Samuel Pepys' reception and perception of vocal music in seventeenth-century England : an analysis of selected diary entries from 1660 until 1669

Samuel Pepys (1633-1703) was a late seventeenth-century diarist with a deep love of music, which he often compared to his love of women, as expressed in the previous quotation. Even though this quotation specifically refers to wind music, it also directly expresses Pepys' love of music as a whole. His diary stretches over a period of approximately nine years, 1660 until 1669. Among the discussions on a number of topics, in his diary Pepys expresses his views on music in various forms and from a range of perspectives. In this study Pepys' views on music from the point of view of a listener or audience member will be illustrated. The nature of Pepys' views on music and his reception thereof can be said to be ahead of his time. 'Theories of reception move historical enquiry away from questions of production and composition and towards issues related to response, audience, and what Carl Dahlhaus, following Walter Benjamin, called the 'after-life' of musical works.' The 'after-life' of a musical work is described by Mark Everist as a feeling that is evoked by the experience of it. This feeling that one gets during and after listening to a musical work could be seen as reception of the work. However, the term 'reception' is more readily referred to as critical responses to music in the form of public reviews that appear in written sources such as books, journals, newspapers, letters and diaries. Albert Roussel, a musician and French composer, believes that music is a language that composers and performers use to communicate with an audience. Music brings an audience to a deeper understanding, one that cannot be expressed in words, only felt, as Felix Mendelssohn states: '[Music] fills the soul with a thousand things better than words. The thoughts that are expressed to me by music I love are not too indefinite to put into words, but on the contrary, too definite.' It is necessary to address music reception from the audience's perspective because Samuel Pepys was a 17th century music lover and formed part of the audience at the time. He emphatically expressed his overwhelming love of music in his diary. The audiences are there to listen and experience, which is the inspiration behind this study

Same-day Discharge After Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Series of 808 Cases

BACKGROUND: The versatility of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) allows fusion at any level along with any necessary canal decompression. Unilateral TLIF with a single interbody device and unilateral pedicle fixation has proven effective, and minimally invasive techniques have shortened hospital stays. Reasonable questions have been raised, though, about whether same-day discharge is feasible and safe after TLIF surgery. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We determined, in a high-volume spine practice, what proportion of patients having one- or two-level minimally invasive unilateral TLIF go home on the day of surgery or stay longer and compared the two groups in terms of outcome scores (VAS scores for back and leg pain, Waddell-Main Disability Index), complications, and hospital readmissions. METHODS: We retrospectively studied all 1005 patients who underwent 1114 minimally invasive unilateral TLIF procedures by one surgeon between March 18, 2003, and April 12, 2013. For the first 43 months, Medicare patients (65 years or older) were not offered same-day discharge. All other patients were offered the chance to be discharged home on the same day if they felt well enough. Followup data were for 3 months. VAS scores for back and leg pain and Waddell-Main Disability Index were recorded in a prospectively maintained database and readmissions were ascertained by chart review. Data were available on 100% of discharges, 95% of preoperative outcome scores, and 81% of outcome scores out to 3 months. RESULTS: Of the 1114 procedures, 808 went home the day of surgery, resulting in a 73% same-day discharge rate. Mean differences in outcome scores from preoperatively to 3 months were similar between groups, except for a difference in VAS lower leg pain in hospital stay patients, which was of borderline statistical and unlikely clinical significance (3.3 versus 2.7, p = 0.05). The only important differences between groups were slightly more medical complications and readmissions for patients 65 years and older who stayed in hospital overnight (3.9% versus 0%, p < 0.01); however, some self-selection bias toward staying overnight among patients with higher self-rated disability and pain scores likely accounted for this difference. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons experienced in minimally invasive spine surgery can consider same-day discharge for patients having minimally invasive unilateral TLIF procedures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence

Rapid Increase in Lymphogranuloma Venereum among HIV-Negative Men Who Have Sex with Men, England, 2019

Incidence of lymphogranuloma venereum increased in England during 2018-2019, after a period of decline. Our retrospective analysis of national surveillance data identified a rapid increase in diagnoses among HIV-negative men who have sex with men. These findings indicate a need for sustained surveillance and targeted public health action

Sex Differences in Reported Adverse Drug Reactions to Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Sex differences in adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) remain poorly understood owing to a lack of sex-specific ADR data from clinical trials. 1 Postmarketing pharmacovigilance data, containing structured and detailed ADR information, may play an important role in such analyses. However, these data are often not corrected for prescription numbers and therefore cannot separate sex differences in ADR risk from sex differences in prescription rates. To investigate whether women report more ACEI-related ADRs than men after correction for sex-specific prescription and describe sex differences in reported ADR types, we combined data from the global pharmacovigilance database VigiBase and the prescription-corrected Dutch pharmacovigilance database Lareb

Across borders: External factors and prior behaviour influence North Pacific albatross associations with fishing vessels

Understanding encounters between marine predators and fisheries across national borders and outside national jurisdictions offers new perspectives on unwanted interactions to inform ocean management and predator conservation. Although seabird–fisheries overlap has been documented at many scales, remote identification of vessel encounters has lagged because vessel movement data often are lacking. Here, we reveal albatrosses–fisheries associations throughout the North Pacific Ocean. We identified commercial fishing operations using Global Fishing Watch data and algorithms to detect fishing vessels. We compiled GPS tracks of adult black-footed Phoebastria nigripes and Laysan Phoebastria immutabilis albatrosses, and juvenile short-tailed albatrosses Phoebastria albatrus. We quantified albatrosses-vessel encounters based on the assumed distance that birds perceive a vessel (≤30 km), and associations when birds approached vessels (≤3 km). For each event we quantified bird behaviour, environmental conditions and vessel characteristics and then applied Boosted Regression Tree models to identify drivers and the duration of these associations. In regions of greater fishing effort short-tailed and Laysan albatrosses associated with fishing vessels more frequently. However, fishing method (e.g. longline, trawl) and flag nation did not influence association prevalence nor the duration short-tailed albatrosses attended fishing vessels. Laysan albatrosses were more likely to approach longer vessels. Black-footed albatrosses were the most likely to approach vessels (61.9%), but limited vessel encounters (n = 21) prevented evaluation of meaningful explanatory models for this species of high bycatch concern. Temporal variables (time of day and month) and bird behavioural state helped explain when short-tailed albatrosses were in close proximity to a vessel, but environmental conditions were more important for explaining interaction duration. Laysan albatrosses were more likely to associate with vessels while searching and during the last 60% (by time) of their trips. Our results provide specific species–fisheries insight regarding contributing factors of high-risk associations that could lead to bycatch of albatrosses within national waters and on the high seas. Policy implications. Given the availability of Global Fishing Watch data, our analysis can be applied to other marine predators—if tracking data are available—to identify spatio-temporal patterns, vessel specific attributes and predator behaviours associated with fishing vessel associations, thus enabling predictive modelling and targeted mitigation measures

Is there an association between previous infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae and gonococcal AMR? A cross-sectional analysis of national and sentinel surveillance data in England, 2015-2019.

OBJECTIVES: Quarterly STI screening is recommended for high-risk gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in the UK, but frequent antibiotic exposure could potentially increase the risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) developing in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. We investigated whether repeat diagnosis of gonorrhoea in those attending sexual health services (SHS) was associated with reduced antimicrobial susceptibility. METHODS: Antimicrobial susceptibility data relating to the most recent gonorrhoea diagnosis for each individual included in the Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance Programme (2015-2019) were matched to their historical records in the national GUMCAD STI surveillance data set (2012-2019). The number of gonorrhoea diagnoses in the previous 3 years was calculated for each SHS attendee. Logistic regression was used to examine the associations between the number of diagnoses and reduced susceptibility to ceftriaxone (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) >0.03 mg/L), cefixime (MIC >0.06 mg/L) and azithromycin (MIC >0.25 mg/L) at the time of the latest diagnosis. RESULTS: Of 6161 individuals included in the analysis, 3913 (63.5%) were MSM, 1220 (19.8%) were heterosexual men and 814 (13.2%) were women. Among MSM, 2476 (63.3%) had 1 past gonorrhoea diagnosis, 1295 (33.1%) had 2-4, 140 (3.6%) 5-9, and 2 (0.1%) ≥10. Most women and heterosexual men (91.7%) had one past gonorrhoea diagnosis; none had more than four. Reduced ceftriaxone and cefixime susceptibility was more common among MSM with two to four gonorrhoea diagnoses (3.8% and 5.8%, respectively) compared with those with one (2.2% and 3.9%, respectively). After adjusting for potential confounding, this association remained (adjusted OR: 1.59, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.37, p=0.02; adjusted OR: 1.54, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.14, p=0.01). No evidence was found for any other associations. CONCLUSIONS: Among MSM, repeat diagnosis of gonorrhoea may be associated with reduced ceftriaxone and cefixime susceptibility. As these are last-line therapies for gonorrhoea, further research is needed to assess the impact of intensive STI screening on AMR

Sex Differences in Reported Adverse Drug Reactions to Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

This cross-sectional study investigates differences by sex in reporting of adverse drug reactions associated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors combining global and prescription-corrected databases

Frequency and Correlates of Mycoplasma genitalium Antimicrobial Resistance Mutations and Their Association With Treatment Outcomes: Findings From a National Sentinel Surveillance Pilot in England

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma genitalium infection is a public health concern due to extensive antimicrobial resistance. Using data from a pilot of M. genitalium antimicrobial resistance surveillance, we determined the prevalence and risk factors for resistance among specimens from sexual health clinic attendees and assessed treatment outcomes. METHODS: Seventeen sexual health clinics in England sent consecutive M. genitalium-positive specimens to the national reference laboratory from January to March 2019. Regions of the 23S rRNA, parC, and gyrA genes associated with macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance, respectively, were amplified and sequenced where appropriate. Fisher exact tests, and univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine associations between demographic, clinical, and behavioral factors and resistance-associated mutations. RESULTS: More than two-thirds (173 of 249 [69%]) of M. genitalium specimens had mutations associated with macrolide resistance, whereas predicted fluoroquinolone (21 of 251 [8%]) and dual-drug (12 of 237 [5%]) resistance were less prevalent. No specimens had both gyrA and parC resistance-associated mutations. Macrolide resistance was more common in specimens from men who have sex with men compared with heterosexual men (adjusted odds ratio, 2.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-6.38; P = 0.03). There was an association between both macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance and having a previous sexually transmitted infection (P = 0.06).Only 19% of individuals returned for a test of cure. Of those infected with a macrolide-resistant genotype who were given azithromycin, 57 of 78 (73%) were known or assumed to be clinically cured; however, 43 of these 57 (75%) also received doxycycline. Of the 21 with a macrolide-resistant genotype who failed treatment, 18 of 21 (86%) also received doxycycline. CONCLUSIONS: Although macrolide resistance was widespread, particularly among specimens from men who have sex with men and those with a previous sexually transmitted infection diagnosis in the past year, resistance-associated mutations in M. genitalium did not seem to be unequivocally predictive of treatment failure

Investigating the decline in Lymphogranuloma venereum diagnoses in men who have sex with men in the United Kingdom since 2016: an analysis of surveillance data.

BACKGROUND: Following an upward trajectory in Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) diagnoses in the UK from 2004 to 2016, with annual diagnoses increasing from 28 to 904, diagnoses fell to 641 in 2017; this was inconsistent with the upward trend in other bacterial sexually transmissible infections (STIs) between 2016 and 2017. An analysis of surveillance data from multiple sources to investigate the possible factors contributing to this decline in LGV was performed. METHODS: LGV tests and diagnoses in the UK from 2004 to 2018 were captured through laboratory data from the LGV Reference Laboratories and laboratories conducting in-house LGV testing. These data and clinical diagnoses data from England were analysed alongside the national management guidelines issued over the course of the epidemic. RESULTS: LGV diagnoses increased between 2004 and 2015 and then decreased between 2016 and 2018. LGV testing increased from 2010 to 2018 (2690-10850). Test positivity halved between 2015 (14.8%, 929-6272) and 2018 (7.3%, 791-10850). Peaks in LGV testing and diagnoses appeared to coincide with the publication of national LGV management guidelines and changes to clinical practice. The proportion of LGV diagnoses among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) fell between 2013 and 2018 (74-48%). CONCLUSIONS: The fall in diagnoses and positivity were likely due to increasing earlier clinical diagnosis and treatment. Changes to the national management guidelines, the clinical policy and practice of some larger clinics and potentially changes to the guidelines for the treatment of chlamydia broadened the scope of testing and increased testing in asymptomatic patients which, in combination, likely had a positive effect on the control of LGV infection

Neural Correlates of Visual Motion Prediction

Predicting the trajectories of moving objects in our surroundings is important for many life scenarios, such as driving, walking, reaching, hunting and combat. We determined human subjects’ performance and task-related brain activity in a motion trajectory prediction task. The task required spatial and motion working memory as well as the ability to extrapolate motion information in time to predict future object locations. We showed that the neural circuits associated with motion prediction included frontal, parietal and insular cortex, as well as the thalamus and the visual cortex. Interestingly, deactivation of many of these regions seemed to be more closely related to task performance. The differential activity during motion prediction vs. direct observation was also correlated with task performance. The neural networks involved in our visual motion prediction task are significantly different from those that underlie visual motion memory and imagery. Our results set the stage for the examination of the effects of deficiencies in these networks, such as those caused by aging and mental disorders, on visual motion prediction and its consequences on mobility related daily activities