Dynamical moment of inertia and quadrupole vibrations in rotating nuclei

The contribution of quantum shape fluctuations to inertial properties of rotating nuclei has been analysed within the self-consistent one-dimensional cranking oscillator model. It is shown that in even-even nuclei the dynamical moment of inertia calculated in the mean field approximation is equivalent to the Thouless-Valatin moment of inertia calculated in the random phase approximation if and only if the self-consistent conditions for the mean field are fulfilled.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Removal of Spurious Admixture in a Self-consistent Theory of Adiabatic Large Amplitude Collective Motion

In this article we analyse, for a simple model, the properties of a practical implementation of a fully self-consistent theory of adiabatic large-amplitude collective motion using the local harmonic approach. We show how we can deal with contaminations arising from spurious modes, caused by standard simplifying approximations. This is done both at zero and finite angular momentum. We analyse in detail the nature of the collective coordinate in regions where they cross spurious modes and mixing is largest

The Long Journey from Ab Initio Calculations to Density Functional Theory for Nuclear Large Amplitude Collective Motion

At present there are two vastly different ab initio approaches to the description of the the many-body dynamics: the Density Functional Theory (DFT) and the functional integral (path integral) approaches. On one hand, if implemented exactly, the DFT approach can allow in principle the exact evaluation of arbitrary one-body observable. However, when applied to Large Amplitude Collective Motion (LACM) this approach needs to be extended in order to accommodate the phenomenon of surface-hoping, when adiabaticity is strongly violated and the description of a system using a single (generalized) Slater determinant is not valid anymore. The functional integral approach on the other hand does not appear to have such restrictions, but its implementation does not appear to be straightforward endeavor. However, within a functional integral approach one seems to be able to evaluate in principle any kind of observables, such as the fragment mass and energy distributions in nuclear fission. These two radically approaches can likely be brought brought together by formulating a stochastic time-dependent DFT approach to many-body dynamics.Comment: 9 page

Integral representation of the RPA correlation energy

Using the spectral function F'(z)/F(z) the RPA correlation energy and other properties of a finite system can be written as a contour integral in a compact way. This yields a transparent expression and reduces drastically the numerical efforts for obtaining reliable values. The method applied to pairing vibrations in rotating nuclei as an illustrative example.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures (eps files

Level Structure of 103Ag at high spins

High spin states in $^{103}$Ag were investigated with the Gammasphere array, using the $^{72}$Ge($^{35}$Cl,$2p2n$)$^{103}$Ag reaction at an incident beam energy of 135 MeV. A $\Delta J$=1 sequence with predominantly magnetic transitions and two nearly-degenerate $\Delta J=1$ doublet bands have been observed. The dipole band shows a decreasing trend in the $B(M1)$ strength as function of spin, a well established feature of magnetic bands. The nearly-degenerate band structures satisfy the three experimental signatures of chirality in the nuclei; however microscopic calculations are indicative of a magnetic phenomeno

Extension of continuum time-dependent Hartree-Fock method to proton states

This paper deals with the solution of the spherically symmetric time-dependent Hartree-Fock approximation applied to nuclear giant monopole resonances in the small amplitude regime. The problem is spatially unbounded as the resonance state is in the continuum. The practical requirement to perform the calculation in a finite-sized spatial region yields an artificial boundary, which is not present physically. The question of how to ensure the boundary does not interfere with the internal solution, while keeping the overall calculation time low is studied. Here we propose an absorbing boundary condition scheme to handle the conflict. The derivation, via a Laplace transform method, and implementation is described. An inverse Laplace transform required by the absorbing boundaries is calculated using a method of non-linear least squares. The accuracy and efficiency of the scheme is tested and results presented to support the case that they are a effective way of handling the artificial boundary

The nuclear energy density functional formalism

The present document focuses on the theoretical foundations of the nuclear energy density functional (EDF) method. As such, it does not aim at reviewing the status of the field, at covering all possible ramifications of the approach or at presenting recent achievements and applications. The objective is to provide a modern account of the nuclear EDF formalism that is at variance with traditional presentations that rely, at one point or another, on a {\it Hamiltonian-based} picture. The latter is not general enough to encompass what the nuclear EDF method represents as of today. Specifically, the traditional Hamiltonian-based picture does not allow one to grasp the difficulties associated with the fact that currently available parametrizations of the energy kernel $E[g',g]$ at play in the method do not derive from a genuine Hamilton operator, would the latter be effective. The method is formulated from the outset through the most general multi-reference, i.e. beyond mean-field, implementation such that the single-reference, i.e. "mean-field", derives as a particular case. As such, a key point of the presentation provided here is to demonstrate that the multi-reference EDF method can indeed be formulated in a {\it mathematically} meaningful fashion even if $E[g',g]$ does {\it not} derive from a genuine Hamilton operator. In particular, the restoration of symmetries can be entirely formulated without making {\it any} reference to a projected state, i.e. within a genuine EDF framework. However, and as is illustrated in the present document, a mathematically meaningful formulation does not guarantee that the formalism is sound from a {\it physical} standpoint. The price at which the latter can be enforced as well in the future is eventually alluded to.Comment: 64 pages, 8 figures, submitted to Euroschool Lecture Notes in Physics Vol.IV, Christoph Scheidenberger and Marek Pfutzner editor

An exploration of patient-reported symptoms in systemic lupus erythematosus and the relationship to health-related quality of life

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the most distressing symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and determine how these relate to health-related quality of life (HRQoL), anxiety/depression, patient demographics and disease characteristics (duration, activity, organ damage). Methods: In a cross-sectional study, patients with SLE (n=324, age 18-84 years) gave written responses regarding which SLE-related symptoms they experienced as most difficult. Their responses were categorized. Within each category, patients reporting a specific symptom were compared with non-reporters and analyzed for patient demographics, disease duration, results from the questionnaires: Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Systemic Lupus Activity Measure, SLE disease activity index and the Systemic Lupus International Collaboration Clinics/American College of Rheumatology damage index. Results: 23 symptom categories were identified. Fatigue (51%), Pain (50%) and Musculoskeletal distress (46%) were most frequently reported. Compared with non-reporters, only patients reporting Fatigue showed statistically significant impact on both mental and physical components of HRQoL.. Patients with no present symptoms (10%) had higher HRQoL (p<0.001) and lower levels of depression (p<0.001), anxiety (p<0.01) and disease activity (SLAM) (p<0.001). Conclusion: Fatigue, pain or musculoskeletal distress dominated the reported symptoms in approximately half of the patients. Only patients reporting Fatigue scored lower on both mental and physical aspects of HRQoL. Our results emphasize the need for further support and interventions to ease the symptom load and improve HRQoL in patients with SLE. Our findings further indicate that this need is particularly urgent for patients with symptoms of pain or fatigue