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Studying the so-called ”hidden” phases of quantum materials—phases that do not exist under equilibrium conditions, but can be accessed with light—reveals new insights into the broader field of structural phase transitions. Using terahertz irradiation as well as hard x-ray probes made available by x-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) provides unique capabilities to study phonon dispersion in these materials. Here, we study the cubic peak of the quantum paraelectric strontium titanate (SrTiO3, STO) below the 110 K cubic-to-tetragonal tran- sition. Our results reveal a temperature and field strength dependence of the transverse acoustic mode in agreement with previous work on the avoided crossing occurring at finite wavevector, as well as evidence of anharmonic coupling between transverse optical phonons and a fully symmetric A1g phonon. These results elucidate previous optical studies on STO and hold promise for future studies on the hidden metastable phases of quantum materials.
The purpose of this thesis is to determine whether Tai Chi Qigong or Health Information podcasts are more effective for improving mental health and sleep outcomes for midlife women with mobility impairments. No other studies have been done to investigate whether Tai Chi can be more effective for sleep, depressive symptoms, and anxiety for midlife women with mobility impairments specifically. Overall, it was found that midlife women with mobility impairments experienced better sleep when they focused on health information podcasts in comparison to Tai Chi. Change in anxiety and depressive symptoms were negligible.
The purpose of this thesis is to determine whether Tai Chi Qigong or Health Information podcasts are more effective for improving mental health and sleep outcomes for midlife women with mobility impairments. No other studies have been done to investigate whether Tai Chi can be more effective for sleep, depressive symptoms, and anxiety for midlife women with mobility impairments specifically. Overall, it was found that midlife women with mobility impairments experienced better sleep when they focused on health information podcasts in comparison to Tai Chi. Change in anxiety and depressive symptoms were negligible.
Cities in the Global South face rapid urbanization challenges and often suffer an acute lack of infrastructure and governance capacities. Smart Cities Mission, in India, launched in 2015, aims to offer a novel approach for urban renewal of 100 cities following an area‐based development approach, where the use of ICT and digital technologies is particularly emphasized. This article presents a critical review of the design and implementation framework of this new urban renewal program across selected case‐study cities. The article examines the claims of the so‐called “smart cities” against actual urban transformation on‐ground and evaluates how “inclusive” and “sustainable” these developments are. We quantify the scale and coverage of the smart city urban renewal projects in the cities to highlight who the program includes and excludes. The article also presents a statistical analysis of the sectoral focus and budgetary allocations of the projects under the Smart Cities Mission to find an inherent bias in these smart city initiatives in terms of which types of development they promote and the ones it ignores. The findings indicate that a predominant emphasis on digital urban renewal of selected precincts and enclaves, branded as “smart cities,” leads to deepening social polarization and gentrification. The article offers crucial urban planning lessons for designing ICT‐driven urban renewal projects, while addressing critical questions around inclusion and sustainability in smart city ventures.`
P and n-type doping methods are presented in addition to the production of SiGeSn ternary alloys. Finally optically stimulated lasing in thick GeSn layers and SiGeSn/GeSn multiple quantum wells is demonstrated. Lasing wavelengths ranging from 2-3 µm at temperatures up to 180K are realized in thick layers. Whereas SiGeSn/GeSn multiple quantum wells on a strain-relaxed GeSn buffers have enabled the first reported SiGeSn/GeSn multiple quantum well laser operating up to 80K with threshold power densities as low as 33 kW/cm2.