Study Abroad, as Seen Through the Eyes of a Participant

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/67640/2/10.1177_002087286200500402.pd

Spin fluctuations in Cr doped MnSi

Transport and calorimetric properties of Mn1-xCrxSi (x = 0.025) down to 2 K and magnetic fields up to 13 T are reported. Electrical resistivity in zero field as well as in magnetic fields, below a magnetic transition temperature, T-c = 23.6 K could be described using a T-2 term with large coefficient, invoking the role of spin fluctuations. Sommerfeld coefficient 'gamma' of specific heat is an enhanced one as compared to the pure MnSi. Negative magnetoresistance (35% at 13 T) with maximum at T-c and a decrease in coefficient of T-2 term in resistivity suggests the suppression of spin fluctuations in high magnetic fields. This is further supported by negative magneto-specific heat in the vicinity of T-c coupled with a decrement in the Sommerfeld coefficient 'gamma' of specific heat under a field of 10 T. Kadowaki-Woods ratio places the system close to other systems showing strong spin fluctuations. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Effects of climate change on probable maximum precipitation: A sensitivity study over the Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basin

Probable maximum precipitation (PMP), defined as the largest rainfall depth that could physically occur under a series of adverse atmospheric conditions, has been an important design criterion for critical infrastructures such as dams and nuclear power plants. To understand how PMP may respond to projected future climate forcings, we used a physics-based numerical weather simulation model to estimate PMP across various durations and areas over the Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa (ACT) River Basin in the southeastern United States. Six sets of Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model experiments driven by both reanalysis and global climate model projections, with a total of 120 storms, were conducted. The depth-area-duration relationship was derived for each set of WRF simulations and compared with the conventional PMP estimates. Our results showed that PMP driven by projected future climate forcings is higher than 1981–2010 baseline values by around 20% in the 2021–2050 near-future and 44% in the 2071–2100 far-future periods. The additional sensitivity simulations of background air temperature warming also showed an enhancement of PMP, suggesting that atmospheric warming could be one important factor controlling the increase in PMP. In light of the projected increase in precipitation extremes under a warming environment, the reasonableness and role of PMP deserve more in-depth examination