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The need of a reliable calculation of the nuclear matrix elements for the 0 νββ decay has ignited a new interest about the quenching of the axial coupling constant g A , a procedure introduced to reproduce experimental results connected with GT decays. The goal of this work is to present a preliminary study to tackle this problem within the framework of the realistic shell model.

This contribution reports on a shell-model study of nuclei in the 132Sn region employing a realistic effective interaction derived from the CD-Bonn nucleon-nucleon potential renormalized through the use of the Vlow−k approach. We shall focus on some selected results for nuclei with a few valence particles and/or holes with respect to 132Sn, namely Sn isotopes with N > 82 and 130Te, which have, in part, been discussed in previous papers. Results are compared with experiments, and predictions that may provide guidance to future experiments are also discussed. It is the aim of this contribution to underline the importance of studying 132Sn neighbours to acquire a deep understanding of nuclear structure, that may be very useful also in other physics fields, and to show that the realistic shell model is a very effective tool to conduct these studies.

We report on the calculation of double-β decay properties of 130Te and 136Xe within the framework of the realistic shell model. The effective shell-model Hamiltonian and Gamow-Teller transition operator are derived by way of many-body perturbation theory, in order to not to resort to an empirical quenching of the axial coupling constant gA. The results compare well with experimental data, paving the way to the calculation of the neutrinoless double-β decay nuclear matrix element for the nuclei that are currently the experimental target for the detection of this process. In this work we investigate about the perturbative properties of our approach, and the theoretical reliability of the realistic shell model.

The study of single-nucleon transfer reactions for the 18O+48Ti system was pursued at the energy of 275 MeV as part of a more systematic study which is undertaken within the NUMEN and NURE experimental campaigns. The aim is to measure the complete set of available reaction network which are characterized by the same initial and final-state wavefunctions as the more suppressed double charge exchange reactions. Understanding the degree of competition between successive nucleon transfer and double charge exchange reactions is crucial for the description of the meson-exchange mechanism. In this respect, angular distribution measurements for one- and twonucleon transfer reactions for the 18O+48Ti system were carried out at theMAGNEX facility of INFN-LNS in Catania. An overview of the data analysis for the 48Ti(18O,19F)47Sc and 48Ti(18O,17O)49Ti reactions will be presented.

Most of the studies carried out in the past on economically important fish species rely on single species approach. Ecosystem dynamics are characterized by complex interaction among species, sharing common habitat needs and thus forming characteristic assemblages. The analysis of spatio-temporal variability of fish community, coupled to the analysis of spatial indices, provides a synthetic view of the fish community status evidencing, if any, the way a community changes. Such considerations drive also to the development of ecosystem-based fishery management paradigm. In the present study changes in pelagic fish community structure in an upwelling ecosystem of the central Mediterranean Sea during the last 10 years was analysed, by focusing the attention on the five most abundant small pelagic species: Engraulis encrasicolus, Sardina pilchardus, Sardinella aurita, Trachurus trachurus and Boops boops. Our results evidenced a quite stable community structure, characterized by spatial occupation strongly driven by ecosystem characteristics and modulated according to specie-specific behaviour. Obtained results lead us to hypothesize that the observed stability of community could be linked to the presence of different environments leading to efficient space partitioning and resources utilization among species.

The neutron-rich 131Sb nucleus was studied at Institut Laue-Langevin, with the LOHENGRIN spectrometer, via neutron-induced fission of 235U and lifetime measurements using LaBr3(Ce) detectors. The lifetimes of the 11/21+ and 19/21+ states were measured with the generalized centroid difference and the decay slope methods, yielding T½=3(2) ps and T½=1347(171) ps, respectively. The measured value for the 11/21+ is at the limit of the fast-timing technique. The level scheme of 131Sb and the decay properties of the 11/21+ state were described by realistic shell-model calculations, which reproduce well both the experimental spin and energy sequences of 131Sb and the measured B(E2; 11/21+→7/21+) value, pointing to an almost pure 2+(130Sn) ⊗ πg7/2, core-proton coupled configuration for the 11/21+ state.

The structure of the 11 / 2 1 + state in 131 Sb was investigated at the LOHENGRIN spectrometer of Institut Laue-Langevin via neutron-induced fission of 235 U and lifetime measurements, yielding T 1 / 2 = 3 ( 2 ) , at the edge of the sensitivity of the experimental method. This first result for the 11 / 2 1 + state half-life in neutron-rich Sb isotopes provides a quadrupole reduced transition probability to the ground state of B ( E 2 ) = 1.4 − 0.6 + 1.5 W.u., very close to the B ( E 2 ; 2 1 + → 0 1 + ) in 130 Sn. Realistic shell-model calculations reproduce well both the experimental level scheme of 131 Sb and the B ( E 2 ; 11 / 2 1 + → 7 / 2 1 + ) value, indicting a dominant 2 + ( 130 Sn ) ⊗ π g 7 / 2 core-proton coupled configuration for the 11 / 2 1 + state.

Double charge exchange (DCE) reactions induced by heavy ions are crucial tools to access information relevant for neutrinoless double beta decay nuclear matrix elements. In this context the NUMEN project aims to investigate, for each system of interest, the DCE reaction channel together with the whole set of reactions promoted by the same projectile/target interaction in the same experimental conditions and within the same theoretical framework.

In this study, we evaluate the use of various two-dimensional liquid chromatographic methods to characterize water-soluble, synthetically grafted bio-polymers, consisting of long poly(acrylic acid) chains and short maltodextrin grafts. The confirmation of the presence of grafting and the estimation of its extent is challenging. It is complicated by the limited solubility of polymers, their structural dispersity and chemical heterogeneity. Moreover, the starting materials (and other reagents, reaction products and additives) may be present in the product. Reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC), hydrophilic-interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) were used to characterize the product, as well as the starting materials. Additionally, fractions were collected for off-line characterization by infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The one-dimensional separation methods were found to be inconclusive regarding the grafting question. Breakthrough (the early elution of polymer fractions due to strong injection solvents) is shown to be a perpetual problem. This issue is not solved by comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography (LC × LC), but information demonstrating the success of the grafting reaction could be obtained. SEC × RPLC and HILIC × RPLC separations are presented and discussed.

Double charge exchange (DCE) reactions induced by heavy ions and other direct reactions characterized by same projectile and target are crucial tools to access information relevant for neutrinoless double beta decay nuclear matrix elements. In this context the NUMEN project aims to investigate, for each system of interest, not only the DCE channel but also the whole set of reactions promoted by the same projectile/target interaction in the same experimental conditions and within the same theoretical framework. An example of the application of such a multi-channel approach is presented here.