Shell model calculations using realistic interactions reveal that the ground and low-lying yrast states of the $N=Z$ nucleus $^{92}_{46}$Pd are mainly built upon isoscalar neutron-proton pairs each carrying the maximum angular momentum J=9 allowed by the shell $0g_{9/2}$ which is dominant in this nuclear region. This structure is different from the ones found in the ground and low-lying yrast states of all other even-even nuclei studied so far. The low-lying spectrum of excited states generated by such correlated neutron-proton pairs has two distinctive features: i) the levels are almost equidistant at low energies and ii) the transition probability $I\rightarrow I-2$ is approximately constant and strongly selective. This unique mode is shown to replace normal isovector pairing as the dominating coupling scheme in $N=Z$ nuclei approaching the doubly-magic nucleus $^{100}$Sn.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, version to appear in Phys. Rev. C (Rapid communication

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3The general phenomenon of shell structure in atomic nuclei has been understood since the pioneering work of Goeppert-Mayer, Haxel, Jensen and Suess [1].They realized that the experimental evidence for nuclear magic numbers could be explained by introducing a strong spin-orbit interaction in the nuclear shell model potential.However, our detailed knowledge of nuclear forces and the mechanisms governing the structure of nuclei, in particular far from stability, is still incomplete. In nuclei with equal neutron and proton numbers (N = Z), the unique nature of the atomic nucleus as an object composed of two distinct types of fermions can be expressed as enhanced correlations arising between neutrons and protons occupying orbitals with the same quantum numbers. Such correlations have been predicted to favor a new type of nuclear superfluidity; isoscalar neutron-proton pairing [2][3][4][5][6], in addition to normal isovector pairing (see Fig. 1). Despite many experimental efforts these predictions have not been confirmed. Here, we report on the first observation of excited states in N = Z = 46 nucleus 92 Pd. Gamma rays emitted following the 58 Ni( 36 Ar,2n) 92 Pd fusionevaporation reaction were identified using a combination of state-of-the-art highresolution -ray, charged-particle and neutron detector systems. Our results reveal evidence for a spin-aligned, isoscalar neutronproton coupling scheme, different from the previous prediction [2][3][4][5][6]. We suggest that this coupling scheme replaces normal superfluidity (characterized by seniority coupling [7,8]) in the ground and low-lying excited states of the heaviest N = Z nuclei. The strong isoscalar neutron-proton correlations in these N = Z nuclei are predicted to have a considerable impact on their level structures, and to influence the dynamics of the stellar rapid proton capture nucleosynthesis process.For all known nuclei, including those residing along the N = Z line up to around mass 80, a detailed analysis of their properties such as binding energies [9] and the spectroscopy of the excited states [10] strongly suggests that normal isovector (T = 1) pairing is dominant at low excitation energies. On the other hand, there are long standing predictions for a change in the heavier N = Z nuclei from a nuclear superfluid dominated by isovector pairing to a structure where isoscalar (T = 0) neutron-proton (np) pairing has a major influence as the mass number increases towards the exotic doubly magic nucleus 100 Sn [2-6], the heaviest N = Z nucleus to be bound. N = Z nuclei with mass number > 90 can only be produced in the laboratory with very low The two-neutron (2n) evaporation reaction channel following formation of the 94 Pd compound nucleus, leading to 92 Pd, was very weakly populated with a relative yield of less than 10 −5 of the total fusion cross section. Gamma rays from decays of excited states in 92 Pd were identified by comparing γ-ray spectra in coincidence with two emitted neutrons and no charged particles with γ-ray spectra in coincidence with oth...

The level structures of146Gd and147Gd have been investigated by in-beamgamma-ray ande – spectroscopy with (agr, xn) reactions on enriched Sm targets. Detailed level schemes up to sim4 MeV, which differ radically from earlier schemes, are reported. The energy levels are characterized as particle-hole excitations using empirical single particle energies and two nucleon interactions. Analysis of pure 1p 1h proton excitations demonstrates that theZ=64 andN=82 energy gaps are about equally large

Aims To investigate potentially crucial aspects of Swedes' perceptions of nine different addictions. Data and Methods Population survey, sent out to 2,000 adult Swedes (18–74 years), focusing on the perceived severity of, responsibility for, options to recover from, and character of addiction to cigarettes, snuff, alcohol, cannabis, amphetamine, cocaine, heroin, medical drugs, and gambling. Results There are large differences in the ways in which various addiction problems are perceived. Whereas tobacco use, and to some extent gambling, are seen as relatively harmless “habits”, not particularly easy to get hooked on but easy to quit, the use of drugs such as heroin, amphetamine, and cocaine is seen as a major societal problem, and users are seen both as “sinners” who need to mend their ways and as powerless “victims”. In between comes the use and misuse of alcohol, cannabis and medical drugs, about which perceptions are more divided. Conclusions Respondents tend to downplay the risks and dangers with addictive habits that are common and familiar in mainstream culture, and to dramatise the risks and dangers with such habits that are uncommon or “strange”. This may have unfortunate consequences for addicts' options to find a path out of their predicaments.