bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Visceral Adipose Tissue Mass in Adult African Americans and Whites**
Authors: Hoffman Daniel J. , Wang ZiMian , Gallagher Dympna , Heymsfield Steven B. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective: Previous studies have reported racial differences in the amount of visceral adipose tissue (VAT), a risk factor for metabolic diseases. These results are equivocal and have not controlled for hormonal influences on VAT mass. This study was designed to measure the extent to which race is associated with VAT, controlling for total adipose tissue (TAT) mass and testosterone.Research Methods and Procedures: Using a cross‐sectional study design, we measured TAT mass using DXA, VAT and subcutaneous adipose tissue mass using magnetic resonance imaging, and sex hormones using radioimmunoassay in 224 African‐American and white men and women.Results: White men had increased VAT mass, even when controlling for TAT and age, compared with African‐American men. White women also had a higher VAT mass compared with African‐American women, but only when controlling for TAT and age. When multiple linear regression was used to evaluate the racial differences in VAT mass in a subset of subjects (n = 80), controlling for sex hormones, it was found that white men, but not women, had increased VAT mass compared with their African‐American counterparts.Discussion: Based on the results of this study, we conclude that, when controlling for TAT, sex hormone levels, and age, white men, but not women, have more VAT mass than African‐American men and women. Additional studies are needed to explore possible environmental and genetic influences on fat distribution relative to race and sex.
Eating Motives and the Controversy over Dieting: Eating Less Than Needed versus Less Than Wanted
Authors: Lowe Michael R. , Levine Allen S. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAnti‐dieting sentiment has grown in recent years. Critics of restrained eating suggest that it evokes counter‐regulatory responses that render it ineffective or even iatrogenic. However, restrained eaters are not in negative energy balance and overweight individuals show reduced eating problems when losing weight by dieting. A distinction is often drawn between physiological and psychological hunger, and neuroscience research has shown that there is a neurophysiological reality underlying this distinction. The brain has a homeostatic system (activated by energy deficits) and a hedonic system (activated by the presence of palatable food). The omnipresence of highly palatable food in the environment may chronically activate the hedonic appetite system, producing a need to actively restrain eating not just to lose weight but to avoid gaining it. Just as restricting energy intake below homeostatic needs produces physiological deprivation, restricting intake of palatable foods may produce “perceived deprivation” despite a state of energy balance. In summary, the motivation to eat more than one needs appears to be every bit as real, and perhaps every bit as powerful, as the motivation to eat when energy deprived.
Effect of the Interleukin‐6 (−174) G/C Promoter Polymorphism on Adiponectin and Insulin Sensitivity
Authors: Yang Xiaolin , Jansson Per‐Anders , Pellmé Fredrik , Laakso Markku , Smith Ulf 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe investigated the relation among the interleukin (IL)‐6 (−174) G/C promoter polymorphism, adipose tissue gene expression of IL6, circulating adiponectin, and systemic insulin sensitivity. Eighty‐five Swedish male subjects who had participated in our previous prediabetic phenotype characterization study were genotyped for the IL6 (−174) G/C polymorphism. Subcutaneous adipose tissue gene expression of IL6 and adiponectin was measured in 44 subjects. The IL6 (−174) G allele carriers had higher fasting plasma insulin levels (C/C, 7.8 ± 1.1; G/C, 9.0 ± 0.6; G/G, 10.5 ± 1.0 mU/L) and higher homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (C/C, 1.6 ± 0.2; G/C, 1.9 ± 0.1; G/G, 2.2 ± 0.2) compared with subjects with the C/C genotype. The circulating adiponectin levels were lower in the G allele carriers (C/C, 7.93 ± 0.45; G/C, 7.05 ± 0.44; G/G, 7.02 ± 0.46 μg/mL), whereas the IL‐6 levels did not differ among the three genotypes. Adipose tissue IL6 gene expression was significantly higher in the G allele carriers compared with the subjects homozygous for the C allele (C/C, 0.29 ± 0.15; G/C, 0.84 ± 0.29; G/G, 0.62 ± 0.35). Our results suggest that IL6 (−174) G/C polymorphism is associated with insulin resistance and increased adipose tissue IL6 gene expression, which can impair adiponectin production.
Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme Gene Polymorphisms and Obesity: An Examination of Three Black Populations
Authors: Kramer Holly , Wu Xiaodong , Kan Donghui , Luke Amy , Zhu Xiaofeng , Adeyemo Adebowale , McKenzie Colin , Cooper Richard 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe examined the association between obesity and 13 angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphisms, including the presence (I) or absence (D) of an Alu element in intron 16 (I/D polymorphism), and performed haplotype analysis using data collected from participants of a community survey of hypertension among blacks living in Ibadan, Nigeria; Spanish Town, Jamaica; and Chicago, IL. Transmission distortion of ACE gene polymorphisms and haplotypes from heterozygous parents to affected offspring was examined in each study population. To estimate haplotypes, polymorphisms were divided into three groups based on their position on the ACE gene. No ACE gene polymorphism was consistently overtransmitted from parents to obese offspring among the three populations. However, the haplotype ACE1‐ACE5 TACAT, located in the promoter region, was significantly overtransmitted from parents to obese offspring in both the U.S. and Nigerian populations. No haplotype was significantly overtransmitted from parents to obese offspring among the Jamaicans. In conclusion, we noted the overtransmission of a particular ACE gene promoter region haplotype from parents to obese offspring in two separate black populations. These data suggest that ACE gene polymorphisms may influence the development of weight gain.
Triglyceride‐lowering Effect of Respiratory Uncoupling in White Adipose Tissue
Authors: Rossmeisl Martin , Kovar Jan , Syrovy Ivo , Flachs Pavel , Bobkova Dagmar , Kolar Frantisek , Poledne Rudolf , Kopecky Jan 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective: Hypolipidemic drugs such as bezafibrate and thiazolidinediones are known to induce the expression of mitochondrial uncoupling proteins (UCPs) in white adipose tissue. To analyze the potential triglyceride (TG)‐lowering effect of respiratory uncoupling in white fat, we evaluated systemic lipid metabolism in aP2‐Ucp1 transgenic mice with ectopic expression of UCP1 in adipose tissue.Research Methods and Procedures: Hemizygous and homozygous transgenic mice and their nontransgenic littermates were fed chow or a high‐fat diet for up to 3 months. Total TGs, nonesterified fatty acids, and the composition of plasma lipoproteins were analyzed. Hepatic TG production was measured in mice injected with Triton WR1339. Uptake and the use of fatty acids were estimated by measuring adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity and fatty acid oxidation, respectively. Adipose tissue gene expression was assessed by quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction.Results: Transgene dosage and the high‐fat diet interacted to markedly reduce plasma TGs. This was reflected by decreased concentrations of very‐low‐density lipoprotein particles in the transgenic mice. Despite normal hepatic TG secretion, the activity of lipoprotein lipase in epididymal fat was enhanced by the high‐fat diet in the transgenic mice in a setting of decreased re‐esterification and increased in situ fatty acid oxidation.Discussion: Respiratory uncoupling in white fat may lower plasma lipids by enhancing their in situ clearance and catabolism.
Comparison of Methods to Assess Body Composition Changes during a Period of Weight Loss
Authors: Frisard Madlyn I. , Greenway Frank L. , DeLany James P. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective: To assess the accuracy of body composition measurements by air displacement plethysmography and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) compared with DXA during weight loss.Research Methods and Procedures: Fifty‐six healthy but overweight participants, 34 women and 22 men (age, 52 ± 8.6 years; weight, 92.2 ± 11.6 kg; BMI, 33.3 ± 2.9 kg/m2) were studied in an outpatient setting before and after 6 months of weight loss (weight loss, 5.6 ± 5.5 kg). Subjects were excluded if they had initiated a new drug therapy within 30 days of randomization, were in a weight loss program, or took a weight loss drug within 90 days of randomization. Subjects were randomly assigned either to a self‐help program, consisting of two 20‐minute sessions with a nutritionist and provision of printed materials and other self‐help resources, or to attendance at meetings of a commercial program (Weight Watchers). Body composition was examined by each of the methods before and after weight loss.Results: BIA (42.4 ± 5.8%) underestimated percentage fat, whereas the BodPod (Siri = 51.7 ± 6.9%; Brozek = 48.5 ± 6.5%) overestimated percentage fat compared with DXA (46.1 ± 7.9%) before weight loss. Correlation coefficients for detecting changes in body composition between DXA and the other methods were relatively high, with Brozek Δfat mass (FM; r2 = 0.63), Siri FM (r2 = 0.65), tetrapolar BIA percentage fat (r2 = 0.57), and Tanita FM (r2 = 0.61) being the highest.Discussion: In conclusion, all of the methods were relatively accurate for assessing body composition compared with DXA, although there were biases. Furthermore, each of the methods was sensitive enough to detect changes with weight loss.
A perfect match: decoding employee engagement – Part I: Engaging cultures and leaders
Authors: de Mello e Souza Wildermuth Cristina , Pauken Patrick David 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this two‐part article is to introduce engagement and review key research on engagement‐related factors.Design/methodology/approachThe author conducted a literature search on employee engagement and pilot interviews with ten professionals.FindingsEnvironment, leadership, job, and individual factors are connected to employee engagement. Environmental engagement factors include congruency between organizational and individual values, the quality of the workplace relationships, and work‐life balance. Leadership engagement factors include vision and integrity. Job engagement factors include the meaningfulness of the job, itsw level of challenge, and the amount of control the employee has on the job. Finally, individual factors related to engagement include resilience, locus of control, active coping style, self‐esteem, neuroticism, and extraversion. The author suggests that the connections (or the match) between organizational, leadership, job, and individual characteristics is particularly relevant for engagement.Research limitations/implicationsThe article includes a preliminary investigation of engagement. Further research is needed connecting environmental, leadership, job, and individual engagement factors, and confieming the importance of the “match” for engagement.Practical implicationsThe implications are that leaders should be educated on engagement, that career development opportunities are particularly important, that performance improvement professional should champion work‐life balance, and that initiatives enhancing workplace relationships are likely useful to increase engagement.Originality/valueThis paper connects research on various engagement factors, making it easier for performance improvement professional to gain an introductory yet holistic view of the topic.
Service delivery reform within the Canadian public sector 1990‐2002
Authors: Foley Janice 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine to what extent service delivery in the Canadian federal government actually improved after a decade of reform efforts, and how employee empowerment accounted for any improvements that arose.Design/methodology/approachFive focus group interviews were conducted in 2002 with federal government employees involved in service delivery. Interview transcripts were content analyzed. The employee empowerment and service quality literatures, including critical perspectives, provide the theoretical underpinnings of the study.FindingsProductivity and service enhancement did materialize, but little empowerment occurred. Work intensification was revealed. The shortcomings of applying private sector‐style definitions of productivity to the public sector were identified.Research limitations/implicationsStudy findings have limited generalizability due to small sample size. Findings must be verified through additional research. Comparative findings from countries that introduced service reforms more comprehensively than did Canada would be of interest.Practical implicationsPublic sector efforts to improve service delivery should address possible material barriers affecting service delivery and pay more attention to employee needs. The efficacy of quantitative performance targets should be re‐examined.Originality/valueThe outcomes of a public service reform initiative intended to improve service quality by allegedly empowering front‐line workers are presented from an employee perspective. As there is limited empirical research done on this topic from that perspective it should be of general interest to researchers in the fields of public policy and human resources management.
Interdependent supply relationships as institutions: the role of HR practices
Authors: Koulikoff‐Souviron Marie , Harrison Alan 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to use institutional theory to explore the role of human resource (HR) practices as carriers in the evolution of interdependent supply relationships.Design/methodology/approachThis is a qualitative study of an inter‐firm supply relationship where the two partners were interdependent as a result of a “closed loop” supply relationship. The paper explores the perspectives of employees at multiple levels within both partners, and collects pluralist evidence from 36 interviewees from both sides of the dyad. It collects documentary evidence such as minutes, contractual agreements and HR documents. This paper re‐analyses the evidence from earlier work using an institutional theory framework.FindingsUsing Scott's “three pillars” the paper shows that HR practices can act as carriers of regulative, normative and cultural‐cognitive elements in interdependent supply relationships through both formal and informal mechanisms. Regulative elements were less evident, but could be fundamental in shaping the other two. A tension was found between institutional pressures at the inter‐ and intra‐firm levels, an emergence of innovative practices and new routines at inter‐organizational level, and an evolution over time that could involve a de‐institutionalisation of the relationship as a result of internal priorities competing with the resource requirements of the supply relationship.Originality/valueThe paper addresses the interface between OM and organisational theory. Areas are proposed where institutionalisation of a supply relationship can be strengthened or weakened. The findings further challenge the view of supply relationships as a “spectrum” in which progress is unidirectional over time.
RFID in the contemporary supply chain: multiple perspectives on its benefits and risks
Authors: Cannon Alan R. , Reyes Pedro M. , Frazier Gregory V. , Prater Edmund L. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to point to established theory bases from other disciplines that may be used to illustrate the benefits, complexities and risks accompanying the adoption of radio‐frequency identification (RFID) technology.Design/methodology/approachThree theory streams are explored with respect to RFID adoption at two levels: the level of the tagged unit; and the level of the adopting firm. Each theory stream is evaluated specifically with respect to RFID, and research questions are proposed.FindingsA variety of theoretical disciplines bring to light tension between uncertainty that spurs RFID adoption and uncertainty that accompanies RFID adoption.Practical implicationsInsights are provided for managers wrestling with: the question of whether and/or how to adopt RFID; or concerns regarding the implications of their decision to adopt RFID. In addition, the theory bases explored in this research offer guidance regarding risks that accompany RFID adoption but are not commonly considered.Originality/valueFor those contemplating adoption of, or research into, RFID technology, the paper offers a detailed synthesis of valuable theory streams, as well as promising research questions.
Notes from Educause 2007: On the Subject of Leadership
Authors: Cohen Barbara L. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report on the conference, “Educause 2007”.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides an overview of the presentations made at the conference.FindingsSeveral of the sessions were noteworthy for their focus on leadership.Originality/valueThe paper provides a valuable review of the conference, focusing on the subject of leadership.
A conceptual case‐based model for knowledge sharing among supply chain members
Authors: Wang Chengbo , Fergusson Craig , Perry Daniel , Antony Jiju 
Published: April 2008

PurposeA successful supply chain should ensure that all participating members benefit from the marketplace. To achieve this goal, the supply chain members need to improve their competences all the time, which requires a continuous learning process. Thus, mutual learning, through knowledge sharing between the different members, is a necessary approach to increase the competence of supply chain partners. To realise efficient and effective knowledge sharing in a supply chain, this paper aims to explore and formulate a model that supports an enterprise with its management of the supply chain members' knowledge resource sharing (herein referred to as “advanced practice” and includes two levels of knowledge – strategic and operational). The model is based on the theories of supply chain management (SCM) and case‐based reasoning (CBR).Design/methodology/approachThis research follows a conductive and inductive cycle. Firstly, based on the learning expounded through an extensive literature survey regarding SCM and CBR, as well as available empirical applications, the conceptual model is designed. Then the primary stage evaluation will be discussed regarding the feasibility and refinement of the model towards its maturity.FindingsTo share knowledge along the supply chain is theoretically sound, but a difficult task to realise in practice, due to the complexity of knowledge sharing between the different organizations.Research limitations/implicationsThis research explores one of the important topics in SCM – knowledge sharing within a supply chain, and the model also extends and explores a new tool for this knowledge‐sharing process by applying CBR methodology.Practical implicationsThe designed model in this research will provide a practice‐oriented vehicle allowing the supply chain members to share and apply their knowledge.Originality/valueThis research applies CBR in the domain of SCM, it both enriches the available approaches to supply chain performance enhancement and enlarges the application domains of CBR methodology.
The island factor as a growth booster for nations: a mental advantage econometrically revealed
Authors: Aubert Jean‐Eric , Chen Derek H.C. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to postulate that countries which are either geographical or cultural islands, (defined as countries that are surrounded by neighboring countries that do not speak the same language), tend to experience higher rates of economic growth, all other things being equal.Design/methodology/approachUsing historical macroeconomic data for a large number of countries and statistical growth regressions that include island dummy variables as explanatory variables, this paper shows that there is econometric evidence supporting the theory of the island factor.FindingsThe findings highlight the importance of a cohesive society with a strong sense of identity while being economically open to global competitive forces. This island mindset acts as a catalyst for enhanced economic growth.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, the island factor is a new and untested hypothesis. Moreover, the paper contributes to the literature on cultural diversity and growth by showing that cultural diversity among neighboring countries is an important factor for economic development.
Locating large‐scale harbour‐front project developments using SIR method with grey aggregation approach
Authors: Tam Chi‐Ming , Tong Thomas K.L. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a variant of superiority and inferiority ranking (SIR) method called SIR‐Grey for determining the location of large‐scale harbour‐front project development.Design/methodology/approachThe study is illustrated with an application example obtained from the Environmental Protection Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to demonstrate the concept and application procedure of SIR‐Grey. The strengths and weaknesses of SIR‐Grey are highlighted when compared with the traditional weighted average approach.FindingsThe strengths and weaknesses of SIR‐Grey are highlighted when compared with the traditional weighted average approach. Among the strengths, the global comparison scores of SIR‐Grey can give a clearer and easier comprehensible algorithm. Further, the global comparison generated from superiority flows (S‐flows) [S‐flow: A is preferred to A′(AP>A′) or A is indifferent to A′(AI>A′)] and inferiority flows (I‐flows) [I‐flow: A is preferred to A′(AP<A′) or A is indifferent to A′(AI<A′)] can be used to select a solution matching the nature of the problem; e.g. a conservative approach can adopt the ranking from I‐flow because the selected option will have the criteria farthest from the virtual worst site while the ranking from S‐flow can be adopted for an aggressive approach because the final decision will have the criteria closest to the virtual perfect site. Regarding the weaknesses, the major one is the requirement of a full appreciation of the nature of criteria in setting the thresholds and preference structure, which may complicate the application of the model.Originality/valueThis study proposes a variant of SIR method called SIR‐Grey for determining the location of large‐scale harbour‐front project development. This approach can overcome the problem encountered in using other methods which could lead to variation in the final ranking and hence an inconsistent result.