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2022 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claude Saegerman ◽  
Anh Nguyet Diep ◽  
Véronique Renault ◽  
Anne-Françoise Donneau ◽  
Lambert Stamatakis ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Nursing home (NH) residents have been severely affected during the COVID-19 pandemic because of their age and underlying comorbidities. Infection and outbreaks in NHs are most likely triggered by infected workers. Screening for asymptomatic NH workers can prevent risky contact and viral transmission to the residents. This study examined the effect of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID‑19 (Comirnaty®; BioNTech and Pfizer) vaccination on the saliva excretion of SARS-CoV-2 among NH workers, through weekly saliva RT-qPCR testing. Methods A 2-month cohort study was conducted among 99 NHs in the Walloon region (Belgium), at the start of February 2021. Three groups of workers, i.e., non-vaccinated (n = 1618), one-dosed vaccinated (n = 1454), and two-dosed vaccinated (n = 2379) of BNT162b2 mRNA COVID‑19 vaccine, were followed-up weekly. Their saliva samples were used to monitor the shedding of SARS-CoV-2. All positive samples were sequenced and genotyped to identify the circulating wild-type virus or variants of concern. Results The protection fraction against the excretion of the SARS-CoV-2 in the saliva samples of the workers after the second dose is estimated at 0.90 (95% CI: 0.18; 0.99) at 1 week and 0.83 (95% CI: 0.54; 0.95) at 8 weeks. We observe more circulating SARS-CoV-2 and a greater variability of viral loads in the unvaccinated group compared to those of the vaccinated group. Conclusions This field cohort study advances our knowledge of the efficacy of the mRNA BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine on the viral shedding in the saliva specimens of vaccinated NH workers, contributing to better decision-making in public health interventions and management.


Author(s):  
Anna Rita Scorzini ◽  
Benjamin Dewals ◽  
Daniela Rodriguez Castro ◽  
Pierre Archambeau ◽  
Daniela Molinari

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Rita Scorzini ◽  
Benjamin Dewals ◽  
Daniela Rodriguez Castro ◽  
Pierre Archambeau ◽  
Daniela Molinari

Abstract. The spatial transfer of flood damage models among regions and countries is a challenging but unavoidable approach, for performing flood risk assessments in data and model scarce regions. In these cases, similarities and differences between the contexts of application should be considered to obtain reliable damage estimations and, in some cases, the adaptation of the original model to the new conditions is required. This study exemplifies a replicable procedure for the adaptation to the Belgian context of a multi-variable, synthetic flood damage model for the residential sector originally developed for Italy (INSYDE). The study illustrates necessary amendments in model assumptions, especially regarding input default values for the hazard and building parameters and damage functions describing the modelled damage mechanisms.


Author(s):  
Julie Gesels ◽  
Fabien Dollé ◽  
Julie Leclercq ◽  
Anna Jurado ◽  
Serge Brouyère

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thierry Auguste ◽  
Patrice Toussaint ◽  
Vincent Denoël ◽  
Margaux Geuzaine ◽  
Christophe Rutten ◽  
...  

<p>The determination of tension in bridge cables by means of vibration measurements has been used by the Direction of civil engineering expertise for decades to monitor the bridges managed by the Walloon Region (SPW). Over time, it has appeared that the traditional methodology, based on sparse on-site measurement and the taut string theory, suffers from certain limitations: the two most important are the delay between measurements (at best once a year) and the difficulties in solving the equation linking the vibration response to the tension in the stay, in the case of short or geometrically complex cable.</p><p>An agreement was concluded between the SPW, the University of Liège and V2i, a company specialised in vibrations, to develop a solution including a software allowing the tension determination in any kind of bridge cable and the hardware to monitor the cable tension remotely for a long time.</p><p><br clear="none"/></p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Talina Zeidan ◽  
Xavier Farina

<p>In Belgium, the presence of numerous quarries in the Walloon region makes recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) less attractive for structural concrete applications: since the natural aggregates are at reach, it is unprofitable from both a financial and an environmental aspect to use RCA. In addition, the supply of recycled aggregates on the Belgian market is lacking. Only a few recyclers produce type A+ RCA, which could be used in ready-mix concrete, but tend to keep them for their own productions. Furthermore, although the revised Belgian national concrete standard (NBN B 15- 001) allows cast-in-situ concrete to contain higher fractions of recycled aggregates, there is presently no concrete supplier yet certified to produce concrete with recycled aggregates. One should finally note the lack of stimulation or even mandatory incentives by the Authorities to promote the use of RCA. The aim of this paper is to identify the various reasons behind RCA limitations in Belgium and to suggest solutions to overcome them.</p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 238-250
Author(s):  
ARTUR MORAIS ◽  
Joaquim Aragão ◽  
Yaeko Yamashita ◽  
Anísio Brasileiro ◽  
Ricardo Consulin

This article is part of the research efforts regarding policymaking processes in public policy and investments in infrastructure, especially in waterway transport. Previous papers have focused on analyzing the action of interest groups or coalitions in such policymaking processes, having established methodologies and field research programs. The field research reported here concerns the Belgian waterway system of the Walloon Region, and the policymaking processes regarding its management. After describing this waterway system and reporting its economic importance for the regional economy, we investigate the procedures adopted by policymakers in their management. By means of interviews with public and private agents, we found that the explanatory model of interest groups could not be validated in this case. On the other hand, a network of public and private agents was found working in close harmony to manage, expand and achieve the system’s economic success. At the same time, it was noted that the promotion of the waterway system is part of a broader strategy to ensure that the Walloon Region has a competitive logistics position at the heart of the European Union.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 229.1-229
Author(s):  
E. Araklioti ◽  
L. Herman ◽  
N. Q. N. Nguyen ◽  
R. Roohi Ahangarani ◽  
M. Erak ◽  
...  

Background:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a highly prevalent and severe systemic autoimmune disease associated with permanent disability and strong socio-economic burdens. Currently, there is no therapeutic treatment and RA patients rely on lifelong, costly treatments. Imcyse develops modified peptides eliciting antigen specific cytolytic CD4 T cells (cCD4+) that induce apoptosis of antigen presenting cells (APC) in a contact dependent manner. cCD4+ also induce apoptosis of autoantigen-specific bystander T-cells, activated by the same APC thus eliminating the risk of general immunosuppression. Peptides consist of MHC class II T cell epitopes of a target autoantigen modified in their flanking region by the addition of an amino acid sequence containing a thiol-disulphide oxidoreductase active motif1.Objectives:The goal of this study was to synthesize modified peptides from a target RA autoantigen and test their potency to generatein vitrospecific and cytolytic CD4+ T cells from RA patients.Methods:We designed modified peptides from a target RA autoantigen after in silico and in vitro assessment to identify MHC II core binding region, HLA class II binding capacities and physiochemical properties.CD4+ T cells were purified from PBMC of a newly diagnosed seropositive RA patient and co-cultured with autologous APC in the presence of the modified peptide. The CD4+ T cells were restimulated periodically. Peptide’s ability to generate specific CD4+ T cells was evaluated by flow cytometric analysis of the expression of surface activation marker CD154 (CD40L). The peptide specific CD4+ T cell lines were sorted based on their surface CD154 expression. Their pro-apoptotic activity was assessed after overnight (O/N) co-culture of CD4+ T cells with fluorescent tracer labelled autologous lymphoblastoid cells lines (LCL). Flow cytometry quantification of LCL apoptosis was measured by annexin V staining. MHC II restriction of CD4+ T cells was demonstrated by the addition of blocking antibodies against HLA-DR, DP or DQ molecules.Results:CD4+ T cells were in vitro expanded after six consecutive stimulations with the peptide. We investigated their specificity by flow cytometry and showed that 69% of CD4+ T cells that were stimulated O/N in the presence of the peptide expressed the activation marker CD154 versus 29% of CD4+ T cells that were stimulated in its absence. These cells were sorted based on CD154 expression following specific stimulation. Cell enrichment was then assessed by flow cytometric analysis. Data showed that more than 91% (background 3%) were peptide specific based on CD154 expression.After co-culture of CD4+ T cells with LCL, in independent experiments, Annexin V binding was detected on peptide loaded LCL, ranging from 69% to 89%, while when LCL were kept unloaded these values were between 30% and 55%, respectively, indicating that when specifically activated, these CD4+ T cells had pro-apoptotic activity. When both the peptide and blocking antibodies against HLA-DR, DP or DQ molecules added in the co-culture the pro-apoptotic activity was inhibited by 68%, 20% and 25%, respectively.Conclusion:The preliminary but very promising data show that our modified peptide generates peptide-specific CD4+ T cells with lytic properties that lyse target APC in an HLA class II specific manner. Our plan is to show that these CD4+ T cells can also induce apoptosis in bystander T cells and to further validate our results in additional RA donors.References:[1]Carlier, V. A., Vanderelst, L., Janssens, W. & Jacquemin, M. G. Increased Synapse Formation Obtained by T Cell Epitopes Containing a CxxC Motif in Flanking Residues Convert CD4 + T Cells into Cytolytic Effectors.7, (2012).Disclosure of Interests:Eleni Araklioti Grant/research support from: This work was supported by Pfizer Inc. and by Walloon Region, Ludivine Herman Grant/research support from: This work was supported by Pfizer Inc. and by Walloon Region, Ngoc Quynh Nhu Nguyen Grant/research support from: This work was supported by Pfizer Inc. and by Walloon Region, Roxana Roohi Ahangarani Grant/research support from: This work was supported by Pfizer Inc. and by Walloon Region, Milos Erak Grant/research support from: This work was supported by Pfizer Inc. and by Walloon Region, Bernard Lauwerys: None declared, Patrick Durez Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celltrion, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Sanofi, Vincent Geenen: None declared, Aaron Winkler Shareholder of: Shareholder of Pfizer, Inc, Employee of: Full time employee of Pfizer, Inc, Marcelle Van Mechelen Grant/research support from: This work was supported by Pfizer Inc. and by Walloon Region, Luc Vander Elst Grant/research support from: This work was supported by Pfizer Inc. and by Walloon Region, Vincent Carlier Grant/research support from: This work was supported by Pfizer Inc. and by Walloon Region


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (16) ◽  
pp. 4405 ◽  
Author(s):  
De Herde ◽  
Maréchal ◽  
Baret

As the 2009 dairy crisis drew attention to the situation of dairy farmers in Europe, the extent of strategical power left to farmers in dairy cooperatives of increasing size is a frequently raised issue. Four dairy cooperatives collect 97% of the milk in the Walloon Region (in the southern part of Belgium). Two of them integrated agro-food multinationals. We decided to analyze the trajectories of Walloon dairy farmers exploring alternatives to the delivery of milk to these mainstream dairy cooperatives. We focused on the territories situated to the east of the Walloon Region, where dairy farming represents 75% of farming revenues. Alternatives consist either of processing milk on farm or in concluding a contract with a cheese processor collecting milk directly from farmers. Our objective was to understand the issues faced in these alternative trajectories and the reason why these alternatives remained marginal. We designed a qualitative case study based on interviews with farmers and local cheese processors. We mobilized evolutionary approaches on the stability and transitions of systems and approaches of change at the farmer level. It appears that the alternative trajectories remain embedded in a broader dairy context. The lock-ins emerging from this context determine the evolution of the farming model towards intensification and the individual identity and capabilities of farmers. We present a model of interconnected and embedded lock-ins, from the organizational frame of the regime to the individual frame. This model illustrates how the agency articulates with structural dynamics. We propose structural measures in the organization of agricultural education and in terms of support to alternative supply chains that will enhance agency in favor of a change.


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