Colleagues,
Steve Shafer and I are pleased to announce a new release of PLT Tools,
version 1.2.0, a Graphical Interface for the NONMEM System.
Enhancements in this new version include:
• Conditional Weighted Residuals: Code provided by Andrew Hooker,
Uppsala, has been modified to work with both S-Plus and R.
• Parameter Table: The parameters for a NONMEM run are displayed in
spreadsheet form.
• Simulation and Simulation / Estimation: Now fully supported,
including separate graphics for each subproblem and a single table
displaying the parameters from all subproblems. In addition, separate
tables are provided for each subproblem.
• Batch Processing: The user can stack NONMEM runs to be performed
sequentially.
• Simulataneous Processing: The user can perform more than one
simultaneous run on a single computer. If the computer contains
multiple processors, this is likely to increase throughput. Requires
registration.
• Network Processing: If the user can access a network on which
computers are configured to run NONMEM, PLT Tools determines which
computer is available, copies files to that computer, runs NONMEM,
then copies files back to the local machine for post-processing.
Requires registration and a supplemental fee.
For those of you not acquainted with PLT Tools, PLT Tools facilitates
conduct of NONMEM analyses on either the Windows, Linux, or OS X
platforms. PLT Tools is a suite of tools that accomplish the following:
• Project Controller: Using a graphical interface, run NONMEM, then
automatically create numerous files containing NONMEM outputs and
tables, create extensive graphics, and perform various statistical
analyses. Folders are created automatically, all source documents are
archived, and all files are time-stamped, facilitating Part 11
compliance. Tables created by NONMEM are copied, then reformatted so
that they open automatically in Excel. A unique feature is a 1-2 page
summary ("Brief Summary") showing the objective function, the number
of significant digits, final estimates for thetas (plus standard
errors if available), omegas, and sigmas and diagnostics of NONMEM
boundary conditions. Examples of these various files are available at
PLTsoft.com.
• Compare Runs: Compare one or more pairs of runs:
– change in the objective function
– P value for the likelihood ratio test
– line-by-line comparison of the two control streams.
The output is a text file that can be inserted as an appendix in a
study report. A separate comma-delimited table summarizes differences
between runs, objective functions and the change between models, the P
value for the likelihood ratio test, the number of non-fixed thetas,
etas, and sigmas in each model, and comments entered by the user.
Also, the "brief summaries" described above are bundled into a single
document which can then be used an an appendix in a study report.
• Create Archive: With one click, bundle together the outputs of
multiple runs into a time-stamped archive. Ideal for transfer or
archiving of a completed project.
These tools are facilitated by the following:
• Graphics Editor: Using a graphical interface, select options for the
creation of graphics. No knowledge of S-Plus/R code is required.
• Run Listing Editor: During an analysis, timestamps for all runs are
tabulated. Using pull-down menus, select the runs to be used by the
Compare Runs and Create Archive Tools.
PLT Tools is available via download from PLTsoft.com. The free
version provides nearly all features (see Licensing for details).
Licensing unlocks the remaining features. Installation is automatic
(drag-and-drop), provided that NONMEM VI is already installed.
Details, examples, and downloads are available at PLTsoft.com.
Dennis Fisher
Dennis Fisher MD
P < (The "P Less Than" Company)
Phone: 1-866-PLessThan (1-866-753-7784)
Fax: 1-415-564-2220
www.PLessThan.com
