bfee2 2.5.0__py3-none-any.whl

BFEE2/gui.py

@@ -0,0 +1,2136 @@
+# the GUI of new BFEE
+
+import os
+import shutil
+import sys
+import webbrowser
+
+import numpy as np
+# use appdirs to manage persistent configuration
+from appdirs import user_config_dir
+from PySide2 import QtCore
+from PySide2.QtGui import QFont, QIcon
+from PySide2.QtWidgets import (QAction, QApplication, QCheckBox, QComboBox,
+                               QFileDialog, QGridLayout, QGroupBox,
+                               QHBoxLayout, QLabel, QLineEdit, QListWidget,
+                               QMainWindow, QMessageBox, QPushButton,
+                               QSplitter, QTabWidget, QToolBar, QVBoxLayout,
+                               QWidget, QSpacerItem)
+
+import BFEE2.inputGenerator as inputGenerator
+import BFEE2.postTreatment as postTreatment
+import BFEE2.templates_gromacs.BFEEGromacs as BFEEGromacs
+from BFEE2.commonTools import commonSlots, fileParser, ploter
+
+try:
+    import importlib.resources as pkg_resources
+except ImportError:
+    # Try backported to PY<37 `importlib_resources`.
+    import importlib_resources as pkg_resources
+
+import BFEE2.version
+from BFEE2 import doc
+
+__PROGRAM_NAME__ = f'BFEEstimator v{BFEE2.version.__VERSION__}'
+__NAMD_VERSION__ = f'v{BFEE2.version.__NAMD_VERSION__}'
+
+class mainSettings(QWidget):
+    """settings in the menubar
+       set pathes of third-party softwares (VMD, gmx and tleap)
+    """
+    
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self.config_dir = user_config_dir('BFEE2', 'chinfo')
+        # test if config directory exists
+        if not os.path.exists(self.config_dir):
+            # create it if not exists
+            os.makedirs(self.config_dir)
+        self._initUI()
+        self._initSingalsSlots()
+        self.setWindowTitle('Settings')
+        self._readConfig()
+        #self.setGeometry(0,0,0,0)
+        #self.show()
+
+    def _initUI(self):
+        """settings GUI
+        """
+
+        self.mainLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+
+        self.thirdPartySoftware = QGroupBox('Third party software:')
+        self.thirdPartySoftwareLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+
+        # settings grid
+        self.settingsGridLayout = QGridLayout()
+
+        # vmd
+        self.vmdLabel = QLabel('VMD:')
+        self.vmdLineEdit = QLineEdit()
+        self.vmdButton = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.settingsGridLayout.addWidget(self.vmdLabel, 0, 0)
+        self.settingsGridLayout.addWidget(self.vmdLineEdit, 0, 1)
+        self.settingsGridLayout.addWidget(self.vmdButton, 0, 2)
+
+        # gmx
+        #self.gromacsLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        #self.gromacsLabel = QLabel('Gromacs:')
+        #self.gromacsLineEdit = QLineEdit()
+        #self.gromacsButton = QPushButton('Browse')
+        #self.settingsGridLayout.addWidget(self.gromacsLabel, 1, 0)
+        #self.settingsGridLayout.addWidget(self.gromacsLineEdit,1 ,1)
+        #self.settingsGridLayout.addWidget(self.gromacsButton, 1, 2)
+
+        # tleap
+        #self.tleapLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        #self.tleapLabel = QLabel('tleap:')
+        #self.tleapLineEdit = QLineEdit()
+        #self.tleapButton = QPushButton('Browse')
+        #self.settingsGridLayout.addWidget(self.tleapLabel, 2, 0)
+        #self.settingsGridLayout.addWidget(self.tleapLineEdit, 2, 1)
+        #self.settingsGridLayout.addWidget(self.tleapButton, 2, 2)
+
+        # OK and Cancel
+        self.settingsButtonLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.settingsOKButton = QPushButton('OK')
+        #self.settingsCancelButton = QPushButton('Cancel')
+        self.settingsButtonLayout.addWidget(QSplitter())
+        self.settingsButtonLayout.addWidget(self.settingsOKButton)
+        #self.settingsButtonLayout.addWidget(self.settingsCancelButton)
+
+        self.thirdPartySoftwareLayout.addLayout(self.settingsGridLayout)
+        self.thirdPartySoftwareLayout.addLayout(self.settingsButtonLayout)
+
+        self.thirdPartySoftware.setLayout(self.thirdPartySoftwareLayout)
+        self.mainLayout.addWidget(self.thirdPartySoftware)
+        self.setLayout(self.mainLayout)
+
+    def _initSingalsSlots(self):
+        """initialize singals and slots
+        """
+        self.vmdButton.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('exe', self.vmdLineEdit))
+        #self.gromacsButton.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('exe', self.gromacsLineEdit))
+        #self.tleapButton.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('exe', self.tleapLineEdit))
+        self.settingsOKButton.clicked.connect(self._OKSlot())
+
+    def _readConfig(self):
+        """read the config saving paths for third-party softwares
+        """
+        if not os.path.exists(f'{self.config_dir}/3rdSoft.ini'):
+            return
+
+        with open(f'{self.config_dir}/3rdSoft.ini', 'r') as cFile:
+            line = cFile.readline()
+            self.vmdLineEdit.setText(line.strip())
+            #line = cFile.readline()
+            #self.gromacsLineEdit.setText(line.strip())
+            #line = cFile.readline()
+            #self.tleapLineEdit.setText(line.strip())
+
+    def _writeConfig(self):
+        """write the config saving paths for third-party softwares
+        """
+
+        with open(f'{self.config_dir}/3rdSoft.ini', 'w') as cFile:
+            cFile.write(self.vmdLineEdit.text() + '\n')
+            #cFile.write(self.gromacsLineEdit.text() + '\n')
+            #cFile.write(self.tleapLineEdit.text() + '\n')
+
+    def _OKSlot(self):
+        """the slot corresponding the OK button
+        """
+        def f(): 
+            self._writeConfig()
+            self.close()
+        return f
+
+class geometricAdvancedSettings(QWidget):
+    """advanced settings for the geometric route
+       set pulling direction, non-standard solvent
+       and number of stratification windows
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self._initUI()
+        self._initSingalsSlots()
+        self.setWindowTitle('Geometric advanced settings')
+        self.setGeometry(0,0,0,0)
+        #self.show()
+
+    def _initUI(self):
+        """initialize UI for the geometric advanced settings
+        """
+
+        self.mainLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+
+        # user-defined pulling direction
+        self.userDefinedDirection = QGroupBox('User-defined separation direction')
+        self.userDefinedDirectionLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+
+        self.userDefinedDirectionLabel = QLabel('Reference:')
+        self.userDefinedDirectionLineEdit = QLineEdit()
+        self.userDefinedDirectionLayout.addWidget(self.userDefinedDirectionLabel)
+        self.userDefinedDirectionLayout.addWidget(self.userDefinedDirectionLineEdit)
+
+        self.userDefinedDirection.setLayout(self.userDefinedDirectionLayout)
+
+        # non-standard solvent
+        self.nonStandardSolvent = QGroupBox('User-provided large box')
+        self.nonStandardSolventLayout = QGridLayout()
+
+        self.nonStandardSolventPsfLabel = QLabel('psf/parm file:')
+        self.nonStandardSolventPsfLineEdit = QLineEdit()
+        self.nonStandardSolventPsfButton = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.nonStandardSolventPdbLabel = QLabel('pdb/rst7 file:')
+        self.nonStandardSolventPdbLineEdit = QLineEdit()
+        self.nonStandardSolventPdbButton = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.nonStandardSolventLayout.addWidget(self.nonStandardSolventPsfLabel, 0, 0)
+        self.nonStandardSolventLayout.addWidget(self.nonStandardSolventPsfLineEdit, 0, 1)
+        self.nonStandardSolventLayout.addWidget(self.nonStandardSolventPsfButton, 0, 2)
+        self.nonStandardSolventLayout.addWidget(self.nonStandardSolventPdbLabel, 1, 0)
+        self.nonStandardSolventLayout.addWidget(self.nonStandardSolventPdbLineEdit, 1, 1)
+        self.nonStandardSolventLayout.addWidget(self.nonStandardSolventPdbButton, 1, 2)
+
+        self.nonStandardSolvent.setLayout(self.nonStandardSolventLayout)
+
+        # stratification
+        self.stratification = QGroupBox('Stratification (number of strata)')
+        self.stratificationLayout = QGridLayout()
+
+        self.stratificationRMSDBoundLabel = QLabel('RMSD(Bound):')
+        self.stratificationRMSDBoundLineEdit = QLineEdit('1')
+        self.stratificationTheta = QLabel('Theta:')
+        self.stratificationThetaLineEdit = QLineEdit('1')
+        self.stratificationPhiLabel = QLabel('Phi:')
+        self.stratificationPhiLineEdit = QLineEdit('1')
+        self.stratificationPsiLabel = QLabel('Psi:')
+        self.stratificationPsiLineEdit = QLineEdit('1')
+        self.stratificationthetaLabel = QLabel('theta:')
+        self.stratificationthetaLineEdit = QLineEdit('1')
+        self.stratificationphiLabel = QLabel('phi:')
+        self.stratificationphiLineEdit = QLineEdit('1')
+        self.stratificationRLabel = QLabel('r:')
+        self.stratificationRLineEdit = QLineEdit('1')
+        self.stratificationRMSDUnboundLabel = QLabel('RMSD(Unbound):')
+        self.stratificationRMSDUnboundLineEdit = QLineEdit('1')
+
+        self.stratificationLayout.addWidget(self.stratificationRMSDBoundLabel, 0, 0)
+        self.stratificationLayout.addWidget(self.stratificationRMSDBoundLineEdit, 0, 1)
+        self.stratificationLayout.addWidget(self.stratificationTheta, 0, 2)
+        self.stratificationLayout.addWidget(self.stratificationThetaLineEdit, 0, 3)
+        self.stratificationLayout.addWidget(self.stratificationPhiLabel, 0, 4)
+        self.stratificationLayout.addWidget(self.stratificationPhiLineEdit, 0, 5)
+        self.stratificationLayout.addWidget(self.stratificationPsiLabel, 0, 6)
+        self.stratificationLayout.addWidget(self.stratificationPsiLineEdit, 0, 7)
+        self.stratificationLayout.addWidget(self.stratificationthetaLabel, 1, 0)
+        self.stratificationLayout.addWidget(self.stratificationthetaLineEdit, 1, 1)
+        self.stratificationLayout.addWidget(self.stratificationphiLabel, 1, 2)
+        self.stratificationLayout.addWidget(self.stratificationphiLineEdit, 1, 3)
+        self.stratificationLayout.addWidget(self.stratificationRLabel, 1, 4)
+        self.stratificationLayout.addWidget(self.stratificationRLineEdit, 1, 5)
+        self.stratificationLayout.addWidget(self.stratificationRMSDUnboundLabel, 1, 6)
+        self.stratificationLayout.addWidget(self.stratificationRMSDUnboundLineEdit, 1, 7)
+
+        self.stratification.setLayout(self.stratificationLayout)
+        
+        # compatibility
+        self.compatibility = QGroupBox('Compatibility')
+        self.compatibilityLayout = QGridLayout()
+        
+        self.pinDownProCheckbox = QCheckBox('Pinning down the protein')
+        self.pinDownProCheckbox.setChecked(True)
+        
+        self.useOldCvCheckbox = QCheckBox('Use quaternion-based CVs')
+        self.useOldCvCheckbox.setChecked(False)
+        
+        self.reflectingBoundaryCheckbox = QCheckBox('Use reflecting boundary')
+        self.reflectingBoundaryCheckbox.setChecked(True)
+
+        self.useCUDASOAIntegrator = QCheckBox('Use CUDASOA integrator')
+        self.useCUDASOAIntegrator.setChecked(False)
+        
+        self.compatibilityLayout.addWidget(self.pinDownProCheckbox, 0, 0)
+        self.compatibilityLayout.addWidget(self.useOldCvCheckbox, 0, 1)
+        self.compatibilityLayout.addWidget(self.reflectingBoundaryCheckbox, 1, 0)
+        self.compatibilityLayout.addWidget(self.useCUDASOAIntegrator, 1, 1)
+        self.compatibility.setLayout(self.compatibilityLayout)
+        
+        # force field settings
+        self.FFSettings = QGroupBox('Force field settings')
+        self.FFSettingsLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        
+        self.OPLSMixingRuleCheckbox = QCheckBox('OPLS mixing rules')
+        self.OPLSMixingRuleCheckbox.setChecked(False)
+
+        self.timestepLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.timestepLabel = QLabel('    Timestep:')
+        self.timestepLineEdit = QLineEdit('2.0')
+        self.timestepLayout.addWidget(self.timestepLabel)
+        self.timestepLayout.addWidget(self.timestepLineEdit)
+        
+        self.FFSettingsLayout.addWidget(self.OPLSMixingRuleCheckbox)
+        self.FFSettingsLayout.addLayout(self.timestepLayout)
+        self.FFSettings.setLayout(self.FFSettingsLayout)
+
+        # strategy settings
+        self.strategy = QGroupBox('Strategy settings')
+        self.strategyLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+
+        self.considerRMSDCVCheckbox = QCheckBox('Take into account RMSD CV')
+        self.considerRMSDCVCheckbox.setChecked(True)
+
+        self.useGaWTMCheckbox = QCheckBox('Use GaWTM-eABF')
+        self.useGaWTMCheckbox.setChecked(False)
+
+        self.strategyLayout.addWidget(self.considerRMSDCVCheckbox)
+        self.strategyLayout.addWidget(self.useGaWTMCheckbox)
+        self.strategy.setLayout(self.strategyLayout)
+        
+        # membrane protein
+        self.modeling = QGroupBox('Modeling (avaiable for CHARMM FF)')
+        self.modelingLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+
+        self.memProCheckbox = QCheckBox('Membrane protein')
+        self.memProCheckbox.setChecked(False)
+        
+        self.neutralizeLigOnlyLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.neutralizeLigOnlyLabel = QLabel('Auto-neutralize ligand-only system by:')
+        self.neutralizeLigOnlyCombobox = QComboBox()
+        self.neutralizeLigOnlyCombobox.addItem('NaCl')
+        self.neutralizeLigOnlyCombobox.addItem('KCl')
+        self.neutralizeLigOnlyCombobox.addItem('CaCl2')
+        self.neutralizeLigOnlyCombobox.addItem('None')
+        self.neutralizeLigOnlyLayout.addWidget(self.neutralizeLigOnlyLabel)
+        self.neutralizeLigOnlyLayout.addWidget(self.neutralizeLigOnlyCombobox)
+
+        self.modelingLayout.addWidget(self.memProCheckbox)
+        self.modelingLayout.addLayout(self.neutralizeLigOnlyLayout)
+        self.modeling.setLayout(self.modelingLayout)
+
+        # parallel runs for error estimation
+        self.parallelRuns = QGroupBox('Parallel runs')
+        self.parallelRunsLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+
+        self.parallelRunsLabel = QLabel('Number of parallel runs: ')
+        self.parallelRunsLineEdit = QLineEdit('1')
+
+        self.parallelRunsLayout.addWidget(self.parallelRunsLabel)
+        self.parallelRunsLayout.addWidget(self.parallelRunsLineEdit)
+        self.parallelRuns.setLayout(self.parallelRunsLayout)
+        
+
+        self.geometricAdvancedSettingsButtonLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.geometricAdvancedSettingsOKButton = QPushButton('OK')
+        #self.geometricAdvancedSettingsCancelButton = QPushButton('Cancel')
+        self.geometricAdvancedSettingsButtonLayout.addWidget(QSplitter())
+        self.geometricAdvancedSettingsButtonLayout.addWidget(self.geometricAdvancedSettingsOKButton)
+        #self.geometricAdvancedSettingsButtonLayout.addWidget(self.geometricAdvancedSettingsCancelButton)
+
+        self.mainLayout.addWidget(self.userDefinedDirection)
+        self.mainLayout.addWidget(self.nonStandardSolvent)
+        self.mainLayout.addWidget(self.stratification)
+        self.mainLayout.addWidget(self.compatibility)
+        self.mainLayout.addWidget(self.FFSettings)
+        self.mainLayout.addWidget(self.strategy)
+        self.mainLayout.addWidget(self.modeling)
+        self.mainLayout.addWidget(self.parallelRuns)
+        self.mainLayout.addLayout(self.geometricAdvancedSettingsButtonLayout)
+        self.setLayout(self.mainLayout)
+
+    def _initSingalsSlots(self):
+        """initialize (connect) signial and slots for geometric advanced settings
+        """
+
+        self.nonStandardSolventPsfButton.clicked.connect(
+            commonSlots.openFileDialog(
+                'psf/parm/top', 
+                self.nonStandardSolventPsfLineEdit
+            )
+        )
+        self.nonStandardSolventPdbButton.clicked.connect(
+            commonSlots.openFileDialog(
+                'pdb/gro', 
+                self.nonStandardSolventPdbLineEdit
+            )
+        )
+        self.geometricAdvancedSettingsOKButton.clicked.connect(self.close)
+
+
+class alchemicalAdvancedSettings(QWidget):
+    """advanced settings for the alchemical route
+       set the number of stratification windows
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self._initUI()
+        self._initSingalsSlots()
+        self.setWindowTitle('Alchemical advanced settings')
+        self.setGeometry(0,0,0,0)
+        #self.show()
+
+    def _initUI(self):
+        """initialize UI for the alchemical advanced settings
+        """
+
+        self.mainLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+
+        # stratification windows
+        self.stratification = QGroupBox('Stratification (number of strata)')
+        self.stratificationLayout = QGridLayout()
+
+        self.boundLigandLabel = QLabel('Ligand/Bound state:')
+        self.boundLigandLineEdit = QLineEdit('50')
+        self.unboundLigandLabel = QLabel('Ligand/Unbound state:')
+        self.unboundLigandLineEdit = QLineEdit('20')
+        self.boundRestraintsLabel = QLabel('Restraints/Bound state:')
+        self.boundRestraintsLineEdit = QLineEdit('50')
+        self.unboundRestraintsLabel = QLabel('Restraints/Unbound state:')
+        self.unboundRestraintsLineEdit = QLineEdit('20')
+
+        self.stratificationLayout.addWidget(self.boundLigandLabel, 0, 0)
+        self.stratificationLayout.addWidget(self.boundLigandLineEdit, 0, 1)
+        self.stratificationLayout.addWidget(self.unboundLigandLabel, 0, 2)
+        self.stratificationLayout.addWidget(self.unboundLigandLineEdit, 0, 3)
+        self.stratificationLayout.addWidget(self.boundRestraintsLabel, 1, 0)
+        self.stratificationLayout.addWidget(self.boundRestraintsLineEdit, 1, 1)
+        self.stratificationLayout.addWidget(self.unboundRestraintsLabel, 1, 2)
+        self.stratificationLayout.addWidget(self.unboundRestraintsLineEdit, 1, 3)
+
+        self.stratification.setLayout(self.stratificationLayout)
+
+        # double-wide simulation
+        self.doubleWide = QGroupBox('Double-wide sampling simulation')
+        self.doubleWideLayout = QGridLayout()
+
+        self.doubleWideCheckbox = QCheckBox('Generate input files for double-wide sampling')
+        self.doubleWideCheckbox.setChecked(False)
+        self.doubleWideLayout.addWidget(self.doubleWideCheckbox)
+        self.doubleWide.setLayout(self.doubleWideLayout)
+
+        # minimize before sampling in each window
+        self.minBeforeSample = QGroupBox('Minimization before sampling')
+        self.minBeforeSampleLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+
+        self.minBeforeSampleCheckbox = QCheckBox('Minimize before sampling in each window')
+        self.minBeforeSampleCheckbox.setChecked(False)
+        self.minBeforeSampleLayout.addWidget(self.minBeforeSampleCheckbox)
+        self.minBeforeSample.setLayout(self.minBeforeSampleLayout)
+        
+        # compatibility
+        self.compatibility = QGroupBox('Compatibility')
+        self.compatibilityLayout = QGridLayout()
+        
+        self.pinDownProCheckbox = QCheckBox('Pinning down the protein')
+        self.pinDownProCheckbox.setChecked(True)
+        
+        self.useOldCvCheckbox = QCheckBox('Use quaternion-based CVs')
+        self.useOldCvCheckbox.setChecked(False)
+
+        self.useCUDASOAIntegrator = QCheckBox('Use CUDASOA integrator')
+        self.useCUDASOAIntegrator.setChecked(False)
+        
+        self.compatibilityLayout.addWidget(self.pinDownProCheckbox, 0, 0)
+        self.compatibilityLayout.addWidget(self.useOldCvCheckbox, 0, 1)
+        self.compatibilityLayout.addWidget(self.useCUDASOAIntegrator, 1, 0)
+        self.compatibility.setLayout(self.compatibilityLayout)
+        
+        # force field settings
+        self.FFSettings = QGroupBox('Force field settings')
+        self.FFSettingsLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        
+        self.OPLSMixingRuleCheckbox = QCheckBox('OPLS mixing rules')
+        self.OPLSMixingRuleCheckbox.setChecked(False)
+
+        self.timestepLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.timestepLabel = QLabel('    Timestep:')
+        self.timestepLineEdit = QLineEdit('2.0')
+        self.timestepLayout.addWidget(self.timestepLabel)
+        self.timestepLayout.addWidget(self.timestepLineEdit)
+        
+        self.FFSettingsLayout.addWidget(self.OPLSMixingRuleCheckbox)
+        self.FFSettingsLayout.addLayout(self.timestepLayout)
+        self.FFSettings.setLayout(self.FFSettingsLayout)
+
+        # strategy settings
+        self.strategy = QGroupBox('Strategy settings')
+        self.strategyLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+
+        self.considerRMSDCVCheckbox = QCheckBox('Take into account RMSD CV')
+        self.considerRMSDCVCheckbox.setChecked(True)
+
+        self.reEqCheckbox = QCheckBox('Re-equilibration after histogram')
+        self.reEqCheckbox.setChecked(False)
+
+        self.strategyLayout.addWidget(self.considerRMSDCVCheckbox)
+        self.strategyLayout.addWidget(self.reEqCheckbox)
+        self.strategy.setLayout(self.strategyLayout)
+
+        # membrane protein
+        self.modeling = QGroupBox('Modeling (avaiable for CHARMM FF)')
+        self.modelingLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+
+        self.memProCheckbox = QCheckBox('Membrane protein')
+        self.memProCheckbox.setChecked(False)
+        
+        self.neutralizeLigOnlyLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.neutralizeLigOnlyLabel = QLabel('Auto-neutralize ligand-only system by:')
+        self.neutralizeLigOnlyCombobox = QComboBox()
+        self.neutralizeLigOnlyCombobox.addItem('NaCl')
+        self.neutralizeLigOnlyCombobox.addItem('KCl')
+        self.neutralizeLigOnlyCombobox.addItem('CaCl2')
+        self.neutralizeLigOnlyCombobox.addItem('None')
+        self.neutralizeLigOnlyLayout.addWidget(self.neutralizeLigOnlyLabel)
+        self.neutralizeLigOnlyLayout.addWidget(self.neutralizeLigOnlyCombobox)
+
+        self.modelingLayout.addWidget(self.memProCheckbox)
+        self.modelingLayout.addLayout(self.neutralizeLigOnlyLayout)
+        self.modeling.setLayout(self.modelingLayout)
+
+        self.alchemicalAdvancedSettingsButtonLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.alchemicalAdvancedSettingsOKButton = QPushButton('OK')
+        #self.alchemicalAdvancedSettingsCancelButton = QPushButton('Cancel')
+        self.alchemicalAdvancedSettingsButtonLayout.addWidget(QSplitter())
+        self.alchemicalAdvancedSettingsButtonLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalAdvancedSettingsOKButton)
+        #self.alchemicalAdvancedSettingsButtonLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalAdvancedSettingsCancelButton)
+        
+        self.mainLayout.addWidget(self.stratification)
+        self.mainLayout.addWidget(self.doubleWide)
+        self.mainLayout.addWidget(self.compatibility)
+        self.mainLayout.addWidget(self.FFSettings)
+        self.mainLayout.addWidget(self.strategy)
+        self.mainLayout.addWidget(self.minBeforeSample)
+        self.mainLayout.addWidget(self.modeling)
+        self.mainLayout.addLayout(self.alchemicalAdvancedSettingsButtonLayout)
+        self.setLayout(self.mainLayout)
+
+    def _initSingalsSlots(self):
+        """initialize (connect) signals and slots for the alchemical advanced settings
+        """
+
+        self.alchemicalAdvancedSettingsOKButton.clicked.connect(self.close)
+
+class mainUI(QMainWindow):
+    """the main window UI 
+       include the preTreatment, postTreatment and QuickPlot tab
+       the preTreatment tab include NAMD and Gromacs tab
+       the postTreatment tab include geometric and alchemical tab
+    """
+    
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+
+        self._initActions()
+
+        self._initNAMDTab()
+        self._initGromacsTab()
+        self._initPreTreatmentTab()
+        self._initQuickPlotTab()
+
+        self._initGeometricTab()
+        self._initAlchemicalTab()
+        self._initPostTreatmentTab()
+
+        self._initSingalsSlots()
+
+        self._initMainUI()
+
+        # other dialogs
+        self.mainSettings = mainSettings()
+        self.alchemicalAdvancedSettings = alchemicalAdvancedSettings()
+        self.geometricAdvancedSettings = geometricAdvancedSettings()
+
+        self.setGeometry(0,0,0,0)
+        self.setWindowTitle(__PROGRAM_NAME__)    
+        self.setWindowIcon(QIcon("BFEE2/icon/icon.png"))
+        self.show()
+
+        self._showNAMDVersionWarning()
+
+    def _showNAMDVersionWarning(self):
+        ''' show a message box ask for the latest NAMD version '''
+        QMessageBox.warning(self, 
+                            'Warning', 
+                            f'\
+{__PROGRAM_NAME__} is fully compatible with NAMD {__NAMD_VERSION__}. \n\
+Please use the same or a later version of NAMD if you have any problem.\n'
+                        )
+
+    def _initActions(self):
+        ''' initialize actions for menubar '''
+
+        # settings
+        self.settingsAction = QAction('&Settings', self)
+        self.settingsAction.setStatusTip('Set pathes for third-party softwares')
+        self.settingsAction.triggered.connect(self._mainSettings())
+
+        # exit
+        self.exitAction = QAction('&Exit', self)        
+        self.exitAction.setStatusTip('Exit application')
+        self.exitAction.triggered.connect(QApplication.quit)
+
+        # help
+        self.helpAction = QAction('&Help', self)
+        self.helpAction.setStatusTip('Open user manual')
+        self.helpAction.triggered.connect(self._openDocFile)
+
+        # python API
+        self.pythonAPIAction = QAction('&Python API', self)
+        self.pythonAPIAction.setStatusTip('Open Python API Documentation')
+        self.pythonAPIAction.triggered.connect(self._openPythonAPIFile)
+
+        # about
+        self.aboutAction = QAction('&About', self)
+        self.aboutAction.setStatusTip('About BFEEstimator')
+        self.aboutAction.triggered.connect(self._showAboutBox())
+
+        
+    def _initMainUI(self):
+        """initialize main window
+        """
+        
+        # status bar
+        #self.statusBar()
+
+        # menu bar
+        menubar = self.menuBar()
+        menubar.setNativeMenuBar(False)
+        self.fileMenu = menubar.addMenu('&File')
+        self.fileMenu.addAction(self.settingsAction)
+        self.fileMenu.addSeparator()
+        self.fileMenu.addAction(self.exitAction)
+
+        self.helpMenu = menubar.addMenu('&Help')
+        self.helpMenu.addAction(self.helpAction)
+        self.helpMenu.addAction(self.pythonAPIAction)
+        self.helpMenu.addSeparator()
+        self.helpMenu.addAction(self.aboutAction)
+
+        # main layout
+        self.mainLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+
+        # title
+        self.title = QLabel('Binding Free Energy Estimator')
+        titleFont = QFont()
+        titleFont.setBold(True)
+        self.title.setFont(titleFont)
+        self.titleBox = QGroupBox()
+        self.titleBoxLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+        self.titleBoxLayout.addWidget(self.title, alignment=QtCore.Qt.AlignCenter)
+        self.titleBox.setLayout(self.titleBoxLayout)
+
+        # tabs
+        self.mainTabs = QTabWidget()
+        #self.preTreatmentTab = QWidget()
+        #self.postTreatmentTab = QWidget()
+        #self.quickPlot = QWidget()
+
+        self.mainTabs.addTab(self.preTreatmentTab, 'Pre-treatment')
+        self.mainTabs.addTab(self.postTreatmentTab, 'Post-treatment')
+        self.mainTabs.addTab(self.quickPlot, 'Quick-Plot')
+
+        # main layout
+        #self.mainLayout.addWidget(self.titleBox)
+        self.mainLayout.addWidget(self.mainTabs)
+        self.mainWidgit = QWidget()
+        self.mainWidgit.setLayout(self.mainLayout)
+        self.setCentralWidget(self.mainWidgit)
+
+    def _initPreTreatmentTab(self):
+        """initialize pre-treatment tab
+        """
+
+        self.preTreatmentTab = QWidget()
+        
+        # pre-treatment tabs
+        # NAMD and gromacs
+        self.preTreatmentMainTabs = QTabWidget()
+
+        self.preTreatmentMainTabs.addTab(self.NAMDTab, 'NAMD/Gromacs(CHARMM/Amber files)')
+        self.preTreatmentMainTabs.addTab(self.GromacsTab, 'Gromacs(Gromacs files)')
+
+        self.preTreatmentMainLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+        self.preTreatmentMainLayout.addWidget(self.preTreatmentMainTabs)
+
+        # other parameters
+        self.otherParameters = QGroupBox('Other parameters')
+        self.otherParametersLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+
+        # temperature, selection protein and ligand layout
+        self.otherParametersChildLayout = QGridLayout()
+
+        # temperature
+        self.temperatureLabel = QLabel('Temperature:      ')
+        self.temperatureLineEdit = QLineEdit('300')
+        self.otherParametersChildLayout.addWidget(self.temperatureLabel, 0, 0)
+        self.otherParametersChildLayout.addWidget(self.temperatureLineEdit, 0, 1)
+
+        # select protein
+        self.selectProteinLabel = QLabel('Select protein:   ')
+        self.selectProteineLineEdit = QLineEdit('segid SH3D')
+        self.otherParametersChildLayout.addWidget(self.selectProteinLabel, 1, 0)
+        self.otherParametersChildLayout.addWidget(self.selectProteineLineEdit, 1, 1)
+
+        # select ligand
+        self.selectLigandLabel = QLabel('Select ligand:    ')
+        self.selectLigandLineEdit = QLineEdit('segid PPRO')
+        self.otherParametersChildLayout.addWidget(self.selectLigandLabel, 2, 0)
+        self.otherParametersChildLayout.addWidget(self.selectLigandLineEdit, 2, 1)
+
+        # select strategy
+        self.selectStrategyLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        
+        self.selectStrategyLabel = QLabel('Select MD engine and strategy: ')
+        self.selectStrategyCombobox = QComboBox()
+        self.selectStrategyCombobox.addItem('Geometric')
+        self.selectStrategyCombobox.addItem('Alchemical')
+        self.selectStrategyAdvancedButton = QPushButton('Advanced settings')
+        
+        self.selectMDEngineCombobox = QComboBox()
+        self.selectMDEngineCombobox.addItem('NAMD')
+        self.selectMDEngineCombobox.addItem('Gromacs')
+        
+        self.selectStrategyChildLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.selectStrategyChildLayout.addWidget(self.selectMDEngineCombobox)
+        self.selectStrategyChildLayout.addWidget(self.selectStrategyCombobox)
+        self.selectStrategyChildLayout.addWidget(self.selectStrategyAdvancedButton)
+
+        self.selectStrategyLayout.addWidget(self.selectStrategyLabel)
+        self.selectStrategyLayout.addLayout(self.selectStrategyChildLayout)
+        
+
+        # generate input button
+        self.generateInputButton = QPushButton('Generate Inputs')
+ 
+        self.otherParametersLayout.addLayout(self.otherParametersChildLayout)
+        self.otherParametersLayout.addLayout(self.selectStrategyLayout)
+        self.otherParameters.setLayout(self.otherParametersLayout)
+
+        self.preTreatmentMainLayout.addWidget(self.otherParameters)
+        self.preTreatmentMainLayout.addWidget(self.generateInputButton)
+
+        self.preTreatmentTab.setLayout(self.preTreatmentMainLayout)
+
+    def _initNAMDTab(self):
+        """initialize NAMD Tab in pre-treatment Tab
+        """
+
+        self.NAMDTab = QWidget()
+        self.NAMDTabMainLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+
+        # inputs for the complex
+        self.inputsForComplex = QGroupBox('Inputs for complex')
+        self.inputsForComplexLayout = QGridLayout()
+
+        # psf/parm
+        self.psfLabel = QLabel('psf/parm file:')
+        self.psfLineEdit = QLineEdit()
+        self.psfButton = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.inputsForComplexLayout.addWidget(self.psfLabel, 0, 0)
+        self.inputsForComplexLayout.addWidget(self.psfLineEdit, 0, 1)
+        self.inputsForComplexLayout.addWidget(self.psfButton, 0, 2)
+
+        # coor
+        self.coorLabel = QLabel('pdb/rst file:')
+        self.coorLineEdit = QLineEdit()
+        self.coorButton = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.inputsForComplexLayout.addWidget(self.coorLabel, 1, 0)
+        self.inputsForComplexLayout.addWidget(self.coorLineEdit, 1, 1)
+        self.inputsForComplexLayout.addWidget(self.coorButton, 1, 2)
+
+        # force fields
+        self.forceFields = QGroupBox('Force fields')
+        self.forceFieldsLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+
+        # force field type
+        self.forceFieldTypeLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.forceFieldTypeLabel = QLabel('Force field type:')
+        self.forceFieldCombobox = QComboBox()
+        self.forceFieldCombobox.addItem('CHARMM')
+        self.forceFieldCombobox.addItem('Amber')
+
+        self.forceFieldTypeLayout.addWidget(self.forceFieldTypeLabel)
+        self.forceFieldTypeLayout.addWidget(self.forceFieldCombobox)
+
+        # CHARMM force field files
+        self.forceFieldFilesLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+        self.forceFieldFilesLabel = QLabel('Force field files:')
+        self.forceFieldFilesBox = QListWidget()
+        self.forceFieldFilesChildLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.forceFieldAddButton = QPushButton('Add')
+        self.forceFieldClearButton = QPushButton('Clear')
+        self.forceFieldFilesChildLayout.addWidget(self.forceFieldAddButton)
+        self.forceFieldFilesChildLayout.addWidget(self.forceFieldClearButton)
+        self.forceFieldFilesLayout.addWidget(self.forceFieldFilesLabel)
+        self.forceFieldFilesLayout.addWidget(self.forceFieldFilesBox)
+        self.forceFieldFilesLayout.addLayout(self.forceFieldFilesChildLayout)
+
+        self.forceFieldsLayout.addLayout(self.forceFieldTypeLayout)
+        self.forceFieldsLayout.addLayout(self.forceFieldFilesLayout)
+
+        self.inputsForComplex.setLayout(self.inputsForComplexLayout)
+        self.forceFields.setLayout(self.forceFieldsLayout)
+        self.NAMDTabMainLayout.addWidget(self.inputsForComplex)
+        self.NAMDTabMainLayout.addWidget(self.forceFields)
+        self.NAMDTab.setLayout(self.NAMDTabMainLayout)
+
+    def _initGromacsTab(self):
+        """initialize GMX Tab in pre-treatment Tab
+        """
+
+        self.GromacsTab = QWidget()
+        self.GromacsTabMainLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+
+        # inputs for the complex
+        self.GromacsInputsForComplex = QGroupBox('Inputs for complex')
+        self.GromacsInputsForComplexLayout = QGridLayout()
+
+        # top
+        self.topLabel = QLabel('Topology file: ')
+        self.topLineEdit = QLineEdit()
+        self.topButton = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.GromacsInputsForComplexLayout.addWidget(self.topLabel, 0, 0)
+        self.GromacsInputsForComplexLayout.addWidget(self.topLineEdit, 0, 1)
+        self.GromacsInputsForComplexLayout.addWidget(self.topButton, 0, 2)
+
+        # gro
+        self.gromacsPdbLabel = QLabel('Structure file: ')
+        self.gromacsPdbLineEdit = QLineEdit()
+        self.gromacsPdbButton = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.GromacsInputsForComplexLayout.addWidget(self.gromacsPdbLabel, 1, 0)
+        self.GromacsInputsForComplexLayout.addWidget(self.gromacsPdbLineEdit, 1, 1)
+        self.GromacsInputsForComplexLayout.addWidget(self.gromacsPdbButton, 1, 2)
+
+        # structure file format
+        self.gromacsStructureFileFormatLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.gromacsStructureFileFormatLabel = QLabel('Structure file format:')
+        self.gromacsStructureFileFormatCombobox = QComboBox()
+        self.gromacsStructureFileFormatCombobox.addItem('pdb')
+        self.gromacsStructureFileFormatCombobox.addItem('xpdb')
+        self.gromacsStructureFileFormatCombobox.setToolTip('Select "<b>xpdb</b>" if your PDB file has more than 9,999 number of residues')
+        self.gromacsStructureFileFormatLayout.addWidget(self.gromacsStructureFileFormatLabel)
+        self.gromacsStructureFileFormatLayout.addWidget(self.gromacsStructureFileFormatCombobox)
+        self.GromacsInputsForComplexLayout.addLayout(self.gromacsStructureFileFormatLayout, 2, 0, 1, 3)
+
+        self.GromacsInputsForComplexLayout.addWidget(QSplitter(), 3, 1)
+        self.GromacsInputsForComplex.setLayout(self.GromacsInputsForComplexLayout)
+
+        # inputs for the ligand-only system
+        self.GromacsInputsLigandOnly = QGroupBox('Inputs for ligand-only system')
+        self.GromacsInputsLigandOnlyLayout = QGridLayout()
+
+        # top
+        self.gromacsLigandOnlyTopLabel = QLabel('Topology file: ')
+        self.gromacsLigandOnlyTopLineEdit = QLineEdit()
+        self.gromacsLigandOnlyTopButton = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.GromacsInputsLigandOnlyLayout.addWidget(self.gromacsLigandOnlyTopLabel, 0, 0)
+        self.GromacsInputsLigandOnlyLayout.addWidget(self.gromacsLigandOnlyTopLineEdit, 0, 1)
+        self.GromacsInputsLigandOnlyLayout.addWidget(self.gromacsLigandOnlyTopButton, 0, 2)
+
+        # gro
+        self.gromacsLigandOnlyPdbLabel = QLabel('Structure file: ')
+        self.gromacsLigandOnlyPdbLineEdit = QLineEdit()
+        self.gromacsLigandOnlyPdbButton = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.GromacsInputsLigandOnlyLayout.addWidget(self.gromacsLigandOnlyPdbLabel, 1, 0)
+        self.GromacsInputsLigandOnlyLayout.addWidget(self.gromacsLigandOnlyPdbLineEdit, 1, 1)
+        self.GromacsInputsLigandOnlyLayout.addWidget(self.gromacsLigandOnlyPdbButton, 1, 2)
+
+        # structure file format
+        self.gromacsLigandOnlyStructureFileFormatLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.gromacsLigandOnlyStructureFileFormatLabel = QLabel('Structure file format:')
+        self.gromacsLigandOnlyStructureFileFormatCombobox = QComboBox()
+        self.gromacsLigandOnlyStructureFileFormatCombobox.addItem('pdb')
+        self.gromacsLigandOnlyStructureFileFormatCombobox.addItem('xpdb')
+        self.gromacsLigandOnlyStructureFileFormatCombobox.setToolTip('Select "<b>xpdb</b>" if your PDB file has more than 9,999 number of residues')
+        self.gromacsLigandOnlyStructureFileFormatLayout.addWidget(self.gromacsLigandOnlyStructureFileFormatLabel)
+        self.gromacsLigandOnlyStructureFileFormatLayout.addWidget(self.gromacsLigandOnlyStructureFileFormatCombobox)
+        self.GromacsInputsLigandOnlyLayout.addLayout(self.gromacsLigandOnlyStructureFileFormatLayout, 2, 0, 1, 3)
+
+        self.GromacsInputsLigandOnlyLayout.addWidget(QSplitter(), 3, 1)
+        self.GromacsInputsLigandOnly.setLayout(self.GromacsInputsLigandOnlyLayout)
+
+        self.GromacsTabMainLayout.addWidget(self.GromacsInputsForComplex)
+        self.GromacsTabMainLayout.addWidget(self.GromacsInputsLigandOnly)
+
+        self.GromacsTab.setLayout(self.GromacsTabMainLayout)
+
+    def _initPostTreatmentTab(self):
+        """initialize pre-treatment tab
+        """
+
+        self.postTreatmentTab = QWidget()
+
+        # post-treatment tabs
+        # Geometric and alchemical
+        self.postTreatmentMainTabs = QTabWidget()
+
+        self.postTreatmentMainTabs.addTab(self.geometricTab, 'Geometric')
+        self.postTreatmentMainTabs.addTab(self.alchemicalTab, 'Alchemical')
+
+        self.postTreatmentMainLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+        self.postTreatmentMainLayout.addWidget(self.postTreatmentMainTabs)
+
+        self.calculateButton = QPushButton('Calculate binding free energy')
+        self.postTreatmentMainLayout.addWidget(self.calculateButton)
+
+        self.postTreatmentTab.setLayout(self.postTreatmentMainLayout)
+
+    def _initGeometricTab(self):
+        """initialize geometric tab of post-treatment
+        """
+
+        self.geometricTab = QWidget()
+        self.geometricTabLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+
+        # pmf inputs
+        self.pmfInputs = QGroupBox('PMF inputs (.czar.pmf/.UI.pmf):')
+        self.pmfInputsLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+
+        # bound stats
+        self.boundStateLabel = QLabel('Bound state:')
+        self.boundStateLayout = QGridLayout()
+
+        # RMSD
+        self.rmsdBoundLabel = QLabel('RMSD: ')
+        self.rmsdBoundLineEdit = QLineEdit()
+        self.rmsdBoundButton = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.boundStateLayout.addWidget(self.rmsdBoundLabel, 0, 0)
+        self.boundStateLayout.addWidget(self.rmsdBoundLineEdit, 0, 1)
+        self.boundStateLayout.addWidget(self.rmsdBoundButton, 0, 2)
+
+        # Theta
+        self.ThetaLabel = QLabel('Theta:')
+        self.ThetaLineEdit = QLineEdit()
+        self.ThetaButton = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.boundStateLayout.addWidget(self.ThetaLabel, 1, 0)
+        self.boundStateLayout.addWidget(self.ThetaLineEdit, 1, 1)
+        self.boundStateLayout.addWidget(self.ThetaButton, 1, 2)
+
+        # Phi
+        self.PhiLabel = QLabel('Phi:  ')
+        self.PhiLineEdit = QLineEdit()
+        self.PhiButton = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.boundStateLayout.addWidget(self.PhiLabel, 2, 0)
+        self.boundStateLayout.addWidget(self.PhiLineEdit, 2, 1)
+        self.boundStateLayout.addWidget(self.PhiButton, 2, 2)
+
+        # Psi
+        self.PsiLabel = QLabel('Psi:  ')
+        self.PsiLineEdit = QLineEdit()
+        self.PsiButton = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.boundStateLayout.addWidget(self.PsiLabel, 3, 0)
+        self.boundStateLayout.addWidget(self.PsiLineEdit, 3, 1)
+        self.boundStateLayout.addWidget(self.PsiButton, 3, 2)
+
+        # theta
+        self.thetaLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.thetaLabel = QLabel('theta:')
+        self.thetaLineEdit = QLineEdit()
+        self.thetaButton = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.boundStateLayout.addWidget(self.thetaLabel, 4, 0)
+        self.boundStateLayout.addWidget(self.thetaLineEdit, 4, 1)
+        self.boundStateLayout.addWidget(self.thetaButton, 4, 2)
+
+        # phi
+        self.phiLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.phiLabel = QLabel('phi:  ')
+        self.phiLineEdit = QLineEdit()
+        self.phiButton = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.boundStateLayout.addWidget(self.phiLabel, 5, 0)
+        self.boundStateLayout.addWidget(self.phiLineEdit, 5, 1)
+        self.boundStateLayout.addWidget(self.phiButton, 5, 2)
+
+        # r
+        self.rLabel = QLabel('r:    ')
+        self.rLineEdit = QLineEdit()
+        self.rButton = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.boundStateLayout.addWidget(self.rLabel, 6, 0)
+        self.boundStateLayout.addWidget(self.rLineEdit, 6, 1)
+        self.boundStateLayout.addWidget(self.rButton, 6, 2)
+
+        self.unboundStateLabel = QLabel('Unbound state:')
+
+        # RMSD unbound
+        self.rmsdUnboundLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.rmsdUnboundLabel = QLabel('RMSD: ')
+        self.rmsdUnboundLineEdit = QLineEdit()
+        self.rmsdUnboundButton = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.rmsdUnboundLayout.addWidget(self.rmsdUnboundLabel)
+        self.rmsdUnboundLayout.addWidget(self.rmsdUnboundLineEdit)
+        self.rmsdUnboundLayout.addWidget(self.rmsdUnboundButton)
+
+        self.pmfInputsLayout.addWidget(self.boundStateLabel)
+        self.pmfInputsLayout.addLayout(self.boundStateLayout)
+        self.pmfInputsLayout.addWidget(self.unboundStateLabel)
+        self.pmfInputsLayout.addLayout(self.rmsdUnboundLayout)
+
+        self.pmfInputs.setLayout(self.pmfInputsLayout)
+
+        # force constants
+        self.forceConstants = QGroupBox('Force constants (in Colvars unit):')
+        self.forceConstantsLayout = QGridLayout()
+
+        self.fcBoundStateLabel = QLabel('Bound state:')
+
+        # all widgets
+        self.fcRMSDLabel = QLabel('RMSD:')
+        self.fcRMSDLineEdit = QLineEdit('10')
+        self.fcThetaLabel = QLabel('Theta:')
+        self.fcThetaLineEdit = QLineEdit('0.1')
+        self.fcPhiLabel = QLabel('Phi:')
+        self.fcPhiLineEdit = QLineEdit('0.1')
+        self.fcPsiLabel = QLabel('Psi:')
+        self.fcPsiLineEdit = QLineEdit('0.1')
+        self.fcthetaLabel = QLabel('theta:')
+        self.fcthetaLineEdit = QLineEdit('0.1')
+        self.fcphiLabel = QLabel('phi:')
+        self.fcphiLineEdit = QLineEdit('0.1')
+
+        self.forceConstantsLayout.addWidget(self.fcRMSDLabel, 0, 0)
+        self.forceConstantsLayout.addWidget(self.fcRMSDLineEdit, 0, 1)
+        self.forceConstantsLayout.addWidget(self.fcThetaLabel, 0, 2)
+        self.forceConstantsLayout.addWidget(self.fcThetaLineEdit, 0, 3)
+        self.forceConstantsLayout.addWidget(self.fcPhiLabel, 0, 4)
+        self.forceConstantsLayout.addWidget(self.fcPhiLineEdit, 0, 5)
+        self.forceConstantsLayout.addWidget(self.fcPsiLabel, 1, 0)
+        self.forceConstantsLayout.addWidget(self.fcPsiLineEdit, 1, 1)
+        self.forceConstantsLayout.addWidget(self.fcthetaLabel, 1, 2)
+        self.forceConstantsLayout.addWidget(self.fcthetaLineEdit, 1, 3)
+        self.forceConstantsLayout.addWidget(self.fcphiLabel, 1, 4)
+        self.forceConstantsLayout.addWidget(self.fcphiLineEdit, 1, 5)
+
+        self.forceConstants.setLayout(self.forceConstantsLayout)
+
+        # other parameters
+        self.postOtherParams = QGroupBox('Other parameters:')
+        self.postOtherParamsLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+
+        self.postTemperatureLabel = QLabel('temperature:')
+        self.postTemperatureLineEdit = QLineEdit('300')
+        self.postRstarLabel = QLabel(' r*:')
+        self.postRstarLineEdit = QLineEdit('30')
+        self.postPMFTypeLabel = QLabel(' PMF type:')
+        self.postPMFTypeBox = QComboBox()
+        self.postPMFTypeBox.addItem('NAMD')
+        self.postPMFTypeBox.addItem('Gromacs')
+
+        self.postOtherParamsLayout.addWidget(self.postTemperatureLabel)
+        self.postOtherParamsLayout.addWidget(self.postTemperatureLineEdit)
+        self.postOtherParamsLayout.addWidget(self.postRstarLabel)
+        self.postOtherParamsLayout.addWidget(self.postRstarLineEdit)
+        self.postOtherParamsLayout.addWidget(self.postPMFTypeLabel)
+        self.postOtherParamsLayout.addWidget(self.postPMFTypeBox)
+
+        self.postOtherParams.setLayout(self.postOtherParamsLayout)
+
+        self.fcBoundStateLabel = QLabel('Bound state:')
+
+        self.geometricTabLayout.addWidget(self.pmfInputs)
+        self.geometricTabLayout.addWidget(self.forceConstants)
+        self.geometricTabLayout.addWidget(self.postOtherParams)
+        self.geometricTab.setLayout(self.geometricTabLayout)
+
+    def _initAlchemicalTab(self):
+        """initialize alchemical tab of post-treatment
+        """
+
+        self.alchemicalTab = QWidget()
+        self.alchemicalTabLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+
+        
+        self.restraintInputs = QGroupBox('Inputs for alchemical simulations (.fepout/.log):')
+        self.restraintInputsLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+
+        # bound state
+        self.alchemicalBoundStateLabel = QLabel('Atoms/Bound state (.fepout):')
+        self.alchemicalBoundStateLayout = QGridLayout()
+        
+        self.alchemicalForwardLabel1 = QLabel('Forward:')
+        self.alchemicalForwardLineEdit1 = QLineEdit()
+        self.alchemicalForwardButton1 = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.alchemicalBoundStateLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalForwardLabel1, 0, 0)
+        self.alchemicalBoundStateLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalForwardLineEdit1, 0, 1)
+        self.alchemicalBoundStateLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalForwardButton1, 0, 2)
+
+        self.alchemicalBackwardLabel1 = QLabel('Backward:')
+        self.alchemicalBackwardLineEdit1 = QLineEdit()
+        self.alchemicalBackwardButton1 = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.alchemicalBoundStateLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalBackwardLabel1, 1, 0)
+        self.alchemicalBoundStateLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalBackwardLineEdit1, 1, 1)
+        self.alchemicalBoundStateLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalBackwardButton1, 1, 2)
+
+        self.alchemicalBoundStateLabel2 = QLabel('Restraints/Bound state (.log):')
+        self.alchemicalBoundStateLayout2 = QGridLayout()
+        
+        self.alchemicalForwardLabel2 = QLabel('Forward:')
+        self.alchemicalForwardLineEdit2 = QLineEdit()
+        self.alchemicalForwardButton2 = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.alchemicalBoundStateLayout2.addWidget(self.alchemicalForwardLabel2, 0, 0)
+        self.alchemicalBoundStateLayout2.addWidget(self.alchemicalForwardLineEdit2, 0, 1)
+        self.alchemicalBoundStateLayout2.addWidget(self.alchemicalForwardButton2, 0, 2)
+
+        self.alchemicalBackwardLabel2 = QLabel('Backward:')
+        self.alchemicalBackwardLineEdit2 = QLineEdit()
+        self.alchemicalBackwardButton2 = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.alchemicalBoundStateLayout2.addWidget(self.alchemicalBackwardLabel2, 1, 0)
+        self.alchemicalBoundStateLayout2.addWidget(self.alchemicalBackwardLineEdit2, 1, 1)
+        self.alchemicalBoundStateLayout2.addWidget(self.alchemicalBackwardButton2, 1, 2)
+
+        # unbound state
+
+        self.alchemicalUnboundStateLabel = QLabel('Atoms/Unbound state (.fepout):')
+        self.alchemicalUnboundStateLayout = QGridLayout()
+        
+        self.alchemicalForwardLabel3 = QLabel('Forward:')
+        self.alchemicalForwardLineEdit3 = QLineEdit()
+        self.alchemicalForwardButton3 = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.alchemicalUnboundStateLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalForwardLabel3, 0, 0)
+        self.alchemicalUnboundStateLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalForwardLineEdit3, 0, 1)
+        self.alchemicalUnboundStateLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalForwardButton3, 0, 2)
+
+        self.alchemicalBackwardLabel3 = QLabel('Backward:')
+        self.alchemicalBackwardLineEdit3 = QLineEdit()
+        self.alchemicalBackwardButton3 = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.alchemicalUnboundStateLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalBackwardLabel3, 1, 0)
+        self.alchemicalUnboundStateLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalBackwardLineEdit3, 1, 1)
+        self.alchemicalUnboundStateLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalBackwardButton3, 1, 2)
+
+        self.alchemicalUnboundStateLabel2 = QLabel('Restraints/Unbound state (.log):')
+        self.alchemicalUnboundStateLayout2 = QGridLayout()
+        
+        self.alchemicalForwardLabel4 = QLabel('Forward:')
+        self.alchemicalForwardLineEdit4 = QLineEdit()
+        self.alchemicalForwardButton4 = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.alchemicalUnboundStateLayout2.addWidget(self.alchemicalForwardLabel4, 0, 0)
+        self.alchemicalUnboundStateLayout2.addWidget(self.alchemicalForwardLineEdit4, 0, 1)
+        self.alchemicalUnboundStateLayout2.addWidget(self.alchemicalForwardButton4, 0, 2)
+
+        self.alchemicalBackwardLabel4 = QLabel('Backward:')
+        self.alchemicalBackwardLineEdit4 = QLineEdit()
+        self.alchemicalBackwardButton4 = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.alchemicalUnboundStateLayout2.addWidget(self.alchemicalBackwardLabel4, 1, 0)
+        self.alchemicalUnboundStateLayout2.addWidget(self.alchemicalBackwardLineEdit4, 1, 1)
+        self.alchemicalUnboundStateLayout2.addWidget(self.alchemicalBackwardButton4, 1, 2)
+
+        self.restraintInputsLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalBoundStateLabel)
+        self.restraintInputsLayout.addLayout(self.alchemicalBoundStateLayout)
+        self.restraintInputsLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalBoundStateLabel2)
+        self.restraintInputsLayout.addLayout(self.alchemicalBoundStateLayout2)
+        self.restraintInputsLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalUnboundStateLabel)
+        self.restraintInputsLayout.addLayout(self.alchemicalUnboundStateLayout)
+        self.restraintInputsLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalUnboundStateLabel2)
+        self.restraintInputsLayout.addLayout(self.alchemicalUnboundStateLayout2)
+        self.restraintInputs.setLayout(self.restraintInputsLayout)
+
+        # alchemical force constants
+        self.alchemicalForceConstants = QGroupBox('Force constants (in Colvars unit):')
+
+        # all widgets
+        self.alchemicalFCLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.alchemicalfcThetaLabel = QLabel('Theta:')
+        self.alchemicalfcThetaLineEdit = QLineEdit('0.1')
+        self.alchemicalfcPhiLabel = QLabel(' Phi: ')
+        self.alchemicalfcPhiLineEdit = QLineEdit('0.1')
+        self.alchemicalfcPsiLabel = QLabel('Psi:  ')
+        self.alchemicalfcPsiLineEdit = QLineEdit('0.1')
+        self.alchemicalfcthetaLabel = QLabel('theta:')
+        self.alchemicalfcthetaLineEdit = QLineEdit('0.1')
+        self.alchemicalfcphiLabel = QLabel(' phi: ')
+        self.alchemicalfcphiLineEdit = QLineEdit('0.1')
+        self.alchemicalfcRLabel = QLabel('r: ')
+        self.alchemicalfcRLineEdit = QLineEdit('10')
+
+        self.alchemicalFCLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalfcThetaLabel)
+        self.alchemicalFCLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalfcThetaLineEdit)
+        self.alchemicalFCLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalfcPhiLabel)
+        self.alchemicalFCLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalfcPhiLineEdit)
+        self.alchemicalFCLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalfcPsiLabel)
+        self.alchemicalFCLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalfcPsiLineEdit)
+        self.alchemicalFCLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalfcthetaLabel)
+        self.alchemicalFCLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalfcthetaLineEdit)
+        self.alchemicalFCLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalfcphiLabel)
+        self.alchemicalFCLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalfcphiLineEdit)
+        self.alchemicalFCLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalfcRLabel)
+        self.alchemicalFCLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalfcRLineEdit)
+
+        self.alchemicalForceConstants.setLayout(self.alchemicalFCLayout)
+
+        # alchemical restraint centers
+        self.alchemicalRestraintCenters = QGroupBox('Restraint centers (in Colvars unit), temperature and others:')
+
+        # all widgets
+        self.alchemicalRCLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.alchemicalRCThetaLabel = QLabel('Theta:')
+        self.alchemicalRCThetaLineEdit = QLineEdit('0')
+        self.alchemicalRCthetaLabel = QLabel('theta:')
+        self.alchemicalRCthetaLineEdit = QLineEdit('90')
+        self.alchemicalRCRLabel = QLabel('r: ')
+        self.alchemicalRCRLineEdit = QLineEdit('8')
+        self.alchemicalPostTemperatureLabel = QLabel('temperature:')
+        self.alchemicalPostTemperatureLineEdit = QLineEdit('300')
+        self.alchemicalPostTypeLabel = QLabel('Post-treatment type:')
+        self.alchemicalPostTypeBox = QComboBox()
+        self.alchemicalPostTypeBox.addItem('FEP')
+        self.alchemicalPostTypeBox.addItem('BAR')
+
+        self.alchemicalRCLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalRCThetaLabel)
+        self.alchemicalRCLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalRCThetaLineEdit)
+        self.alchemicalRCLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalRCthetaLabel)
+        self.alchemicalRCLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalRCthetaLineEdit)
+        self.alchemicalRCLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalRCRLabel)
+        self.alchemicalRCLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalRCRLineEdit)
+        self.alchemicalRCLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalPostTemperatureLabel)
+        self.alchemicalRCLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalPostTemperatureLineEdit)
+        self.alchemicalRCLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalPostTypeLabel)
+        self.alchemicalRCLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalPostTypeBox)
+
+        self.alchemicalRestraintCenters.setLayout(self.alchemicalRCLayout)
+
+        self.alchemicalTabLayout.addWidget(self.restraintInputs)
+        self.alchemicalTabLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalForceConstants)
+        self.alchemicalTabLayout.addWidget(self.alchemicalRestraintCenters)
+        self.alchemicalTab.setLayout(self.alchemicalTabLayout)
+
+    def _initQuickPlotTab(self):
+        """initialize quick-plot tab
+        """
+
+        self.quickPlot = QWidget()
+        self.quickPlotLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+
+        # plot a (stratified) pmf
+        self.plotPmf = QGroupBox('Plot (stratified) PMFs:')
+        self.plotPmfLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+
+        self.plotPmfLabel = QLabel('PMF files:')
+        self.plotPmfBox = QListWidget()
+        self.plotPmfChildLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.plotPmfAddButton = QPushButton('Add')
+        self.plotPmfClearButton = QPushButton('Clear')
+        self.plotPmfPlotButton = QPushButton('Plot')
+        self.plotPmfChildLayout.addWidget(self.plotPmfAddButton)
+        self.plotPmfChildLayout.addWidget(self.plotPmfClearButton)
+        self.plotPmfChildLayout.addWidget(self.plotPmfPlotButton)
+
+        self.plotPmfLayout.addWidget(self.plotPmfLabel)
+        self.plotPmfLayout.addWidget(self.plotPmfBox)
+        self.plotPmfLayout.addLayout(self.plotPmfChildLayout)
+        self.plotPmf.setLayout(self.plotPmfLayout)
+
+        # calculate pmf RMSD convergence
+        self.plotPmfConvergence = QGroupBox('Calculate PMF RMSD convergence:')
+        self.plotPmfConvergenceLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+
+        self.plotPmfConvergenceLabel = QLabel('history file:')
+        self.plotPmfConvergenceBox = QLineEdit()
+        self.plotPmfConvergenceChildLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.plotPmfConvergenceBrowseButton = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.plotPmfConvergencePlotButton = QPushButton('Plot')
+        self.plotPmfConvergenceChildLayout.addWidget(self.plotPmfConvergenceBrowseButton)
+        self.plotPmfConvergenceChildLayout.addWidget(self.plotPmfConvergencePlotButton)
+
+        self.plotPmfConvergenceLayout.addWidget(self.plotPmfConvergenceLabel)
+        self.plotPmfConvergenceLayout.addWidget(self.plotPmfConvergenceBox)
+        self.plotPmfConvergenceLayout.addLayout(self.plotPmfConvergenceChildLayout)
+        self.plotPmfConvergence.setLayout(self.plotPmfConvergenceLayout)
+
+        # merge a (stratified) pmf
+        self.mergePmf = QGroupBox('Merge (stratified) PMFs:')
+        self.mergePmfLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+
+        self.mergePmfLabel = QLabel('PMF files:')
+        self.mergePmfBox = QListWidget()
+        self.mergePmfChildLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.mergePmfAddButton = QPushButton('Add')
+        self.mergePmfClearButton = QPushButton('Clear')
+        self.mergePmfmergeButton = QPushButton('Merge')
+        self.mergePmfChildLayout.addWidget(self.mergePmfAddButton)
+        self.mergePmfChildLayout.addWidget(self.mergePmfClearButton)
+        self.mergePmfChildLayout.addWidget(self.mergePmfmergeButton)
+
+        self.mergePmfLayout.addWidget(self.mergePmfLabel)
+        self.mergePmfLayout.addWidget(self.mergePmfBox)
+        self.mergePmfLayout.addLayout(self.mergePmfChildLayout)
+        self.mergePmf.setLayout(self.mergePmfLayout)
+
+        # plot hysteresis between forward and backward simulations
+        self.plotHysteresis = QGroupBox('Plot hysteresis between bidirectional simulations:')
+        self.plotHysteresisLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+
+        self.plotHysteresisForwardLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.plotHysteresisForwardLabel = QLabel('Forward (fepout/log): ')
+        self.plotHysteresisForwardLineEdit = QLineEdit()
+        self.plotHysteresisForwardButton = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.plotHysteresisForwardLayout.addWidget(self.plotHysteresisForwardLabel)
+        self.plotHysteresisForwardLayout.addWidget(self.plotHysteresisForwardLineEdit)
+        self.plotHysteresisForwardLayout.addWidget(self.plotHysteresisForwardButton)
+
+        self.plotHysteresisBackwardLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.plotHysteresisBackwardLabel = QLabel('Backward (fepout/log):')
+        self.plotHysteresisBackwardLineEdit = QLineEdit()
+        self.plotHysteresisBackwardButton = QPushButton('Browse')
+        self.plotHysteresisBackwardLayout.addWidget(self.plotHysteresisBackwardLabel)
+        self.plotHysteresisBackwardLayout.addWidget(self.plotHysteresisBackwardLineEdit)
+        self.plotHysteresisBackwardLayout.addWidget(self.plotHysteresisBackwardButton)
+
+        self.plotHysteresisPlotButton = QPushButton('Plot')
+
+        self.plotHysteresisLayout.addLayout(self.plotHysteresisForwardLayout)
+        self.plotHysteresisLayout.addLayout(self.plotHysteresisBackwardLayout)
+        self.plotHysteresisLayout.addWidget(self.plotHysteresisPlotButton)
+
+        self.plotHysteresis.setLayout(self.plotHysteresisLayout)
+
+        self.quickPlotLayout.addWidget(self.plotPmf)
+        self.quickPlotLayout.addWidget(self.mergePmf)
+        self.quickPlotLayout.addWidget(self.plotPmfConvergence)
+        self.quickPlotLayout.addWidget(self.plotHysteresis)
+        self.quickPlot.setLayout(self.quickPlotLayout)
+
+    # slots are defined below
+    # otherwise they are defined in slots.py
+    def _mainSettings(self):
+        """call main settings
+        """
+        def f():
+            self.mainSettings.show()
+        return f
+
+    def _advancedSettings(self, comboBox):
+        """call advanced settings in pre-treatment
+           the returned function is depended on the comboBox(strategy type)
+        """
+
+        def f():
+            if comboBox.currentText() == 'Geometric':
+                self.geometricAdvancedSettings.show()
+            elif comboBox.currentText() == 'Alchemical':
+                self.alchemicalAdvancedSettings.show()
+
+        return f
+
+    def _changeFFButtonState(self):
+        """enable/disable the add and clear button of force field section
+        """
+
+        if self.forceFieldCombobox.currentText() == 'CHARMM':
+            self.forceFieldAddButton.setEnabled(True)
+            self.forceFieldClearButton.setEnabled(True)
+            self.forceFieldFilesBox.setEnabled(True)
+        elif self.forceFieldCombobox.currentText() == 'Amber':
+            self.forceFieldAddButton.setEnabled(False)
+            self.forceFieldClearButton.setEnabled(False)
+            self.forceFieldFilesBox.setEnabled(False)
+            
+    def _changeStrategySettingState(self):
+        """enable/disable the alchemical route and some advanced settings based on the MD engine
+        """
+        
+        if self.selectMDEngineCombobox.currentText() == 'NAMD':
+            self.selectStrategyCombobox.setEnabled(True)
+            self.geometricAdvancedSettings.useOldCvCheckbox.setEnabled(True)
+            self.geometricAdvancedSettings.OPLSMixingRuleCheckbox.setEnabled(True)
+            self.geometricAdvancedSettings.useGaWTMCheckbox.setEnabled(True)
+            
+        elif self.selectMDEngineCombobox.currentText() == 'Gromacs':
+            index = self.selectStrategyCombobox.findText('Geometric', QtCore.Qt.MatchFixedString)
+            if index >= 0:
+                self.selectStrategyCombobox.setCurrentIndex(index)
+            self.selectStrategyCombobox.setEnabled(False)
+
+            self.geometricAdvancedSettings.useOldCvCheckbox.setChecked(False)
+            self.geometricAdvancedSettings.useOldCvCheckbox.setEnabled(False)
+
+            self.geometricAdvancedSettings.OPLSMixingRuleCheckbox.setChecked(False)
+            self.geometricAdvancedSettings.OPLSMixingRuleCheckbox.setEnabled(False)
+
+            self.geometricAdvancedSettings.useGaWTMCheckbox.setEnabled(False)
+            self.geometricAdvancedSettings.useGaWTMCheckbox.setChecked(False)
+            
+    def _changeStrategySettingStateForOldGromacs(self):
+        """enable/disable a lot of options for the old Gromacs tab
+        """
+        
+        if self.preTreatmentMainTabs.currentWidget() == self.NAMDTab:
+            self.selectStrategyAdvancedButton.setEnabled(True)
+            self.selectMDEngineCombobox.setEnabled(True)
+            
+        elif self.preTreatmentMainTabs.currentWidget() == self.GromacsTab:
+            index = self.selectMDEngineCombobox.findText('Gromacs', QtCore.Qt.MatchFixedString)
+            if index >= 0:
+                self.selectMDEngineCombobox.setCurrentIndex(index)
+            
+            index = self.selectStrategyCombobox.findText('Geometric', QtCore.Qt.MatchFixedString)
+            if index >= 0:
+                self.selectStrategyCombobox.setCurrentIndex(index)
+            
+            self.selectMDEngineCombobox.setEnabled(False)
+            self.selectStrategyCombobox.setEnabled(False)
+            self.selectStrategyAdvancedButton.setEnabled(False)
+
+    def _openDocFile(self):
+        """open Documentation file
+        """
+
+        webbrowser.open('https://www.nature.com/articles/s41596-021-00676-1')
+
+    def _openPythonAPIFile(self):
+        """open Python API Documentation file
+        """
+
+        webbrowser.open('https://fhh2626.github.io/BFEE2APIDocs/')
+
+    def _showAboutBox(self):
+        """the about message box
+        
+        Returns:
+            function obj: a slot function that shows that about message box
+        """
+
+        def f():
+            QMessageBox.about(
+                self,
+                'About',
+                f'<center><b>{__PROGRAM_NAME__}</b></center><br>'+r'''
+                Binding free energy estimator (BFEE) is a python-based software
+                that automates absolute binding free energy calculations through
+                either the alchemical or geometric route by molecular dynamics
+                simulations.<br>
+                <b>Authors:</b><br>
+                Haohao Fu (<a href="mailto:fhh2626@gmail.com">fhh2626@gmail.com</a>)<br>
+                Haochuan Chen (<a href="mailto:summersnow9403@gmail.com">summersnow9403@gmail.com</a>)<br>
+                <b>License:</b><br>
+                BFEE2 is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+                under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+                the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+                (at your option) any later version.<br>
+                <b>Reference:</b><br>
+                <b>BFEE2:</b> Fu et al. Nat. Protoc. 2022, 17, 1114-1141 and Fu et al. J. Chem. Inf. Model. 2021, 61, 2116–2123<br>
+                <b>Alchemical and geometric routes:</b> Gumbart et al. J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2013, 9, 794–802<br>
+                <b>WTM-eABF:</b> Fu et al. Acc. Chem. Res. 2019, 52, 3254–3264 and Fu et al. J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2018, 9, 4738–4745<br>
+                <b>Collective variables:</b> Fu et al. J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2017, 13, 5173–5178<br>
+                <b>Streamlined geometric route:</b> Fu et al. J. Chem. Inf. Model. 2023, 63, 2512–2519<br>
+                ''')
+        return f
+
+    def _showGeometricResults(self, unit):
+        ''' calculate binding from the geometric route,
+            parameters in the Geometric tab will be read.
+            Show a QMessageBox for the result
+            Inputs:
+                unit (string): 'namd' or 'gromacs' '''
+        
+        pTreat = postTreatment.postTreatment(
+            float(self.postTemperatureLineEdit.text()), unit, 'geometric')
+            
+        pmfs = [
+                    self.rmsdBoundLineEdit.text(), 
+                    self.ThetaLineEdit.text(), 
+                    self.PhiLineEdit.text(), 
+                    self.PsiLineEdit.text(), 
+                    self.thetaLineEdit.text(), 
+                    self.phiLineEdit.text(), 
+                    self.rLineEdit.text(), 
+                    self.rmsdUnboundLineEdit.text()
+        ]
+            
+        try:
+            parameters = [
+                    float(self.fcRMSDLineEdit.text()), 
+                    float(self.fcThetaLineEdit.text()), 
+                    float(self.fcPhiLineEdit.text()), 
+                    float(self.fcPsiLineEdit.text()),
+                    float(self.fcthetaLineEdit.text()), 
+                    float(self.fcphiLineEdit.text()), 
+                    float(self.postRstarLineEdit.text()), 
+                    float(self.fcRMSDLineEdit.text())
+            ]
+        except:
+            QMessageBox.warning(self, 'Error', f'Force constant or r* input error!')
+            return
+
+        # check inputs
+        for index, item in enumerate(pmfs):
+            if (index != 0) and (index != 7) and (not os.path.exists(item)):
+                QMessageBox.warning(self, 'Error', f'file {item} does not exist!')
+                return
+            if (index == 7) and (not os.path.exists(item)):
+                QMessageBox.warning(self, 'Warning', f'Supposing dealing with a rigid ligand!')
+
+        # calculate free energies
+        try:
+            result = pTreat.geometricBindingFreeEnergy(pmfs, parameters)
+        except postTreatment.RStarTooLargeError:
+            QMessageBox.warning(
+                self, 
+                'Error', 
+                f'\
+r_star cannot be larger than r_max of step 7!\n'
+            )
+            return
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(e)
+            QMessageBox.warning(
+                self, 
+                'Error', 
+                f'\
+Unknown error! The error message is: \n\
+{e}\n'
+            )
+            return
+
+        QMessageBox.about(
+            self,
+            'Result',
+            f'\
+Results:\n\
+ΔG(site,c)            = {result[0]:.2f} kcal/mol\n\
+ΔG(site,eulerTheta)   = {result[1]:.2f} kcal/mol\n\
+ΔG(site,eulerPhi)     = {result[2]:.2f} kcal/mol\n\
+ΔG(site,eulerPsi)     = {result[3]:.2f} kcal/mol\n\
+ΔG(site,polarTheta)   = {result[4]:.2f} kcal/mol\n\
+ΔG(site,polarPhi)     = {result[5]:.2f} kcal/mol\n\
+(1/beta)*ln(S*I*C0)   = {result[6]:.2f} kcal/mol\n\
+ΔG(bulk,c)            = {result[7]:.2f} kcal/mol\n\
+ΔG(bulk,o)            = {result[8]:.2f} kcal/mol\n\
+\n\
+Standard Binding Free Energy:\n\
+ΔG(total)             = {result[9]:.2f} kcal/mol\n'
+        )
+
+    def _showAlchemicalResults(self, unit):
+        """calculate binding from the alchemical route,
+            parameters in the alchemical tab will be read.
+            Show a QMessageBox for the result
+
+        Args:
+            unit (str): 'namd' or 'gromacs'
+        """
+        
+        pTreat = postTreatment.postTreatment(
+            float(self.alchemicalPostTemperatureLineEdit.text()), unit, 'alchemical')
+        
+        # alchemical outputs
+        files = [
+                    self.alchemicalForwardLineEdit1.text(), 
+                    self.alchemicalBackwardLineEdit1.text(), 
+                    self.alchemicalForwardLineEdit2.text(), 
+                    self.alchemicalBackwardLineEdit2.text(), 
+                    self.alchemicalForwardLineEdit3.text(), 
+                    self.alchemicalBackwardLineEdit3.text(), 
+                    self.alchemicalForwardLineEdit4.text(), 
+                    self.alchemicalBackwardLineEdit4.text()
+        ]
+            
+        try:
+            parameters = [
+                    float(self.alchemicalRCThetaLineEdit.text()), 
+                    float(self.alchemicalRCthetaLineEdit.text()), 
+                    float(self.alchemicalRCRLineEdit.text()), 
+                    float(self.alchemicalfcThetaLineEdit.text()),
+                    float(self.alchemicalfcPhiLineEdit.text()), 
+                    float(self.alchemicalfcPsiLineEdit.text()), 
+                    float(self.alchemicalfcthetaLineEdit.text()), 
+                    float(self.alchemicalfcphiLineEdit.text()),
+                    float(self.alchemicalfcRLineEdit.text())
+            ]
+            temperature = float(self.alchemicalPostTemperatureLineEdit.text())
+        except:
+            QMessageBox.warning(self, 'Error', f'Force constant or restraint center or temperature input error!')
+            return
+        if self.alchemicalPostTypeBox.currentText() == 'FEP':
+                jobType = 'fep'
+        elif self.alchemicalPostTypeBox.currentText() == 'BAR':
+                jobType = 'bar'
+
+        # check inputs
+        rigid_ligand = False
+        for index, item in enumerate([
+                    self.alchemicalBackwardLineEdit1.text(), 
+                    self.alchemicalBackwardLineEdit2.text(), 
+                    self.alchemicalBackwardLineEdit3.text(), 
+                    self.alchemicalBackwardLineEdit4.text()
+        ]):
+            if (not os.path.exists(item)) and (index != 3):
+                QMessageBox.warning(self, 'Error', f'backward file {item} does not exist and is not empty!')
+                return
+
+        for index, item in enumerate([
+                    self.alchemicalForwardLineEdit1.text(), 
+                    self.alchemicalForwardLineEdit2.text(), 
+                    self.alchemicalForwardLineEdit3.text(), 
+                    self.alchemicalForwardLineEdit4.text(), 
+        ]):
+            if (not os.path.exists(item)) and (index != 3):
+                QMessageBox.warning(self, 'Error', f'file {item} does not exist!')
+                return
+            elif (not os.path.exists(item)) and (index == 3):
+                QMessageBox.warning(self, 'Warning', f'Supposing dealing with a rigid ligand!')
+                rigid_ligand = True
+
+        # calculate free energies
+        result, errors = pTreat.alchemicalBindingFreeEnergy(files, parameters, temperature, jobType, rigid_ligand)
+
+        QMessageBox.about(
+            self,
+            'Result',
+            f'\
+Results:\n\
+ΔG(site,couple)   = {result[0]:.2f} ± {errors[0]:.2f} kcal/mol\n\
+ΔG(site,c+o+a+r)  = {result[1]:.2f} ± {errors[1]:.2f} kcal/mol\n\
+ΔG(bulk,decouple) = {result[2]:.2f} ± {errors[2]:.2f} kcal/mol\n\
+ΔG(bulk,c)        = {result[3]:.2f} ± {errors[3]:.2f} kcal/mol\n\
+ΔG(bulk,o+a+r)    = {result[4]:.2f} kcal/mol\n\
+\n\
+Standard Binding Free Energy:\n\
+ΔG(total)         = {result[5]:.2f} ± {errors[5]:.2f} kcal/mol\n'
+        )
+
+    def _showFinalResults(self):
+        """calculate binding free energy and show the final results
+        
+        Returns:
+            function obj: a slot function that calculates binding free energy and show the final results
+        """
+
+        def f():
+            if self.postPMFTypeBox.currentText() == 'NAMD':
+                unit = 'namd'
+            elif self.postPMFTypeBox.currentText() == 'Gromacs':
+                unit = 'gromacs'
+
+            if self.postTreatmentMainTabs.currentIndex() == 0:
+                jobType = 'geometric'
+            elif self.postTreatmentMainTabs.currentIndex() == 1:
+                jobType = 'alchemical'
+
+            if jobType == 'geometric':
+                self._showGeometricResults(unit)
+            elif jobType == 'alchemical':
+                self._showAlchemicalResults(unit)
+            
+        return f
+
+    def _generateInputFiles(self):
+        """generate input files for binding free energy simulation
+        
+        Returens:
+            function obj: a slot function that generates input files for binding free energy simulation
+        """
+        
+        def f():
+            path = QFileDialog.getExistingDirectory(None, 'Select a directory')
+            # cancel
+            if path == '':
+                return
+
+            iGenerator = inputGenerator.inputGenerator()
+
+            # third-party softwares and user-provided solvation boxes
+            for item in [
+                self.mainSettings.vmdLineEdit.text(),
+                #self.mainSettings.gromacsLineEdit.text(),
+                #self.mainSettings.tleapLineEdit.text(),
+                self.geometricAdvancedSettings.nonStandardSolventPdbLineEdit.text(),
+                self.geometricAdvancedSettings.nonStandardSolventPsfLineEdit.text()
+            ]:
+                if ((not os.path.exists(item)) and item != ''):
+                    QMessageBox.warning(self, 'Error', f'file {item} does not exist!')
+                    return
+
+            if self.preTreatmentMainTabs.currentIndex() == 0:
+                # force fields
+                forceFieldFiles = [self.forceFieldFilesBox.item(i).text() for i in range(self.forceFieldFilesBox.count())]
+
+                # NAMD files
+                for item in [self.psfLineEdit.text(), self.coorLineEdit.text()] + forceFieldFiles:
+                    if not os.path.exists(item):
+                        QMessageBox.warning(self, 'Error', f'file {item} does not exist!')
+                        return
+
+                # check inputs
+                try:
+                    float(self.temperatureLineEdit.text())
+                    stratification = [
+                        int(self.geometricAdvancedSettings.stratificationRMSDBoundLineEdit.text()),
+                        int(self.geometricAdvancedSettings.stratificationThetaLineEdit.text()),
+                        int(self.geometricAdvancedSettings.stratificationPhiLineEdit.text()),
+                        int(self.geometricAdvancedSettings.stratificationPsiLineEdit.text()),
+                        int(self.geometricAdvancedSettings.stratificationthetaLineEdit.text()),
+                        int(self.geometricAdvancedSettings.stratificationphiLineEdit.text()),
+                        int(self.geometricAdvancedSettings.stratificationRLineEdit.text()),
+                        int(self.geometricAdvancedSettings.stratificationRMSDUnboundLineEdit.text())
+                    ]
+                    alchemicalStratification = [
+                        int(self.alchemicalAdvancedSettings.boundLigandLineEdit.text()),
+                        int(self.alchemicalAdvancedSettings.boundRestraintsLineEdit.text()),
+                        int(self.alchemicalAdvancedSettings.unboundLigandLineEdit.text()),
+                        int(self.alchemicalAdvancedSettings.unboundRestraintsLineEdit.text())
+                    ]
+                except:
+                    QMessageBox.warning(self, 'Error', f'Force constant or r* input error!')
+                    return
+
+                # job type
+                if self.forceFieldCombobox.currentText() == 'CHARMM':
+                    forceFieldType = 'charmm'
+                elif self.forceFieldCombobox.currentText() == 'Amber':
+                    forceFieldType = 'amber'
+
+                # make sure there are CHARMM FF files
+                if forceFieldFiles == [] and forceFieldType == 'charmm':
+                    QMessageBox.warning(
+                                self, 
+                                'Error', 
+                                f'\
+CHARMM force field files must be specified!'
+                        )
+                    return
+                
+                if self.selectStrategyCombobox.currentText() == 'Geometric':
+                    
+                    if self.selectMDEngineCombobox.currentText().lower() == 'gromacs':
+                        QMessageBox.warning(
+                            self, 'Warning', f'Please pay attention if you use the new Gromacs interface: \n\
+1. Occationally, the atom number in complex.ndx do not correct. If so, just modify it manually; \n\
+2. Make sure in complex.gro, the center of box is approximately at (x/2, y/2, z/2) rather than (0, 0, 0);  \n\
+3. Gromacs patched by the latest (master branch) version of Colvars is needed.'
+                )
+
+                    # for the amber force field, files of large box must be provided
+                    if forceFieldType == 'amber':
+
+                        if self.geometricAdvancedSettings.nonStandardSolventPdbLineEdit.text() == '' or \
+                            self.geometricAdvancedSettings.nonStandardSolventPsfLineEdit.text() == '':
+                            QMessageBox.warning(
+                                self, 
+                                'Error', 
+                                f'\
+Coordinate and topology files of large box must be \
+provided in "Advanced Settings"when using the Amber \
+force fields!'
+                            )
+                            return
+                    
+                    if self.geometricAdvancedSettings.useGaWTMCheckbox.isChecked():
+
+                        if self.geometricAdvancedSettings.useCUDASOAIntegrator.isChecked():
+                            QMessageBox.warning(self, 'Error', 
+                                f'\
+GaWTM-eABF is not compatible with CUDASOAIntegrator in NAMD! \n'
+                            )
+                            return
+
+                        QMessageBox.warning(self, 'Warning', 
+                                f'\
+The feature of using GaWTM-eABF as the workhorse engine is \
+experimental! Please always use the latest devel version of NAMD!\n'
+                        )
+
+                    try:
+                        iGenerator.generateNAMDGeometricFiles(
+                            path,
+                            self.psfLineEdit.text(),
+                            self.coorLineEdit.text(),
+                            forceFieldType,
+                            forceFieldFiles,
+                            float(self.temperatureLineEdit.text()),
+                            self.selectProteineLineEdit.text(),
+                            self.selectLigandLineEdit.text(),
+                            self.geometricAdvancedSettings.userDefinedDirectionLineEdit.text(),
+                            self.geometricAdvancedSettings.nonStandardSolventPsfLineEdit.text(),
+                            self.geometricAdvancedSettings.nonStandardSolventPdbLineEdit.text(),
+                            stratification,
+                            self.geometricAdvancedSettings.memProCheckbox.isChecked(),
+                            self.geometricAdvancedSettings.neutralizeLigOnlyCombobox.currentText(),
+                            self.geometricAdvancedSettings.pinDownProCheckbox.isChecked(),
+                            self.geometricAdvancedSettings.useOldCvCheckbox.isChecked(),
+                            int(self.geometricAdvancedSettings.parallelRunsLineEdit.text()),
+                            self.mainSettings.vmdLineEdit.text(),
+                            self.geometricAdvancedSettings.reflectingBoundaryCheckbox.isChecked(),
+                            self.selectMDEngineCombobox.currentText().lower(),
+                            self.geometricAdvancedSettings.OPLSMixingRuleCheckbox.isChecked(),
+                            self.geometricAdvancedSettings.considerRMSDCVCheckbox.isChecked(),
+                            self.geometricAdvancedSettings.useGaWTMCheckbox.isChecked(),
+                            self.geometricAdvancedSettings.useCUDASOAIntegrator.isChecked(),
+                            float(self.geometricAdvancedSettings.timestepLineEdit.text())
+                        )
+                    except fileParser.SelectionError:
+                        QMessageBox.warning(
+                                self, 
+                                'Error', 
+                                f'\
+Selection corresponding to nothing!\n\
+Check your selection again!'
+                        )
+                        if os.path.exists(f'{path}/BFEE'):
+                            shutil.rmtree(f'{path}/BFEE')
+                        return
+                    except inputGenerator.DirectoryExistError:
+                        QMessageBox.warning(
+                                self, 
+                                'Error', 
+                                f'\
+./BFEE* directory already exists!'
+                        )
+                        return
+                    except inputGenerator.FileTypeUnknownError:
+                        QMessageBox.warning(
+                                self, 
+                                'Error', 
+                                f'\
+Unkwn input file types! The following file types are supported:\n\
+psf, parm, prm7, parm7, prmtop, pdb, coor, rst, rst7, inpcrd '
+                        )
+                        return
+                    except PermissionError:
+                        QMessageBox.warning(
+                                self, 
+                                'Error', 
+                                f'\
+Cannot read input files due to the permission reason!\n\
+Restart the program or check the authority of the files!'
+                        )
+                        return
+                    except Exception as e:
+                        print(e)
+                        QMessageBox.warning(
+                                self, 
+                                'Error', 
+                                f'\
+Unknown error! The error message is: \n\
+{e}\n'
+                        )
+                        return
+
+                elif self.selectStrategyCombobox.currentText() == 'Alchemical':
+
+                    try:
+                        iGenerator.generateNAMDAlchemicalFiles(
+                            path,
+                            self.psfLineEdit.text(),
+                            self.coorLineEdit.text(),
+                            forceFieldType,
+                            forceFieldFiles,
+                            float(self.temperatureLineEdit.text()),
+                            self.selectProteineLineEdit.text(),
+                            self.selectLigandLineEdit.text(),
+                            alchemicalStratification,
+                            self.alchemicalAdvancedSettings.doubleWideCheckbox.isChecked(),
+                            self.alchemicalAdvancedSettings.minBeforeSampleCheckbox.isChecked(),
+                            self.alchemicalAdvancedSettings.memProCheckbox.isChecked(),
+                            self.alchemicalAdvancedSettings.neutralizeLigOnlyCombobox.currentText(),
+                            self.alchemicalAdvancedSettings.pinDownProCheckbox.isChecked(),
+                            self.alchemicalAdvancedSettings.useOldCvCheckbox.isChecked(),
+                            self.mainSettings.vmdLineEdit.text(),
+                            self.alchemicalAdvancedSettings.OPLSMixingRuleCheckbox.isChecked(),
+                            self.alchemicalAdvancedSettings.considerRMSDCVCheckbox.isChecked(),
+                            self.alchemicalAdvancedSettings.useCUDASOAIntegrator.isChecked(),
+                            float(self.alchemicalAdvancedSettings.timestepLineEdit.text()),
+                            self.alchemicalAdvancedSettings.reEqCheckbox.isChecked()
+                        )
+                    except PermissionError:
+                        QMessageBox.warning(
+                                self, 
+                                'Error', 
+                                f'\
+Cannot read input files due to the permission reason!\n\
+Restart the program or check the authority of the files!'
+                        )
+                        return
+                    except fileParser.SelectionError:
+                        QMessageBox.warning(
+                                self, 
+                                'Error', 
+                                f'\
+Selection corresponding to nothing!\n\
+Check your selection again!'
+                        )
+                        if os.path.exists(f'{path}/BFEE'):
+                            shutil.rmtree(f'{path}/BFEE')
+                        return
+                    except inputGenerator.DirectoryExistError:
+                        QMessageBox.warning(
+                                self, 
+                                'Error', 
+                                f'\
+./BFEE directory already exists!'
+                        )
+                        return
+                    except inputGenerator.FileTypeUnknownError:
+                        QMessageBox.warning(
+                                self, 
+                                'Error', 
+                                f'\
+Unkwn input file types! The following file types are supported:\n\
+psf, parm, prm7, parm7, prmtop, pdb, coor, rst, rst7, inpcrd '
+                        )
+                        return
+                    except Exception as e:
+                        print(e)
+                        QMessageBox.warning(
+                                self, 
+                                'Error', 
+                                f'\
+Unknown error! The error message is: \n\
+{e}\n'
+                        )
+                        return
+
+            # gromacs
+            if self.preTreatmentMainTabs.currentIndex() == 1:
+                
+                QMessageBox.warning(
+                    self, 'Warning', ('<ol>\
+                  <li>Any setting in "Advanced settings" is not supported\
+                      when using Gromacs-formatted files as inputs!</li>\
+                   <li>C-rescale pressure coupling (pcoupl) is used for all simulations, \
+                      GROMACS version >= 2021 with Colvars module is required. \
+                      You may need to download it from the \
+                      <a href=\'https://github.com/Colvars/colvars/\'>Colvars website</a>.</li></ol>'))
+
+                for item in [
+                        self.topLineEdit.text(), 
+                        self.gromacsPdbLineEdit.text(),
+                        self.gromacsLigandOnlyPdbLineEdit.text(),
+                        self.gromacsLigandOnlyTopLineEdit.text()
+                    ]:
+                    if not os.path.exists(item):
+                        QMessageBox.warning(self, 'Error', f'file {item} does not exist!')
+                        return
+
+                if self.selectStrategyCombobox.currentText() == 'Geometric':
+                    try:              
+                        iGenerator.generateGromacsGeometricFiles(
+                            path=path,
+                            topFile=self.topLineEdit.text(),
+                            pdbFile=self.gromacsPdbLineEdit.text(),
+                            pdbFileFormat=self.gromacsStructureFileFormatCombobox.currentText(),
+                            ligandOnlyTopFile=self.gromacsLigandOnlyTopLineEdit.text(),
+                            ligandOnlyPdbFile=self.gromacsLigandOnlyPdbLineEdit.text(),
+                            ligandOnlyPdbFileFormat=self.gromacsLigandOnlyStructureFileFormatCombobox.currentText(),
+                            selectionPro=self.selectProteineLineEdit.text(),
+                            selectionLig=self.selectLigandLineEdit.text(),
+                            temperature=float(self.temperatureLineEdit.text())
+                        )
+                    except inputGenerator.DirectoryExistError:
+                        QMessageBox.warning(
+                                self, 
+                                'Error', 
+                                f'\
+./BFEE directory already exists!'
+                        )
+                        return
+                    except BFEEGromacs.SelectionError:
+                        QMessageBox.warning(
+                                self, 
+                                'Error', 
+                                f'\
+Selection corresponding to nothing!\n\
+Check your selection again!'
+                        )
+                        if os.path.exists(f'{path}/BFEE'):
+                            shutil.rmtree(f'{path}/BFEE')
+                        return
+                    except Exception as e:
+                        print(e)
+                        QMessageBox.warning(
+                                self, 
+                                'Error', 
+                                f'\
+Unknown error!'
+                        )
+                        return
+                elif self.selectStrategyCombobox.currentText() == 'Alchemical':
+                    QMessageBox.warning(self, 'Error', f'Alchemical route is not supported using Gromacs!')
+                    return
+
+            QMessageBox.information(self, 'Input generation', f'Input files have been generated successfully!')
+            
+            del iGenerator
+
+        return f 
+
+    def _mergePMFs(self):
+        """merge a series of overlapped pmfs
+        
+        Returns:
+            function obj: a slot function that merges a series of overlapped pmfs
+        """
+        
+        def f():
+            if self.mergePmfBox.count() == 0:
+                QMessageBox.warning(self, 'Warning', f'Warning, no PMF selected!')
+                return
+
+            path, _ = QFileDialog.getSaveFileName(None, 'Set the name of merged PMF')
+
+            pmfFiles = [self.mergePmfBox.item(i).text() for i in range(self.mergePmfBox.count())]
+
+            if not ploter.isGaWTM(pmfFiles):
+                pmfs = [ploter.readPMF(item) for item in pmfFiles]
+            else:
+                pmfFiles = [item for item in pmfFiles if not item.endswith('.reweightamd1.cumulant.pmf')]
+                try:
+                    pmfs = [ploter.correctGaWTM(item) for item in pmfFiles]
+                except ploter.NoCorrectionFileError:
+                    QMessageBox.warning(self, 'Error', f'A PMF file does not have corresponding correction!')
+                    return
+
+            mergedPMF = ploter.mergePMF(pmfs)
+            ploter.writePMF(path, mergedPMF)
+            QMessageBox.information(self, 'Merge PMFs', f'PMF merged successfully!')
+        return f
+
+    def _plotPMFs(self):
+        """plot a series of overlapped pmfs
+        
+        Returns:
+            function obj: a slot function that plots a series of overlapped pmfs
+        """
+        
+        def f():
+            if self.plotPmfBox.count() == 0:
+                QMessageBox.warning(self, 'Warning', f'Warning, no PMF selected!')
+                return
+
+            pmfFiles = [self.plotPmfBox.item(i).text() for i in range(self.plotPmfBox.count())]
+
+            if not ploter.isGaWTM(pmfFiles):
+                pmfs = [ploter.readPMF(item) for item in pmfFiles]
+            else:
+                pmfFiles = [item for item in pmfFiles if not item.endswith('.reweightamd1.cumulant.pmf')]
+                try:
+                    pmfs = [ploter.correctGaWTM(item) for item in pmfFiles]
+                except ploter.NoCorrectionFileError:
+                    QMessageBox.warning(self, 'Error', f'A PMF file does not have corresponding correction!')
+                    return
+            
+            mergedPMF = ploter.mergePMF(pmfs)
+            ploter.plotPMF(mergedPMF)
+        return f
+
+    def _plotRMSDConvergence(self):
+        """plot time evolution of PMF rmsd with respect to zero array
+        
+        Returns:
+            function obj: a slot function that plots time evolution of PMF rmsd with respect to zero array
+        """
+        
+        def f():
+            path = self.plotPmfConvergenceBox.text()
+            if not os.path.exists(path):
+                QMessageBox.warning(self, 'Error', f'file {path} does not exist!')
+                return
+            
+            rmsds = ploter.parseHistFile(path)
+            ploter.plotConvergence(rmsds)
+        return f
+    
+    def _plotHysteresis(self):
+        """plot hysteresis between forward and backward alchemical transformations
+        
+        Returns:
+            function obj: a slot function that plot hysteresis between forward and backward alchemical transformations
+        """
+        
+        def f():
+            forwardFilePath = self.plotHysteresisForwardLineEdit.text()
+            backwardFilePath = self.plotHysteresisBackwardLineEdit.text() 
+            if not os.path.exists(forwardFilePath):
+                QMessageBox.warning(self, 'Error', f'file {forwardFilePath} does not exist!')
+                return
+            if not os.path.exists(backwardFilePath):
+                QMessageBox.warning(self, 'Error', f'file {backwardFilePath} does not exist!')
+                return
+
+            forwardPostfix = os.path.splitext(forwardFilePath)[-1]
+            backwardPostfix = os.path.splitext(backwardFilePath)[-1]
+
+            if forwardPostfix != '.fepout' and forwardPostfix != '.log' \
+                and backwardPostfix != '.fepout' and forwardPostfix != '.log':
+                QMessageBox.warning(self, 'Error', f'File type not correct!')
+                return
+
+            if forwardPostfix != backwardPostfix:
+                QMessageBox.warning(self, 'Error', f'File types of forward and backward simulations are not the same!')
+                return
+            
+            pTreat = postTreatment.postTreatment(float(self.alchemicalPostTemperatureLineEdit.text()), 'namd', 'alchemical')
+            if forwardPostfix == '.fepout':
+                forwardProfile = np.transpose(pTreat._fepoutFile(forwardFilePath))
+                backwardProfile = np.transpose(pTreat._fepoutFile(backwardFilePath))
+                backwardProfile[:,1] *= -1
+            elif forwardPostfix == '.log':
+                forwardProfile = np.transpose(pTreat._tiLogFile(forwardFilePath))
+                backwardProfile = np.transpose(pTreat._tiLogFile(backwardFilePath))
+            ploter.plotHysteresis(forwardProfile, backwardProfile)
+        return f
+
+
+    def _initSingalsSlots(self):
+        """initialize (connect) singals and slots
+        """
+
+        # pre-treatment tab
+        self.selectStrategyAdvancedButton.clicked.connect(self._advancedSettings(self.selectStrategyCombobox))
+        self.preTreatmentMainTabs.currentChanged.connect(self._changeStrategySettingStateForOldGromacs)
+
+        # NAMD tab
+        self.psfButton.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('psf/parm', self.psfLineEdit))
+        self.coorButton.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('pdb/rst', self.coorLineEdit))
+
+        # force field selection
+        self.forceFieldCombobox.currentTextChanged.connect(self._changeFFButtonState)
+        self.forceFieldAddButton.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFilesDialog('prm', self.forceFieldFilesBox))
+        self.forceFieldClearButton.clicked.connect(self.forceFieldFilesBox.clear)
+        
+        # MD engine
+        self.selectMDEngineCombobox.currentTextChanged.connect(self._changeStrategySettingState)
+
+        # gromacs tab
+        self.gromacsPdbButton.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('pdb', self.gromacsPdbLineEdit))
+        self.topButton.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('top', self.topLineEdit))
+        self.gromacsLigandOnlyPdbButton.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('pdb', self.gromacsLigandOnlyPdbLineEdit))
+        self.gromacsLigandOnlyTopButton.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('top', self.gromacsLigandOnlyTopLineEdit))
+
+        # geometric tab
+        self.rmsdBoundButton.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('czar.pmf/UI.pmf', self.rmsdBoundLineEdit))
+        self.rmsdUnboundButton.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('czar.pmf/UI.pmf', self.rmsdUnboundLineEdit))
+        self.ThetaButton.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('czar.pmf/UI.pmf', self.ThetaLineEdit))
+        self.PhiButton.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('czar.pmf/UI.pmf', self.PhiLineEdit))
+        self.PsiButton.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('czar.pmf/UI.pmf', self.PsiLineEdit))
+        self.thetaButton.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('czar.pmf/UI.pmf', self.thetaLineEdit))
+        self.phiButton.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('czar.pmf/UI.pmf', self.phiLineEdit))
+        self.rButton.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('czar.pmf/UI.pmf', self.rLineEdit))
+
+        # alchemical tab
+        self.alchemicalForwardButton1.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('log', self.alchemicalForwardLineEdit1))
+        self.alchemicalBackwardButton1.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('log', self.alchemicalBackwardLineEdit1))
+        self.alchemicalForwardButton2.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('log', self.alchemicalForwardLineEdit2))
+        self.alchemicalBackwardButton2.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('log', self.alchemicalBackwardLineEdit2))
+        self.alchemicalForwardButton3.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('fepout', self.alchemicalForwardLineEdit3))
+        self.alchemicalBackwardButton3.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('fepout', self.alchemicalBackwardLineEdit3))
+        self.alchemicalForwardButton4.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('fepout', self.alchemicalForwardLineEdit4))
+        self.alchemicalBackwardButton4.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('fepout', self.alchemicalBackwardLineEdit4))
+
+        # generate input files
+        self.generateInputButton.clicked.connect(self._generateInputFiles())
+
+        # calculate binding free energy
+        self.calculateButton.clicked.connect(self._showFinalResults())
+
+        # quick-plot tab
+        self.plotPmfAddButton.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFilesDialog('pmf', self.plotPmfBox))
+        self.plotPmfClearButton.clicked.connect(self.plotPmfBox.clear)
+        self.plotPmfPlotButton.clicked.connect(self._plotPMFs())
+        self.mergePmfAddButton.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFilesDialog('pmf', self.mergePmfBox))
+        self.mergePmfClearButton.clicked.connect(self.mergePmfBox.clear)
+        self.mergePmfmergeButton.clicked.connect(self._mergePMFs())
+        self.plotPmfConvergenceBrowseButton.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('pmf', self.plotPmfConvergenceBox))
+        self.plotPmfConvergencePlotButton.clicked.connect(self._plotRMSDConvergence())
+        self.plotHysteresisForwardButton.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('fepout/log', self.plotHysteresisForwardLineEdit))
+        self.plotHysteresisBackwardButton.clicked.connect(commonSlots.openFileDialog('fepout/log', self.plotHysteresisBackwardLineEdit))
+        self.plotHysteresisPlotButton.clicked.connect(self._plotHysteresis())