Comparison of femoral and auricular arterial blood pressure monitoring in pigs

Objective To compare arterial blood pressure measurements obtained from the femoral and auricular arteries in anaesthetized pigs. Study design Prospective experimental study. Animals Fifteen female Large White pigs were used weighing 21.3 ± 2.3 kg. Methods The pigs were anaesthetized with tiletamine/zolazepam and xylazine administered intramuscularly, and anaesthesia maintained with isoflurane delivered in oxygen/nitrogen. Arterial oxygen partial pressures were maintained between 11.3 and 13.3 kPa and PaCO₂ between 4.6 and 6.0 kPa. Monitoring included electrocardiogram, capnography and invasive blood pressure. The auricular and femoral arteries were catheterized for continuous systolic (SAP), diastolic (DAP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) measurements. Measurements were recorded every 15 minutes. Statistical analysis involved a Bland–Altman plot analysis. Results The mean difference ± confidence intervals between the femoral and the auricular arterial diastolic, systolic and mean blood pressure measurements during hypotension were 2 ± 7, 2 ± 5 and 2 ± 5 mmHg respectively. In conditions of normotension mean difference ± confidence intervals, of femoral and auricular arterial blood pressure measurements of diastolic, systolic and mean blood pressure were 4 ± 5, 3 ± 7 and 4 ± 4 mmHg respectively. In conditions of increased arterial blood pressure, mean difference ± confidence intervals, of femoral and auricular arterial blood pressure measurements of diastolic, systolic and mean blood pressure were 4 ± 5, 3 ± 8 and 4 ± 4 mmHg respectively. Conclusion Auricular artery catheterization is easier and quicker to perform. Pressure measurements from the auricular artery compared well with the femoral artery. Clinical relevance We found that auricular arterial blood pressures were similar to femoral arterial values under the conditions of this experiment. We did not test extremes of blood pressure or significant alterations in body temperature.     

Early maritime economy and El Nino events at quebrada tacahuay, peru

The archaeological site of Quebrada Tacahuay, Peru, dates to 12,700 to 12,500 calibrated years before the present (10,770 to 10,530 carbon-14 years before the present). It contains some of the oldest evidence of maritime-based economic activity in the New World. Recovered materials include a hearth, lithic cutting tools and flakes, and abundant processed marine fauna, primarily seabirds and fish. Sediments below and above the occupation layer were probably generated by El Nino events, indicating that El Nino was active during the Pleistocene as well as during the early and middle Holocene.     

森林资源时态GIS数据存储与时空分析方法研究

在分析时态数据库的研究与应用现状基础上,针对森林资源数据特点,在对象—关系Oracle数据库上,扩展基本数据类型和函数集,实现森林资源时空数据的有效储存,对森林资源数据的现状及变化等基本信息进行空间拓扑、时态拓扑和时空拓扑操作,提供完善的时序分析功能,高效地回答与时间相关的各类问题,准确地描述森林资源信息,完整地反映森林资源演变过程,为森林资源数据管理提供服务,对森林资源数据库的建设提供新的思路和方法。     

乌冈栎种群天然更新研究

种群更新对维持种群的稳定和发展具有极其重要的意义。通过野外实地调查,对不同地区乌冈栎种群的更新情况进行了分析,结果如下:1)大多数地区乌冈栎种群的幼苗结构呈倒金字塔型,说明乌冈栎种群的更新存在一定的困难;但在乌冈栎顶级群落中,由于仍存在一定数量的幼树,短期内的更新仍能继续进行;2)从乌冈栎幼苗空间分布格局来看,林窗或林缘处呈聚集分布,而林冠下呈均匀分布,这与乌冈栎幼苗生长的需光性有极大的关系;3)乌冈栎的萌发实验表明,1～2个月的沙藏处理有利于提高萌发率,而萌发过程中鼠害和虫蛀是限制出苗率的主要原因之一;4)乌冈栎种子的传播除靠重力外,啮齿类动物对它的影响最大,他们之间存在一定的权衡关系。为了提高乌冈栎种群的天然更新率,适当干扰地开辟林窗是较佳的途径。