University of Nevada, Reno

About: University of Nevada, Reno is a education organization based out in Reno, Nevada, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 13561 authors who have published 28217 publications receiving 882002 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Nevada & Nevada State University.

Natural selection on thermogenic capacity of high-altitude deer mice.

Abstract: Adaptive explanations that rely on physiological arguments are common, but tests of hypotheses about the significance of whole-animal physiological performance (e.g., aerobic capacities) are rare. We studied phenotypic selection on the thermogenic capacity (i.e., maximal rate of oxygen consumption [VO2 max] elicited via cold exposure) of high-altitude (~3800 m) deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus). A high VO2 max equates to a high capacity for heat production and should favor survival in the cold environments prevalent at high altitude. Strong directional selection favored high VO2 max, at least in one year. The selection for increased VO2 max is consistent with predictions derived from incorporating our physiological data into a biophysical model. During another year, we found weak evidence of selection for decreased body mass. Nonlinear selection was not significant for any of the selection episodes we studied. The strong directional selection for VO2 max that we observed suggests that-given ample genetic variation-aerobic metabolism and perhaps endothermy may have evolved rapidly on the geological time scale.

Feasibility of soil moisture estimation using passive distributed temperature sensing

Abstract: Through its role in the energy and water balances at the land surface, soil moisture is a key state variable in surface hydrology and land?atmosphere interactions. Point observations of soil moisture are easy to make using established methods such as time domain reflectometry and gravimetric sampling. However, monitoring large?scale variability with these techniques is logistically and economically infeasible. Here passive soil distributed temperature sensing (DTS) will be introduced as an experimental method of measuring soil moisture on the basis of DTS. Several fiber?optic cables in a vertical profile are used as thermal sensors, measuring propagation of temperature changes due to the diurnal cycle. Current technology allows these cables to be in excess of 10 km in length, and DTS equipment allows measurement of temperatures every 1 m. The passive soil DTS concept is based on the fact that soil moisture influences soil thermal properties. Therefore, observing temperature dynamics can yield information on changes in soil moisture content. Results from this preliminary study demonstrate that passive soil DTS can detect changes in thermal properties. Deriving soil moisture is complicated by the uncertainty and nonuniqueness in the relationship between thermal conductivity and soil moisture. A numerical simulation indicates that the accuracy could be improved if the depth of the cables was known with greater certainty.

Functionalization of Self-Organized TiO2 Nanotubes with Pd Nanoparticles for Photocatalytic Decomposition of Dyes under Solar Light Illumination

Abstract: Self-organized, vertically oriented TiO2 nanotube arrays prepared by the sonoelectrochemical anodization method are functionalized with palladium (Pd) nanoparticles of approximately 10 nm size. A simple incipient wetness method is adopted to distribute the Pd nanoparticles uniformly throughout the TiO2 nanotubular surface. This functionalized material is found to be an excellent heterogeneous photocatalyst that can decompose nonbiodegradable azo dyes (e.g., methyl red and methyl orange) rapidly (150-270 min) and efficiently (100%) under ambient conditions using simulated solar light in the absence of any external oxidative radicals such as hydrogen peroxide.