  New hybrid Molecular Dynamics-Monte Carlo methods are proposed to increase
the efficiency of constant-pressure simulations. Two variations of the isobaric
Molecular Dynamics component of the algorithms are considered. In the first, we
use the extended-ensemble method of Andersen [H. C. Andersen J. Chem. Phys.
{\bf 72},2384 (1980)]. In the second, we arrive at a new constant-pressure
Monte Carlo technique based on the reversible generalization of the
weak-coupling barostat [H. J. C. Berendsen et. al J. Chem. Phys. {\bf 81},
3684(1984)]. This latter technique turns out to be highly effective in
equilibrating and maintaining a target pressure. It is superior to the
extended-ensemble method, which in turn is superior to simple volume-rescaling
algorithms. The efficiency of the proposed methods is demonstrated by studying
two systems. The first is a simple Lennard-Jones fluid. The second is a mixture
of polyethylene chains of 200 monomers.
