Observing the onset of pressure-driven K-shell delocalization.

The gravitational pressure in many astrophysical objects exceeds one gigabar (one billion atmospheres), creating extreme conditions where the distance between nuclei approaches the size of the K shell. This close proximity modifies these tightly bound states and, above a certain pressure, drives them into a delocalized state. Both processes substantially affect the equation of state and radiation transport and, therefore, the structure and evolution of these objects.

A Focus Group Study of Retirement-Age Nurses: Balancing Tension and a Love of Nursing in a Changing Healthcare Environment.

Objective: The aims of this study were to explore the experience of retirement-age nurses and identify decision-making factors and innovations to enhance retention.

Background: A national shortage of nurses has created challenges to preserving quality patient care and level of nursing competency and managing turnover costs.

Methods: A qualitative study using focus groups was conducted of nurses 55 years or older who were working or recently retired.

Electron Kinetics Induced by Ultrafast Photoexcitation of Warm Dense Matter in a 30-nm-Thick Foil.

We report on the study of electron kinetics induced by intense femtosecond (fs) laser excitation of electrons in the 5d band of Au. Changes in the electron system are observed from the temporal evolution of ac conductivity and conduction electron density. The results reveal an increase of electron thermalization time with excitation energy density, contrary to the Fermi-liquid behavior of the decrease of thermalization time associated with the heating of conduction electrons.