The SPAN cookbook: A practical guide to accessing SPAN

This is a manual for remote users who wish to send electronic mail messages from the Space Physics Analysis Network (SPAN) to scientific colleagues on other computer networks and vice versa. In several instances more than one gateway has been included for the same network. Users are provided with an introduction to each network listed with helpful details about accessing the system and mail syntax examples. Also included is information on file transfers, remote logins, and help telephone numbers

Role of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase in the Aggressive Tumor Growth of HT1080 Human Fibrosarcoma Cells

We have developed a model system of human fibrosarcoma cell lines that do or do not possess and express an oncogenic mutant allele of N-ras. HT1080 cells contain an endogenous mutant allele of N-ras, whereas the derivative MCH603 cell line contains only wild-type N-ras. In an earlier study (S. Gupta et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 20:9294–9306, 2000), we had shown that HT1080 cells produce rapidly growing, aggressive tumors in athymic nude mice, whereas MCH603 cells produced more slowly growing tumors and was termed weakly tumorigenic. An extensive analysis of the Ras signaling pathways (Raf, Rac1, and RhoA) provided evidence for a potential novel pathway that was critical for the aggressive tumorigenic phenotype and could be activated by elevated levels of constitutively active MEK. In this study we examined the role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) in the regulation of the transformed and aggressive tumorigenic phenotypes expressed in HT1080 cells. Both HT1080 (mutant N-ras) and MCH603 (wild-type N-ras) have similar levels of constitutively active Akt, a downstream target of activated PI 3-kinase. We find that both cell lines constitutively express platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and PDGF receptors. Transfection with tumor suppressor PTEN cDNA into HT1080 and constitutively active PI 3-kinase–CAAX cDNA into MCH603 cells, respectively, resulted in several interesting and novel observations. Activation of the PI 3-kinase/Akt pathway, including NF-κB, is not required for the aggressive tumorigenic phenotype in HT1080 cells. Activation of NF-κB is complex: in MCH603 cells it is mediated by Akt, whereas in HT1080 cells activation also involves other pathway(s) that are activated by mutant Ras. A threshold level of activation of PI 3-kinase is required in MCH603 cells before stimulatory cross talk to the RhoA, Rac1, and Raf pathways occurs, without a corresponding activation of Ras. The increased levels of activation seen were similar to those observed in HT1080 cells, except for Raf and MEK, which were more active than HT1080 levels. This cross talk results in conversion to the aggressive tumorigenic phenotype. This latter observation is consistent with our previous observation that overstimulation of the activity of endogenous members of Ras signaling pathways, activated MEK in particular, is a prerequisite for aggressive tumorigenic growth

What is progressive business?

This introductory chapter signposts the rationale, framework and case study contents of the book. Firstly, we offer an overview of the need for new more progressive business models than the mainstream which exists at present, identifying the current challenges facing business in Europe and beyond in its international ramifications. To remedy these challenges, we present our alternative vision of progressive business functioning, whose basic criteria comprise ecological sustainability, respect for future generations, and pro-socialness. Then, synopses of our case examples follow

I costi della gestione ecologica. Il caso della Centrale termoelettrica ENEL di La Casella

Oggi più che in passato il monitoraggio sistematico dei principali fattori di impatto ambientale, l’analisi delle criticità ecologiche e la programmazione degli interventi correttivi sono passaggi necessari per una transizione verso modelli di produzione e consumo più sostenibili. Questo contributo si propone di evidenziare i principali risultati emersi dall’applicazione di un’innovativa metodologia di environmental accounting presso la Centrale termoelettrica Enel Produzione di La Casella. Si è trattato di un progetto pilota consistente in un lavoro di analisi e sintesi, per la rappresentazione delle implicazioni economiche riconducibili alla gestione delle criticità ambientali di un tipico impianto termoelettrico. L’iniziativa ha avuto l’obiettivo prevalente di avviare sistemi di controllo interni per il monitoraggio delle performance economiche legate all’attività di environmental management

I costi della gestione ecologica. Il caso della Centrale termoelettrica ENEL di La Casella

Oggi più che in passato il monitoraggio sistematico dei principali fattori di impatto ambientale, l’analisi delle criticità ecologiche e la programmazione degli interventi correttivi sono passaggi necessari per una transizione verso modelli di produzione e consumo più sostenibili. Questo contributo si propone di evidenziare i principali risultati emersi dall’applicazione di un’innovativa metodologia di environmental accounting presso la Centrale termoelettrica Enel Produzione di La Casella. Si è trattato di un progetto pilota consistente in un lavoro di analisi e sintesi, per la rappresentazione delle implicazioni economiche riconducibili alla gestione delle criticità ambientali di un tipico impianto termoelettrico. L’iniziativa ha avuto l’obiettivo prevalente di avviare sistemi di controllo interni per il monitoraggio delle performance economiche legate all’attività di environmental management

Prevention policies addressing packaging and packaging waste: Some emerging trends

Packaging waste is a major issue in several countries. Representing in industrialized countries around 30-35% of municipal solid waste yearly generated, this waste stream has steadily grown over the years even if, especially in Europe, specific recycling and recovery targets have been fixed. Therefore, an increasing attention starts to be devoted to prevention measures and interventions. Filling a gap in the current literature, this explorative paper is a first attempt to map the increasingly important phenomenon of prevention policies in the packaging sector. Through a theoretical sampling, 11 countries/states (7 in and 4 outside Europe) have been selected and analyzed by gathering and studying primary and secondary data. Results show evidence of three specific trends in packaging waste prevention policies: fostering the adoption of measures directed at improving packaging design and production through an extensive use of the life cycle assessment; raising the awareness of final consumers by increasing the accountability of firms; promoting collaborative efforts along the packaging supply chains

The Role of Government in Corporate Social Responsibility

This paper aims to contribute to understanding of the government’s role promoting Corporate Social Responsibility as an answer to the debate that has arisen within the political and global context during the last decade. This paper: (1) sets out the research findings and the various factors governments or the academic literature consider to be key drivers behind public initiatives for fostering CSR; (2) proposes a relational framework as a model for analysing the various approaches taken by governments and looks at the various public policies that governments may adopt to foster CSR. These policies are classified by the agents involved, and in particular by their relationships; (3) explores the relationship among social, economic and environmental context and the development of CSR governmental approaches; and (4) sets out the governments’, companies’, and NGOs’ perceptions as to what role governments ought to play in fostering CSR