Beta-decay and Electron Capture Rates of Hot Nuclei in Stellar Matter.

GT strength distributions along with β−-decay and electron capture rates are studied for the case of hot nuclei 78Ni embedded in matter at presupernova conditions. Calculations are performed using the self-consistent Skyrme-RPA approach extended to finite temperatures. Skyrme interaction parametrizations with and without tensor forces are used in order to analyze the role of tensor interaction and thermal effects on weak-interaction rates in hot nuclei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]