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Durability of SARS-CoV-2 Spike antibody responses after infection provides information relevant to understanding protection against COVID-19 in humans. We report the results of a sequential evaluation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in convalescent patients with a median follow-up of 14 months (range 12.4-15.4) post first symptom onset. We report persistence of antibodies for all four specificities tested [Spike, Spike Receptor Binding Domain (Spike-RBD), Nucleocapsid, Nucleocapsid RNA Binding Domain (N-RBD)]. Anti-Spike antibodies persist better than anti-Nucleocapsid antibodies. The durability analysis supports a bi-phasic antibody decay with longer half-lives of antibodies after 6 months and antibody persistence for up to 14 months. Patients infected with the Wuhan (WA1) strain maintained strong cross-reactive recognition of Alpha and Delta Spike-RBD but significantly reduced binding to Beta and Mu Spike-RBD. Sixty percent of convalescent patients with detectable WA1-specific NAb also showed strong neutralization of the Delta variant, the prevalent strain of the present pandemic. These data show that convalescent patients maintain functional antibody responses for more than one year after infection, suggesting a strong long-lasting response after symptomatic disease that may offer a prolonged protection against re-infection. One patient from this cohort showed strong increase of both Spike and Nucleocapsid antibodies at 14 months post-infection indicating SARS-CoV-2 re-exposure. These antibodies showed stronger cross-reactivity to a panel of Spike-RBD including Beta, Delta and Mu and neutralization of a panel of Spike variants including Beta and Gamma. This patient provides an example of strong anti-Spike recall immunity able to control infection at an asymptomatic level. Together, the antibodies from SARS-CoV-2 convalescent patients persist over 14 months and continue to maintain cross-reactivity to the current variants of concern and show strong functional properties. Copyright © 2021 Rosati, Terpos, Ntanasis-Stathopoulos, Agarwal, Bear, Burns, Hu, Korompoki, Donohue, Venzon, Dimopoulos, Pavlakis and Felber.

COVID-19 is an ongoing pandemic with high morbidity and mortality. Despite meticulous research, only dexamethasone has shown consistent mortality reduction. Convalescent plasma (CP) infusion might also develop into a safe and effective treatment modality on the basis of recent studies and meta-analyses; however, little is known regarding the kinetics of antibodies in CP recipients. To evaluate the kinetics, we followed 31 CP recipients longitudinally enrolled at a median of 3 days post symptom onset for changes in binding and neutralizing antibody titers and viral loads. Antibodies against the complete trimeric Spike protein and the receptor-binding domain (Spike-RBD), as well as against the complete Nucleocapsid protein and the RNA binding domain (N-RBD) were determined at baseline and weekly following CP infusion. Neutralizing antibody (pseudotype NAb) titers were determined at the same time points. Viral loads were determined semi-quantitatively by SARS-CoV-2 PCR. Patients with low humoral responses at entry showed a robust increase of antibodies to all SARS-CoV-2 proteins and Nab, reaching peak levels within 2 weeks. The rapid increase in binding and neutralizing antibodies was paralleled by a concomitant clearance of the virus within the same timeframe. Patients with high humoral responses at entry demonstrated low or no further increases; however, virus clearance followed the same trajectory as in patients with low antibody response at baseline. Together, the sequential immunological and virological analysis of this well-defined cohort of patients early in infection shows the presence of high levels of binding and neutralizing antibodies and potent clearance of the virus. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

The primary objective of this guideline is thus to establish common approaches of acquisition and processing that will result in greater applicability and interoperability of swath acoustic mapping data. These approaches will also provide improved consistency in the collection and description of the data, increasing utility. To achieve this objective, AusSeabed, a national seabed mapping coordination program run by a consortium of representatives from Commonwealth and State governments, universities and industry, was formed. AusSeabed’s role is to encourage and facilitate the initial collection of seabed mapping data and make it available for use by all stakeholders. Published Current 14.a N/A Bathymetry Backscatter

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) impacts many veterans and active duty soldiers, but diagnosis can be problematic due to biases in self-disclosure of symptoms, stigma within military populations, and limitations identifying those at risk. Prior studies suggest that PTSD may be a systemic illness, affecting not just the brain, but the entire body. Therefore, disease signals likely span multiple biological domains, including genes, proteins, cells, tissues, and organism-level physiological changes. Identification of these signals could aid in diagnostics, treatment decision-making, and risk evaluation. In the search for PTSD diagnostic biomarkers, we ascertained over one million molecular, cellular, physiological, and clinical features from three cohorts of male veterans. In a discovery cohort of 83 warzone-related PTSD cases and 82 warzone-exposed controls, we identified a set of 343 candidate biomarkers. These candidate biomarkers were selected from an integrated approach using (1) data-driven methods, including Support Vector Machine with Recursive Feature Elimination and other standard or published methodologies, and (2) hypothesis-driven approaches, using previous genetic studies for polygenic risk, or other PTSD-related literature. After reassessment of ~30% of these participants, we refined this set of markers from 343 to 28, based on their performance and ability to track changes in phenotype over time. The final diagnostic panel of 28 features was validated in an independent cohort (26 cases, 26 controls) with good performance (AUC = 0.80, 81% accuracy, 85% sensitivity, and 77% specificity). The identification and validation of this diverse diagnostic panel represents a powerful and novel approach to improve accuracy and reduce bias in diagnosing combat-related PTSD.

Australia’s Multibeam Guidelines were established by the AusSeabed consortium. The guidelines provide procedures mainly on survey planning, data acquisition and submission i.e. from the pre-survey planning phase to the data submission phase, off the ship. They are designed for a range of audiences, from those experienced in seafloor mapping using swath acoustic systems, non-experts who are developing mapping capabilities, and those contracting seafloor mapping surveys using swath systems. These guidelines aim to improve interoperability, discoverability and accessibility of swath system data, and encourage improved acquisition standards to meet more user requirements. We acknowledge that to achieve such an aim, adaptation of the project might be necessary and could impact time and cost. For example, a project needing higher quality backscatter may require tighter line spacing, while a hydrographic survey for charting will need more detailed assessment and greater sounding density than for a habitat mapping project. However, in most cases, the inconvenience of varying parameters will be outweighed by the increased relevance of the data to more users. These guidelines should be used as an overarching document, providing a minimum set of requirements for seafloor mapping activities conducted in Australian waters. These guidelines should be complemented with purpose-based requirements and associated documentation, such as hydrographic surveys, marine park monitoring, and marine infrastructure planning or installation Published Refereed Current TRL 8 Actual system completed and "mission qualified" through test and demonstration in an operational environment (ground or space) Manual

Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Intertek on behalf of National Grid Viking Link Ltd and Energinet.dk to prepare a marine archaeological Technical Report including a high-level Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed Viking Link submarine cable corridor that will in turn inform an Environmental Report. The proposed cable route would run from Bicker Fen, Lincolnshire to Revsing in Jutland, Denmark. This Technical Report considers an area that is limited to the High Water Mark on the Lincolnshire coast to the United Kingdom Exclusive Economic Zone. The Technical Report comprises relevant legislation and guidance; a methodology, an archaeological baseline; an assessment of the value and sensitivity of the heritage assets identified within the assessed area; and a high-level environmental appraisal.