In-depth Correlation Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Effective Reproduction Number and Mobility Patterns: Three Groups of Countries

Setti, Mounir Ould,Tollis, Sylvain The Korean Society for Preventive Medicine 2022 예방의학회지 Vol.55 No.2

Objectives: Many governments have imposed-and are still imposing-mobility restrictions to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, there is no consensus on whether policy-induced reductions of human mobility effectively reduce the effective reproduction number (Rt) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Several studies based on country-restricted data reported conflicting trends in the change of the SARS-CoV-2 Rt following mobility restrictions. The objective of this study was to examine, at the global scale, the existence of regional specificities in the correlations between Rt and human mobility. Methods: We computed the Rt of SARS-CoV-2 using data on worldwide infection cases reported by the Johns Hopkins University, and analyzed the correlation between Rt and mobility indicators from the Google COVID-19 Community Mobility Reports in 125 countries, as well as states/regions within the United States, using the Pearson correlation test, linear modeling, and quadratic modeling. Results: The correlation analysis identified countries where Rt negatively correlated with residential mobility, as expected by policymakers, but also countries where Rt positively correlated with residential mobility and countries with more complex correlation patterns. The correlations between Rt and residential mobility were non-linear in many countries, indicating an optimal level above which increasing residential mobility is counterproductive. Conclusions: Our results indicate that, in order to effectively reduce viral circulation, mobility restriction measures must be tailored by region, considering local cultural determinants and social behaviors. We believe that our results have the potential to guide differential refinement of mobility restriction policies at a country/regional resolution.

A novel hyperbolic plate theory including stretching effect for free vibration analysis of advanced composite plates in thermal environments

Setti Elmascri,Aicha Bessaim,Ouahiba Taleb,Mohammed Sid Ahmed Houari,Sekkal Mohamed,Fabrice Bernard,Abdelouahed Tounsi 국제구조공학회 2020 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.75 No.2

This paper presents a new hyperbolic shear deformation plate theory including the stretching effect for free vibration of the simply supported functionally graded plates in thermal environments. The theory accounts for parabolic distribution of the transverse shear strains and satisfies the zero traction boundary conditions on the surfaces of the plate without using shear correction factors. This theory has only five unknowns, which is even less than the other shear and normal deformation theories. The present one has a new displacement field which introduces undetermined integral variables. Material properties are assumed to be temperature-dependent, and graded in the thickness direction according to a simple power law distribution in terms of the volume power laws of the constituents. The equation of motion of the vibrated plate obtained via the classical Hamilton’s principle and solved using Navier’s steps. The accuracy of the proposed solution is checked by comparing the present results with those available in existing literature. The effects of the temperature field, volume fraction index of functionally graded material, side-to-thickness ratio on free vibration responses of the functionally graded plates are investigated. It can be concluded that the present theory is not only accurate but also simple in predicting the natural frequencies of functionally graded plates with stretching effect in thermal environments.

Angled implant brush for hygienic maintenance of full-arch fixed-implant rehabilitations: a pilot study

Setti, Paolo,Pesce, Paolo,Dellepiane, Elena,Bagnasco, Francesco,Zunino, Paola,Menini, Maria Korean Academy of Periodontology 2020 Journal of Periodontal & Implant Science Vol.50 No.5

Purpose: This pilot study was conducted to evaluate the cleaning efficacy of an angled implant brush for home oral hygiene of full-arch fixed-implant prostheses. Methods: Forty-one patients treated with a full-arch implant rehabilitation in the maxilla or mandible (164 implants) for at least 4 months were enrolled. The screw-retained fixed prostheses were removed and baseline (T0) parameters were recorded, including plaque index (PI), probing depth (PD), and bleeding on probing (BOP). All patients completed a 5-item questionnaire on hygiene maintenance and received an implant brush for home hygiene. After 1 month (T1) PI, PD, and BOP were recorded again and patients completed a 7-item questionnaire to evaluate their satisfaction with the implant brush. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted to evaluate the significance of changes in PI, PD, and BOP. A P value <0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: A statistically significant reduction of BOP (0.62±0.6 at T0 vs. 0.5±0.5 at T1; P=0.032) was found, while no statistically significant changes in PD (1.74±0.5 mm at T0 vs. 1.77±0.5 mm at T1; P=0.050) or PI (1.9±0.7 at T0 vs. 1.7±0.7 at T1; P=0.280) occurred. According to the 7-item questionnaire, patients reported no difficulty in using the angled brush (63.4%) and deemed it highly (46.3%) or very highly (4.8%) effective in improving their home oral hygiene. Conclusions: Within the limits of the present pilot study, the patients experienced a reduction of BOP 1 month after being instructed to use the angled implant brush. The angled implant brush appeared to be a well-accepted device for home-care hygiene of full-arch fixed-implant rehabilitations.

Use of an animated emoji scale as a novel tool for anxiety assessment in children

Setty, Jyothsna V,Srinivasan, Ila,Radhakrishna, Sreeraksha,Melwani, Anjana M,Krishna DR, Murali The Korean Dental Society of Anesthsiology 2019 Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine Vol.19 No.4

Background: Dental anxiety in children is a major barrier in patient management. If dental anxiety in pediatric patients is assessed during the first visit, it will not only aid in management but also help to identify patients who are in need of special care to deal with their fear. Nowadays, children and adults are highly interested in multimedia and are closely associated with them. Children usually prefer motion pictures on electronic devices than still cartoons on paper. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate a newly designed scale, the animated emoji scale (AES), which uses motion emoticons/animojis to assess dental anxiety in children during their first dental visit, and compare it with the Venham picture test (VPT) and facial image scale (FIS). Methods: The study included 102 healthy children aged 4-14 years, whose dental anxiety was measured using AES, VPT, and FIS during their first dental visit, and their scale preference was recorded. Results: The mean anxiety scores measured using AES, FIS, and VPT, represented as $mean{\pm}SD$, were $1.78{\pm}1.19$, $1.93{\pm}1.23$, and $1.51{\pm}1.84$, respectively. There was significant difference in the mean anxiety scores between the three scales (Friedman test, P < 0.001). The Pearson's correlation test showed a very strong correlation (0.73) between AES and VPT, and a strong correlation between AES and FIS (0.88), and FIS and VPT (0.69), indicating good validity of AES. Maximum number of children (74.5%) preferred AES. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the AES is a novel and child-friendly tool for assessing dental anxiety in children.

Renal hyperfiltration, fatty liver index, and the hazards of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in Finnish men

Mounir Ould Setti,Ari Voutilainen,Tomi-Pekka Tuomainen 한국역학회 2021 Epidemiology and Health Vol.43 No.-

OBJECTIVES: Renal hyperfiltration (RHF) and fatty liver are separately associated with adverse health outcomes. In this study, we investigated the mortality hazard of coexisting RHF and fatty liver. METHODS: Middle-aged men from the Kuopio Ischaemic Disease Risk Factor Study (n=1,552) were followed up for a median of 29 years. Associations among RHF, fatty liver index (FLI) score, age, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and hypertension status were assessed using logistic regression. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality with respect to RHF and fatty liver. RESULTS: Of the men, 5% had RHF (n=73), whereas a majority had fatty liver (n=848). RHF was associated specifically with smoking, and fatty liver was associated specifically with overweight. The all-cause mortality hazard was highest (HR, 1.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27 to 3.01) among men with RHF and fatty liver (n=33). Among men with RHF but normal FLI (n=40), the HR of all-cause mortality was 1.67 (95% CI, 1.15 to 2.42). Among men with fatty liver but a normal estimated glomerular filtration rate (n=527), the HR of all-cause mortality was 1.35 (95% CI, 1.09 to 1.66). CVD mortality hazard was associated with RHF, but not fatty liver. We detected no interaction effect between RHF and fatty liver for all-cause (synergy index, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.21 to 2.67) or CVD (synergy index, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.34 to 2.60) mortality. CONCLUSIONS: RHF and fatty liver are independently associated with all-cause and CVD mortality.

Estimating Maximal Oxygen Uptake from the Ratio of Heart Rate at Maximal Exercise to Heart Rate at Rest in Middle-Aged Men

Voutilainen Ari,Setti Mounir Ould,Tuomainen Tomi-Pekka 대한남성과학회 2021 The World Journal of Men's Health Vol.39 No.4

Purpose: To estimate the maximum mass-specific oxygen uptake (VO2max) from the ratio of the heart rate at maximal exercise (HRmax) to heart rate at rest (HRrest) in middle-aged men. VO2max is an essential measure of cardiorespiratory fitness, but it is difficult to utilize in clinical practice. The proportionality factor HRmax to HRrest is known to approximate 15 in young welltrained adults. Presumably, the same value is inaccurate for middle-aged men. Materials and Methods: Six-hundred thirty-four men belonging to the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study. Their mean age, body mass index (BMI), the daily total physical activity (TPA), VO2max, HRmax, and HRrest were: 49.4±6.4 years, 26.3±3.2 kg/m2, 48.5±10.1 metabolic equivalent hours per day, 33.7±7.6 mL/min/kg, 170.1±15.4 beats/min, and 63.3±10.8 beats/min. They included never-smokers 38%, former smokers 29%, and current smokers 33%. Results: The proportionality factor HRmax to HRrest in around 50-year-old men approximated 12. One year in age, one step change in BMI (normal weight, overweight, obese), smoking status (never, former, current), and TPA (moderately active, active, highly active) reduced the proportionality factor by 0.1, 0.6, 0.4, and 0.1, respectively. The proportionality factor in obese or current smoking middle-aged men was one point lower compared to normal weight or never-smoking peers. This corresponds to approximately 10 years in chronological age. Conclusions: In around 50-year-old men with no cardiovascular diseases, bronchial asthma, or cancer, the HRmax to HRrest ratio should be multiplied by approximately 12 to estimate VO2max. BMI and smoking status can be considered in calculations to improve accuracy.

New Developments in Analog Current-Mode Technology

Toumazou,Chris,Manetakis,Kostas,Setty,Suma 대한전자공학회 1997 ICVC : International Conference on VLSI and CAD Vol.5 No.1

So called current-mode analogue signal processing has become a viable methodology for realising analog circuits and systems particularly with the trend towards integrated low-power, high speed front-ends for video and wireless communications. This paper reviews some recent circuit techniques primarily geared towards amplifier architectures for high speed, low voltage and low noise processing.

OCCURENCE AND LUMINOSITY FUNCTIONS OF GIANT RADIO HALOS FROM MAGNETO-TURBULENT MODEL

CASSANO R.,BRUNETTI G.,SETTI G. The Korean Astronomical Society 2004 Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society Vol.37 No.5

We calculate the probability to form giant radio halos (${\~}$ 1 Mpc size) as a function of the mass of the host clusters by using a Statistical Magneto-Turbulent Model (Cassano & Brunetti, these proceedings). We show that the expectations of this model are in good agreement with the observations for viable values of the parameters. In particular, the abrupt increase of the probability to find radio halos in the more massive galaxy clusters ($M {\ge} 2{\times}10^{15} M_{\bigodot}$) can be well reproduced. We calculate the evolution with redshift of such a probability and find that giant radio halos can be powered by particle acceleration due to MHD turbulence up to z${\~}$0.5 in a ACDM cosmology. Finally, we calculate the expected Luminosity Functions of radio halos (RHLFs). At variance with previous studies, the shape of our RHLFs is characterized by the presence of a cut-off at low synchrotron powers which reflects the inefficiency of particle acceleration in the case of less massive galaxy clusters.

Comparison of three behavior modification techniques for management of anxious children aged 4-8 years

Radhakrishna, Sreeraksha,Srinivasan, Ila,Setty, Jyothsna V,Murali, Krishna DR,Melwani, Anjana,Hegde, Kuthpady Manasa The Korean Dental Society of Anesthsiology 2019 Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine Vol.19 No.1

Background: An inability to cope with threatening dental stimuli, i.e., sight, sound, and sensation of airotor, manifests as anxiety and behavioral management problems. Behavior modification techniques involving pre-exposure to dental equipment will give children a first-hand experience of their use, sounds, and clinical effects. The aim of this study was to compare the techniques of Tell-Show-Play-doh, a smartphone dentist game, and a conventional Tell-Show-Do method in the behavior modification of anxious children in the dental operatory. Methods: Sixty children in the age group of 4-8 years, with Frankl's behavior rating score of 2 or 3, requiring Class I and II cavity restorations were divided into three groups. The groups were Group 1: Tell-Show-Play-doh; Group 2: smartphone dentist game; and Group 3: Tell-Show-Do technique and each group comprised of 20 children. Pulse rate, Facial Image Scale (FIS), Frankl's behavior rating scale, and FLACC (Face, Leg, Activity, Cry, Consolability) behavior scales were used to quantify anxious behavior. Operator compliance was recorded through a validated questionnaire. Results: The results showed lower mean pulse rates, lower FIS and FLACC scores, higher percentage of children with Frankl's behavior rating score of 4, and better operator compliance in both the Tell-Show-Play-doh and smartphone dentist game groups than in the conventional Tell-Show-Do group. Conclusion: The Tell-Show-Play-doh and smartphone dentist game techniques are effective tools to reduce dental anxiety in pediatric patients.

A clinical comparative study between conventional and camouflaged syringes to evaluate behavior and anxiety in 6-11-year-old children during local anesthesia administration-a novel approach

Melwani, Anjana M,Srinivasan, Ila,Setty, Jyothsna V,Murali, Krishna D.R.,Pamnani, Sunaina S,Lalitya, Dandamudi The Korean Dental Society of Anesthsiology 2018 Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine Vol.18 No.1

Background: The sight of dental injection can bring about severe anxiety in children. Therefore, an alternative method that is convenient, effective, and keeps the needle hidden making it child friendly is necessary. The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy of a camouflaged syringe and conventional syringe on behavior and anxiety in 6-11-year-old children during local anesthesia administration. Methods: The study was a randomized, crossover clinical study including 30 children. Children were separated into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 15 children aged 6-8 years while group 2 consisted of 15 children aged 9-11 years. This study involved two sessions wherein all the children were injected using conventional and camouflaged syringes in separate sessions. Their behavior was assessed using the Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) behavior pain scale and anxiety was assessed by measuring changes in pulse rate. Patient and operator preferences were compared. Results: The results showed a lower mean change in pulse rate and FLACC scores in the camouflaged group, suggesting a positive behavior and lesser anxiety with camouflaged syringes than with conventional syringes. Conclusions: The use of camouflaged syringes for anesthesia was demonstrated to be effective in improving the behavior of children and decreasing their anxiety, and is therefore recommended as an alternative to the use of conventional syringes for local anesthesia.