  We perform a systematic shell-model and mean-field study of fully-aligned,
high-spin f_{7/2}^{n} seniority isomers and d_{3/2}^{-1} f_{7/2}^{n+1} intruder
states in the A~44 nuclei from the lower-fp shell. The shell-model calculations
are performed in the full sdfp configuration space allowing 1p-1h cross-shell
excitations. The self-consistent mean-field calculations are based on the
Hartree-Fock approach with the Skyrme energy density functional that reproduces
empirical Landau parameters. While there is a nice agreement between
experimental and theoretical relative energies of fully-aligned states in N>Z
nuclei, this is no longer the case for the N=Z systems. The remaining deviation
from the data is attributed to the isoscalar proton-neutron correlations. It is
also demonstrated that the Coulomb corrections at high spins noticeably depend
on the choice of the energy density functional.
