"Dividing and Conquering" and "Caching" in Molecular Modeling

Interpretation of autoencoder-learned collective variables using Morse-Smale complex and sublevelset persistent homology: An application on molecular trajectories

Dimensionality reduction often serves as the first step toward a minimalist understanding of physical systems as well as the accelerated simulations of them. In particular, neural network-based nonlinear dimensionality reduction methods, such as autoencoders, have shown promising outcomes in uncovering collective variables (CVs). However, the physical meaning of these CVs remains largely elusive. In this work, we constructed a framework that (1) determines the optimal number of CVs needed to capture the essential molecular motions using an ensemble of hierarchical autoencoders and (2) provides topology-based interpretations to the autoencoder-learned CVs with Morse-Smale complex and sublevelset persistent homology. This approach was exemplified using a series of n-alkanes and can be regarded as a general, explainable nonlinear dimensionality reduction method.

Factorization in molecular modeling and belief propagation algorithms

Factorization reduces computational complexity, and is therefore an important tool in statistical machine learning of high dimensional systems. Conventional molecular modeling, including molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations of molecular systems, is a large research field based on approximate factorization of molecular interactions. Recently, the local distribution theory was proposed to factorize joint distribution of a given molecular system into trainable local distributions. Belief propagation algorithms are a family of exact factorization algorithms for (junction) trees, and are extended to approximate loopy belief propagation algorithms for graphs with loops. Despite the fact that factorization of probability distribution is the common foundation, computational research in molecular systems and machine learning studies utilizing belief propagation algorithms have been carried out independently with respective track of algorithm development. The connection and differences among these factorization algorithms are briefly presented in this perspective, with the hope to intrigue further development of factorization algorithms for physical modeling of complex molecular systems.

The Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics (PCCP) Section of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences in Its Publications: The First 300 Thematic Articles in the First 3 Years

The Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics Section (PCCP Section) is one of the youngest among the sections of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS)—the year 2021 will only mark three years since its inception [...]