Imaging the initial condition of heavy-ion collisions and nuclear structure across the nuclide chart

High-energy nuclear collisions encompass three key stages:the structure of the colliding nuclei,informed by low-energy nuclear physics,the initial condition,leading to the formation of quark-gluon plasma(QGP),and the hydrodynamic expansion and hadronization of the QGP,leading to fnal-state hadron distributions that are observed experimentally.Recent advances in both experimental and theoretical methods have ushered in a precision era of heavy-ion collisions,enabling an increasingly accurate understanding of these stages.However,most approaches involve simultaneously determining both QGP properties and initial conditions from a single collision system,creating complexity due to the coupled contributions of these stages to the fnal-state observables.To avoid this,we propose leveraging established knowledge of low-energy nuclear structures and hydrodynamic observables to independently constrain the QGP's initial condition.By conducting comparative studies of collisions involving isobar-like nuclei—species with similar mass numbers but diferent ground-state geometries—we can disentangle the initial condition's impacts from the QGP properties.This approach not only refnes our understanding of the initial stages of the collisions but also turns high-energy nuclear experiments into a precision tool for imaging nuclear structures,ofering insights that complement traditional low-energy approaches.Opportunities for carrying out such comparative experiments at the Large Hadron Collider and other facilities could signifcantly advance both highenergy and low-energy nuclear physics.Additionally,this approach has implications for the future electron-ion collider.While the possibilities are extensive,we focus on selected proposals that could beneft both the high-energy and low-energy nuclear physics communities.Originally prepared as input for the long-range plan of U.S.nuclear physics,this white paper refects the status as of September 2022,with a brief update on developments since then.

RETRACTED: Nuclear Structure Study of Odd-Odd Yttrium Nuclei within Interacting-Boson Fermi-Fermion Model (IBFFM)

Short Retraction NoticeThe paper does not meet the standards of "Journal of Applied Mathematics and Physics". This article has been retracted to straighten the academic record. In making this decision the Editorial Board follows COPE's Retraction Guidelines. The aim is to promote the circulation of scientific research by offering an ideal research publication platform with due consideration of internationally accepted standards on publication ethics. The Editorial Board would like to extend its sincere apologies for any inconvenience this retraction may have caused.Editor guiding this retraction: Prof. Wen-Xiu Ma (EiC of JAMP)The full retraction notice in PDF is preceding the original paper, which is marked "RETRACTED".

Critical behaviour in nuclear structure from spherical to axially symmetric deformed shape in IBM

To compare with the predictions of the transitional dynamical symmetry X（5） proposed by Iachello （2001 Phys. Rev. Lett. 87 052502）, the critical behaviours of U（5） SU（3） are studied in the space of two control parameters in the interacting boson model （IBM）. A simple-shaped phased diagram has been presented. It is found that X（5） predictions cannot be exactly reproduced by our calculations and that the best agreement is close to the calculations with boson numbers N = 11 and 12. By comparing with experimental data on X（5）-like nuclei, we find that X（5） predictions and IBM calculations can reproduce the energy ratios and E2 transition ones.

Critical Behavior in Nuclear Structure from Spherical to γ-Soft Deformed Shape in IBM

Comparing with the predictions of the transitional dynamical symmetry E（5） proposed by Iachello [Phys. Rev. Lett. 85 （2000） 3580], the critical behaviors from U（5）-0（6） are studied in the space of two control parameters in the interacting boson model. A simple shape phase diagram has been presented. It is found that E（5） predictions cannot be exactly reproduced by our calculations and that the best agreement is close to the calculations with boson number N = 9. By comparing with experimental data on E（5）-like nuclei, we find that E（5） predictions and IBM calculations can reproduce the energy ratios and E2 transition ones.

Regulation of eukaryotic DNA replication and nuclear structure

In eukaryote, nuclear structure is a key component forthe functions of eukaryotic cells. More and more evidencesshow that the nuclear structure plays important role in re-gulating DNA replication. The nuclear structure providesa physical barrier for the replication licensing, participatesin the decision where DNA replication initiates, and orga-nizes replication proteins as replication factory for DNAreplication. Through these works, new concepts on theregulation of DNA replication have emerged, which willbe discussed in this minireview.

12^(th) National Conference on Nuclear Structure and the 8^(th) Symposium on Nuclear Structure

The 12th National Conference on Nuclear Structure and the 8th Symposium on Nuclear Structure, hosted by Southwest University and organized by the Nuclear Structure Committee of the Chinese Nuclear Physics Society, China Center of Advanced

Seismic response characteristics of nuclear island structure at generic soil and rock sites

The number of traditionally excellent coastal lithologic nuclear power plants is limited.It is a trend to develop nuclear power plants on soil sites in inland areas.Therefore,the seismic safety and adaptability of non-rock nuclear power plant(NPP)sites are the key concerns of nuclear safety researchers.Although the five site categories are clearly defined in the AP1000 design control documents,the effects of nuclear power five site conditions and soil nonlinearity on the seismic response characteristics of nuclear island buildings have not been systematically considered in previous related studies.In this study,targeting the AP1000 nuclear island structure as the research object,three-dimensional finite element models of a nuclear island structure at five types of sites(firm rock site(FR),soft rock site(SR),soft-to-medium soil site(SMS),upper bound soft-to-medium site(SMS-UB),and soft soil site(SS))are established.The partitioned analysis method of soil-structure interaction(PASSI)in the time-domain is used to investigate the effects of site hardness and nonlinearity on the acceleration,displacement,and acceleration response spectrum of the nuclear island structure under seismic excitation.The incremental equilibrium equation and explicit decoupling method are used to analyze the soil nonlinearity described by the Davidenkov model with simplified loading-reloading rules.The results show that,in the linear case,with the increase of site hardness,the peak ground acceleration(PGA)and the peak of acceleration response spectrum of the nuclear island structure increase except for the FR site,while the maximum displacement decreases.In nonlinear analysis,as the site hardness increases,the PGA,maximum displacement,and the peak of acceleration response spectrum of the nuclear island structure increase.The peak value of the acceleration response spectrum in the nonlinear case is greater than that in the linear case for FR,while smaller for SR and soil sites.The site nonlinearity reduces the peak values of the response spectrum for SR and soil sites much more as the site hardness decreases.The results of this study can provide a reference for design of nuclear island structures on soil and rock sites.

The heterodimeric structure of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C1/C2 dictates 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-directed transcriptional events in osteoblasts

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein （hnRNP） C plays a key role in RNA processing but also exerts a dominant negative effect on responses to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D （1,25（OH）2D） by functioning as a vitamin D response element-binding protein （VDRE-BP）. hnRNPC acts a tetramer of hnRNPC1 （huC1） and hnRNPC2 （huC2）, and organization of these subunits is critical to in vivo nucleic acid-binding. Overexpression of either huC1 or huC2 in human osteoblasts is sufficient to confer VDRE-BP suppression of 1,25（OH）2D-mediated transcription. However, huC1 or huC2 alone did not suppress 1,25（OH）2D-induced transcription in mouse osteoblastic cells. By contrast, overexpression of huC1 and huC2 in combination or transfection with a bone-specific polycistronic vector using a ＂self-cleaving＂ 2A peptide to co-express huC1/C2 suppressed 1,25D-mediated induction of osteoblast target gene expression. Structural diversity of hnRNPC between human/NWPs and mouse/rat/rabbit/dog was investigated by analysis of sequence variations within the hnRNP CLZ domain. The predicted loss of distal helical function in hnRNPC from lower species provides an explanation for the altered interaction between huC1/C2 and their mouse counterparts. These data provide new evidence of a role for hnRNPC1/C2 in 1,25（OH）2D-driven gene expression, and further suggest that species-specific tetramerization is a crucial determinant of its actions as a regulator of VDR-directed transactivation.

Nuclear morphometry, nucleomics and prostate cancer progression

Prostate cancer （PCa） results from a multistep process. This process includes initiation, which occurs through various aging events and multiple insults （such as chronic infection, inflammation and genetic instability through reactive oxygen species causing DNA double-strand breaks）, followed by a multistep process of progression. These steps include several genetic and epigenetic alterations, as well as alterations to the chromatin structure, which occur in response to the carcinogenic stress-related events that sustain proliferative signaling. Events such as evading growth suppressors, resisting cell death, enabling replicative immortality, inducing angiogenesis, and activating invasion and metastasis are readily observed. In addition, in conjunction with these critical drivers of carcinogenesis, other factors related to the etiopathogenesis of PCa, involving energy metabolism and evasion of the immune surveillance system, appear to be involved. In addition, when cancer spread and metastasis occur, the ＇tumor microenvironment＇ in the bone of PCa patients may provide a way to sustain dormancy or senescence and eventually establish a ＇seed and soil＇ site where PCa proliferation and growth may occur over time. When PCa is initiated and progression ensues, significant alterations in nuclear size, shape and heterochromatin （DNA transcription） organization are found, and key nuclear transcriptional and structural proteins, as well as multiple nuclear bodies can lead to precancerous and malignant changes. These series of cellular and tissue-related malignancy-associated events can be quantified to assess disease progression and management.

Statistical Treatment of Low-Energy Nuclear Level Schemes

The level density parameter and the back shift energy E1 are determined for nuclei with A-values across the whole periodic table from fits to complete level schemes at low excitation energy near the neutron binding energies. We find that the energy back shift EI shows complicated behavior and depends on the type of the nucleus, even-even, odd mass, and odd-odd. The spin cut-off factor has also been investigated for nuclei mentioned above. The results are compared with the previous results and different experimental data on level densities.

Nuclear Level Density with Non-zero Angular Momentum

The statistical properties of interacting fermions have been studied for various angular momentum with the inclusion of pairing interaction. The dependence of the critical temperature on angular momentum for several nuclei, have been studied. The yrast energy as a function of angular momentum for 28Si and 24 Mg nuclei have been calculated up to 60.0 MeV of excitation energy. The computed limiting angular momenta are compared with the experimental results for ^26Al produced by ^12C＋ 14N reaction. The relevant nuclear level densities for non-zero angular momentum have been computed for ^44Ti and ^136 Ba nuclei. The results are compared with their corresponding values obtained from the approximate formulas.

The SLEGS beamline of SSRF

The Shanghai Laser Electron Gamma Source(SLEGS, located in BL03SSID) beamline at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility(SSRF) is a Laser Compton Scattering(LCS) gamma source used for the investigation of nuclear structure, which is in extensive demand in fields such as nuclear astrophysics, nuclear cluster structure, polarization physics, and nuclear energy. The beamline is based on the inverse Compton scattering of 10640 nm photons on 3.5 GeV electrons and a gamma source with variable energy by changing the scattering angle from 20° to 160°. γ rays of 0.25-21.1 MeV can be extracted by the scheme consisting of the interaction chamber, coarse collimator, fine collimator, and attenuator. The maximum photon flux for 180° is approximately 10~7 photons/s at the target at 21.7 MeV, with a 3-mm-diameter beam. The beamline was equipped with four types of spectrometers for experiments in( γ,γ'),( γ,n),( γ,p), and( γ,α). At present, Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence(NRF) spectrometry, Flat-Efficiency neutron Detector(FED) spectrometry, neutron Time-Of-Flight(TOF) spectrometry, and Light-Charged Particle(LCP) spectrometry methods have been developed.

Βρ-defned isochronous mass spectrometry at the storage ring CSRe

A novel technique of isochronous mass spectrometry(IMS),termed Bρ-defned IMS,was developed at the experimental cooler-storage ring CSRe in Lanzhou for the frst time.Two time-of-fight detectors were installed in a straight section of the CSRe,thereby enabling simultaneous measurements of the velocity and revolution time of each stored short-lived ion.This technique boosts the broadband precision,efciency,sensitivity,and accuracy of mass measurements of short-lived exotic nuclides.Using Bρ-defned IMS,the masses of^(22)Al,^(62)Ge,^(64)As,^(66)Se,and^(70)Kr were measured for the frst time,and the masses of^(65)As,^(67)Se,and other 21 nuclides were redetermined with improved accuracy.Mass data have been used in studies of relevant issues regarding nuclear structures and nuclear astrophysics.Herein,we review the development of experimental techniques and main physical results and outline plans for future experiments.

Binding Energy, Root-Mean Square Radius and Magnetic Dipole Moment of the Nucleus 6Li

In this work, we have applied the translation invariant shell model with number of quanta of excitations N=2,4,6,8and 10 to define the ground-state eigenenergies and their corresponding normalized eigenstates, the root mean-square radius, and the magnetic dipole moment of the nucleus 6Li. We have computed the necessary two-particle orbital fractional parentage coefficients for nuclei with mass number A=6and number of quanta of excitations N=10, which are not available in the literature. In addition, we have used our previous findings on the nucleon-nucleon interaction with Gaussian radial dependencies, which fits the deuteron characteristics as well as the triton binding energy, root-mean square radius and magnetic dipole moment. The numerical results obtained in this work are in excellent agreement with the corresponding experimental data and the previously published theoretical results in the literature.

SD-pair structure in the pair approximation of the nuclear shell model

In this paper we study the structure coeficients of collective pairs with spin zero and spin two (SD) in a number of configurations by a few realistic nuclei. We investigate the robustness of these structure coeffcients with respect to different configurations and the evolution of SD-pair structure coeffcients with valence nucleon number.

Delta Excitation in the Compressed Finite Nucleus 90Zr

Constrained spherical Hartree-Fock (CSHF) calculations under radial compression are presented for 90Zr in a model space consisting of nine major oscillator shells. An effective baryon-baryon interaction which includes the Δ resonances is used. The nucleon-nucleon (N-N) interaction is Reid Soft Core (RSC) potential. The sensitivity of the results to the choice model space is examined. It is found that the nuclear system becomes more compressible when the model space is increased. The radial density and the number of Δs are decreased by increasing model space. The results suggest that the behavior of single particle energies is independent of the model space.

The Representation of the Chemical Elements’ Isotopes by the Neutron Excess Content

A more compact representation of the Segré chart of nuclides can be obtained replacing the isotopic neutron with the corresponding neutron excess number;a first sight inspection of all the natural isotopes is produced. The resulting representation shows a built-inorder in the organization of the nuclear components into the nuclei of the natural isotopes, sustained by the relevant role of the magic numbers. The interpretation, on the identical foot, of the nuclear instability of Tc, Pm and of the elements following Bi is suggested. The present representation reminds the spheron model of the nuclear structure suggested by L. Pauling. The alpha decay paths of radioactive isotopes are shown, side by side to the low energy nuclear transmutations (LENR). Representations of the artificial isotopes of the chemical elements and of the stellar nucleosynthesis processes are also proposed.

Properties of A=7-9 Drip-Line Nuclei in RMF Theory

The relativistic mean-field （RMF） theory is used to calculate the properties of A =7-9 drip-line nuclei ^7Li, ^7;9Be, ^8;9B, and ^9C. Systematic deviations between experimental and theoretical binding energies are found. Possible reasons of these systematic deviations are discussed in terms of pairing energy. The root-mean-square （rms） radii of matter distributions for these nuclei agree with the experimental data quite well. The one-proton halo structure in ^8B is reproduced well, and the two-proton halo in ^9C is predicted. The calculations show that the RMF theory is valid in studying the properties of light drip-line nuclei.

Resonances-Excitation Calculation Studies Investigation of △(3,3)in Ground State of ^(90)Zr Cold Finite Heavy Nucleus at Equilibrium and Under Large Compression

A non-relativistic microscopic mean field theory of finite nuclei is investigated where the nucleus is described as a collection of nucleons and delta resonances. The ground state properties of 90Zr nucleus have been investigated at equilibrium and large amplitude compression using a realistic effective baryon-baryon Hamiltonian based on Reid Soft Core （RSC） potential. The sensitivity of the ground state properties is studied, such as binding energy, nuclear radius, radial density distribution, and single particle energies to the degree of compression. It is found that the most of increasing in the nuclear energy generated under compression is used to create the massive Δ particles. For 90Zr nucleus under compression at 2.5 times density of the normal nuclear density, the excited nucleons to Δ ＇s are increased sharply up to 14% of the total number of constituents. This result is consistent with the values extracted from relativistic heavy-ion collisions. The single particle energy levels are calculated and their behaviors under compression are examined too. A good agreement between results with effective Hamiltonian and the phenomenologieal shell model for the low lying single-particle spectra is obtained. A considerable reduction in compressibility for the nucleus, and softening of the equation of state with the inclusion of the Δ＇s in the nuclear dynamics are suggested by the results.

△-Resonances in Ground State Properties of _(20)^(40)Ca Spherical Cold Finite Nucleus at Equilibrium and under Compression

The ground state properties of the spherical nucleus ^40Ca have been investigated by using constrained spherical Hartree Fock （CSHF） approximation at equilibrium and under high radial compression in a six major shells. The effective baryon-baryon interaction that includes the △（1236） resonance freedom degrees to calculate nuclear properties is used. The nucleon-nucleon （N-N） interaction is based on Reid soft core （RSC） potential. The results of calculations show that much of increase in the nuclear energy generated under compression is used to create the massive △ particles. The number of △ ＇s can be increased to about 2.1% of constituents of nucleus when nuclear density reaches about 1.34 times of normal density. The single particle energy levels are calculated and their behavior under compression is also examined. △ good agreement has been found between current calculations and phenomenological shell model for low lying single-particle spectra. The gap between shells is very clear and L-S coupling become stronger as increasing the static load on the nucleus. The results show a considerable reduction in compressibility when freedom degrees of △＇s are taken into account. It has been found that the total nuclear radial density becomes denser in the interior and less dense in the exterior region of nucleus. The surface of nucleus becomes more and more responsive to compression than outer region.