Sparked by the isolation of graphene in 2004, the research community has developed a family of 2D materials with distinct functionalities, enabling rapid demonstrations of entirely 2D devices with applications in energy, electronics, sensors and medicine. The desire to capitalize on the fantastic properties of 2D materials motivates ongoing efforts...
I describe a novel panel dataset on the U.S. primary care physician population, as well as the institutions and measurement strategies used to study physician behavior in the marketplace. I document several facts on primary care markets and supplier location decisions, the types of patients physicians accept, the scale of...
Marathons are long distance running events with many participants, often organized in heavily populated cities. A key component in marathon planning operations is the design of the marathon course to be followed during the race. In addition to the technical requirements regarding length and incline change, marathon courses must satisfy...
Anisotropic quasi-brittle materials represent a large group of geological and structural materials commonly seen in various engineering applications. A thorough study of their behaviors, especially anisotropic elastic response, damage, and fracturing behaviors, are essential for better understanding, optimizing, and utilizing their engineering performance. Two representative anisotropic quasi-brittle materials, shale rocks...
Noncentrosymmetry (NCS) is a requirement for many properties such as piezoelectricity, pyroelectricity, and nonlinear optical activity like second harmonic generation which are desirable for a variety of commercial applications. One method which has been employed to successfully synthesize NCS compounds utilizes acentric anionic groups, such as oxyfluoride metal complexes, as...
High-pressure and high-temperature laboratory experiments on the physical properties of mantle minerals provide a window into the Earth’s interior chemistry and geodynamics. The measurement of material density, compressibility, and elasticity at high P-T conditions provides thermoelastic parameters necessary to model seismic velocities in the Earth’s mantle at regional and global...
Endogenous growth theory has long recognized innovation as one of the key drivers of growth. Understanding what factors encourage or discourage innovative activities and how, in turn, these affect our communities is therefore crucial to inspire policies that promote inclusive growth. This dissertation tries to broaden our comprehension of the...
Dark matter represents one of the most sought after discoveries in physics, and leading theories predict that extremely low-background detectors could be sensitive to nuclear recoils from dark matter interactions. The PICO collaboration uses bubble chambers to look for the energy deposition from such an interaction. However, unknown backgrounds have...
This dissertation examines how the experience of migration and the context of reception influences religious ideas and practices. Using the experience of two branches of a Colombian Evangelical church, one in Miami, Florida and one in Madrid, Spain, I explore the extent to which context of reception and the experiences...