Immunogenicity against SARS CoV-2 ancestral strain and variants of two new COVID-19 recombinant adjuvanted vaccines compared to BNT162b2 as a third dose following two doses of BNT162b2: a single-blinded multicenter randomized controlled trial

Background. New adjuvanted recombinant protein vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as heterologous boosters could maximize the benefits of vaccination against SARS CoV-2. Methods. In this randomized, single-blinded, multicenter trial, adults who had received two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2) 3-7 months before were randomly assigned to receive a boost of BNT162b2, Sanofi/GSK SARS-CoV-2 adjuvanted recombinant protein MV D614 (monovalent parental formulation) or SARS-CoV-2 adjuvanted recombinant protein MV B.1.351 vaccine (monovalent Beta formulation). The primary endpoint was the percentage of subjects with a >= 10-fold increase in neutralizing antibody titers for the Wuhan (D614) and B.1.351 (Beta) SARS-CoV-2 viral strains between D0 and D15. Results. The percentages of participants whose neutralizing antibody titers against the Wuhan (D614) SARS-CoV-2 strain increased by a factor >= 10 between Day 0 and Day 15 was 55.3% (95% CI 43.4-66.7) in MV(D614) group (n=76), 76.1% (64.5-85.4) in MV(Beta) group (n=71) and 63.2% (51.3-73.9) in BNT162b2 group (n=76). These percentages were 44.7% (33.3-56.6), 84.5% (74.0-92.0) and 51.3% (39.6-63.0) for the B.1.351 (Beta) viral strain, respectively. Higher neutralizing antibodies rates against Delta and Omicron BA.1 variants were also elicited after Sanofi/GSK MV(Beta) vaccine compared to the other vaccines. Comparable reactogenicity profile was observed the three vaccines. Conclusion. All three vaccines boosted antibodies and neutralizing response after BNT162b2 initial course. Heterologous boosting with the Sanofi/GSK SARS-CoV-2 adjuvanted recombinant protein vaccine B.1.351 (Beta formulation) provided higher neutralizing antibodies response rates against variants, including Omicron BA.1, compared with the mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine.

Inactivation of MS2 bacteriophage on copper film deployed in high touch areas of a public transport system.

Although SARS-CoV-2 is primarily an airborne risk, the COVID-19 pandemic also highlighted the need for self-disinfection surfaces that could withstand the demand of high occupant densities characteristic of public transportation systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the durability and antiviral activity of a copper film deployed for 90 days in two high touch locations within an active metropolitan bus and railcar. The antiviral efficacy of this copper film after being deployed in transit vehicles for 90 days (deployed copper film) was then compared to new (unused) copper film to determine if frequent touches and cleaning protocols could decrease the efficacy of the copper films. Deployed copper film, new copper film, and aluminium foil (positive control) coupons were inoculated with ~1 × 106 MS2 virus particles, allowed a contact time of either 5- or 10-min, and analysed for residual viral infectiousness. On both new and deployed copper films, MS2 was completely inactivated (≥5 log reduction) at both time points. These results suggest that the copper film may provide the durability demanded by high touch public spaces while maintaining the antiviral activity necessary to reduce exposure risk and viral transmission via surfaces in public transportation settings.

Study of a Dual-Function Intelligent Electronic Pin to Help Compliance with Security Measures Related to Covid-19

COVID-19 is a virus that developed in December 2019, the disease has spread around the world and there are many cases per day. The latest information reports that there are more than sixty-nine million cases of infection worldwide according to an official diagnosis. The new coronavirus pandemic has killed at least one million six peoples worldwide since its emergence, according to a report by AFP (Agence France Presse), but the actual number estimate higher, knowing that some countries are exceeded by the number of cases in hospitals and that others do not have the resources to test the majority of their population. Several treatment methods to slow down and eliminate Covid-19 exist to date. Indeed, following the appearance of the new Corona Virus, the world scientific community has carried out several research and development for eliminated the virus, there are smart masks, respirators, gels, mobile applications, vaccines that are gradually developing and much more research. However, according to studies, transmission is mainly by direct contact, including contact of uninfected hands with the face, non-compliance with distancing measures. And, according to psychologists, one of the most effective methods to fight against the Covid-19 is to prevent these frequent forget fulnesses. On the other hand, research shows that hand-to-face contact is a frequent human behavior. Hence, the main objective of this article is to propose a prevention technique through the study of an electronic device that allows users to keep their safety distance, while reminding them of the approach of a hand towards their face. It is an electronic pin featuring PIR sensors, with lenses designed to detect at distances 1.5 m. Containing a battery for power, a button, which turn on or off the pin, depending on whether you are in a bus for example or in an airport. Besides, this simple electronic component designed, pin will have suitable cost for all social categories. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Embedded generation using shared solar

The socio-economic development of a country (especially a developing one) is inextricably linked with the availability and affordability of electricity in that country. However most African countries have failed to bridge the gap between the demand and supply of electricity in their country owing either to the non-availability of power or the lack of synergy between the various disciplines that make up the power sector. Bedevilled with the current Covid-19 pandemic which ushers in the digital era of E-learning and virtual trade activities, Africa cannot afford to lag behind as a result of poor electricity supply. Our case study in this paper will be Africa's most populous country;Nigeria. We would look at the aged long practice of a centralized system of energy production which generates and transmits electricity over long distances (thereby incurring colossal losses), the limitations of the National grid which covers only some parts of the country, the legal constraints, the resort to self-help by Nigerians who seek to produce their own electricity using generators that emit GHG which pollute the atmosphere and the economic implication of running generators, while proffering an eco-friendly solution in distributed or dispersed generation using Shared Solar Energy aimed at resolving the disparity between the demand and supply of Electricity. A solution which will invariably unlock economic growth especially during this Covid-19 pandemic. © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2021.