Technique for analyzing human respiratory process

Electronic system /MIRACLE 2/ places frequency and gas flow rate of the respiratory process within a common frame of reference to render them comparable and compatible with ''real clock time.'' Numerous measurements are accomplished accurately on a strict one-minute half-minute, breath-by-breath, or other period basis

Respiratory analysis system and method

A system is described for monitoring the respiratory process in which the gas flow rate and the frequency of respiration and expiration cycles can be determined on a real time basis. A face mask is provided with one-way inlet and outlet valves where the gas flow is through independent flowmeters and through a mass spectrometer. The opening and closing of a valve operates an electrical switch, and the combination of the two switches produces a low frequency electrical signal of the respiratory inhalation and exhalation cycles. During the time a switch is operated, the corresponsing flowmeter produces electric pulses representative of the flow rate; the electrical pulses being at a higher frequency than that of the breathing cycle and combined with the low frequency signal. The high frequency pulses are supplied to conventional analyzer computer which also receives temperature and pressure inputs and computes mass flow rate and totalized mass flow of gas. From the mass spectrometer, components of the gas are separately computed as to flow rate. The electrical switches cause operation of up-down inputs of a reversible counter. The respective up and down cycles can be individually monitored and combined for various respiratory measurements

The long-term optical behavior of MRK421

All data available in B band for the BL Lac object MRK421 from 22 publications are used to construct a historical light curve, dating back to 1900. It is found that the light curve is very complicated and consists of a set of outbursts with very large duration. The brightness of MRK421 varies from 11.6 magnitude to more than 16 magnitude. Analyses with Jurkevich method of computing period of cyclic phenomena reveal in the light curve two kinds of behaviors. The first one is non-periodic with rapid, violent variations in intensity on time scales of hours to days. The second one is periodic with a possible period of $23.1\pm 1.1$ years. Another possible period of $15.3\pm 0.7$ years is not very significant. We have tested the robustness of the Jurkevich method. The period of about one year found in the light curves of MRK421 and of other objects is a spurious period due to the method and the observing window. We try to explain the period of $23.1 \pm1.1$ years under the thermal instability of a slim accretion disk around a massive black hole of mass of $2 *10^6 M_\odot$.Comment: Tex, 14 pages, 5 Postscript figures. Accepted for publication in A&A Supplement Serie