A computer-based system for the determination of tidal volume, respiratory frequency, minute ventilation, oxygen transfer, carbon dioxide transfer, respiratory exchange ratio, end-tidal oxygen, end-tidal carbon dioxide, and heart rate is presented. These variables are first determined on a breath-by-breath basis from data (expired carbon dioxide and oxygen fractions, airflow, and ECG) prerecorded on an FM magnetic type system. The breath-by-breath data are then averaged for each experimental run in 5-s increments. The 5-s increment data from a group of subjects can then be averaged and the SEM determined at prescribed periods of time. For the study of individual respiratory transient we found the 5-s increment data to be more useful than the breath-by-breath data because it has a lesser degree of fluctuation. The system is especially adapted to careful observation of the responses within the first few seconds of a change in work load. Appropriate computer programs are discussed. The results of several experiments are compared with data from other sources and found to be in good agreement.
Critical flow and dissipation in a quasi–one-dimensional superfluid