Description
Check a supplied reaction flux against inclusive bounds and return slacks.
Computational biology models distinguish counts, rates, reaction orders, stoichiometric signs and state constraints. A volume-scaling factor is only one component of a stochastic propensity, and a supplied flux bound is separate from a feasible network solution. Bookkeeping balances do not infer unobserved biological states or validate a model.
Check a supplied reaction flux against inclusive bounds and return slacks.
When to use this tool
Use Metabolic Bound Flux Slack when you already have flux, lowerBound, upperBound and need to check a supplied reaction flux against inclusive bounds and return slacks.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter flux, lowerBound, upperBound. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read lowerSlack, upperSlack, feasible. Inspect feasible before interpreting the associated values.
Require upper>=lower; lowerSlack=flux-lower, upperSlack=upper-flux and feasible=lower<=flux<=upper.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| flux | Flux | Required. Finite number. |
| lowerBound | Lower Bound | Required. Finite number. |
| upperBound | Upper Bound | Required. Finite number. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| lowerSlack | Lower Slack | Required. Finite number. |
| upperSlack | Upper Slack | Required. Finite number. |
| feasible | Inclusive lowerBound<=flux<=upperBound; individual feasibility does not establish a network solution. | Required. Boolean. |
{
"input": {
"flux": 3,
"lowerBound": 0,
"upperBound": 10
},
"output": {
"lowerSlack": 3,
"upperSlack": 7,
"feasible": true
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- Negative slack indicates a violated bound. This checks one supplied interval, not stoichiometric balance, thermodynamic feasibility, a solved flux model or biological viability.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Check the full model definition, data provenance, reaction conventions and numerical implementation. Use complete network, stochastic or population analyses when needed; local count balances, priorities and bound checks cannot establish biological mechanisms or model adequacy.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Metabolic Reaction Direction Sign
Apply a supplied metabolic reaction direction to a nonnegative magnitude.
- Propensity Molecularity Volume Factor
Calculate a supplied molecularity volume-scaling term.