SIMULATION INTERFACE DEVELOPMENT

交互式计算机仿真分析是一个强大的工具， 可以帮助生物医学研究人员理解生物系统， 设计有效的实验，并提取最大量的 这些实验的信息。 有效利用模拟 分析需要一个模拟界面，以帮助调查人员 他们对数学模型的使用是模拟的基础。 该接口应易于使用，应提供随时访问 完整分析所需的工具（例如参数优化器， 将模型输出与实验数据拟合），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， 已经发展并继续改善。 的主要力量 SIMCON一直是其灵活性，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。 因为它是如此的灵活， 新用户很难有效使用。 此外，其图形 输出限于简单的x、y线图。 该项目的重点是 三是仿真界面开发。 首先是 SIMCON的持续发展。 发展的主要领域是 图形和参数优化能力的改进。 一个X-Windows图形处理器将被添加，将包括 等高线图、透视图和特殊图形对象， 根据具体分析定制（例如轴向分布， 多区域血液组织交换装置 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 模拟输出到单个实验曲线。 的数量 同时拟合的曲线的参数和数量将是 增加 第二个发展领域是方法， 仿真接口和模型之间的通信。 目前，接口和模型在单个 可执行模块 这有几个缺点，包括 磁盘存储和处理器利用率的无效使用。 一个新 将开发通信机制，其中接口和 模型作为单独的任务运行，使用标准网络进行通信 协议. 第三个也是主要的发展领域是一个新的 图形仿真界面，XSIM，在X-windows下运行， 提供了一个模型接口， 具体分析任务。 XSIM将提供一个真正的 点击式界面，其风格与X-windows， Macintosh和PC Windows用户已经习惯了。 XSIM将 集成了X-windows图形处理器和IPC， 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.