SIMULATION INTERFACE DEVELOPMENT

交互式计算机仿真分析是一种强有力的分析工具 可以帮助生物医学研究人员了解生物系统， 设计有效的实验，并最大限度地提取 来自这些实验的信息。有效使用模拟 分析需要一个模拟界面，以帮助调查人员 他们对作为模拟基础的数学模型的使用。 该界面应易于使用，应提供随时访问 完成分析所需的工具(例如，参数优化器 将模型输出与实验数据相匹配)，并应提供 分析结果的完整图形和表格报告。 几年来，我们一直在使用一个名为SIMCON的接口，我们 已经发展，并在继续改进。的主要优势是 SIMCON一直具有灵活性，因此能够将其应用于 各种各样的问题，但这也导致了它的主要弱点。 因为它非常灵活，所以对于新用户来说也有些困难 有效地使用。此外，它的图形输出仅限于简单 X，y折线图。本项目侧重于三个方面的模拟 界面开发。首先是SIMCON的持续发展。 开发的主要领域是改进图形和 参数优化能力。X-WINDOWS图形处理器 将添加等高线地块、透视地块和 为特定分析量身定做的特殊图形对象(例如 一种轴向分布的多区域血液组织交换装置 用于显示指示剂稀释结果)。关于 参数优化，SIMCON目前仅限于 修改四个参数以适应一个模拟输出 单一实验曲线。参数的数量和 同时拟合的曲线将增加。第二个领域 开发的方法是仿真之间的通信 界面和模型。目前，接口和型号为 在单个可执行模块中链接在一起。这有几个 缺点包括磁盘存储和处理器的使用效率低下 利用率。将开发一种新的通信机制，其中 界面和模型作为单独的任务运行，使用 标准网络协议。第三个也是主要的发展领域 是一种新的图形模拟界面XSIM，它运行在 X-Window，并提供了为 手头的具体分析任务的要求。XSIM将提供 真正的点击式界面，其风格是 X-Windows、Macintosh和PC Windows用户已经习惯了。 XSIM将采用X-WINDOWS图形处理器和IPC 都在上面讨论过。

Interactive computer simulation analysis is a powerful tool that can aid biomedical investigators in understanding biological systems, designing effective experiments, and extracting the maximum amount of information from these experiments. Effective use of simulation analysis requires a simulation interface that aids investigators in their use of the mathematical models that underlie the simulation. The interface should be easy to use, should provide ready access to the tools required for complete analysis (e.g. parameter optimizers to fit the model output to experimental data), and should provide complete graphical and tabular reports of the result of the analysis. For several years we have been using an interface named SIMCON that we have developed and have continued to improve. The main strength of SIMCON has been its flexibility and, thus, the ability to apply it to a wide variety of problems, but this also leads to its main weakness. Because it is so flexible, it is also somewhat difficult for new users to use effectively. Also, its graphical output is limited to simple x,y line graphs. This project focuses on three areas of simulation interface development. First is the continued development of SIMCON. Primary areas of development are the improvement of the graphical and parameter optimization capabilities. An X-windows graphical processor will be added that will include contour plots, perspective plots, and special graphics objects that are tailored to specific analyses (e.g. an axially distributed, multiple region, blood-tissue exchange unit for use in display of indicator dilution results). Regarding parameter optimization, SIMCON is currently constrained to modification of four parameters to fit one simulation output to a single experimental curve. The number of parameters and number of curves fitted simultaneously will be increased. The second area of development is the method of communication between the simulation interface and the model. Currently, the interface and model are linked together in a single executable module. This has several disadvantages including ineffective use of disk storage and processor utilization. A new communication mechanism will be developed in which the interface and model run as separate tasks that communicate using standard network protocols. The third, and main, area of development is a new graphical simulation interface, XSIM, that runs under X-windows and provides a model interface that is tailored to the requirement of the specific analysis task at hand. XSIM will provide a true point-and-click interface that is in the style to which X-windows, Macintosh, and PC Windows users have become accustomed. XSIM will incorporate the X-windows graphics processor and IPC that are discussed above.