docs: def get_raw_gids(model_params):
      '''
      Reads text file containing gids of neuron populations as created within the
      NEST simulation. These gids are not continuous as in the simulation devices
      get created in between.
      '''
      gidfile = open(os.path.join(model_params.raw_nest_output_path,
                                  model_params.GID_filename), 'r') 
      gids = [] 
      for l in gidfile :
          a = l.split()
          gids.append([int(a[0]),int(a[1])])
      return gids