bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The philosophy of greencare: why it matters for our mental health
Authors: Haigh Rex 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to demonstrate the confluence of thinking across several areas, in their critique of modernity, with potential solutions in the mental health field.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses case and organisational examples related to relevant theory and clinical practice to demonstrate relevant contradictions and paradoxes in “modernised” mental health care. This is based on the author's experience as a public sector psychiatrist specialising in “personality disorder” to lead a government programme of new service developments in the field.FindingsModern methods of management, focusing on measurement, prediction and control – in the service of efficiency and economy – are not sufficient to meet the needs of a population with high incidence of “personality disorder”. A major change of attitude is required, to an authentic biopsychosocial approach, including spiritual and other non‐verbal considerations.Research limitations/implicationsHitherto, research has not combined these elements in a way that has made it easy to capture and analyse them. New methodologies and paradigms may be called for.Practical implicationsMental health care should not be considered an entirely rational process that can be measured and manualised; considerations of how to better manage complexity and uncertainty are urgently needed.Social implicationsDestigmatisation and normalisation of mental distress and “illness” should occur.Originality/valueThe paper introduces two new terms to mental health discourse: “greencare” and “biopsychosocialism”.
Rainbow redemption: mental health takes centre stage
Authors: Wilson Latoya 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThis article seeks to share and celebrate the experience of using drama to demystify and destigmatise mental illness.Design/methodology/approachThe article provides a descriptive account of a drama project from the perspectives of participants and the author. The innovative use of drama to promote mental wellbeing, the diverse partnerships that underpinned the production, and the positive impact on performers and audience are outlined.FindingsDrama can be an effective way of increasing mental health awareness. It can also be an enjoyable way of getting across the message that even those who lack mental wellbeing have dreams and can achieve them.Practical implicationsKey to success was good joint working between a range of health, social care and community agencies, as well as local service users. Financial resources for putting on the production provided by the local mental health trust were also crucial.Social implicationsThe drama promoted mental health and thereby potentially helped to reduce stigma and ill‐health. The partnership process involving diverse participants including mental health service providers, service users and people with different ethnic backgrounds was itself beneficial.Originality/valueThe article illustrates that the production was innovative in its broad partnership and use of drama to get its message across to mixed audiences.
The role of self‐help groups in promoting well‐being: experiences from a cancer group
Authors: Visram Nazira , Roberts Adrian , Seebohm Patience 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThis article aims to describe how a self‐help group for people with cancer helped members regain mental well‐being. It is set within the context of the ESTEEM project which aims to develop guidelines for health and social care professionals on how to support self‐help groups.Design/methodology/approachThe article is based on personal experience of belonging to the self‐help group. It also draws on a participatory qualitative study of 21 self‐help groups concerned with a range of health and social issues, carried out for the ESTEEM project.FindingsGroup members regained a sense of control over their lives, developed supportive relationships and participated in collective activities. They saw other members redefine their identity, not as victims but as people with a purpose in life. Early findings from the ESTEEM project suggest that other self‐help groups similarly promote social inclusion and mental well‐being.Research limitations/implicationsESTEEM is a three stage programme still underway and conclusions are not yet finalised. Interview questions did not focus on well‐being; the association emerged during analysis.Practical implicationsThe authors argue that the member‐led nature of self‐help groups is safe and effective in promoting well‐being. Top‐down monitoring and evaluation requirements are unhelpful.Social implicationsThis article and the ESTEEM project aim to increase the options available to commissioners and professionals wishing to promote mental well‐being.Originality/valueSelf‐help groups are seldom mentioned in the literature on well‐being. This article starts to fill this gap.
Flying high – using trapeze to promote recovery, employment and social inclusion
Authors: Rixom Joanne 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to describe and explore the effects of integrating physical exercise (trapeze work) into a mental health individual placement and support (IPS) programme.Design/methodology/approachThe project offered between six and twelve trapeze lessons on a weekly basis to individuals diagnosed with a range of mental health conditions. A breadth of quantitative and qualitative data were gathered with participants about their experiences. Methods included: reflexive journals; feedback questionnaires; film and photographic footage; and clinical assessment measures.FindingsParticipants reported a range of psychological benefits including enhanced self esteem, greater motivation, and ability to overcome mental barriers such as fear. This was highlighted by improvements in clinical measures. Significant psychological progress was made towards work, including confidence to work and motivation for job seeking. This also resulted in practical outcomes such as finding employment.Practical implicationsAlthough the project was not set up as a research investigation, programme outcomes support adopting a broad, holistic approach to mental wellbeing and employment support. IPS employment programmes could benefit from offering a portfolio of interventions which include physical exercise.Originality/valueThere have been limited studies assessing the impact of physical exercise combined with employment support; the IPS model does not incorporate supplementary activities such as exercise. This paper contributes to learning as to how employment support programmes might be optimised, a particularly pertinent issue in the current climate of high unemployment.
Flight to liquidity due to heterogeneity in investment horizon
Authors: Lei Qin , Wang Xuewu 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide some rational perspectives for the flight‐to‐liquidity event rather than simply attributing it to the change in investor sentiment.Design/methodology/approachThe paper builds a model to highlight the inherent difference in investors' investment horizon, and thus their sensitivity to changes in transaction costs in the stock and bond markets. When stock market deterioration results in higher trading costs, the existing marginal investor shifts wealth to bonds instead of remaining indifferent between stocks and bonds. At the new equilibrium, there is a higher fraction of bond ownership and a longer average investment horizon among stock holders. The paper then empirically tests the model predictions using data in the US stock and bond markets.FindingsThe authors find evidence strongly supporting this paper's theoretical predictions. Days with high stock illiquidity, high stock volatility and low stock return are associated with high yield spread in the bond market. This contemporaneous linkage between the stock market and the bond market is even stronger during periods with strong net outflows from stock mutual funds and strong net inflows to money market funds. The paper also demonstrates the existence of a maturity pattern that the predicted effects, especially the effects of stock illiquidity, are much stronger over shorter maturities.Originality/valueThe finding of this model that the investment horizon of the marginal investor (and thus the equilibrium price impact in the bond market) responds to changes in market conditions contributes to the theoretical debate on whether transaction costs matter. The flow evidence strengthens our understanding of the asset pricing implications of portfolio rebalancing decisions, and the maturity effect bolsters the case for flights to liquidity/quality due to heterogeneity in investment horizon without resorting to investor irrationality or behavioral attributes. In fact, it is arguably difficult to reconcile with a behavioral explanation.
Stamp characteristics and long‐term return after issuance: evidence from new China stamps
Authors: Chen Xin , Chen Xian 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine long‐term return of new China collectible stamps after their issuance and how stamp characteristics affect the return.Design/methodology/approachThe authors construct a model to analyze the determinants of stamps' long‐term return and test their hypotheses empirically in a sample of 1,201 sets of Chinese collectible stamps issued between 1949 and 2008.FindingsThe paper finds Chinese stamps provide decent returns for collectors in terms of exceeding comparable one‐year savings rates. Among factors affecting annual excess returns of Chinese stamps, variables related to usage are the most important; quantity issued has significantly negative impact on returns of early stamps, but its coefficient has weak economic implications and it is not significant for BianNian stamps issued in more recent years. In general, variables related to topic have weak influence on stamp returns, but the topics about the most significant events of China in recent years have huge impact on stamp returns; in addition, variables related to design and printing can influence stamp returns to some extent.Research limitations/implicationsOverall, the results reveal that variables related to usage are the most important determinants of long‐term stamp return.Practical implicationsThere have been fierce disputes among stamp collectors about how stamp features affect returns. Nevertheless, no systematic empirical studies exist about the issue. This paper sheds light on the disputes by providing the first piece of empirical evidence.Originality/valueMoreover, existing studies of stamps treat them as one asset, but often ignore different characteristics within the group. This paper systematically investigates the influence of stamp characteristics to stamp return, and thus fills the caveat in the literature.
Yin‐yang volatility in scale space of price‐time: a core structure of financial market risk
Authors: Pan Heping 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to discover and model the asymmetry in the price volatility of financial markets, in particular the foreign exchange markets as the first underlying applications.Design/methodology/approachThe volatility of the financial market price is usually defined with the standard deviation or variance of the price or price returns. This standard definition of volatility is split into the upper part and the lower one, which are termed here as Yang volatility and Yin volatility. However, the definition of yin‐yang volatility depends on the scale of the time, thus the notion of scale space of price‐time is also introduced.FindingsIt turns out that the duality of yin‐yang volatility expresses not only the asymmetry of price volatility, but also the information about the trend. The yin‐yang volatilities in the scale space of price‐time provide a complete representation of the information about the multi‐level trends and asymmetric volatilities. Such a representation is useful for designing strategies in market risk management and technical trading. A trading robot (a complete automated trading system) was developed using yin‐yang volatility, its performance is shown to be non‐trivial. The notion and model of yin‐yang volatility has opened up new possibilities to rewrite the option pricing formulas, the GARCH models, as well as to develop new comprehensive models for foreign exchange markets.Research limitations/implicationsThe asymmetry of price volatility and the magnitude of volatility in the scale space of price‐time has yet to be united in a more coherent model.Practical implicationsThe new model of yin‐yang volatility and scale space of price‐time provides a new theoretical structure for financial market risk. It is likely to enable a new generation of core technologies for market risk management and technical trading strategies.Originality/valueThis work is original. The new notion and model of yin‐yang volatility in scale space of price‐time has cracked up the core structure of the financial market risk. It is likely to open up new possibilities such as: a new portfolio theory with a new objective function to minimize the sum of the absolute yin‐volatilities of the asset returns, a new option pricing theory using yin‐yang volatility to replace the symmetric volatility, a new GARCH model aiming to model the dynamics of yin‐yang volatility instead of the symmetric volatility, new technical trading strategies as are shown in the paper.
The role of imaging techniques in the management of multiple myeloma
Authors: Zamagni Elena , Cavo Michele 
Published: August 2012

SummaryBone disease is the major feature of multiple myeloma (MM). Imaging is required for correct staging, in the follow‐up after treatment and, as recently highlighted, is predictor of prognosis. In the near future, whole‐body X‐Ray may be replaced by more sensitive techniques, such as whole‐body low‐dose computerized tomography (CT). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard method for assessing bone marrow infiltration of the spine, predicting the risk of vertebral fracture and distinguishing between benign and malignant osteoporosis. Positron emission tomography (PET) with CT (PET/CT) provides important information about the extent of whole‐body disease, including soft tissue masses, and is the best tool to distinguish between active or inactive disease after therapy. Both MRI and PET/CT are predictors of clinical outcome. A prospective use of these newer imaging techniques in both clinical trials and clinical practice may help optimize MM management in the near future.
High serum vascular endothelial growth factor level is an adverse prognostic factor for high‐risk diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma patients treated with dose‐dense chemoimmunotherapy
Authors: Riihijärvi Sari , Nurmi Heidi , Holte Harald , Björkholm Magnus , Fluge Øystein , Pedersen Lars Møller , Rydström Karin , Jerkeman Mats , Eriksson Mikael , Leppä Sirpa 
Published: August 2012

AbstractObjectivesTo determine whether serum vascular endothelial growth factor (s‐VEGF) levels and VEGF gene expression in tumor tissue predict survival of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients treated with chemoimmunotherapy.MethodsVEGF levels were measured in serum samples from 102 patients <65 yrs with high‐risk DLBCL using a quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique. Exon array data set of tumor tissues from 32 patients was concurrently used to determine VEGF‐A exon and gene expression. All patients were treated in a Nordic phase II study with six dose‐dense chemoimmunotherapy courses followed by systemic central nervous system prophylaxis.ResultsAfter a median follow‐up time of 40 months, 3‐yr progression‐free survival (PFS) was inferior in patients with high s‐VEGF levels compared to those with low levels (59% vs. 83%, P = 0.005). The relative risk of progression or relapse was 3.1‐fold (95% confidence interval 1.34–6.91, P = 0.008). The predictive capacity of s‐VEGF levels on PFS was most pronounced in the DLBCLs of non‐germinal center subtype. In contrast to serum data, VEGF mRNA expression in the lymphoma tissue did not predict outcome, and no correlation was found between s‐VEGF levels and lymphoma VEGF expression.ConclusionPretreatment s‐VEGF level is a predictor of PFS after chemoimmunotherapy and may help to further stratify high‐risk DLBCL patients into low‐ and high‐risk groups.
The effect of dietary long‐chain omega‐3 fatty acid supplementation on owner’s perception of behaviour and locomotion in cats with naturally occurring osteoarthritis
Authors: Corbee R. J. , Barnier M. M. C. , van de Lest C. H. A. , Hazewinkel H. A. W. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryThe aim of this randomized, double‐blinded, placebo–controlled, cross‐over designed study was to demonstrate the clinical effect, registered by a survey, of a 10‐week period of omega‐3 fatty acid supplementation of the diet (1.53 g eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 0.31 g DHA, both per 1000 kcal ME, equivalent to the complete diet) of 16 cats with radiologically documented, naturally occurring osteoarthritis (OA), in comparison with a 10‐week period of supplementation with corn oil (0.00 g EPA and 0.00 g DHA, both per 1000 kcal ME). Cats on the fish oil revealed higher activity level (p = 0.07), more walking up and down the stairs (p = 0.07), less stiffness during gait (p = 0.03), more interaction with the owner (p = 0.07) and higher jumps (p = 0.03) compared to those on corn oil supplementation. In conclusion, supplementation of long‐chain omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids changes the owner’s perception of some aspects of behaviour and locomotion in cats with naturally occurring OA.
Obesity in show dogs
Authors: Corbee R. J. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryObesity is an important disease with a growing incidence. Because obesity is related to several other diseases, and decreases life span, it is important to identify the population at risk. Several risk factors for obesity have been described in the literature. A higher incidence of obesity in certain breeds is often suggested. The aim of this study was to determine whether obesity occurs more often in certain breeds. The second aim was to relate the increased prevalence of obesity in certain breeds to the official standards of that breed. To this end, we investigated 1379 dogs of 128 different breeds by determining their body condition score (BCS). Overall, 18.6% of the show dogs had a BCS >5, and 1.1% of the show dogs had a BCS>7. There were significant differences between breeds, which could be correlated to the breed standards. It warrants firm discussions with breeders and judges in order to come to different interpretations of the standards to prevent overweight conditions from being the standard of beauty.
A comparative study at two different altitudes with two dietary nutrition levels on rumen fermentation and energy metabolism in Chinese Holstein cows
Authors: Qiao G. H. , Shao T. , Yu C. Q. , Wang X. L. , Yang X. , Zhu X. Q. , Lu Y. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryThe object of this study was to investigate the effect of two altitudes (1600 vs. 3600 m) with two nutritional levels [5.88 MJ/kg dry matter (DM) vs. 7.56 MJ/kg DM] on apparent total tract digestibility, rumen fermentation, energy metabolism, milk yield and milk composition in Chinese Holstein cows. Sixteen Chinese Holstein cows in their third lactation with close body weights, days in milk and milk yield were randomly divided into four groups, of which two were directly transferred from Lanzhou (altitude of 1600 m) to Lhasa (altitude of 3600 m). Four treatments (high plateau and high nutrition level, HA‐HN; high plateau and low nutrition level, HA‐LN; low plateau and high nutrition level, LA‐HN; and low plateau and low nutrition level, LA‐LN) were randomly arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial experimental design. Results indicated that the apparent total tract digestibility of a diet’s DM, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre and DM intake were not affected by either altitude or nutrition level (p > 0.05). Milk protein percentage was higher for the diet with the high level of nutrition than for the diet with low nutrition level irrespective of altitude (p < 0.05). Percentages of milk fat and milk lactose were not affected by either altitude or nutrition level (p > 0.05). The metabolizable energy used for milk energy output was decreased by high altitude in comparison with that at low altitude (p < 0.05). No differences were observed in the live body weight or body condition score (BCS) of Chinese Holstein cows among all of the four treatments (p > 0.05).
Recombinant protein yield in rice seed is enhanced by specific suppression of endogenous seed proteins at the same deposit site
Authors: Yang Lijun , Hirose Sakiko , Takahashi Hideyuki , Kawakatsu Taiji , Takaiwa Fumio 
Published: August 2012

SummaryHuman IL‐10 (hIL‐10) is a therapeutic treatment candidate for inflammatory allergy and autoimmune diseases. Rice seed‐produced IL‐10 can be effectively delivered directly to gut‐associated lymphoreticular tissue (GALT) via bio‐encapsulation. Previously, the codon‐optimized hIL‐10 gene was expressed in transgenic rice with the signal peptide and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal (KDEL) at its 5′ and 3′ ends, respectively, under the control of the endosperm‐specific glutelin GluB‐1 promoter. The resulting purified hIL‐10 was biologically active. In this study, the yield of hIL‐10 in transgenic rice seed was improved. This protein accumulated at the intended deposition sites, which had been made vacant through the selective reduction, via RNA interference, of the endogenous seed storage proteins prolamins or glutelins. Upon suppression of prolamins that were sequestered into ER‐derived protein bodies (PB‐I), hIL‐10 accumulation increased approximately 3‐fold as compared to rice seed with no such suppression and reached 219 μg/grain. In contrast, reducing the majority of the glutelins stored in protein‐storage vacuoles (PB‐II) did not significantly affect the accumulation of hIL‐10. Considering that hIL‐10 is synthesized in the ER lumen and subsequently buds off in ER‐derived granules called IL‐10 granules in a manner similar to PB‐Is, these results indicate that increases in the available deposition space for the desired recombinant proteins may be crucial for improvements in yield. Furthermore, efficient dimeric intermolecular formation of hIL‐10 by inhibiting interaction with Cys‐rich prolamins also contributed to the enhanced formation of IL‐10 bodies. Higher yield of hIL‐10 produced in rice seeds is expected to have broad application in the future.
Metformin for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa: a little help along the way
Authors: Verdolini R. , Clayton N. , Smith A. , Alwash N. , Mannello B. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackground  Despite recent insights into its aetiology, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) remains an intractable and debilitating condition for its sufferers, affecting an estimated 2% of the population. It is characterized by chronic, relapsing abscesses, with accompanying fistula formation within the apocrine glandbearing skin, such as the axillae, ano‐genital areas and breasts. Standard treatments remain ineffectual and the disease often runs a chronic relapsing course associated with significant psychosocial trauma for its sufferers.Objective  To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Metformin in treating cases of HS which have not responded to standard therapies.Methods  Twenty‐five patients were treated with Metformin over a period of 24 weeks. Clinical severity of the disease was assessed at time 0, then after 12 weeks and finally after 24 weeks. Results were evaluated using Sartorius and DLQI scores.Results  Eighteen patients clinically improved with a significant average reduction in their Sartorius score of 12.7 and number of monthly work days lost reduced from 1.5 to 0.4. Dermatology life quality index (DLQI) also showed a significant improvement in 16 cases, with a drop in DLQI score of 7.6.Conclusion  Metformin helps control HS with minimal side effects and good patient compliance and can represent a further agent in the spectrum of treatments available in the treatment of this disease.