PhysiCell: PhysiCell: an Open Source Physics-Based Cell Simulator for 3-D
Multicellular Systems.
Version: 1.2.0
Release date: 30 July 2017
Homepage: http://PhysiCell.MathCancer.org
Downloads: http://PhysiCell.sf.net
Summary:
This release introduces a major reworking to simplify cell pheno-
types and cells. It includes a generalized cell cycle model that
can also be used to represent death cycle models. It includes an
improved motility representation. Changing cell secretion and
uptake rates is more straightforward, because all interfacing
with BioFVM is automated.
A new, comprehensive user guide is included on all the major
functions and classes in PhysiCell, including examples.
This release also includes bugfixes and corrections. Due
to the extensive redevelopment, this change log is not 100%
fine-grained.
PhysiCell is currently under scientific peer review.
Major new features and changes:
+ Completely reworked the Phenoytype class to be much more
straightforward, and safe to change throughout the
simulation.
+ The Phenotype class includes elements on cell cycling, death,
volume, geometry, mechanics, motility, and secretion (and uptake).
+ Completely reworked representation of cell cycle models as
Cycle_Model: a directed graph of Phases, linked by Phase_Links.
A Cycle_Model is bundled with key parameters (Cycle_Data) into
the Cycle element of the Phenotype.
+ Cycle models can include user-specified arrest functions between
Phases (e.g., contact inhibition).
+ Cycle Phases can have user-specified "entry" and "exit" functions
to be executed upon entering or leaving a Phase (e.g., mutations).
+ Created new classes Death_Parameters and Death to represent
cell death models as Cycle_Model.
+ Updated the classes for Mechanics, Volume, and Geometry.
+ Completely reworked the Motility class to represent cell
migration as a combination of random and directed motility.
Notions of persistence time are included. Users can supply
custom functions to update the cell's migration bias.
+ Added the cell calcification model to the general volume update
function.
+ Deprecated all code in core/PhysiCell_digital_cell_line.*
+ Added apoptosis_death_model, necrosis_death_model,
autophagy_death_model, and live_cells_cycle_model to
PhysiCell_Constants.
+ Added new function Cell::flag_for_division() for simpler
construction of cycle models, and to allow users to push a cell
to divide at any time.
+ Added new function Cell::flag_for_removal() for simpler
construction of cycle models, and to allow users to push a cell
to be removed at any time.
+ Volume::multiply_by_ratio() now also divides the target volumes by
this ratio.
+ Created a new Cell_Functions class to more readily bundle the
Cell object's function pointers.
+ Rewrote the Custom_Cell_Data class, so that custom data are no
longer hard-coded by the user in the class, but instead added
during runtime. Moved PhysiCell_custom.h/cpp into the core
directory.
+ The Cell_Definition class includes a pointer to the default
Microenvironment, as well as a default Cell_Functions,
Cell_Parameters, Custom_Cell_Data, and Phenotype. Newly created
cells all copy from the Cell_Defaults.
+ Bundled the following phenotype update functions into a single
Phenotype::advance_all_nonmechanics_models( Cell* , double )
function:
Phenotype::update_function() // update cell phenotype parameters
Phenotype::volume.update() // update cell volume
Phenotype::geometry.update() // update radius, etc.
Phenotype::death.check_for_death() // check for death
Phenotype::cycle.advance_cycle() // advance the current cycle model
+ PhysiCell_Container uses the above function on each cell to
ensure that the correct custom functions are used. It also uses
the cell's Cell::Cell_Functions::update_velocity() to update
the cell's state. For now, users need to remember to include
the motility update functions in their update_velocity() function
if they replace the default. Lastly, PhysiCell_Container calls teh
Cell::Cell_Functions::custom_cell_rule at the end of the main loop.
+ Created new functions to directly trigger cell death.
+ Created new functions to access cell neighbor information.
+ Updated the examples for compatibility.
Minor new features and changes:
+ Added PhysiCell_constants::custom_phase to the constants.
+ Changed Cell:is_movable to Cell_is_movable to better express its
purpose of setting a cell to rigid (unmovable) or movable.
+ Fixed Cell:turn_off_reactions(double) to completely turn off all
BioFVM uptake/secretion, rather than cut them by an order of
magnitude.
+ Replaced scores of (if some_double == 0) conditionals with
if( fabs( some_double ) < tolerance ), since you it is best practice
to never check for equality of a floating point or double.
+ Started substituting more efficient axpy and += operators
(from BioFVM) for many of the vector operations in PhysiCell_cell.cpp.
+ Where possible, inserted { } into if / then / else logic for
increased code clarity and robustness to newline and whitespace
changes.
+ Moved most default / standard mechanics functions from PhysiCell_cell.* to
PhysiCell_standard_models.*.
+ Added constants for time step sizes, time units, and spatial units to
PhysiCell_constants.h, and removed isolated (and sometimes non-
synchronized) timestep constants throughout the code.
+ Added State::simple_pressure for future use in mechanics-induced cycle
regulation.
+ Added std::vector<Cell*>& Cell:cells_in_my_container(void) to more
easily access a list of cells in the cell's current mechanics voxel.
+ and more.
+ Simplified the Makefile for easier cross-platform compiling. Users
do not need to change MARCH any more.
Bugfixes and Corrections:
+ Fixed typo "max_cell_interactive_ditstance_in_voxel" to
"max_cell_interactive_ditstance_in_voxel" in the Cell_Container class.
+ Throughout the code, replaced any logic of the form
(if some_double == some_other_double ) with better practice of
if( fabs( some_double - some_other_double ) < tolerance ), since
floating point numbers aren't often equal.
+ In PhysiCell_cell_container, the function find_escaping_face_index()
had a return type of int, but it was possible for none of the statements
to evaulate "true". The function now returns -1 for the case that
there is no escaping_face_index. Thus, the return type is always defined.
+ Cell::assign_position() now sets:
is_out_of_domain = true;
is_active = false;
is_movable = false;
if the cell is out of bounds. This should prevent segfaults when cells
are assigned positions out of bounds (e.g., during division).
+ Cell::update_position() now sets:
is_out_of_domain = true;
is_active = false;
is_movable = false;
if the cell moves out of bounds. This should prevent segfaults when cells
move out of bounds (e.g., by mechanics).
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Version: 1.1.1
Release date: 16 May 2017
Homepage: http://PhysiCell.MathCancer.org
Downloads: http://PhysiCell.sf.net
Summary:
This release includes usability fixes and enhancements, including
more basic "template" projects, simpler project startup, improved SVG
visualization support, and cleanup on the Makefile.
PhysiCell is currently under scientific peer review.
Major new features and changes:
+ Added template3D.cpp and template2D.cpp template projects. See the
template_projects directory.
+ Added Makefile rules to seed the 2D projects. To create and compile
the 2D template:
make template2D && make
To create and compile the 3D template:
make template3D && make
To further edit your project, modify main.cpp in the root PhysiCell
directory. Follow the online tutorials for further functionality.
+ Added preliminary MultiCellDS support, with MultiCellDS outputs. These
are added via modules/PhysiCell_MultiCellDS.cpp
+ Many usability improvements listed in "minor new features" below.
+ Finished implementation of SVG support, to plot the simulation through a
cross-section (fixed z-value).
+ Digital pathology: Improved coloring functions for the main cell cycle
models, and virtual H&E (hematoxylin and eosin):
Minor new features and changes:
+ Created new function in PhysiCell_cell_container to simplify initialization
of the mechanics data structures:
Cell_Container* create_cell_container_for_microenvironment(
BioFVM::Microenvironment& m , double mechanics_voxel_size );
+ Usability feature: If BioFVM::default_microenvironment has not yet been
declared when calling create_cell_container_for_microenvironment(), then
it is set to "m" in the new function above.
+ Usability feature: If the BioFVM::default_microenvironment has been set
then Cell* create_cell( void ) now uses this to call
Cell::register_microenvironment(µenvironment).
+ Changed Cell_Parameters from a struct to a class.
+ Usability feature: Created a new Cell_Defaults class, with a
global PhysiCell::cell_defaults. Now, you can set these
default functions and parameters at the start of your program, and
all new cells are set to use these defaults.
+ Usability feature: Traced code and determined that calling Cell::set_phenotype()
calls Basic_Agent::set_total_volume() (Cell extends Basic_Agent), which sets
Basic_Agent::volume_is_changed to true. This, in turn, makes the next call
to Basic_Agent::simulate_secretion_and_uptake() call
Basic_Agent::set_internal_uptake_constants(). So, it is unnecessary to
call this function in typical initialization.
+ Usability feature: Cell:set_phenotype() now automatically calls
Basic_Agent::set_internal_uptake_constants(). You no longer need to
manually call this function *if* using the set_phenotype() function.
+ Usability feature: The default Cell constructor (Cell::Cell) uses
the default functions in PhysiCell::default_cell_functions, instead
of hard-coded defaults. The default constructor for Default_Cell_Functions
has sensible defaults for cell mechanics and volume regulation to
match the PhysiCell method paper. Phenotype-related functions are left
empty.
+ Usability feature: The create_cell() function now assigns the default
microenvironment to the newly created cell, and assigns the
cell functions in PhysiCell::default_cell_functions.
+ Changed default -march flag to -march=native, according to benchmarks
on gcc 5x at phoronix:
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=GCC-Optimizations-E3V5-Levels
+ Changed the -O3 flag to -Ofast, which tends to produce slightly faster
code by the phoronix link above.
+ Updated to a pre-release copy of BioFVM 1.1.5.
+ Included the matlab functions first created for BioFVM, which can now be
found in the matlab directory.
+ Fixed read_MultiCellDS_xml.m function to work when there are no cells.
+ Fixed read_MultiCellDS_xml.m function to display the current number of
cells, when there are < 3 cells.
+ Added modules/PhysiCell_standard_modules.h to start organizing non-core,
standard parts of MultiCellDS. This will inintially include SVG,
pathology, and MultiCellDS modules.
+ Removed matlab output from log_output in PhysiCell_utilities.cpp. This
only saved the microenvironment (but not cells), and it is no longer
needed with new MultiCellDS output support.
+ Changed the default SVG length scale bar in PhysiCell_pathology to
100 microns (previously 1000 microns).
+ Updated the archive rules to use the more-common "tar" command. Use
"make tar" and "make untar". Archives are stored in the archives
directory.
+ Added a void up_orientation( Cell* pCell, double dt ) to
PhysiCell_standard_models.cpp, which sets orientation = [0,0,1]
and polarity = 1.0. This is useful for 2-D simulations.
+ Digital Pathology coloring functions:
simple_cell_coloring: cell nucleus is blue, cytoplasm is red, and
outlines are black
false_cell_coloring_Ki67: for any Ki67-based cell cycle model,
green cells are Ki67+ prior to mitosis (or any Ki67+ cell in
the simplified Ki67 models), magenta cells are Ki67+ after
mitosis, red cells are apoptotic, and brown cells are necrotic.
hematoxylin_and_eosin_cell_coloring: "stains" nuclear solids with
hematoxylin, "stains" cytoplasmic solids with eosin, and simulates
light transmission / absorbtion through a thin slice to approximate
microscopy and image acquisition. Note that cells with little water
will appear dark (e.g., apoptotic debris, especially after the
cytoplasm has blebbed), and cells with lots of water (e.g., onsosis
in early necrotic cells) will appear faint.
false_cell_coloring_live_dead: live cells are green, apoptotic cells
are red, and necrotic cells are brown.
+ Added Phenotype::get_current_phase_code(void) to
PhysiCell_digital_cell_line.cpp to more easily get the cell's current
phenotypic state. (Especially useful for virtual pathology.)
Bugfixes and Corrections:
+ Fixed typo Time_Settings.cell_cylce_dt_default to
Time_Settings.cell_cycle_dt_default in PhysiCell_cell_container.
+ Removed unused declaration Cell::initialize_functions( void );
+ Changed the default "update_cell_and_death_parameters" function from
"update_cell_and_death_parameters_O2_based" to "empty_function".
Examples and models should choose this *explicitly*.
+ Cell::set_orientation( Cell* pCell ) changed to
Cell::set_orientation( Cell* pCell, double dt ) to be consistent with other
cell member functions.
+ In void Cell::assign_orientation(), set polarity = 0.0 if a
set_orientation(Cell*,double) function is not set (NULL).
+ Removed irrelevant data elements in the Custom_Cell_Data class.
Notices for intended changes that may affect backwards compatibility:
+ Will rename the current "Phenotype" class to "Old_Phenotype"
+ Will introduce a new Phenotype class with a much simpler structure.
+ Will rewrite the represetation of cell cycle and death phases.
+ Will rewrite the standard phenotype models in the simpler representatio.
+ Will stop requiring use of the Digital_Cell_Line class for initializing
simulations.
+ Will deprecate update_cell_and_death_parameters, and instead use
update_phenotype_parameters.
+ Will stop using the oxygen-dependent phenotype rule as default.
PhysiCell 1.1.1 includes an advance copy of BioFVM 1.1.5. Here are the changes:
/* fixes and changes in BioFVM 1.1.5 */
+ correct typos in citation information in all source files
+ updated citation information
+ added void set_default_microenvironment( Microenvironment* M ) declaration to
BioFVM_Microenvironment.h
+ set volume_is_changed = false in Basic_Agent::set_internal_uptake_constants();
+ Set the MultiCellDS options Booleans to extern bool in BioFVM_MultiCellDS.h
so that PhysiCell can read these options.
+ Updated the simlified_data field in MultiCellDS XML output to include a
new "source" attribute with value "BioFVM".
+ Added Microenvironment::find_substrate_index( std::string ) to make it
easier to find .
+ Added Basic_Agent::nearest_gradient( int substrate_index ) to directly
access the gradient of the indicated substrate at the agent's
current_voxel_index.
+ Added Basic_Agent::nearest_gradient_vector( void ) to directly
access a vector of gradients (one for each substrate in the
microenvironment) at the agent's current_voxel_index.
+ Added Microenvironment::is_dirichlet_node( int voxel_index ) to
easily check if the voxel is a Dirichlet node.
+ Updated Microenvironment::update_dirichlet_node() and
Microenvironment::remove_dirichlet_node() to check against
mesh.voxels[].is_Dirichlet to provide a cheap and early exit
if the node isn't Dirichlet in the first place.
+ Changed to a thread-safe data structure for Dirichlet nodes
(e.g., if a custom cell function in an OMP loop adds or removes
Dirichlet nodes).
+ Added new class Microenvironment_Options, with a default
default_microenvironment_options, to simplify Microenvironment
setup. The defaults are dx = dy = dz = 20 microns, on 1 cubic mm.
+ Added function initialize_microenvironment() to set up the
microenvironment using the options in
default_microenvironment_options. The code sets oxygen as the
default field, with D = 1e5 micron^2/min, and decay rate = 0.1 1/min
(a 1 mm diffusion length scale). If
default_microenvironment_options.outer_Dirichlet_conditions = true,
then we set a 38 mmHg condition on the outer edges, corresponding to
5% oxygenation (physioxic conditions).
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