bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bex-Nikaidoh operation and the impact of double root translocation on outcomes
Authors: Schulz Antonia , Buratto Edward , Ishigami Shuta , Konstantinov Igor E , Cheung Michael M H , Brizard Christian P 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The Bex-Nikaidoh operation can effectively relieve left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. However, if a conduit is used for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction, a late reoperation can be anticipated. We examined the impact of double root translocation on outcomes.

METHODS
We performed a retrospective single-centre study of patients who underwent aortic root translocation between 2006 and 2019.

RESULTS
Aortic root translocation was performed in 23 patients at a median age of 1.6 years [interquartile range (IQR) 0.9–2.5]. Concomitant repairs were done in 52.2% of patients (12/23) including the Senning atrial switch in 34.8% (8/23). The right ventricular outflow tract was reconstructed with valved conduits in 39.1% (9/23), direct anastomoses in 4.35% (1/23) and pulmonary autografts in 56.5% of patients (13/23). Aortic cross-clamp time was significantly longer in patients with double root translocation [308 min (IQR 270–259) vs 209 min (IQR 179–281), P = 0.02]; 2 patients in this group required temporary mechanical circulatory support. There were no early deaths. Median follow-up time was 7.5 years (IQR 3.3–10.5). The estimated 10-year survival was 90% [95% confidence interval (CI): 47.3%, 98.5%]. There was no recurrent left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Freedom from any reoperation was 64.2% (95% CI: 40.8%, 80.3%) at 3 years and 44.5% (95% CI: 21.2%, 65.5%) at 6 years. The main indication for late reoperation was conduit degeneration. Freedom from a right ventricular outflow tract reoperation was significantly higher, and the number of reoperations per patient was lower when a double root translocation had been performed (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS
The Bex-Nikaidoh operation effectively relieved left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. A double root translocation further increased procedural complexity but was associated with better mid-term freedom from a right ventricular outflow tract reoperation. It should be considered in suitable patients.
The Earl of Manchester and opera in London
Authors: McGeary Thomas 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Charles Montagu (c.1662–1722), Earl (later Duke) of Manchester, played an important role in furthering the establishment of Italian-style opera in London. He gained knowledge of opera and continental singers and musicians on his Grand Tour and three diplomatic missions abroad. This article prints relevant portions (some for the first time) from his correspondence and other printed and manuscript sources to expand our knowledge of his involvement with opera in London, Vienna, France and Italy. The correspondence suggests why his advice and assistance were sought by John Vanbrugh and later by the Royal Academy of Music and adds to our knowledge of the history of opera in London in its so-called ‘critical decade’. Most important was his mission to Venice in 1707–8. Although no evidence has emerged that Manchester met Handel in Venice or extended to him an invitation, he was responsible for the recruitment of Nicola Grimaldi (called ‘Nicolini’), painters and other singers to London. Even at this early stage, opera in London was part of an operatic system that extended across Europe, involving not only musicians and impresarios but also ministers of state and foreign diplomats.
The chordal continuo in French Baroque opera: revisiting the evidence
Authors: Sadler Graham 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The appearance some four decades ago of the author’s article ‘The role of the keyboard continuo in French opera 1673–1776’, Early Music, viii/2 (1980), sharply divided opinion. While many readers accepted the evidence that the chordal continuo instruments at the Paris Opéra customarily remained silent during most, if not all, of the dance movements (and, from the mid-1710s, the choruses), others proved sceptical or even hostile to the conclusions drawn. In revisiting the evidence, the present article focuses on the extent of the movements omitted from original continuo parts (around 50 per cent in some cases), and argues that the practice became more pronounced in the early 18th century. Noting that continuo playing was not traditionally associated with dance music in France, the article cites subsequent scholarly writings that draw attention to parallel practices in England and Germany, and reviews how far the findings of the 1980 article have been taken up by performers.
Private sanctions
Authors: Hart Oliver , Thesmar David , Zingales Luigi 
Published: December 2023

SUMMARY
We survey a representative sample of the US population to understand stakeholders’ desire to see their firms leave Russia after the invasion of Ukraine. Only 37% of the respondents think that leaving Russia is a pure business decision, and only 30% think that sanctions are a pure matter for the government. If a firm does not conform to the desire to leave Russia, 66% of the respondents are willing to boycott it (exit). We randomize a (hypothetical) cost of exiting the firm. This cost has a strong effect on the stated propensity to exit. This sensitivity allows us to provide a natural $ equivalent of moral motivations for exiting. We try to distinguish deontological and impact-related motives to exit, by randomizing beliefs about the impact on the firm. We find a clear effect of impact for shareholders, but not for consumers and employees. Our results continue to hold on the subsample of participants who actually donate part of their survey compensation to Ukraine. In our survey, consumers emerge as the most powerful force to control the morality of firms. We discuss the geopolitical and economic implications of a world where private corporations can discontinue profitable business relationships for moral or political reasons.
The relevance of tracking and social school composition for growing achievement gaps by parental education in lower secondary school: a longitudinal analysis in France, Germany, the United States, and England
Authors: Dräger Jascha , Schneider Thorsten , Olczyk Melanie , Solaz Anne , Sheridan Alexandra , Washbrook Elizabeth , Perinetti Casoni Valentina , Kwon Sarah Jiyoon , Waldfogel Jane 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
There is substantial variation in the degree of social stratification in students’ achievement across countries. However, most research is based on cross-sectional data. In this study, we evaluate the importance of social origin, namely, parents’ education, for achievement inequalities during lower secondary school using recent longitudinal microdata form the French Direction de l’Evaluation de la Prospective et de la Performance panel, the German National Educational Panel Study, the US-American Early Childhood Longitudinal Study 1998, and the British Millennium Cohort Study. We evaluate whether country differences can be attributed to different tracking systems or the social composition of schools. We find substantial SES gaps in math achievement progress in all four countries but more pronounced gaps in England and Germany. Yet, within-school SES gaps are similar across countries suggesting that the allocation of students to schools drives country differences. Moreover, we find that between-school tracking in Germany accounts for a large share of the SES gaps, whereas course-by-course tracking seems less important in the other countries. The role of schools’ social composition is similar across countries.
Unusual subacute endocarditis following herpes zoster infection. a case report
Authors: Agur Cohen Dikla , Braun Eyal 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Objective
This paper presents a rare case of subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE) following a herpes zoster (HZ) episode, with no prior records found in the existing literature.

Patient information
Specifically, we describe a case of a 76-year-old female whose diagnosis of SBE was hindered by the concurrent manifestation of HZ symptoms, which had emerged 3 weeks before the onset of SBE indicators.

Follow-up and outcomes
This delay in diagnosis resulted in profound complications, including a cerebrovascular accident and significant mitral valve destruction.

Discussion
HZ episodes have not conventionally been linked in the medical literature to the occurrence of SBE. Nonetheless, it is noteworthy that HZ infections have been associated with the development of other consequential bacterial infections, such as pneumonia and necrotizing fasciitis.
This case underscores the necessity for medical practitioners to recognize the possibility of HZ symptoms obscuring indications of critical underlying conditions and infections. The implications of this report highlight the significance of maintaining heightened vigilance for signs of other severe infections when managing patients presenting with HZ symptoms.
An Incomplete Model of Disability: Discrepancies Between Performance-Based and Self-Reported Measures of Functioning
Authors: Twardzik Erica , Schrack Jennifer A , Freedman Vicki A , Reed Nicholas S , Ehrlich Joshua R , Martinez-Amezcua Pablo 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background
Appropriate conceptualization and measurement of disability are critical for population-focused resource allocation and policy development. Self-reported and performance-based measures of functioning have been used to represent disability. Variation in environmental context or self-perception of ability may influence self-reports; however, performance-based measures that attempt to control environmental context may not accurately capture real-world aspects of functioning. This study examined the agreement between self-report and performance-based measures of functioning within 4 domains among older adults.

Methods
Cross-sectional data from the 2021 National Health and Aging Trends Study was used. Self-reported and performance-based measures of functioning were assessed for vision, hearing, mobility, and memory domains. We examined the diagnostic characteristics of performance-based versus self-reported measures using sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristics curves. Differences in the agreement of these measures across sociodemographic groups were investigated using logistic regression.

Results
Among 2 442 respondents 71 years and older (mean 78.5 ± 5.3, 56% female participants), performance measures of hearing and mobility had high sensitivity (89% and 91%, respectively) and low/moderate specificity (36% and 63%, respectively). The sensitivity and specificity of vision measures were 71%. Memory measures had high specificity (89%) and low sensitivity (28%). Performance-based discrimination ranged from 0.59 (memory) to 0.78 (mobility). Agreement varied across sociodemographic factors.

Conclusions
Performance measures diverge from self-reported functioning among older adults. Discordance may reveal opportunities for environmental intervention where participants’ performance does not capture the full extent of barriers in their daily lives. Additional research is needed to investigate individual and environmental factors which could explain the observed differences.
Geriatric Assessment Impairment Profiles and Mortality in Older Adults With Gastrointestinal Cancers: Latent Class Analysis of the CARE Registry
Authors: Thai Sydney T , Lund Jennifer L , Kenzik Kelly M , Poole Charles , Stürmer Til , Buse John B , Harmon Christian A , Al-Obaidi Mustafa , Williams Grant R 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background
Many older adults with cancer have ≥2 impairments on geriatric assessment, which affects present and future frailty status, treatment tolerability, and outcomes. Our objective was to identify and describe distinct geriatric assessment impairment classes using latent class analysis (LCA) in older patients with gastrointestinal malignancies and assess 1-year mortality.

Methods
We used the Cancer & Aging Resilience Evaluation (CARE) Study, a registry of older adults (≥60 years) at University of Alabama at Birmingham. The analytic cohort included patients with gastrointestinal malignancies who completed a self-administered geriatric assessment (CARE tool) before chemotherapy and had ≥1 geriatric assessment impairment. Thirteen geriatric assessment impairments were used as indicators in LCA. Resultant classes were described, mortality was estimated, and risk contrasts (differences and hazard ratios) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals. For comparison, estimates were provided for frailty categories (robust, prefrail, and frail) determined from 44 items in the CARE tool. Stratified analyses included high-risk (pancreatic, hepatobiliary, and esophageal) versus low-risk gastrointestinal cancers, and stage (IV vs I–III).

Results
Six geriatric assessment impairment classes were identified: Mild impairment (LC1); Social support impairment (LC2); Weight loss alone (LC3); Impaired, low anxiety/depression (LC4); Impaired with anxiety/depression (LC5); and Global impairment (LC6). One-year mortality was 14%, 22%, 29%, 34%, 50%, and 50% for LC1–LC6, respectively. For frailty categories, estimates ranged from 18% (robust) to 40% (frail). In stratified analyses, LC4–LC6 consistently had higher mortality estimates compared to LC1.

Conclusions
The 6 geriatric assessment impairment classes showed a wider spread of mortality estimates compared to frailty categories and could be used to identify vulnerable patients and to plan interventions.
Timed Activity to Minimize Sleep Disturbance in People With Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Hodgson Nancy A , McPhillips Miranda V , Petrovsky Darina V , Perez Adriana , Talwar Sonia , Gooneratne Nalaka , Riegel Barbara , Aryal Subhash , Gitlin Laura N 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background and Objectives
Sleep disturbances occur in &gt;60% of persons living with cognitive impairment, affecting their quality of life (QOL). Regulating the sleep–wake cycle through engaging cognitive, physical, and sensory-based activities delivered at strategic times may reduce sleep disturbances and be a feasible nonpharmacological treatment for sleep problems. The objective of this trial was to test the efficacy of a timed-activity intervention in improving QOL and sleep disturbances in persons living with cognitive impairment.

Research Design and Method
Randomized 2-group parallel design involving 209 dyads of community-residing persons living with cognitive impairment and care partners. Dyads were randomly assigned (1:1) to 1-hr home activity sessions administered weekly in the morning, afternoon, or evening over 4 weeks (the Healthy Patterns Sleep Program), or to an attention-control condition consisting of sleep hygiene training plus education on home safety and health promotion. QOL, objective and subjective sleep quality, and neuropsychiatric symptoms were assessed at baseline and 4 weeks later.

Results
QOL was significantly improved in the intervention group compared to control (p = .0491). There were no significant effects on objective or subjective sleep or neuropsychiatric symptoms. In a subgroup analysis, subjective sleep as measured by the PROMIS (Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) Sleep-Related Impairment survey was significantly improved in the intervention group compared to the control group for individuals with symptoms of depression (p = .015) or poor observed sleep at baseline (p = .005).

Discussion and Implications
The Healthy Patterns Intervention may benefit QOL for persons living with cognitive impairment and those with poor subjective sleep. A longer dose may be necessary to elicit improvement in actigraphically measured sleep–wake activity.

Clinical Trial Registration Number
NCT0368218 5
Evaluating the incompleteness magnitude using an unbiased estimate of the b value
Authors: Godano C , Petrillo G , Lippiello E 
Published: December 2023

SUMMARY
The evaluation of the b value of the Gutenberg–Richter (GR) law, for a sample composed of n earthquakes, presents a systematic positive bias δb which is proportional to 1/n . In this study, we show how to incorporate in δb the bias introduced by deviations from the GR law. More precisely we show that δb is proportional to the square of the variability coefficient CV, defined as the ratio between the standard deviation of the magnitude distribution and its mean value. When the magnitude distribution follows the GR law CV = 1 and this allows us to introduce a new graphical procedure, based on the dependence of b on n, which allows us to identify the incompleteness magnitude mc as the threshold magnitude leading to CV = 1. The method is tested on synthetic catalogues and it is applied to estimate mc in Southern California, Japan and New Zealand.
‘How to make a ring jump in the manner of a locust’: recipes to animate small objects in late medieval European manuscripts
Authors: da Silva Baptista Vanessa 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
In his late thirteenth-century collection of playful and amusing recipes, which this article calls magic tricks, Richard de Grimhill, a low-ranking Worcester noble, collected a trick ‘to make a ring jump in the manner of a locust’, alongside other instructions to animate domestic objects such as eggs, loaves of bread and spit-roasting chickens. Using a source base of 100 late medieval manuscripts, this article demonstrates that rings and other domestic objects were animated in various ways: through sleight of hand, by exploiting the chemical properties of mercury, or with a mixture of mercury, sulphur, and saltpetre. Placing these three methods in their manuscript and cultural contexts, I underscore that late medieval European people experienced magic tricks as a form of both cognitive play and playful experimentation with chemical knowledge. They thus have broader implications for late medieval European approaches to the possibilities and limitations of the human mind and physical matter.
Investment Contracts and the Reform of Investment Arbitration: Towards Sustainability
Authors: Faccio Sondra 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
This article aims to contribute to the debate surrounding the reform of international investment law and arbitration, focusing on the role of the investment contract. It will discuss how this instrument can make international investment law and arbitration more balanced, by imposing ad hoc obligations upon the investor to strengthen the sustainability of foreign direct investment (FDI); and by providing for State-investor arbitration in case of breach. The article will also assess how contractual provisions may have the effect of grounding counterclaims by States in investment treaty arbitration, allowing for new avenues for sustainable development in investor-State arbitration.
Pharmacists’ role and experiences with delivering mental health care within team-based primary care settings during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ashcroft Rachelle , Mathers Annalise , Gin Amanda , Lam Simon , Donnelly Catherine , Brown Judith Belle , Kourgiantakis Toula , Mehta Kavita , Rayner Jennifer , Sur Deepy , Adamson Keith , Kirvan Anne , Dolovich Lisa 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Objectives
Pharmacists have been increasingly integrated into primary care teams, leading to improved health outcomes for patients. The two objectives of this study were (i) to describe how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted pharmacists’ role in mental health care within Canadian primary care teams and (ii) to describe Canadian pharmacists’ experiences collaborating with other healthcare providers in the delivery of mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods
Cross-sectional observational study utilizing an online survey consisting of closed-ended and open-ended questions. Primary care pharmacists in Ontario were eligible to participate. Descriptive statistics were collated, and qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. A total of 51 pharmacists participated in the study.

Key findings
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the expanding role of pharmacists in attending to the mental health care of patients. Working within a collaborative, interprofessional healthcare environment, pharmacists support patients’ mental health in a variety of ways, including medication education and management, non-pharmacologic approaches and supportive conversations, and identification of resources, including referrals, wellness checks, and consulting with physicians. Increasing demand for mental health services has led to higher referrals to pharmacists, which will likely persist and require further education of pharmacists in mental health along with better access to deliver virtual care.

Conclusion
In response to the increasing mental health care needs of patients since the COVID-19 pandemic, primary care pharmacists reported increased attention spent on mental health care. Building capacity and ensuring support for pharmacists to continue to address the increasing mental health care demands is essential.
On exponential stability in mean square of nonlinear delay differential equations with Markovian switching
Authors: Quan Tran Ky , Huu Anh Ngoc Pham , Bao Tran Thai , Dinh Huy Nguyen 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
This paper addresses the exponential stability of nonlinear delay differential equations with Markovian switching. Drawing upon the comparison principle, we introduce the explicit criteria for achieving the exponential stability in mean square (sense). These criteria are formulated in terms of the equation coefficients and the generator of the Markovian switching process. As a result, these criteria can be verified without needing to construct the Lyapunov functions, a departure from the conventional approach found in the Razumikhin-type theorems. The paper includes an illustrative example and also demonstrates an application to the switched neural networks.
Long-term Sudan Virus Ebola Survivors Maintain Multiple Antiviral Defense Mechanisms
Authors: Sobarzo Ariel , Moné Yves , Lang Steven , Gelkop Sigal , Brangel Polina , Kuehne Ana I , McKendry Rachel A , Mell Joshua Chang , Ahmed Azad , Davis Claytus , Dye John M , Lutwama Julius Julian , Lobel Leslie , Veas Francisco , Ehrlich Garth D 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background
The critical issues of sustained memory immunity following ebolavirus disease among long-term survivors are still unclear.

Methods
Here, we examine virus-specific immune and inflammatory responses following in vitro challengd in 12 Sudan virus (SUDV) long-term survivors from Uganda’s 2000–2001 Gulu outbreak, 15 years after recovery. Total RNA from isolated SUDV-stimulated and unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells was extracted and analyzed. Matched serum samples were also collected to determine SUDV IgG levels and functionality.

Results
We detected persistent humoral (58%, 7 of 12) and cellular (33%, 4 of 12) immune responses in SUDV long-term survivors and identified critical molecular mechanisms of innate and adaptive immunity. Gene expression in immune pathways, the interferon signaling system, antiviral defense response, and activation and regulation of T- and B-cell responses were observed. SUDV long-term survivors also maintained robust virus-specific IgG antibodies capable of polyfunctional responses, including neutralizing and innate Fc effector functions.

Conclusions
Data integration identified significant correlations among humoral and cellular immune responses and pinpointed a specific innate and adaptive gene expression signature associated with long-lasting immunity. This could help identify natural and vaccine correlates of protection against ebolavirus disease.