Abstract. The study of chemical diffusion in biological tissues is a research field of high importance and with application in many clinical, research and industrial areas. The evaluation of diffusion and viscosity properties of chemicals in tissues is necessary to characterize treatments or inclusion of preservatives in tissues or organs for low temperature conservation. Recently, we have demonstrated experimentally that the diffusion properties and dynamic viscosity of sugars and alcohols can be evaluated from optical measurements. Our studies were performed in skeletal muscle, but our results have revealed that the same methodology can be used with other tissues and different chemicals. Considering the significant number of studies that can be made with this method, it becomes necessary to turn data processing and calculation easier. With this objective, we have developed a software application that integrates all processing and calculations, turning the researcher work easier and faster. Using the same experimental data that previously was used to estimate the diffusion and viscosity of glucose in skeletal muscle, we have repeated the calculations with the new application. Comparing between the results obtained with the new application and with previous independent routines we have demonstrated great similarity and consequently validated the application. This new tool is now available to be used in similar research to obtain the diffusion properties of other chemicals in different tissues or organs.

In recent years numerous Web application modeling languages have been developed and others improved. There has, however, been little research on how these languages may be simulated. Simulation of models constructed using design languages allows early evaluation and prevents unnecessary Web code development and implementation. It can therefore significantly reduce the design cycle time and cost. This paper introduces a Web application simulation model framework that was designed to be compatible with existing modeling languages. This was accomplished by specifically identifying the objectives of a simulation language and contrasting this with those of design models. The simulation model supports analysis of simulations from four key Web application perspectives (and hence the model is constructed around these perspectives) namely: presentation, navigation, functionality and content. We argue that with this approach substantial inferences about the quality of the design can be drawn from simulation of the Web application model.

Abstract. In the last decade several design models have been proposed and efficiently used for the developing of highly complex Web applications. Their suitability to deal with the Web design intricacies have result in a wide acceptance from the Web developer community. There has however been little consideration given to the simulation of the resulting design models. Simulation of the models would provide developers with the means for an in-depth analysis and assessment of the design, contributing for the reduction of both length and cost of the testing phase of the software life cycle. This paper presents a simulation tool that has been developed for the evaluation of Web application design models.