@article{WitzigBeckenbachEifleretal.2018, author = {Witzig, Jakob and Beckenbach, Isabel and Eifler, Leon and Fackeldey, Konstantin and Gleixner, Ambros and Grever, Andreas and Weber, Marcus}, title = {Mixed-Integer Programming for Cycle Detection in Non-reversible Markov Processes}, volume = {16}, journal = {Multiscale Modeling and Simulation}, number = {1}, issn = {1438-0064}, doi = {10.1137/16M1091162}, pages = {248 -- 265}, year = {2018}, abstract = {In this paper, we present a new, optimization-based method to exhibit cyclic behavior in non-reversible stochastic processes. While our method is general, it is strongly motivated by discrete simulations of ordinary differential equations representing non-reversible biological processes, in particular molecular simulations. Here, the discrete time steps of the simulation are often very small compared to the time scale of interest, i.e., of the whole process. In this setting, the detection of a global cyclic behavior of the process becomes difficult because transitions between individual states may appear almost reversible on the small time scale of the simulation. We address this difficulty using a mixed-integer programming model that allows us to compute a cycle of clusters with maximum net flow, i.e., large forward and small backward probability. For a synthetic genetic regulatory network consisting of a ring-oscillator with three genes, we show that this approach can detect the most productive overall cycle, outperforming classical spectral analysis methods. Our method applies to general non-equilibrium steady state systems such as catalytic reactions, for which the objective value computes the effectiveness of the catalyst.}, language = {en} } @article{GorgullaGarzaKapiletal.2025, author = {Gorgulla, Christoph and Garza, Alejandro J. and Kapil, Venkat and Fackeldey, Konstantin}, title = {QUASAR: A Flexible QM-MM Method for Biomolecular Systems based on Restraining Spheres}, volume = {320}, journal = {Computer Physics Communications}, issn = {0010-4655}, doi = {10.1016/j.cpc.2025.109949}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Quantum mechanical models of molecules theoretically offer unprecedented accuracy in predicting values associated with these systems, including the free energy of interaction between two molecules. However, high-accuracy quantum mechanical methods are computationally too expensive to be applied to larger systems, including most biomolecular systems such as proteins. To circumvent this challenge, the hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) method was developed, allowing one to treat only the most important part of the system on the quantum mechanical level and the remaining part on the classical level. To date, QM/MM simulations for biomolecular systems have been carried out almost exclusively on the electronic structure level, neglecting nuclear quantum effects (NQEs). Yet NQEs can play a major role in biomolecular systems [1]. Here, we present i-QI, a QM/MM client for the path integral molecular dynamics (PIMD) software i-PI [2, 3, 4]. i-QI allows for carrying out QM/MM simulations simultaneously, allowing for the inclusion of electronic as well as nuclear quantum effects. i-QI implements a new QM/MM scheme based on constraining potentials called QUASAR, which allows handling diffusive systems, such as biomolecules solvated in water solvent. The QUASAR method is suitable in particular when the properties of interest are equilibrium properties, such as the free energy of binding. i-QI is freely available and open source, and we demonstrate it on a test system.}, language = {en} }