Neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 are higher but decline faster in mRNA vaccinees compared to individuals with natural infection.

Waning protection against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants by pre-existing antibodies elicited due to current vaccination or natural infection is a global concern. Whether this is due to the waning of immunity to SARS-COV-2 remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the dynamics of antibody isotype responses among vaccinated naïve (VN) and naturally infected (NI) individuals. We followed up antibody levels in COVID-19 mRNA-vaccinated subjects without prior infection (VN, n = 100) in two phases: phase-I (P-I) at ~ 1.4 and phase-II (P-II) at ~ 5.3 months. Antibody levels were compared to those of unvaccinated and naturally infected subjects (NI, n = 40) at ~ 1.7 (P-1) and 5.2 (P-II) months post-infection. Neutralizing antibodies (NTAb), anti-S-RBD-IgG, -IgM, and anti-S-IgA isotypes were measured. The VN group elicited significantly greater antibody responses (p < 0.001) than the NI group at P-I, except for IgM. In the VN group, a significant waning in antibody response was observed in all isotypes. There was about ~ a 4-fold decline in NTAb levels (p < 0.001), anti-S-RBD-IgG (~5-folds, p < 0.001), anti-S-RBD-IgM (~6-folds, p < 0.001), and anti-S1-IgA (2-folds, p < 0.001). In the NI group, a significant but less steady decline was notable in S-RBD-IgM (~2-folds, p < 0.001), and a much smaller but significant difference in NTAb (<2-folds, p < 0.001) anti-S-RBD IgG (<2-folds, p = 0.005). Unlike the VN group, the NI group mounted a lasting anti-S1-IgA response with no significant decline. Anti-S1-IgA, which were ~ 3 folds higher in VN subjects compared to NI in P-1 (p < 0.001), dropped to almost the same levels, with no significant difference observed between the two groups in P-II. While double-dose mRNA vaccination boosted antibody levels, vaccinated individuals' 'boost' was relatively short-lived.This work was made possible by WHO grant numbers COVID-19-22-43 and UREP28–173–3-057 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors

Diagnostic Efficiency of Three Fully Automated Serology Assays and Their Correlation with a Novel Surrogate Virus Neutralization Test in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic SARS-COV-2 Individuals

Abstract: To support the deployment of serology assays for population screening during the COVID-19 pandemic, we compared the performance of three fully automated SARS-CoV-2 IgG assays: Mindray CL-900i® (target: spike [S] and nucleocapsid [N]), BioMérieux VIDAS®3 (target: receptor-binding domain [RBD]) and Diasorin LIAISON®XL (target: S1 and S2 subunits). A total of 111 SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR- positive samples collected at ≥ 21 days post symptom onset, and 127 prepandemic control samples were included. Diagnostic performance was assessed in correlation to RT-PCR and a surrogate virus-neutralizing test (sVNT). Moreover, cross-reactivity with other viral antibodies was investigated. Compared to RT-PCR, LIAISON®XL showed the highest overall specificity (100%), followed by VIDAS®3 (98.4%) and CL-900i® (95.3%). The highest sensitivity was demonstrated by CL-900i® (90.1%), followed by VIDAS®3 (88.3%) and LIAISON®XL (85.6%). The sensitivity of all assays was higher in symptomatic patients (91.1–98.2%) compared to asymptomatic patients (78.4–80.4%). In correlation to sVNT, all assays showed excellent sensitivities (92.2–96.1%). In addition, VIDAS®3 demonstrated the best correlation (r = 0.75) with the sVNT. The present study provides insights on the performance of three fully automated assays, which could help diagnostic laboratories in the choice of a particular assay according to the intended us

Performance evaluation of five ELISA kits for detecting anti-SARS-COV-2 IgG antibodies

ObjectivesTo evaluate and compare the performances of five commercial ELISA assays (EDI, AnshLabs, Dia.Pro, NovaTec, and Lionex) for detecting anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG. Methods70 negative control samples (collected before the COVID-19 pandemic) and samples from 101 RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 patients (collected at different time points from symptoms onset: ≤7, 8-14, and >14 days) were used to compare the sensitivity, specificity, agreement, positive and negative predictive values of each assay with RT-PCR. A concordance assessment between the five assays was also conducted. Cross-reactivity with other HCoV, non-HCoV respiratory viruses, non-respiratory viruses, and nuclear antigens was investigated. ResultsLionex showed the highest specificity (98.6%, 95%CI: 92.3-99.8), followed by EDI and Dia.Pro (97.1%, 95%CI: 90.2-99.2), NovaTec (85.7%, 95%CI: 75.7-92.1), then AnshLabs (75.7%, 95%CI: 64.5-84.2). All ELISA kits cross-reacted with one anti-MERS IgG positive sample except Lionex. The sensitivity was low during the early stages of the disease but improved over time. After 14 days from symptoms onset, Lionex and NovaTec showed the highest sensitivity at 87.9% (95%CI: 72.7-95.2) and 86.4% (95%CI: 78.5-91.7), respectively. The agreement with RT-PCR results based on Cohen’s kappa was as follows: Lionex (0.89)> NovaTec (0.70)> Dia.Pro (0.69)> AnshLabs (0.63)> EDI (0.55). ConclusionThe Lionex ELISA, which measures antibodies solely to the S1 protein, demonstrated the best performance.This work was made possible by grant No. RRC-2-032 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. GKN would like to acknowledge funds from Qatar University's internal grant QUERG-CMED-2020-2

Allocation de ressources pour un système OFDMA pour le sens montant se basant sur des relais et sur l’équité proportionnelle

In wireless systems, resource allocation is still an important challenge to satisfy user requirements and to ensure good system performances with always greedy data applications. Multicarrier techniques especially the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) techniques are generally used to carry data into orthogonal subcarriers. Furthermore, relaying strategies are used to enhance cell edge performances. Many types of relays can be investigated as fix relays being part of the network infrastructure or mobile relays without additional deployment cost.In this thesis, we mainly consider the resource allocation for an uplink Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) system for a cellular system model ensuring Quality of Service (QoS) requirements and fairness between users. The most used resource allocation algorithms are presented and a novel Weighted Proportional Fair (WPF) algorithm is proposed to approach upper bounds of both throughput and fairness. The WPF algorithm considers user weights to allocate more subcarriers in the cell center than in the cell edge keeping sufficient fairness between users. We establish a theoretical analysis to compare the behavior of the proposed WPF algorithm to the classical Proportional Fair (PF) algorithm. Then, we extend this WPF algorithm to a multi-cell system model where the Inter-Cell Interference (ICI) limits the system performance. Moreover, we study ICI mitigation strategies and propose a novel method to reduce the ICI based on Base Station (BS) cooperation and interference indicators. We propose the Enhanced Interference Indicator (EII) with integer values to be exchanged by the BSs indicating interference levels for the subcarriers. Function of these communicated EII values, each BS allocates dynamically subcarriers in order to reduce the ICI. Our contributions in the multi-cell system model are the WPF and the EII.Moreover, we investigate in this dissertation the cooperative communication using mobile relays and propose multiple contributions. For this, simple mobile users with advantageous positions can relay cell edge users to carry data to the BS in addition to their own data. A Decode and Forward (DF) relay multiplex then its own data and relayed data before transmitting to the BS. The resource allocation is formulated as an optimization problem aiming to minimize the system transmit power and respecting a required target data rate per user constraint. In a first time, we propose an initialization method for the paring step to associate source-relay pairs and propose an iterative heuristic to optimize both power and Resource Blocks (RB) allocations. In a second time, we consider the relay selection as an optimization variable in addition of power and RB allocations. For resolution, Lagrangian decomposition and Dual method are used and the global problem is divided into subproblems iterativelly resolved to approach the optimal solution. Finally, we extend this cooperative system model to a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) system model to study the influence of multiple antennas on the system transmit power. The features to optimize are relay selection, power and RBs allocation. Moreover, to allocate power in the different antennas for each user, both Equal Power Allocation (EPA) and beamforming are studied. Theoretical expressions are established and simulations results are presented to compare EPA, beamforming and non-cooperative system.Dans les systèmes de communications sans fils, l'allocation de ressources reste toujours un défi considérable afin de satisfaire les demandes des utilisateurs et de fournir de bonnes performances avec une perpétuelle demande en applications gourmandes en ressources. Les techniques multiporteuses essentiellement les techniques dérivant de l'OFDM sont généralement utilisées pour transmettre les données dans des sous-porteuses orthogonales. De plus, de nouvelles stratégies de relayage sont proposées pour améliorer les performances en bordures de cellules. Plusieurs types de relais peuvent être sollicités comme les relais fixes faisant partie de l'infrastructure du système ou les relais mobiles qui ne nécessitent pas un coût additionnel de déploiement.Dans cette thèse, nous étudions principalement l'allocation des ressources pour le sens montant d'un système cellulaire OFDMA assurant les exigences de qualité de service et l'équité entre les utilisateurs. Les algorithmes d'allocation de ressources les plus utilisés sont présentés et un nouvel algorithme se basant sur l'équité proportionnelle pondérée (WPF) est proposé afin d'approcher les bornes supérieures de débit et d'équité. L'algorithme WPF propose un poids variable par utilisateur permettant d'allouer un nombre plus élevé de sous-porteuses au centre de la cellule qu'en bordure tout en gardant une bonne équité entre les utilisateurs. Nous établissons une étude théorique afin de comparer l'algorithme proposé à l'algorithme classique d'équité proportionnelle (PF). Nous étendons ensuite l'algorithme WPF à un système multi-cellulaire où l'interférence inter-cellulaire (ICI) dégrade les performances du système. Enfin, nous étudions les stratégies d'annulation de l'ICI et proposons une nouvelle méthode pour réduire l'ICI en se basant sur la coopération entre les stations de base (BSs) et sur les indicateurs d'interférence. Nous proposons un nouvel indicateur d'interférence (EII) à valeurs entières échangé par les BSs pour indiquer les niveaux d'interférence des sous-porteuses. En prenant en compte les valeurs de EII échangées, chaque BS alloue dynamiquement les sous-porteuses de manière à éviter de fortes valeurs d'ICI.Dans un deuxième temps, nous étudions la communication coopérative en utilisant des relais mobiles. Pour cela, de simples utilisateurs mobiles ayant des positions avantageuses peuvent relayer d'autres utilisateurs en bordure de cellule en plus de transmettre leurs propres données. Un relai utilisant le protocole DF multiplexe ainsi ses propres données aux données relayées avant de transmettre à la BS. L'allocation de ressource est formulée sous forme d'un problème d'optimisation dont le but est de minimiser la puissance totale d'émission du système tout en assurant un débit cible par utilisateur. Dans un premier temps, nous proposons une méthode de sélection des relais comme phase d'initialisation et offrons une heuristique itérative pour optimiser l'allocation de puissance et des blocs de ressources radio (RBs). Dans un second temps, nous traitons la sélection des relais comme une variable d'optimisation additionnelle. Pour la résolution, la décomposition de Lagrange et la méthode duale sont utilisées et le problème global est divisé en sous problèmes résolus de manière itérative afin d'approcher la solution optimale. Enfin, nous étendons ce modèle coopératif à un modèle à antennes multiples (MIMO) afin d'étudier l'influence des antennes multiples sur la puissance totale de transmission. Les paramètres à optimiser sont la sélection des relais, l'allocation des puissances et l'allocation des RBs. Afin d'allouer la puissance sur les antennes d'un utilisateur, nous avons étudié la répartition égale des puissance (EPA) et le beamforming. Les expressions théoriques correspondantes sont établies et les résultats de simulation sont présentés pour comparer le modèle avec EPA et le modèle avec beamforming au modèle non coopératif

Fractional Frequency Reuse based on Weigthed Proportional Fair for Uplink OFDMA

This paper discusses the resource allocation problemin an uplink multi-cell OFDMA system. The classical LTE modelconsiders two areas in the cell: the cell center and the cell borderand divides the resources in four sets. The users in the cells centerzones use the same subset of subcarriers whereas the users ofthe border zones use the remaining resources with a FractionalFrequency Reuse (FFR) equal to 3. Considering the same cellzones, we present in this work a different FFR model and provewith a theoretical analysis that the system throughput can beimproved. The resource allocation is then performed consideringthe Weighted Proportional Fair (WPF) algorithm. Simulationresults illustrate the performance improvements of the proposedsolution in comparison to the classical model. The fairness forthe different models is also studied and compared

Analysis of weigthed proportional fair resource allocation for uplink OFDMA

We investigate in this paper the resource allocationproblem in an uplink OFDMA multiuser system. We focus onthe Proportional Fairness approach which aims to maximizethe system throughput and while ensuring fairness betweenusers. In this paper, we propose a Weighted Proportional Fairalgorithm for resource allocation that introduces prioritiesbetween users to better exploit good channel conditions in thecell center. We also perform a theoretical analysis to compareboth standard and weighted proportional fair algorithms.Simulation results, compared to existing algorithms, showthat the proposed algorithm approaches the max sum rateupper bound but still maintains sufficient fairness between users

Uplink resource allocation in cooperative OFDMA with multiplexing mobile relays

International audienceCooperative relaying is an important feature for the fourth generation wireless system to upgrade system performance. Mobile relays can offer better results than fixed relays without any additional infrastructure cost. However, efficient cooperation decision as well as resource allocation are critical to satisfy model constraints as required quality of service (QoS). In this work, simple mobile users with advantageous channels can act as potential relays for cell edge users for an uplink transmission. They multiplex, in the frequency domain, their own data to that of the relayed sources, with the objective for both relay and sources to reach a target data rate. An optimal joint resource blocks (RB) allocation and power allocation scheme under a required data rate constraint per user is proposed. The optimization problem is formulated to minimize the total system power. Dual decomposition and subgradient method are used to solve the optimization problem after dividing it into independent subproblems with less complexity to find the optimal solution. The cooperation decision and the sources-relays association is either performed as a first step of resource allocation, or jointly optimized with RB and power allocation. Simulation results show that these proposed algorithms both reduce system's power consumption while ensuring the required QoS. Joint optimization of relay selection, RB and power allocation provides a higher power consumption decrease, but requires higher complexity and overhead

Cooperative uplink OFDMA-MIMO resource allocation with multiplexing relays

International audienc

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV2 in Qatar: a longitudinal epidemiological study

In Qatar, the first COVID-19 cases were reported on the 29th of February 2020, and the numbers increased dramatically within few months. Primary Health Care Corporation in collaboration with Qatar University's Biomedical Research Centre initiated a three-phase longitudinal epidemiological study to obtain precise estimates of point and period prevalence by age, gender and nationality. The first phase of the study is done and included 2084 individuals. The results showed that the overall prevalence was 11.1%. However, the point prevalence and the period prevalence of SARS-CoV2 was 1.6 and 9.5 % resp. IgG prevalence was higher amongst 18-39-year old (10 %) and ? 60 (11.9 %), and higher in males (11.6 %) compared with females (6.2 %), and higher incidences were reported among Highest amongst North African (10.9 %) and Southern Asian (15.1 %) nationalities