SCIRun/BioPSE: integrated problem solving environment for bioelectric field problems and visualization

Abstract

SCIRun is a general purpose problem solving environment that seeks to integrate the steps of preparing, executing, and visualizing simulations of physical and biological systems. The implementation of SCIRun is by means of an interactive dataflow network consisting of modules and data pipes exposed as a visual programming language. SCIRun also contains specific modules for bioelectric field simulations and visualizations and the combination of SCIRun with this package is known as BioPSE (www.sci.utah.edu/software/biopse). This software has been in the public domain since 2000 and in that time we have developed strategies for software development, engineering, testing, documentation, and training. We have also continued to expand the scope of the SCIRun/BioPSE package not only through our own codes but by constructing bridges to other systems, both open source and proprietary. We have also created a repository for relevant sample networks and datasets with the aim of allowing diverse groups to test and evaluate algorithms using identical data and to share their results with the community for comparison of performance and accuracy. We present here a summary of the software system and describe specific experiences and conclusions with regard to creating and managing a large open source software project carried out within a university setting.