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Radioactive $^{129}$Sb, which can be treated as a proton plus semi-magic $^{128}$Sn core within the particle-core coupling scheme, was studied by Coulomb excitation. Reduced electric quadrupole transition probabilities, $B(E2)$, for the $2^+$ $\times$ $\pi g_{{7/2}}$ multiplet members and candidate $\pi d_{{5/2}}$ state were measured. The results indicate that the total electric quadrupole strength of $^{129}$Sb is a factor of 1.39(11) larger than the $^{128}$Sn core, which is in stark contrast to the expectations of the empirically successful particle-core coupling scheme. Shell-model calculations performed with two different sets of nucleon-nucleon interactions suggest that this enhanced collectivity is due to constructive quadrupole coherence in the wavefunctions stemming from the proton-neutron residual interactions, where adding one nucleon to a core near a double-shell closure can have a pronounced effect. The enhanced electric quadrupole strength is an early signal of the emerging nuclear collectivity that becomes dominant away from the shell closure., Comment: Accepted, Physical Review Letters

Individuals react differently to social experiences; for example, people who are more sensitive to negative social experiences, such as being excluded, may be more likely to adapt their behavior to fit in with others. We examined whether functional brain connectivity during social exclusion in the fMRI scanner can be used to predict subsequent conformity to peer norms. Adolescent males (N = 57) completed a two-part study on teen driving risk: a social exclusion task (Cyberball) during an fMRI session and a subsequent driving simulator session in which they drove alone and in the presence of a peer who expressed risk-averse or risk-accepting driving norms. We computed the difference in functional connectivity between social exclusion and social inclusion from each node in the brain to nodes in two brain networks, one previously associated with mentalizing (medial prefrontal cortex, temporoparietal junction, precuneus, temporal poles) and another with social pain (anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula). Using cross-validated machine learning, this measure of global network connectivity during exclusion predicts the extent of conformity to peer pressure during driving in the subsequent experimental session. These findings extend our understanding of how global neural dynamics guide social behavior, revealing functional network activity that captures individual differences., Comment: 32 pages, 5 figures, 1 table

Direct reaction techniques are powerful tools to study the single-particle nature of nuclei. Performing direct reactions on short-lived nuclei requires radioactive ion beams produced either via fragmentation or the Isotope Separation OnLine (ISOL) method. Some of the most interesting regions to study with direct reactions are close to the magic numbers where changes in shell structure can be tracked. These changes can impact the final abundances of explosive nucleosynthesis. The structure of the chain of tin isotopes is strongly influenced by the Z=50 proton shell closure, as well as the neutron shell closures lying in the neutron-rich, N=82, and neutron-deficient, N=50, regions. Here we present two examples of direct reactions on exotic tin isotopes. The first uses a one-neutron transfer reaction and a low-energy reaccelerated ISOL beam to study states in 131Sn from across the N=82 shell closure. The second example utilizes a one-neutron knockout reaction on fragmentation beams of neutron-deficient 106,108Sn. In both cases, measurements of gamma rays in coincidence with charged particles proved to be invaluable., Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, Zakopane Conference on Nuclear Physics "Extremes of the Nuclear Landscape", Zakopane, Poland, August 31 - September 7, 2014

This paper reports NMR measurements of the magnetic dipole moments of two high-K isomers, the 37/2$^-$, 51.4 m, 2740 keV state in $^{\rm 177}$Hf and the 8$^-$, 5.5 h, 1142 keV state in $^{\rm 180}$Hf by the method of on-line nuclear orientation. Also included are results on the angular distributions of gamma transitions in the decay of the $^{\rm 177}$Hf isotope. These yield high precision E2/M1 multipole mixing ratios for transitions in bands built on the 23/2$^+$, 1.1 s, isomer at 1315 keV and on the 9/2$^+$, 0.663 ns, isomer at 321 keV. The new results are discussed in the light of the recently reported finding of systematic dependence of the behavior of the g$_{\rm R}$ parameter upon the quasi-proton and quasi-neutron make up of high-K isomeric states in this region., Comment: 9 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in Physical Review C

For the first time, a wide range of collective magnetic g-factors g$_{\rm R}$, obtained from a novel analysis of experimental data for multi-quasiparticle configurations in high-K isomers, is shown to exhibit a striking systematic variation with the relative number of proton and neutron quasiparticles, N$_{\rm p}$ - N$_{\rm n}$. Using the principle of additivity, the quasi-particle contribution to magnetism in high-K isomers of Lu - Re, Z = 71 - 75, has been estimated. Based on these estimates, band-structure branching ratio data are used to explore the behaviour of the collective contribution as the number and proton/neutron nature (N$_{\rm p}$, N$_{\rm n}$), of the quasi-particle excitations, change. Basic ideas of pairing, its quenching by quasi-particle excitation and the consequent changes to moment of inertia and collective magnetism are discussed. Existing model calculations do not reproduce the observed g$_{\rm R}$ variation adequately. The paired superfluid system of nucleons in these nuclei, and their excitations, present properties of general physics interest. The new-found systematic behaviour of g$_{\rm R}$ in multi-quasi-particle excitations of this unique system, showing variation from close to zero for multi-neutron states to above 0.5 for multi-proton states, opens a fresh window on these effects and raises the important question of just which nucleons contribute to the `collective' properties of these nuclei., Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, published in Physics Letters B726, 675 (2013)

Low-energy excited states in 71,73Ni populated via the {\beta} decay of 71,73Co were investigated in an experiment performed at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) at Michigan State University (MSU). Detailed analysis led to the construction of level schemes of 71,73Ni, which are interpreted using systematics and analyzed using shell model calculations. The 5/2- states attributed to the the f5/2 orbital and positive parity 5/2+ and 7/2+ states from the g9/2 orbital have been identified in both 71,73Ni. In 71Ni the location of a 1/2- {\beta}-decaying isomer is proposed and limits are suggested as to the location of the isomer in 73Ni. The location of positive parity cluster states are also identified in 71,73Ni. Beta-delayed neutron branching ratios obtained from this data are given for both 71,73Co., Comment: Accepted for publication in PRC

The beta+ decay of very neutron deficient 43Cr has been studied by means of an imaging time projection chamber which allowed recording tracks of charged particles. Events of beta-delayed emission of one-, two-, and three protons were clearly identified. The absolute branching ratios for these channels were determined to be 81(4)%, 7.1(4)%, and 0.08(3)%, respectively. The 43Cr is thus established as the second case in which the beta-3p decay occurs. Although the feeding to the proton-bound states in 43V is expected to be negligible, the large branching ratio of 12(4)% for decays without proton emission is found., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures

One of the greatest challenges facing education today is the difference in achievement among students of varying ethnic and racial groups. Historically, Edmonds' and Lezotte's effective-schools' research indicated that some schools tended to educate students successfully without regard to students' categorical membership. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of charter schools on the white-minority student-achievement gap in North Carolina. Using End-of-Grade scores in reading and math for a matched sample of charter-school and regular public-school students, grades 3 through 8, researchers found that the growth scores of all students tended to be less in charter schools. The achievement gap in charter schools, as contrasted with regular public schools, thus tended to increase, particularly for African-American students. Because neither charter nor regular public schools appeared to be reducing the achievement gap, the researchers recommend additional studies to identify ameliorating interventions. Appendix A contains two tables of total sample results, and Appendix B is a summary of independent evaluations of charter-school impact on student achievement. (Contains 19 references.) (RT)

We present the design, fabrication, and characterization of a metamaterial absorber which is resonant at terahertz frequencies. We experimentally demonstrate an absorptivity of 0.97 at 1.6 terahertz. Importantly, this free-standing absorber is only 16 microns thick resulting in a highly flexible material that, further, operates over a wide range of angles of incidence for both transverse electric and transverse magnetic radiation., Comment: 10 pages, higher resolution figures available on request

We have fabricated resonant terahertz metamaterials on free standing polyimide substrates. The low-loss polyimide substrates can be as thin as 5.5 micron yielding robust large-area metamaterials which are easily wrapped into cylinders with a radius of a few millimeters. Our results provide a path forward for creating multi-layer non-planar metamaterials at terahertz frequencies., Comment: 4 pages, higher resolution figures available upon request

We present the theory, design, and realization of a polarization-insensitive metamaterial absorber for terahertz frequencies. We derive geometrical-independent conditions for effective medium absorbers in general, and for resonant metamaterials specically. Our fabricated design reaches and absorptivity of 78% at 1.145 Thz, Comment: 6 Pages, 5 figures; figures updated

This paper suggests that education leaders who would create learner-centered schools should define and understand the prevailing organizational structures and educational processes of their schools and determine whether or not these subsystems support or oppose one another. This report examines the use of a self-assessment, diagnostic tool (the Kite) designed to reveal incongruities between organizational and educational subsystems within high schools. Building from successful implementation in schools in the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe, the study described in the report examined the efficacy of the Kite process in American schools. Four case studies of schools in the southwest United States are presented. The case studies indicate that in all schools, staff participants were interested and active in assessing their work environment, this in the apparent absence of teacher opportunity to routinely discuss school development. Tension between teachers' desires to teach students as individuals and the top-down requirement for standardization and accountability was commonplace. Based on these findings, the report notes that application of the Kite framework as a diagnostic tool can help a school identify its barriers to concentrated reform efforts by constructing an authentic picture of the school, which can then be measured against the qualities and practices of a learner-centered environment. (Appendix details the Kite components, models, and assessment procedures. Contains 18 references.) (HTH)