As Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to spread, characterization of its antibody epitopes, emerging strains, related coronaviruses, and even the human proteome in naturally infected patients can guide the development of effective vaccines and therapies. Since traditional epitope identification tools are dependent upon pre-defined peptide sequences, they are not readily adaptable to diverse viral proteomes. The Serum Epitope Repertoire Analysis (SERA) platform leverages a high diversity random bacterial display library to identify proteome-independent epitope binding specificities which are then analyzed in the context of organisms of interest. When evaluating immune response in the context of SARS-CoV-2, we identify dominant epitope regions and motifs which demonstrate potential to classify mild from severe disease and relate to neutralization activity. We highlight SARS-CoV-2 epitopes that are cross-reactive with other coronaviruses and demonstrate decreased epitope signal for mutant SARS-CoV-2 strains. Collectively, the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 mutants towards reduced antibody response highlight the importance of data-driven development of the vaccines and therapies to treat COVID-19.

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Effect of cryogenic grinding on recovery of volatile oil, fatty oil percentage and their constituents in two cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) genotypes have been analyzed. Cryogenic grinding not only retains the volatiles but enhanced the recovery by 33.9 % in GC 4 and 43.5 % in RZ 209. A significant increase (29.9 %) over normal grinding in oil percentage was also observed in genotype RZ 209. This increase was, however, less (15.4 %) in genotype GC 4. Nineteen major compounds were identified in the essential oil of both genotypes. The two grinding techniques had significant effects on dependent variables, viz., volatile oil and monoterpenes. Cuminaldehyde was the main constituent in both genotypes, content of which increased from 48.2 to 56.1 % in GC 4 on cryo grinding. Content of terpines were found to decrease in cryo ground samples of GC 4 and either decrease or no change was found in RZ 209. Organoleptic test showed more pleasant aroma in cryo ground seeds of both the genotypes. Significant increase was also reported in fatty oil yield due to cryogenic grinding. Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis showed oleic acid as major FAME content of which increased from 88.1 to 94.9 % in RZ 209 and from 88.2 to 90.1 % in GC 4 on cryogenic grinding. Other prominent FAME were palmitic, palmitoleic and stearic acid. Results indicated commercial potential of cryogenic grinding technology for cumin in general and spices in particular for better retention of flavour and quality in spices.

Use of dry soil K soil test was most predictive of corn response in North Dakota. Consideration of clay chemistry increased the prediction of yield response by the K soil test. A smectite/illite ratio of 3.5 separated the sites into one requiring a higher critical K soil test value and one with a lower critical K value. Due to initially high soil test K values, K soil test correlation and calibration for corn in North Dakota has previously not been intensely investigated. Potassium fertilizer rate experiments were conducted on 25 sites from 2014 to 2016. The previously published soil test K critical value of 150 mg kg−1 predicted crop response correctly at 16 of the sites. Alternative soil test methods, including a resin‐based extraction at two timings, sodium tetraphenylboron extractions at two timings, and 1 mol L−1 NH4OAc extraction using moist soil were conducted; however, the currently used 1 mol L−1 ammonium acetate extraction using dry soil was most predictive. Mineral analysis of soil from all sites was determined for potassium feldspar content of whole soil, and clay species, particularly smectite, illite, and kaolinite, were determined on the clay fraction. Cluster analysis revealed that a smectite/illite ratio of 3.5 separated the sites into two unique K response data sets. Sites with a smectite/illite ratio >3.5 had a K critical level of ∼200 mg kg−1, whereas sites with a smectite/illite ratio <3.5 had a K critical level of ∼130 mg kg–1. For soils with K soil tests between 130 and 200 mg kg−1, consideration of clay chemistry improves the predictability of crop yield response with K fertilization.