bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life by William Law
Authors: Smith Yvonne S.
Published: May 2024

For a long time I searched for a good Christian supplemental text for my Organizational Behavior course, a book to add the spiritual dimension to motivation, leadership, group dynamics, and firm change. I tried three or four books and found flaws in all of them.
Three Thorny Questions
Authors: Smith Yvonne S.
Published: May 2024

I am honored to be the incoming editor for The Journal of Biblical Integration in Business (JBIB). In this role, I follow two distinguished colleagues, Dr. Sharon Johnson and Dr. Rick Martinez, who have both written profoundly about the scholarship of Biblical integration and of teaching (e.g. Johnson, 2005, Martinez, 2006) – two areas that are at the core of the vocation of the Integration Scholar (Black & Smith, 2009; Marsden, 1997). The CBFA has been fortunate to have such thinkers guiding the journal.
Reflecting the Infinite: Introduction to the 12th Edition of the JBIB
Authors: Smith Yvonne S.
Published: May 2024

The editorial team is pleased to bring to you the 12th issue of The Journal of Biblical Integration in Business. With the publication of this issue, the journal is on track for regular publication, with additional special issues.
Inside the JBIB Reviewing Process
Authors: Smith Yvonne S.
Published: May 2024

You have worked hard on your manuscript. You have asked colleagues to give you feedback. You have followed all the JBIB Manuscript Guidelines and have done a final check to make sure all the citations you used are in the reference section. Finally, you take a deep breath and submit the paper to The Journal of Biblical Integration in Business. What happens next?
Retrospective on Lisa Klein Surdyk
Authors: Seattle Pacific University Friends and Colleagues at , Chewning Richard C. , Johnson Sharon G.
Published: May 2024

I’m not afraid of death because I know Jesus. I’m not really afraid of the dying process because I know the end likely will come quickly and because drugs will keep me comfortable. I do worry about people I love and the pain and sorrow and sense of loss they may experience. Yet, a passage of scripture that comes to me over and over again these days is Philippians 4:19, where the Apostle Paul wrote: “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Exercise: Doing What They Can With What They Have
Authors: Surdyk Lisa Klein , Smith Yvonne S.
Published: May 2024

After some debate, the editorial team decided to publish Lisa Klein Surdyk’s last submission to the JBIB. This paper is not ready to publish, which is why there was a debate. However when combined with the reviews, the manuscriptprovides an excellent example of a principle that Dr. Surdyk knew well – the give and take of the scholarly, peer-review editorial process. A seasoned writer, such as Lisa, was familiar with the need to rewrite. She understood that when a journal asks an author to revise a paper, it means that the editor and reviewers think that the manuscript has merit, but that it can be strengthened.
Author’s Rejoinder to “Innovation and the Early Christian Church: Strengthening the Thesis” by Dr. Michael Cafferky
Authors: Oster Gary
Published: May 2024

Dr. Michael Cafferky has written an exceptionally thoughtful and thorough analysis of the article entitled “Innovation and the Early Christian Church.” In addition to highlighting important shortcomings of the article, he outlined numerous welcomed directions for future research.
Tribute: Lessons Learned from a Scholar, a Mentor and a Man of God
Authors: Johnson Sharon G.
Published: May 2024

Dick Chewning is a man who shaped my life personally and professionally in profound ways. There is rarely a day that goes by that I don’t find myself thinking about his influence, acting on that influence, and sharing insights from that influence with others.
The Testimony of Richard C. Chewning
Authors: Chewning Richard C.
Published: May 2024

Dear Dick, Would you consider writing out your testimony about how the Lord led you in your move toward Biblical integration? I think it would be most helpful for many members of the CBFA to read. -Yvonne Smith
Can Free Enterprise Survive Ethical Schizophrenia?
Authors: Chewning Richard C.
Published: May 2024

This century is seeing changes in our underlying philosophy-in how we view existence itself and our part in it, in how we know and accept facts, in what we consider right and wrong. Given these very basic changes in our culture, where will business as we know it go in the future?
Kiva, www.Kiva.org
Authors: LeMay Joyce
Published: May 2024

Entrepreneurs are the cornerstone to any thriving economy. In many poor countries around the world there are budding entrepreneurs that need capital, encouragement, and guidance in order to start a successful business. There are also many people who want to help eradicate poverty or at a minimum help meet the physical needs of the poor. Matt Flannery and Jessica Jackley are two entrepreneurs who found a solution to both problems and the answer is www.kiva.org, a company they started in 2005.
Websites for a Bad Economy: 10000 Pennies
Authors: Smith Virgil O.
Published: May 2024

My business students are both uneasy and confused about the economic downturn in the United States economy and what is being done to change it. They have heard contradictory things from parents, the media, contemporaries and professors–and they don’t know which of these, if any, are accurate. Part of the problem is that in order to discuss the economy, people must talk about millions, billions and trillions of dollars, and our human brains tend to be poor at getting a perspective on such large numbers and distinguishing differences between them.
Management by Proverbs: Scriptural Wisdom for Superior Results by Michael Zigarelli
Authors: Simpson Ruby
Published: May 2024

Management by Proverbs answers the practical question: how can I be a good Christian manager or company owner without sacrificing my Christian ideals and principals, and still run a profitable endeavor? The answers lie in the Book of Proverbs.
Conceiving the Christian College by Duane Litfin
Authors: Guernsey Jeffrey
Published: May 2024

In Conceiving the Christian College (2004, Eerdmans), Duane Litfin, President of Wheaton College, has written a clarion call, particularly relevant to those who desire to think more deeply about the foundational principles of a Christcentered college. The author reconsiders ‘old’ thoughts -asking us to look anew at them, and deeply examines many issues impacting Christcentered education. Personally, I found my thoughts challenged and energized because of reading this book (and having discussed it with a group of colleagues). Not coincidentally, our department was at the same time working to craft a vision statement, during which I found myself thinking frequently about Litfin’s ideas.
Leadership Gold: Lessons Learned from a Lifetime of Leading by John C. Maxwell
Authors: Harris Breck A.
Published: May 2024

Many experienced leaders can remember an important time in their career when they had the opportunity to be mentored by others. I certainly did. Early in my college teaching career, I had the wonderful opportunity to learn about effective classroom leadership while being mentored by more experienced Christian business teachers that I worked with at Fresno Pacific University. This was a priceless educational experience for me. Being mentored can help us become more effective leaders. John C. Maxwell’s insights on leadership discussed in his 2008 book titled Leadership Gold: Lessons Learned from aLifetime of Leading offer constructive mentoring ideas for all types of leaders.
Sabbath: Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest by Wayne Muller
Authors: Olson Mary R.
Published: May 2024

Sabbath. The concept is all too often foreign in today’s frenzied world. I have never been one to unplug from the demands around me to take intentional time out for rest and relaxation. My experience in higher education leads me to believe that many of my faculty colleagues can relate to my plight. This past fall semester, after an especially demanding summer term, I asked a faculty colleague if she would hold me accountable for maintaining a healthier work/life balance. She asked me if I had ever heard of the book: Sabbath: Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest (Muller, 1999). At the mention of this title, I immediately remembered receiving a copy of this book as a gift from my mother several years prior. I vowed to find the book and read it seriously.
Introduction to the 13th Edition of the JBIB
Authors: Johnson Sharon G.
Published: May 2024

Writing and publishing as Christian scholars is a process fraught with at least two tensions. There is the tension of EXPOSURE and there is also a tension of EGO.
Capitalism: From its Genesis to its Eschatology: Its Compatibilities with Christianity, Its Insidious Challenges to Godliness
Authors: Chewning Richard C.
Published: May 2024

This essay begins with a discussion of what ails all economic systems. Next, capitalism is defined. This is followed by a look at the Biblical antecedents to capitalism and the Biblical values promoted by this particular economic arrangement. From here the paper will touch on the specific forces that synergistically worked together in the 10th through the 15th centuries to prepare the Western world for capitalism. Next the providential forces of the Renaissance and the Reformation that so deeply impacted the actual rise of capitalism during the 16th through the 18th centuries will be surveyed. Then the 19th century flowering of capitalism that took place primarily in North America amidst an environment permeated with Judaic/Christian values that were broadly accepted at the time as normative, even when disregarded, and that were subsequently overrun by an emerging and ever increasing humanistic set of values that manifested itself in the second half of the 20th century will be outlined. And finally, the eschatology of capitalism will be postulated as occurring when the core values upon which it rests are publicly rejected and its capitalism in name only remnants are dominated by an overarching anti-Christian, governing political force that promotes values that contradict those out of which capitalism arose and flourished.
Holistic struggles and Judgmental Behaviors in the Work Place: An Empirical Study of Hong Kong Christians
Authors: Chan Alan , Lee S. K. , Yeung M. W.
Published: May 2024

A survey of 767 Christians in Hong Kong was conducted to measure the level of obedience and the level of struggle reported by respondents when making ethical decisions in the workplace. Based on our measures, multinomial logistic regression was used to examine if individual values, church factors, work ethical viewpoint, social background, faith orientation, family relationship, past experience, and so on, affect both judgmental behaviors and internal struggles. We found that (1) males struggle less than females when making decisions; (2) the more results-oriented a Christian is, the more likely it is that they will obey and follow management decisions; (3) the larger or the more rigorous their workplace, the easier it is for a Christian to obey and follow management decisions; (4) the longer devotion time to God a Christian spends, or the more history/social science books a Christian has read, the more unlikely a Christian will disobey one’s own wish; (5) the more short-term missions or visitations performed by the Christian, the lower their score on the struggle index.
Theological Reflection, Cognitive Frameworks and Commerce: Exploring the Intersection Between Christianity and Business
Authors: Fields Dail , Bekker Corné J.
Published: May 2024

The intersection of Christianity and business may represent a contemporary paradox forming an agenda for debate, discussion, and theological and ethical explorations. This paper briefly surveys two opposing views on the intersection between Christianity and business, whilst exploring some of the current thinking around the basic tenets of a Christian theology of work and commerce, and finally proposes the possible positive contributions of such a Christian theological perspective of work and commerce on the cognitive framework of managers and business leaders.
Three Myths of Good Hard Work
Authors: Smith Yvonne S.
Published: May 2024

Work is a large part of life, yet in our generation the church has largely ignored both work and the worker. The result is that three myths about work are prevalent among Christians and damage the church. The first myth is that there is good work and less good work. The second myth is that hard work is good work. The third myth is an outcome of the other two, that the good work of evangelism should not be mixed with economic work. The paper ends by discussing how Luther and Puritans views of work explode these myths and bring perspective to this key part of life.
In Competition with “Godless Hordes:” Are Some Strategic Approaches More Appropriate for a Faithful Business?
Authors: Bretsen Stephen N.
Published: May 2024

This article explores the intersection of the business as mission movement and the business principles of competitive advantage and competitive strategy. The academic discipline of strategic management has identified several different types of generic, business-level competitive advantages and corresponding strategies that are available to a firm, such as cost leadership, differentiation, or transactional. For a firm that is operating its business as a mission by holistically integrating Christian theological and social principles, using differentiation or transactional advantages rather than a cost advantage will generally allow the firm to effectively compete without undermining its core Christian mission.
Equity and Accumulation: A Biblical Critique of Residual Interest
Authors: Gurd Bruce , Rice John
Published: May 2024

This paper takes a Biblical perspective to the accounting concept of equity is a cornerstone of teaching and practice as an essential element in accounting. In accounting, equity is “the residual interest in the assets of the entity after the deduction of its liabilities” (SAC4). While accumulation may be an outcome of hard work, the general thrust of the Scriptures is against the desire to accumulate. Two problems emerge from accumulation. First is a personal problem; Jesus’ teaching suggests that the desire to accumulate earthly riches robs the individual of the desire for spiritual accumulation. The second is the impact on others; for the desire to accumulate for oneself can be to the detriment of the other. We argue that this second problem is prevalent in 21st century capitalism and provides a significant challenge for Jesus’ disciples in business today. The paper suggests solutions both at individual, organizational, and societal levels.
Exploring the Fundamental Paradox of Being an Organizational Leader
Authors: Cafferky Michael E.
Published: May 2024

This paper explores a fundamental, universally experienced leadership tension of caring for the needs of the individual and caring for the needs of the organization. The paper draws a distinction between the three concepts of paradox, dilemma and tradeoff. It describes the nature of the individual-community tension. It reviews the tension from the perspective of management scholarship and themes found in Biblical theology. The exploration reviews some of the issues that Christian leaders face as they attempt to manage this tension. It concludes by offering implications for leadership education.
Spiritual Capital in Modern Organizations
Authors: Martinez Richard J. , Rogers Robin , Yancey Gaynor , Singletary Jon
Published: May 2024

Modern firms succeed and fail primarily on the strength of their stores and use of various types of capital, such as financial, social, human, physical, etc. In light of a resurgence of interest in the spiritual element ever present in all organizations, we add spiritual capital to the lexicon of organizational assets. Our goals in this paper are three-fold. First, we introduce and explore spiritual capital as an organizational asset. Second, we explore the organizational design issues that lead to a lack of spiritual capital in modern organizations. Third, we consider for illustration purposes the example of strongly community-oriented organizations that exhibit high levels of spiritual capital. Specifically regarding spiritual capital, it is defined in this paper as assets, both tangible and intangible, that emanate from the spirit of an organization’s managers, employees, staff and volunteers, and that impact the spiritual condition of all organizational participants (internal and external). Spiritual capital is understood in this paper to consist of five elements – spiritual sensitivity, spiritual leadership, spiritual survival, spiritual outreach, and spiritual motivation. Further, in order to understand better the implications of spiritual capital, we consider possible organizational and individual outcomes associated with high levels of spiritual capital.
The Role of Spiritual Capital and Community in Amish Enterprises
Authors: Martinez Richard J. , Rogers Robin , Yancey Gaynor , Singletary Jon
Published: May 2024

Martinez, Rogers, Yancey, and Singletary (2009) recently proposed a model of spiritual capital that highlights the critical role of community life in organizations for enhancing the spiritual well-being of organizational participants. In this model, spiritual capital is defined as “assets, both tangible and intangible, that emanate from the spirit of an organization’s management, employees, staff and volunteers, and that impact the spiritual condition of all organizational participants (internal and external)” (Martinez et al., 2009). Spiritual capital is described as an important part of the organizational portfolio that includes financial, physical, human, intellectual, and social capital assets as well. Spiritual capital is understood in terms of several elements, including spiritual sensitivity, spiritual motivation, spiritual leadership, spiritual survival and spiritual outreach.
Binding and Loosening: Seeking Answers to Three Thorny Questions - A Response
Authors: VanderVeen Steve
Published: May 2024

In the beginning of her inaugural essay as editor of the Journal of Biblical Integration in Business, Yvonne Smith poses three thorny questions: What is Biblical integration? What is the position of JBIB among academic journals?What contributions should JBIB make to the CBFA? (Smith, 2010). At the end of her essay, she invites us to start talking about these things. I am writing because I think the invitation is as profound as the questions.
Richard C. Chewning: Model and Mentor of Business and Faith Integration
Authors: Mays Kathleen W. , Mason Steven D
Published: May 2024

The influence of Dr. Richard C. Chewning upon faith integration within the business academy is incomparable. He has not only modeled a sustaining commitment to faith integration in his own scholarly work in applied business ethics, but also has established a legacy for future generations through publication and personal mentorship. This paper presents some Biblical examples of establishing a legacy in the faith and highlights the important career of this senior statesman of Christian scholarship who embodies them.
The Global Financial Crises: Biblical Perspectives on Corporate Finance
Authors: Liang Ernest P.
Published: May 2024

The global financial crisis that started with the U.S. subprime market meltdown is the most severe since the Great Depression, but it shares much commonality with historic cycles of market manias, panics and crashes. An exposition of the key dimensions of the crisis, such as excess liquidity, leverage, and risk-taking, draws attention to the interplay of unique policy, institutional, and market factors in an evolving global economy. These factors also underlie prevailing attitudes of policymakers, investors, and market institutions that are likely to effect future market upheavals. Expanding on insights from the Scripture, in particular lessons from the experiences of the Old Testament personalities of Joseph and Daniel as well as Biblical teachings on indebtedness and risk-bearing, elements of a framework of Biblical perspectives on market fragilities are discussed. Stewardship principles for the Christ follower, whether in the role of policymaker, corporate manager, or investor, are suggested.
Worldly Saints: The Puritans as They Really Were – Work
Authors: Ryken Leland
Published: May 2024

Even people who know little about the Puritans bandy the phrase “Puritan work ethic” with confidence. When we explore what they mean by that phrase, it becomes apparent how little specific content the phrase holds for mostpeople today. For many the phrase Puritan ethic is simply a catchall label for what they dislike about the Puritans.
Response: Exploring for a Christian View of Strategy: We Have not Yet Discovered a Stream, River, or School, but We May Have Found the Headwaters
Authors: Daake Don
Published: May 2024

Dr. Leo Salgado challenges us with a new way of looking at strategy. By relying on Henry Mintzberg’s ten schools, he is building on a well-recognized, long-established, albeit evolving, typology. For those not familiar with theten schools, Dr. Salgado has provided a useful table at the end of the article. Readers may want to look at Mintzberg’s 1990 article to acquaint themselves with the typology.
God, Prosperity, and Poverty
Authors: Beed Clive , Beed Cara
Published: May 2024

An influential strain in recent Christian thought (Schneider 2002a) has stressed that material prosperity is a quality for human life sought by God for all people. Clearly, this objective has not been achieved. One of the reasons why the all-enveloping prosperity objective has not been reached is that its pursuit has been undertaken by down-playing God’s equally-important objective of mitigating material poverty. Incompatible with God’s aims, poverty persists. Via Biblical exegetes’ interpretation of Jesus’ sayings, this paper shows that Jesus usually speaks of the necessity to share possessions with the poor when He teaches on wealth. If assistance to the materially poor is as important as achieving prosperity in the Christian framework, implications arise for today. Final sections consider how the poor in First World countries might be identified (using the United States as the example), and how they might be helped to greater prosperity.
Islam, Islamic Finance, and Christianity
Authors: Dunn Samuel L. , Galloway Ronald G.
Published: May 2024

Islam now claims 1.5 billion adherents around the world and up to 3 million Muslims in the United States. As Islam grows social institutions are developing that conform to Shariah law and principles. Among them are Islamic banks and Islamic financial products which are becoming  recognized as legitimate options to conventional banks. Since economic and business systems around the world are increasingly integrated and businesspersons from the United States will most likely be interacting at some level with Muslims, it is important that U.S. businesspersons understand Islam and Islamic finance. To be salt and light and to interact in Christlike ways with Muslims, Christians need to know what Muslims believe, and especially what Muslims believe about Jesus. In this paper the authors first describe Islam by giving its history and principal theological doctrines. Then several important features of Islamic finance and various financial products are described. Finally, there is a description of Christian missions to Muslims.
Monopoly, Monopsony, and Elohim: A Faith and Learning Paradox
Authors: Newell Howard
Published: May 2024

This essay explores the relationships between: (1) the economic concepts of monopoly and monopsony and (2) certain qualities of Elohim, “the usual designation for God, . . . the Creator, the God of all gods, the transcendent One” (Dockery, p. 141). As we shall see, the pricing and quantity implications associated with the microeconomic models of monopoly and monopsony are in sharp contrast to Elohim’s perspectives on both pricing and quantity. This essay begins with and concludes with a set of thoughts on paradoxes.
The concept and essence of mobilization elements of tax policy
Authors: Mitin Dmitry Alekseevich , Gerasimova Anna Evgenievna
Published: May 2024

An important role in the transformation of the economy of the Russian Federation is played by tax policy, which has a significant impact on the market for goods, services, capital and labor. In this connection, the article analyzes the theoretical aspects of the formation of the state tax policy under the mobilization model of economic development. The subject of the study is tax policy as a tool for overcoming the economic crisis. The purpose of the study is to formulate principles for implementing tax policy in a mobilization economy, highlight its main elements and analyze their features. The methodology of the work is based on general logical and historical-legal methods of scientific research, which allows, taking into account historical experience, to propose a theoretical basis for modern tax policy in the conditions of a mobilization economy. The article provides a definition of the concept of tax policy in a mobilization economy. Based on the works of Russian scientists in the field of mobilization economics, the features of mobilization economics are highlighted for the purposes of forming tax policy. The study analyzes the historical experience of the Soviet Union in the period 1941-1945, on the basis of which the fundamental principles of tax policy in a mobilization economy are formulated. The article also develops a modern tax mechanism toolkit and describes its features. In addition, a comparison is made of tax regulation instruments for various models of economic development of economic macrosystems. An important part of the study is the structured and justified mobilization elements of tax policy. The solutions proposed in the study can be used in the practical implementation of tax policy in a mobilization economy.
Socially fair improvement of taxation of income and property of individuals in the Russian Federation
Authors: Balynin Igor Viktorovich
Published: May 2024

The object of the study is the taxation of income and property of individuals. The subject of the study is the socially fair improvement of taxation of income and property of individuals. The article presents specific recommendations for socially fair improvement of taxation of income and property of individuals in the Russian Federation. Particular attention is paid to the substantiation of the proposal to introduce a progressive tax scale for personal income tax. The article presents recommendations aimed at increasing the income of regional and local budgets from the collection of the taxes in question, as well as increasing the tax culture of citizens and reducing the number of road accidents. When conducting the research, the author used methods of analysis and synthesis of data (in different forms), induction and deduction. The scientific novelty is associated with the recommendations developed by the author for socially fair improvement of taxation of income and property of individuals in the Russian Federation, which meets the national development goals of the state for the period until 2030 and the list of instructions for the implementation of the Address to the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. The author’s special contribution to the study of the topic is the author’s proposed scale of progressive taxation of personal income (assuming the use of tax rates in the range of 13%–21%), the practical implementation of which will allow mobilizing about 1 trillion rubles. Recommendations for modernizing the taxation of property of individuals (including land and transport) have also been formulated. The materials of this study can be used in the practical activities of the Government of Russia, the Ministry of Finance of Russia, the Federal Tax Service, the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, as well as in organizations of higher and secondary vocational education.
Quadriceps muscle weakness after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A risk factor for knee osteoarthritis?
Authors: ØIestad Britt Elin , Holm Inger , Gunderson Ragnhild , Myklebust Grethe , Risberg May Arna
Published: July 2010

Objective

To identify risk factors for knee osteoarthritis (OA) 10–15 years after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. We hypothesized that quadriceps muscle weakness after ACL reconstruction would be a risk factor for radiographic and symptomatic radiographic knee OA 10–15 years later.

Methods

Subjects with ACL reconstruction (n = 258) were followed for 10–15 years. Subjects with unilateral injury at the 10–15‐year followup were included in the present study. Outcomes included the Cincinnati knee score, knee joint laxity, hop performance, and isokinetic muscle strength tests at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively. At the 10–15‐year followup, radiographs were taken and graded according to the Kellgren/Lawrence classification (range 0–4).

Results

Of the 212 subjects (82%) assessed at the 10–15‐year followup, 164 subjects had unilateral injury. The mean ± SD age at ACL reconstruction was 27.4 ± 8.5 years. Increased age (odds ratio [OR] 1.06, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.01–1.11) and meniscal injury and/or chondral lesion (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.00–4.20) showed significantly higher odds for radiographic knee OA. Low self‐reported knee function 2 years postoperatively (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.92–0.98) and loss of quadriceps strength between the 2‐year and the 10–15‐year followup (OR 1.00, 95% CI 1.00–1.01) showed significantly higher odds for symptomatic radiographic knee OA. Quadriceps muscle weakness after ACL reconstruction was not significantly associated with knee OA.

Conclusion

This study detected no association between quadriceps weakness after ACL reconstruction and knee OA as measured 10–15 years later.
Different disparities of gender and race among the thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic‐uremic syndromes
Authors: Terrell Deirdra R. , Vesely Sara K. , Hovinga Johanna A. Kremer , Lämmle Bernhard , George James N.
Published: July 2010

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and hemolytic‐uremic syndrome (HUS) represent multiple disorders with diverse etiologies. We compared the gender and race of 335 patients enrolled in the Oklahoma TTP‐HUS Registry across 21 years for their first episode of TTP or HUS to appropriate control groups. The relative frequency of women and white race among patients with TTP‐HUS‐associated with a bloody diarrhea prodrome and the relative frequency of women with quinine‐associated TTP‐HUS were significantly greater than their control populations. The relative frequency of women and black race among patients with idiopathic TTP and TTP‐associated with severe ADAMTS13 deficiency was significantly greater than their control populations. The relative frequency of black race among patients who had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) preceding TTP was significantly greater than among a population of patients with SLE, and the relative frequency of black race among patients with other autoimmune disorders preceding TTP was significantly greater than their control population. No significant gender or race disparities were present among patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation‐associated thrombotic microangiopathy, TTP associated with pregnancy, or TTP associated with drugs other than quinine. The validity of these observations is supported by the enrollment of all consecutive patients across 21 years from a defined geographic region, without selection or referral bias. These observations of different gender and race disparities among the TTP‐HUS syndromes suggest the presence of different risk factors and may serve as starting points for novel investigations of pathogenesis. Am. J. Hematol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reciprocal Th1 and Th17 regulation by mesenchymal stem cells: Implication for multiple sclerosis
Authors: Darlington Peter J. , Boivin Marie‐Noëlle , Renoux Christel , François Moïra , Galipeau Jacques , Freedman Mark S. , Atkins Harold L. , Cohen Jeffrey A. , Solchaga Luis , Bar‐Or Amit‐
Published: July 2010

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are being considered for clinical trials of multiple sclerosis (MS). We examined the effects of adult bone marrow‐derived hMSCs on responses of primary human Th1, Th17, and Th1/17 double‐expressing T‐cell subsets, all implicated in MS. As expected, soluble products from hMSCs inhibited Th1 responses; however, Th17 responses were increased. Secretion of interleukin (IL)‐10, considered anti‐inflammatory, was decreased. Pretreating hMSCs with the proinflammatory cytokine IL‐1β accentuated these effects, and caused decreases in the Th1/17 subset. These findings underscore the importance of further preclinical work and immune‐monitoring to define hMSC effects on disease‐relevant immune responses under variable conditions. ANN NEUROL 2010
The adaptor protein CIKS/ACT1 is necessary for collagen‐induced arthritis, and it contributes to the production of collagen‐specific antibody
Authors: Pisitkun Prapaporn , Claudio Estefania , Ren Nina , Wang Hongshan , Siebenlist Ulrich
Published: July 2010

Objective

CIKS/ACT1 is an adaptor molecule that is necessary for signaling by members of the interleukin‐17 cytokine family. The aim of this study was to determine whether this adaptor is required for the initiation of collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA). If it is required, then CIKS‐mediated signaling could be a potential target for therapeutic intervention in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

CIA model studies were performed with CIKS‐deficient and CIKS‐sufficient mice on an otherwise wild‐type (WT) C57BL/6 background or on a C57BL/6 background lacking Fcγ receptor IIb (FcγRIIb). In addition, collagen antibody–induced arthritis (CAIA) studies were performed in WT and CIKS‐deficient mice. Pathologic changes of arthritis were evaluated by visual inspection of the paws, by histochemical analysis of tissue sections, and by measurements of collagen‐specific antibodies.

Results

Pathologic changes of CIA were readily induced in WT mice, with exacerbation of the changes in FcγRIIb‐deficient mice. In contrast, CIKS‐deficient mice were protected from all aspects of CIA pathology, even on an FcγRIIb‐deficient background. The absence of CIKS completely prevented neutrophil infiltration into joints, bone erosion, and cartilage damage; furthermore, the production of type II collagen (CII)–specific antibodies was reduced. In contrast to the CIA model, CIKS‐deficient mice in the CAIA model remained susceptible to arthritis.

Conclusion

CIKS‐mediated signaling is necessary for the pathogenesis of CIA, but not CAIA. These findings suggest critical functions of CIKS during the development of arthritis in the CIA model, including in the formation of CII antibodies, and they mark the CIKS adaptor as a potential therapeutic target in RA.
Engagement of fatty acids with toll‐like receptor 2 drives interleukin‐1β production via the ASC/caspase 1 pathway in monosodium urate monohydrate crystal–induced gouty arthritis
Authors: Joosten Leo A. B. , Netea Mihai G. , Mylona Eleni , Koenders Marije I. , Malireddi R. K. Subbarao , Oosting Marije , Stienstra Rinke , van de Veerdonk Frank L. , Stalenhoef Anton F. , Giamarellos‐Bourboulis Evangelos J. , Kanneganti Thirumala‐Devi , van der Meer Jos W. M.
Published: July 2010

Objective

The concept that intraarticular crystals of uric acid by themselves trigger episodes of painful gouty arthritis is inconsistent with the clinical reality. Patients with large deposits of monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU) crystals (tophi) do not necessarily experience gouty attacks. In fact, it is the excessive consumption of food or alcohol that elicits the inflammation of the acute gout attack. The aim of this study was to identify the precise mechanism that initiates flares of gouty arthritis.

Methods

Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and murine macrophages were stimulated in vitro with MSU, free fatty acids (FFAs), or both in combination. Thereafter, production of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and activation of caspase 1 were determined. Gouty arthritis was induced in mice with deficiencies in the genes for caspase 1, ASC, NALP3, or IL‐1β, and the lack of inflammasome activity during joint swelling or other joint pathologic features was investigated in these mice.

Results

MSU crystals had no biologic effects on PBMCs from healthy subjects, whereas the FFA C18:0 in the presence of MSU crystals induced the release of large amounts of IL‐1β following engagement of Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR‐2). Interaction of FFAs, but not alcohol, with TLR‐2 synergized with MSU crystals to induce an inflammatory reaction. An important event of MSU/FFA‐induced acute joint inflammation is the activation of the inflammasome. MSU/FFA‐induced release of IL‐1β was dependent on activation of caspase 1 and ASC, but surprisingly, not NALP3.

Conclusion

The synergistic effect between FFAs and MSU crystals leads to ASC/caspase 1–driven IL‐1β release. This mechanism could explain how constitutionally derived metabolic events initiate attacks of gout via the induction of IL‐1β–mediated joint inflammation.
The absence of creativity in Feist and the computational process
Authors: Warner Julian
Published: July 2010

The decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in 1991 in Feist Publications, Inc. v. Rural Tel. Service Co. affirmed originality as a constitutional requirement for copyright. Originality has a specific sense and is constituted by a minimal degree of creativity and independent creation. The not original is the more developed concept within the decision. It includes the absence of a minimal degree of creativity as a major constituent. Different levels of absence of creativity also are distinguished, from the extreme absence of creativity to insufficient creativity. There is a gestalt effect of analogy between the delineation of the not original and the concept of computability. More specific correlations can be found within the extreme absence of creativity. “[S]o mechanical” in the decision can be correlated with an automatic mechanical procedure and clauses with a historical resonance with understandings of computability as what would naturally be regarded as computable. The routine within the extreme absence of creativity can be regarded as the product of a computational process. The concern of this article is with rigorously establishing an understanding of the extreme absence of creativity, primarily through the correlations with aspects of computability. The understanding established is consistent with the other elements of the not original. It also revealed as testable under real‐world conditions. The possibilities for understanding insufficient creativity, a minimal degree of creativity, and originality, from the understanding developed of the extreme absence of creativity, are indicated.
Development of Luciferin Analogues Bearing an Amino Group and Their Application as BRET Donors
Authors: Takakura Hideo , Sasakura Kiyoshi , Ueno Tasuku , Urano Yasuteru , Terai Takuya , Hanaoka Kenjiro , Tsuboi Takashi , Nagano Tetsuo
Published: July 2010

We systematically synthesized bioluminogenic substrates bearing an amino group on benzothiazole, quinoline, naphthalene, and coumarin scaffolds. They emit bioluminescence in various colors: red, orange, yellow, and green. An amino‐substituted coumarylluciferin derivative, coumarylaminoluciferin (CAL), showed the shortest bioluminescence wavelength among substrates reported so far. Further, the fluorescence of CAL did not exhibit solvatochromism, which suggests that its bioluminescence is not susceptible to environmental factors. We applied CAL as an energy‐donor substrate for a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) system with click beetle red luciferase (CBRluc), a mutant of firefly luciferase, as the energy‐donor enzyme and yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) as the energy‐acceptor fluorophore, and obtained a clearly bimodal bioluminescence spectrum. Stable bioluminescence that is not influenced by environmental factors is highly desirable for reliable measurements in biological assays.
Creating value in African biofuels
Authors: Sapp Meghan
Published: July 2010

During the global financial crisis, prospects for biofuels in Africa looked gloomy. Moving beyond the crisis and the food vs fuel debate, biofuel producers, academics, and policy‐makers alike are looking for ways to create value from sustainably produced biofuels in Africa. Meghan Sapp from PANGEA looks at why it is important that biofuels are ‘done right’ and for the benefit of Africa. © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Activity and Phase Diagram
Authors: Chou Kuo‐Chih , Li Wen‐Chao , Reddy R. G.
Published: July 2010

A series of rigorous relationships between activity and phase boundary for four kinds of equilibrium in phase diagrams have been developed which can be used to calculate activity of components along the liquidus. In terms of above rigorous equations the corresponding approximate equations for calculating activities at a fixed temperature can also be derived, which are significant, especially, when the experimental data are not available.
Tragverhalten von Flachdecken aus Stahlfaserbeton im negativen Momentenbereich und Bemessungsmodell für das Gesamtsystem
Authors: Michels Julien , Maas Stefan , Zürbes Arno , Waldmann Danièle
Published: July 2010

Der vorliegende Artikel befasst sich mit dem Tragverhalten von Flachdecken aus Stahlfaserbeton im negativen Momentenbereich. Zugkräfte werden allein von den in der Betonmatrix eingebetteten Stahlfasern aufgenommen, letztere ermöglichen in einer Dosierung von 100 kg/m3 (1.3 % des Volumens) eine hohe Rotationsfähigkeit bei gleichzeitig hoher Tragfähigkeit. In einer ersten Phase kann anhand von Laborversuchen an Deckenausschnitten gezeigt werden, dass bei Flachdecken mit reiner Faserbewehrung und unter rotationssymetrischer Belastung kein Durchstanzen auftritt und sich ein Biegeversagen mit deutlicher Bruchlinienbildung einstellt. Neben den erhaltenen Informationen über Versagensart und ‐last konnte ebenfalls eine abfallende Faserwirksamkeit mit steigender Plattendicke festgestellt werden. Kombiniert mit den experimentellen Untersuchungen kann anhand nicht‐linearer FE‐Simulationen der Einfluss von Aussparungen bei lokalem Plattenversagen im Stützenbereich auf die Traglast beschrieben werden. Anhand der Festigkeitsstreuungen und einem semi‐probabilistischen Sicherheitskonzept wird ein Sicherheitsfaktor hergeleitet, welcher es ermöglicht, einen Bemessungswert der Querschnittstragfähigkeit zu berechnen. Wegen dem experimentell festgestellten Biegeversagen wird die Bruchlinientheorie als Rechenmodell angewendet.

Bearing Capacity of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) Flat Slabs in the Negative Bending Moment Area and Design Model for the Complete System

The present paper deals with the bearing behaviour of steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) flat slabs in the negative bending moment area. Tensile forces are carried only by steel fibers. The latter allow, due to a dosage of 100 kg/m3 (1.3% in volume), a high rotation capacity with simultaneously high bearing capacities. In a first step experimental analysis showed that under symmetrical loading no punching shear failure occurred. A bending behaviour with creation of yield lines was observed for all test specimens. Furthermore, a decreasing fibre orientation with growing plate height could be noticed. The effect of openings in the column area on the bearing capacity loss in a local failure were evaluated with the use of non‐linear finite element software. Scatter in bending tensile strengths was used to calculate a safety factor by the means of a semi‐probabilistic safety concept. Eventually, slab design is performed by using yield line theory.
Merkblatt B3 – Elektrochemische Potentialmessungen zur Detektion von Bewehrungsstahlkorrosion
Authors: Sodeikat Christian
Published: July 2010

Elektrochemische Potentialmessungen (auch Potentialfeldmessungen) haben sich seit Jahren bewährt, Bereiche mit aktiver chloridinduzierter Korrosion an tausalzexponierten Bauwerken, wie z. B. Brückentafeln sowie Zwischendecks und Bodenplatten von Parkhäusern und Tiefgaragen nachzuweisen.

Bereits 1990 erschien die erste Fassung des Merkblatts B3 der DGZfP. Das DAfStb Heft 422 (1991) – Prüfung von Beton Empfehlungen und Hinweise zu DIN 1048 – enthielt die Potentialfeldmessung bzw. das Merkblatt B3 im Anhang. In Deutschland liegen somit zwei Jahrzehnte Erfahrungen mit den entsprechenden Regelwerken und natürlich auch in der praktischen Anwendung vor. In der Praxis zeigte sich jedoch auch, dass die Anwendung verbessert werden muss. Die Potentialmessung wurde vielfach sogar falsch durchgeführt, wichtige Messungen fehlten und auch die Interpretation bzw. Bewertung der Messergebnisse erfolgte nicht mit dem erforderlichen ingenieurmäßigen Sachverstand. Häufig erfolgte die Bewertung nur auf Grundlage des amerikanischen Regelwerks ASTM Standard C 876–91, welches sich auch aufgrund der unterschiedlichen Bauweisen in Deutschland jedoch nur sehr bedingt eignet. Dies und auch das Vorliegen neuer technischer und wissenschaftlicher Erkenntnisse veranlassten den DGZfP‐Fachausschuss für Zerstörungsfreie Prüfung im Bauwesen den Unterausschuss Korrosionsnachweis bei Stahlbeton zu beauftragen, das Merkblatt B3 zu überarbeiten und neu heraus zu geben. Das neue Merkblatt wurde schließlich im April 2008 veröffentlicht.

Ziel des nachfolgenden Beitrags ist es, das Potentialmessverfahren in kurzer Form darzustellen, insbesondere jedoch das Merkblatt B3 der Fachöffentlichkeit vorzustellen, da sich immer wieder gezeigt hat, dass dieses Merkblatt bei Anwendern und Auftraggebern nur sehr wenig bekannt ist.

Der Inhalt des Merkblatts B3 wird nachfolgend in Auszügen dargestellt, erläutert und Hinweise zur praktischen Ausführung und Bewertung der Potentialmessung gegeben. Ferner werden an einigen Stellen Hintergrundinformationen gegeben, die im Merkblatt B3 nicht enthalten sind. Auf neuere wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse wird verwiesen. Die Kapiteleinteilung des Merkblatts B3 wird übernommen. Manche besonders wichtige Passagen des Merkblatts werden weitgehend wörtlich übernommen, wobei diese Passagen der besseren Lesbarkeit halber nicht extra gekennzeichnet werden.
Hierarchical Bayesian inference for HIV dynamic differential equation models incorporating multiple treatment factors
Authors: Huang Yangxin , Wu Hulin , Acosta Edward P.
Published: July 2010

Studies on HIV dynamics in AIDS research are very important in understanding the pathogenesis of HIV‐1 infection and also in assessing the effectiveness of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. Viral dynamic models can be formulated through a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODE), but there has been only limited development of statistical methodologies for inference. This article, motivated by an AIDS clinical study, discusses a hierarchical Bayesian nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling approach to dynamic ODE models without a closed‐form solution. In this model, we fully integrate viral load, medication adherence, drug resistance, pharmacokinetics, baseline covariates and time‐dependent drug efficacy into the data analysis for characterizing long‐term virologic responses. Our method is implemented by a data set from an AIDS clinical study. The results suggest that modeling HIV dynamics and virologic responses with consideration of time‐varying clinical factors as well as baseline characteristics may be important for HIV/AIDS studies in providing quantitative guidance to better understand the virologic responses to ARV treatment and to help the evaluation of clinical trial design in response to existing therapies.