Software For The Analysis Of Hormone Pulsatility

描述(申请人提供)：这项提案将通过进一步开发、扩展、验证和分发我们小组在过去20年中创建的数据分析算法和软件，来创建一个用于激素浓度-时间序列研究的综合软件包。这些程序探索了许多神经内分泌和外周分泌激素的血清浓度曲线的典型非周期性波动。大量的实验和理论工作证明了这些波动的生理重要性，这些波动可以被病理生理学改变，或者可能调节关键的种内和种间差异。然而，我们目前的项目不能充分满足内分泌研究人员不断发展的需求，这些项目基于过时的计算机平台、用户界面，并且缺乏广泛的文献资料。因此，我们建议开发一套先进的数据分析算法、配套软件和文档，用于内分泌浓度-时间序列的多方面研究。该套件将包括现有的和现代的算法，以及一个当代的用户界面，以促进临床研究人员的应用。此外，出于研究目的，该软件和文件将可免费获取。为了实现这些目标，我们打算升级我们现有的软件，以便在MS-Windows NT/2000/XP操作系统(目标1)的框架内使用现代用户界面。包含当代算法。(AIM 2)将扩展软件功能，并提供更精确、更多信息和更多用户功能。将特别重视改进原始数据预处理技术(目标3)，并利用模拟和实验数据对新算法进行验证和测试(目标5)。将编制大量文件，以确保对软件的正确理解和使用，并便利我们和/或其他调查人员今后的修改(目标4)。随着我们扩大万维网业务(AIM 6)，软件和文档将可用。改进和扩大我们的年度“荷尔蒙脉动分析研讨会”。(AIM 7)将进一步普及该软件包，并提供必要的反馈。这一努力将为内分泌研究界提供当代的、易于使用的、基于计算机的工具，用于单独或联合研究单个或多个相关激素浓度-时间序列的各种特征。我们还展望了在其他非内分泌研究领域的潜在应用。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This proposal will create an integrated software package for investigation of hormone concentration-time series by further development, extension, validation, and distribution of the data analysis algorithms and software created by our group over the last twenty years. These programs explore the aperiodic fluctuations that are typical for serum concentration profiles of many neuroendocrine and peripherally secreted hormones. Extensive experimental and theoretical work documents the physiological importance of these fluctuations that could be altered by pathophysiology, or could mediate key intra- and interspecies distinctions. However, the evolving demands of endocrine researchers cannot be adequately addressed by our current programs, which are based on outdated computer platforms, user interfaces, and lack extensive documentation. Accordingly, we propose to develop an integrated package of advanced data analysis algorithms, attendant software and documentation for multifaceted investigation of endocrine concentration-time series. The suite will encompass established and modem algorithms, as well as a contemporary user interface to facilitate the application by clinical investigators. In addition, the software and documentation will be freely accessible for research purposes. To meet these goals, we intend to upgrade our existing software to utilize a modern user interface in the framework of MS-Windows NT/2000/XP operating system (Aim 1). Inclusion of contemporary algorithms. (Aim 2) will expand the software capabilities and provide more precision, additional information, and increased user functionality. Special emphasis will be placed on improving the raw data preprocessing techniques (Aim 3), and on validation and testing of the new algorithms with simulated and experimental data (Aim 5). Extensive documentation will be created to ensure proper understanding and usage of the software and to facilitate future modifications by us and/or other investigators (Aim 4). The software and documentation will be available as we expand our World Wide Web presence (Aim 6). Improving and expanding our annual "Workshop on the Analysis of Hormone Pulsatility". (Aim 7) will further popularize the software package and supply essential feedback. This effort will provide the endocrine research community with contemporary, easy-to-use, computer- based tools for studying, individually or jointly, various characteristics of a single or multiple related hormone concentration-time series. We also envision potential applications in other non-endocrine research fields.