Prediction of protein assemblies, the next frontier: The CASP14-CAPRI experiment.

We present the results for CAPRI Round 50, the fourth joint CASP-CAPRI protein assembly prediction challenge. The Round comprised a total of twelve targets, including six dimers, three trimers, and three higher-order oligomers. Four of these were easy targets, for which good structural templates were available either for the full assembly, or for the main interfaces (of the higher-order oligomers).

Bioelectrical Methane Production with an Ammonium Oxidative Reaction under the No Organic Substance Condition.

The present study investigated bioelectrical methane production from CO without organic substances. Even though microbial methane production has been reported at relatively high electric voltages, the amount of voltage required and the organisms contributing to the process currently remain unknown. Methane production using a biocathode was investigated in a microbial electrolysis cell coupled with an NH oxidative reaction at an anode coated with platinum powder under a wide range of applied voltages and anaerobic conditions.

The heavy metal budget of an urban rooftop farm.

Urban rooftop agriculture is a growing enterprise in the US with the goal of providing high quality, healthy, locally grown produce for city dwellers. However, air pollution abatement and the purification of stormwater are among the ecosystem services emphasized in studies of conventional green roofs. If rooftop farms actually capture pollutants, then accumulation of heavy metals in the soil could pose a problem over time.

Quantifying the effect of vegetation on near-road air quality using brief campaigns.

Many reports of trees' impacts on urban air quality neglect pattern and process at the landscape scale. Here, we describe brief campaigns to quantify the effect of trees on the dispersion of airborne particulates using high time resolution measurements along short transects away from roads. Campaigns near major highways in Queens, NY showed frequent, stochastic spikes in PM2.

Configurations of high-frequency ultrasonics complex vibration systems for packaging in microelectronics.

Ultrasonic high-frequency complex vibrations are effective for various ultrasonic high-power applications. Three types of ultrasonic complex vibration system with a welding tip vibrating elliptical to circular locus for packaging in microelectronics were studied. The complex vibration sources are using (1) a longitudinal-torsional vibration converter with diagonal slits that is driven only by a longitudinal vibration source, (2) a complex transverse vibration rod with several stepped parts that is driven by two longitudinal vibration source crossed at a right angle and (3) a longitudinal vibration circular disk and three longitudinal transducers that are installed at the circumference of the disk.

Effect of methotrexate on Th1 and Th2 immune responses in mice.

We investigated the effect of the anti-rheumatic drug methotrexate (MTX) on Th1 and Th2 immune responses in mice. For this investigation, mice were immunized subcutaneously at the base of the tail with ovalbumin (OVA) emulsified with complete Freund's adjuvant (day 0). Varying doses of MTX were orally administered daily from days 0 to 20.

Effect of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin on Th1 and Th2 immune responses in mice.

The present study was undertaken to study the effect of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin on Th1 and Th2 immune responses. For this study, mice were immunized by s.c.

Complex vibration ultrasonic welding systems with large area welding tips.

Vibration and welding characteristics of complex vibration ultrasonic welding systems of 27 and 40 kHz were studied. Complex vibration systems, which have elliptical to circular or rectangular to square locus, are effective for ultrasonic welding of various specimens including the same and different metal specimens, and for direct welding of semiconductor tips and packaging of various electronic devices without solder. The complex vibration systems consist of a one-dimensional longitudinal-torsional vibration converter with slitted part, a stepped horn and a longitudinal vibration transducer as a driving source.