The coupling between the states of a system and the continuum into which it
is embedded, induces correlations that are especially large in the short time
scale. These correlations cannot be calculated by using a statistical or
perturbational approach. They are, however, involved in an approach describing
structure and reaction aspects in a unified manner. Such a model is the SMEC
(shell model embedded in the continuum). Some characteristic results obtained
from SMEC as well as some aspects of the correlations induced by the coupling
to the continuum are discussed.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figure
