi-SU(3) symmetry was uncovered in full pf and sdg shell-model calculations for both even-even and odd-even nuclei. It manifests itself through a dominance of single-particle and quadrupole-quadrupole terms in the Hamiltonian used to describe well-deformed nuclei. A practical consequence of the quasi-SU(3) symmetry is an efficient basis truncation scheme. In a recent work was shown that when this type of Hamiltonian is diagonalized in an SU(3) basis, only a few irreducible represntations (irreps) of SU(3) are needed to describe the Yrast band, the leading S = 0 irrep augmented with the leading S = 1 irreps in the proton and neutron subspaces. In the present article the quasi-SU(3) truncation scheme is used, in conjunction with a "realistic but schematic" Hamiltonian that includes the most important multipole terms, to describe the energy spectra and B(E2) transition strengths of 20-Ne, 22-Ne, 24-Mg and 28-Si. The effect of the size of the Hilbert space on both sets of observables is discussed, as well as the structure of the Yrast band and the importance of the various terms in the Hamiltonian.Comment: 30 pages, 8 figures. Submited to Nucl. Phys.

A Quantum-Mechanical Equivalent-Photon Spectrum for Heavy-Ion Physics

In a previous paper, we calculated the fully quantum-mechanical cross section for electromagnetic excitation during peripheral heavy-ion collisions. Here, we examine the sensitivity of that cross section to the detailed structure of the projectile and target nuclei. At the transition energies relevant to nuclear physics, we find the cross section to be weakly dependent on the projectile charge radius, and to be sensitive to only the leading momentum-transfer dependence of the target transition form factors. We exploit these facts to derive a quantum-mechanical ``equivalent-photon spectrum'' valid in the long-wavelength limit. This improved spectrum includes the effects of projectile size, the finite longitudinal momentum transfer required by kinematics, and the response of the target nucleus to the off-shell photon.Comment: 19 pages, 5 figure

Pseudo SU(3) shell model: Normal parity bands in odd-mass nuclei

A pseudo shell SU(3) model description of normal parity bands in 159-Tb is presented. The Hamiltonian includes spherical Nilsson single-particle energies, the quadrupole-quadrupole and pairing interactions, as well as three rotor terms. A systematic parametrization is introduced, accompained by a detailed discussion of the effect each term in the Hamiltonian has on the energy spectrum. Yrast and excited band wavefunctions are analyzed together with their B(E2) values.Comment: 29 pages, 6 figure

Multidimensional collaboration; reflections on action research in a clinical context

This paper reflects on the challenges and benefits of multidimensional collaboration in an action research study to evaluate and improve preoperative education for patients awaiting colorectal surgery. Three cycles of planning, acting,observing and reflecting were designed to evaluate practice and implement change in this interactive setting, calling for specific and distinct collaborations. Data collection includes: observing educational interactions; administering patient evaluation questionnaires; interviewing healthcare staff, patients and carers; patient and carer focus groups; and examining written and audiovisual educational materials. The study revolves around and depends on multi-dimensional collaborations. Reflecting on these collaborations highlights the diversity of perspectives held by all those engaged in the study and enhances the action research lessons. Successfully maintaining the collaborations recognises the need for negotiation, inclusivity, comprehension, brokerage,and problem-solving. Managing the potential tensions is crucial to the successful implementation of changes introduced to practice and thus has important implications for patients’ well-being. This paper describes the experiences from an action research project involving new and specific collaborations, focusing on a particular healthcare setting. It exemplifies the challenges of the collaborative action research process and examines how both researchers and practitioners might reflect on the translation of theory into educational practices within a hospital colorectal department. Despite its context-specific features, the reflections on the types of challenges faced and lessons learned provide implications for action researchers in diverse healthcare settings across the world

Generic Rotation in a Collective SD Nucleon-Pair Subspace

Low-lying collective states involving many nucleons interacting by a random ensemble of two-body interactions (TBRE) are investigated in a collective SD-pair subspace, with the collective pairs defined dynamically from the two-nucleon system. It is found that in this truncated pair subspace collective vibrations arise naturally for a general TBRE hamiltonian whereas collective rotations do not. A hamiltonian restricted to include only a few randomly generated separable terms is able to produce collective rotational behavior, as long as it includes a reasonably strong quadrupole-quadrupole component. Similar results arise in the full shell model space. These results suggest that the structure of the hamiltonian is key to producing generic collective rotation.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure