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The B(E2) excitation strength of the first excited 2 + state in even-even nuclei should directly correlate to the size of the valence space and maximize at mid-shell. A previously found saturation of B(E2) strengths in well-deformed rotors at mid-shell is tested through high-precision measurements of the lifetimes of the lowest-lying 2 + states of the 168 Hf and 174 W rare earth isotopes. Measurements were performed using fast LaBr3 scintillation detectors. Combined with the recently re-measured B(E2; 2

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