AbstractCross sections of58Ni for interactions of the type (n,p), (n′), (n,α), (n,n′p), (n,2n,), (n,n′α), (n,αn′), (n,αp), (n,pn′), and (n,2p) with neutrons of 14.8 and 14.0 MeV (laboratory system) have been computed using a diffused-edge optical model potential. The spin dependence, shell, and pairing energy effects in the various level-density formulas have been considered. The compound nucleus and the direct interaction contributions are calculated separately. The computed cross sections are quite suitable for direct comparison with experimental values obtained from activation techniques and energy and angular distributions. The shell-dependent Newton’s level-density formula gives better agreement for primary and secondary emission.