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Revelation of Double Magicity in N = Z Nuclei in the RP-Process Region
In rapid-proton capture (rp-process), N = Z nuclei above Ni are understood to act as waiting-point nuclei. The N = Z nuclei {sup 68}Se, {sup 72}Kr, {sup 76}Sr and {sup 80}Zr among others are known to give rise to a large-energy x-ray flux and peaks in abundances of these nuclei synthesized in the astrophysical rp-process. Investigating the experimental isotope shifts in Kr isotopes near the proton drip-line within the framework of the deformed Relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory, we have discovered that N = Z rp-process nuclei {sup 68}Se, {sup 72}Kr, {sup 76}Sr and {sup 80}Zr exhibit large shell gap both at the proton and neutron numbers in the deformed space with the consequence that pairing correlations for protons and neutrons vanish. This lends a doubly magic character to these nuclei. A significant number of nuclei in this region are also shown to exhibit neutron magicity at N = 34, 36, 38, and 40 in the deformed space. A unique case of concomitance of the double magicity and the shape-coexistence is found for {sup 68}Se.
High-performance algorithm to calculate spin- and parity-dependent nuclear level densities
A new algorithm for calculating the spin- and parity-dependent shell-model nuclear level densities using the moments method in the proton-neutron formalism is presented. A new, parallelized code based on this algorithm was developed and tested using up to 4000 cores for a set of nuclei from the sd-, pf-, and pf+g{sub 9/2}-model spaces. By comparing the nuclear level densities at low excitation energy for a given nucleus calculated in two model spaces, such as pf and pf+g{sub 9/2}, one can estimate the ground-state energy in the larger model space, which is not accessible to direct shell-model calculations due to the unmanageable dimension. Examples for the ground-state energies of for {sup 64}Ge and {sup 68}Se in the pf+g{sub 9/2} model space are presented.
Large-amplitude quadrupole collective dynamics of shape coexistence phenomena in proton-rich Se and Kr isotopes
The five-dimensional quadrupole collective Hamiltonian for large-amplitude collective dynamics is microscopically constructed by the constrained Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (CHFB) method and local quasiparticle random phase approximation (LQRPA). The excitation spectra and the electric quadrupole transitions between the low-lying states in {sup 68}Se are calculated by solving the collective Schroedinger equation.
Microscopic derivation of five-dimensional collective Hamiltonian of large-amplitude quadrupole motion: application to shape coexistence in proton-rich Se isotopes
We present a new microscopic approach which consists of the constrained Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (CHFB) and the local quasiparticle random-phase approximation (LQRPA) to construct the five-dimensional quadrupole collective Hamiltonian for large-amplitude collective dynamics. The excitation spectra and the electric quadrupole transitions between the low-lying states in {sup 68}Se are calculated by solving the collective Schroedinger equation.
Recent Progress in Shell-Model Calculations for pfg-shell Nuclei
The structure of upper pf-shell nuclei is studied by the nuclear shell model, taking a model space consisting of four spherical single-particle orbits p{sub 3/2}, f{sub 5/2}, p{sub 1/2} and g{sub 9/2}. The effective interaction JUN45 is used, which is obtained by modifying empirically the renormalized G-matrix interaction. The oblate-prolate shape coexistence in {sup 68}Se is predicted consistently with the experimental observations, indicating the applicability of the shell model to the cases with moderate deformation. The calculated high-spin band structure highlights the important role played by the g{sub 9/2} orbit. The appearance of the j{sub p}-j{sub n} multiplets in {sup 88}Y is successfully described except for a few cases such as the 1{sub 1}{sup +} state, suggesting the good property of the effective proton-neutron interaction inherited from the renormalized G-matrix.
Microscopic description of large-amplitude shape-mixing dynamics with inertial functions derived in local quasiparticle random-phase approximation
On the basis of the adiabatic self-consistent collective coordinate method, we develop an efficient microscopic method of deriving the five-dimensional quadrupole collective Hamiltonian and illustrate its usefulness by applying it to the oblate-prolate shape coexistence/mixing phenomena in proton-rich {sup 68,70,72}Se. In this method, the vibrational and rotational collective masses (inertial functions) are determined by local normal modes built on constrained Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov states. Numerical calculations are carried out using the pairing-plus-quadrupole Hamiltonian including the quadrupole-pairing interaction within the two major-shell active model spaces both for neutrons and protons. It is shown that the time-odd components of the moving mean-field significantly increase the vibrational and rotational collective masses in comparison with the Inglis-Belyaev cranking masses. Solving the collective Schroedinger equation, we evaluate excitation spectra, quadrupole transitions, and moments. The results of the numerical calculation are in excellent agreement with recent experimental data and indicate that the low-lying states of these nuclei are characterized as an intermediate situation between the oblate-prolate shape coexistence and the so-called {gamma} unstable situation where large-amplitude triaxial-shape fluctuations play a dominant role.
Evolution Of Shapes And Collectivity In Exotic Nuclei
The coexistence of prolate and oblate shapes in light selenium and krypton isotopes has been investigated using the complementary techniques of low-energy Coulomb excitation with radioactive ions beams and lifetime measurements of excited states after fusion-evaporation reactions. The resulting B(E2) values and spectroscopic quadrupole moments represent a sensitive test for configuration mixing calculations going beyond the mean-field approach. The onset of collectivity for neutron-rich nuclei near {sup 68}Ni has been investigated using a new technique to measure lifetimes with the recoil distance Doppler shift method after multi-nucleon transfer reactions.
The quadrupole moments of some even–even nuclei around the mass of A ~ 80: {sup 68−80}Ge on the neighborhood of {sup 76−84}Kr and {sup 76−84}Se isotopes
We have carried out the calculation of the quadrupole moments Q(2{sub 1}{sup +}) and electromagnetic transition rates B(E2) of some levels within the framework of the interacting boson model for even-mass Ge nuclei. The presented predictions of the quadrupole moments and B(E2) ratios for Ge nuclei are compared with the results of some previous experimental and theoretical ones along with those of the neighboring Kr and Se isotopes and then it was seen that they agree well with the previous experimental and theoretical ones.
Environmentally significant shifts in trace element emissions from coal plants complying with the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments
The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAAs) reduced criteria air pollution from coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) in the United States, but compliance strategies additionally altered the magnitude and phase of environmentally significant trace element emissions. This report quantitatively assesses changes in trace element emissions stemming from CAAAs compliance, attributes these changes to specific CAAAs compliance strategies, and discusses implications for future environmental regulatory design. We combine plant-level coal purchase and installed air pollution control device data with a trace element partitioning model to approximate changes in trace element mass entering and exiting CFPPs in the solid, liquid, and gas phase between 1993 and 2017. Though US coal combustion decreased by 2% during this period, the vast majority of trace element emissions reductions stem from the 18-64% reductions in the fleet-wide average concentrations of arsenic, bromine, chloride, lead, mercury, and selenium in the combusted coal. Combined with the installation of air pollution control technologies, these shifts concluded in nationwide reductions of gas phase trace element emissions by between 49 and 68% for the elements included in this study. In contrast, installation of flue gas desulfurization devices increased the mass of trace elements discharged in wastewater. This work reinforces the value of multi-phase emissions regulations in ensuring that contaminants are not shunted from regulated to unregulated phases.
Selenium Accumulation, Distribution, and Speciation in Spineless Prickly Pear Cactus: A Drought- and Salt-Tolerant, Selenium-Enriched Nutraceutical Fruit Crop for Biofortified Foods
The organ-specific accumulation, spatial distribution, and chemical speciation of selenium (Se) were previously unknown for any species of cactus. We investigated Se in Opuntia ficus-indica using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, microfocused x-ray fluorescence elemental and chemical mapping ({micro}XRF), Se K-edge x-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). {micro}XRF showed Se concentrated inside small conic, vestigial leaves (cladode tips), the cladode vasculature, and the seed embryos. Se K-edge XANES demonstrated that approximately 96% of total Se in cladode, fruit juice, fruit pulp, and seed is carbon-Se-carbon (C-Se-C). Micro and bulk XANES analysis showed that cladode tips contained both selenate and C-Se-C forms. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry quantification of Se in high-performance liquid chromatography fractions followed by LC-MS structural identification showed selenocystathionine-to-selenomethionine (SeMet) ratios of 75:25, 71:29, and 32:68, respectively in cladode, fruit, and seed. Enzymatic digestions and subsequent analysis confirmed that Se was mainly present in a 'free' nonproteinaceous form inside cladode and fruit, while in the seed, Se was incorporated into proteins associated with lipids. {micro}XRF chemical mapping illuminated the specific location of Se reduction and assimilation from selenate accumulated in the cladode tips into the two LC-MS-identified C-Se-C forms before they were transported into the cladode mesophyll. We conclude that Opuntia is a secondary Se-accumulating plant whose fruit and cladode contain mostly free selenocystathionine and SeMet, while seeds contain mainly SeMet in protein. When eaten, the organic Se forms in Opuntia fruit, cladode, and seed may improve health, increase Se mineral nutrition, and help prevent multiple human cancers.
Exceptional energy and new insight with a sodium–selenium battery based on a carbon nanosheet cathode and a pseudographite anode
We created a unique sodium ion battery (NIB, SIB) cathode based on selenium in cellulose-derived carbon nanosheets (CCNs), termed Se-CCN. The elastically compliant two-dimensional CCN host incorporates a high mass loading of amorphous Se (53 wt%), which is primarily impregnated into 1 cm 3 g -1 nanopores. The results in facile sodiation kinetics due to short solid-state diffusion distances and a large charge transfer area of the nanosheets were established. The architecture also leads to an intrinsic resistance to polyselenide shuttle and to disintegration/coarsening. As a Na half-cell, the Se-CCN cathode delivers a reversible capacity of 613 mA h g -1 with 88% retention over 500 cycles. The exceptional stability is achieved by using a standard electrolyte (1 M NaClO4 EC-DMC) without secondary additives or high salt concentrations. The rate capability is also superb, achieving 300 mA h g -1 at 10C. Compared to recent state-of-the-art literature, the Se-CCN is the most cyclically stable and offers the highest rate performance. As a Se–Na battery, the system achieves 992 W h kg -1 at 68 W kg -1 and 384 W h kg -1 at 10144 W kg -1 (by active mass in a cathode). We are the first to fabricate and test a Se-based full NIB, which is based on Se-CCN coupled to a Na intercalating pseudographitic carbon (PGC) anode. It is demonstrated that the PGC anode increases its structural order in addition to dilating as a result of Na intercalation at voltages below 0.2 V vs. Na/Na+. The {110} Na reflections are distinctly absent from the XRD patterns of PGC sodiated down to 0.001 V, indicating that the Na metal pore filling is not significant for pseudographitic carbons. Lastly, the battery delivers highly promising Ragone chart characteristics, for example yielding 203 and 50 W h kg -1 at 70 and 14 000 W kg -1 (via total material mass in the anode and cathode).