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。 因为太灵活了，对于新用户来说也有些难度 有效地使用。 此外，它的图形输出仅限于简单的 x，y线图。 这个项目主要关注三个方面的模拟 接口开发。 首先是西门子的持续发展。 开发的主要领域是图形和 参数优化能力。 X-Windows图形处理器 将添加包括等高线图、透视图和 为特定分析量身定制的特殊图形对象（例如， 轴向分布的多区域血液组织交换单元， 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，使一个模拟输出适合一个 单一实验曲线 参数的数量和 将增加同时拟合的曲线。 的第二区域 开发是仿真之间的通信方法 接口和模型。 目前，接口和模型是 链接在一个可执行模块中。 这具有几 缺点包括磁盘存储和处理器的无效使用 利用率 将建立一个新的通信机制， 接口和模型作为单独的任务运行， 标准网络协议。 第三个也是主要的发展领域 是一个新的图形仿真界面，XSIM，运行在 并提供了一个模型界面， 具体分析任务的要求。 XSIM将提供 一个真正的点击式界面， 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， 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.