bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Industry's role in air quality improvement: Environmental management opportunities for the 21st century
Authors: Rondinelli Dennis A. , Berry Michael A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractMore than 200 years ago, Adam Smith, the founder of modern economics, wrote in the Wealth of Nations that “…consumption is the sole end and purpose of all production; and the interest of the producer ought to be attention to…that of the consumer.” In recent years, the rapid growth of the world economy has given Adam Smith's maxim new meaning. The age‐old desire for consumption grows unabated and increasing numbers of consumers around the world are attaching new value to the environmental quality of goods and services and expressing concern over the environmental impacts of industrialization. That concern is growing because more than 70 percent of the world's urban population live in areas where the air is seriously polluted and as many as 750,000 people—the majority in developing countries—die each year of ailments caused by air pollution.1Over the past 25 years, corporations throughout the world have made dramatic changes in the way they do business as more people come to understand how the ecological system works and how polluted air and water endanger human health. The key to increasing industry's participation in the drive for higher standards of air quality is the growing realization that effective environmental management, technological development, and technology dissemination are cost‐effective and profitable business strategies. Global competition is making firms around the world more customer‐conscious and, to the extent that consumers demand products that minimize environmental degradation and enhance the quality of their lives, businesses in every industry must respond in order to survive.2This article examines how changes in business practices, driven by a better understanding of how natural environments function, are converging to provide new opportunities for environmental management that go beyond regulatory compliance to reduce air pollution. Although sound and well‐enforced environmental regulations are an essential foundation for improving air quality, command‐and‐control systems alone are unlikely to achieve the lower levels of pollution that will be necessary to achieve sustainable development in the 21st century. In cooperation with government, businesses in every industry can play crucial roles in achieving higher standards of air quality while at the same time maintaining acceptable levels of economic growth. We explore three ways in which corporations can contribute to environmentally sustainable development: (1) by adopting proactive environmental management systems that focus on air pollution prevention; (2) by developing new technologies for air pollution control and reduction; and (3) by transferring air pollution control and prevention technologies through international trade and investment.
Environment drives financial performance: The Jury is in
Authors: Kiernan Matthew J. , Levinson Jonathan 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIn a single day, June 13, 1994, the total stock market capitalization of Exxon dropped by a full 5 percent, with news of the company's exposure to additional legal damages from the Exxon Valdez disaster. Despite what should have been a jarring wake‐up call, however, Wall Street investors and company CEOs continue for the most part to conduct business as usual, unpersuaded that environmental considerations are anything more than a superficial and temporary blip on their Bloomberg screens. There is mounting evidence that they're dead wrong. In this article, the authors contend what they're currently sleeping through is nothing less than the beginnings of a profound, worldwide industrial restructuring.
Systems vs. metasystems: EMIS at the crossroads
Authors: Fitzgerald Chris 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAs environmental management responsibilities expand beyond regulations to address business issues such as design for the environment, total cost accounting, and strategic planning, it is tempting to plan for expanded information systems (EMIS) to handle new responsibilities. The author argues that we should pursue exactly the opposite course: shrink the EMIS to the minimum size possible. It would be impossible to feed the self‐standing EMIS with all the data it needs—replicas of almost any data tracked by the organization. The EMS and EMIS should be “meta‐systems” that store the organization's knowledge about how EH&S relates to various business processes, and what should be measured and reported to assure that EH&S objectives are met. The author provides examples of how companies are creating these EMS “metasystems” by leveraging enterprise systems implemented for accounting, business planning, groupware, maintenance, and process control.
Environmental performance benchmarking for electric utilities
Authors: Miakisz Joseph A. , Miedema Allen K. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractElectric utility companies in the United States and Canada are participating in a unique environmental benchmarking program (EBP) designed to comparatively assess environmental performance. Each company annually provides data on emissionslwastes, compliance, and other environmental aspects to an independent consultant, Research Triangle Institute (RTI), whose staff compiles the data and computes approximately 80 discrete environmental performance metrics for each company. RTI provides a confidential report for each participant presenting the results of the assessment. In addition, RTI conducts a follow‐up assessment to determine “best‐practices” of each of the top performers for each metric. The EBP provides each participant with useful information on its strengths and weaknesses relative to the other companies in the program as well as ideas on how to improve its environmental performance. Annual participation in the program allows a company to measure improvement in performance on an annual basis. This article summarizes the evolution of the EBP and describes the study methods and reporting approach. Our goal in sharing this information is to demonstrate the usefulness of the program and encourage further participation by all major North American electric utilities.
Expanding the benefits of environmental management systems through DFE
Authors: Eagan Patrick D. , Pferdehirt Wayne 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIndustry's role in environmental protection is changing and growing. Increasing evidence shows that a corporation's understanding and response to environmental issues and concerns can have strategically important consequences for some kinds of businesses.1 Focusing on concepts of prevention, industry has developed and struggled with a number of environmental approaches, all of which attempt to link the environment with common business practice. Industry has followed and in some cases embraced concepts and approaches like sustainable development, eco‐efficiency, green manufacturing, pollution prevention, and extended product responsibility. A particularly timely and promising strategy to reduce the environmental impact of both manufacturing and product use while enhancing business success is the integration of environmental management systems (EMS) with design for the environment (DFE) efforts.A desirable relationship can and should exist between DFE and EMS. This relationship has not been well understood, but is crucial to fulfill the promise of each.In application, the institutionalization of DFE in an organization is difficult and tenuous at best. Some authors suggest that management issues block the implementation of DFE.2 Others say that DFE has not been institutionalized to the extent that pollution prevention has.3 This article suggests that through an explicit connection between an EMS and DFE, DFE can extend the promise of EMS to reduce industry's environmental impact and produce business success, and it can do so in an ongoing way. The authors will show the importance of an EMS/DFE linkage, suggest company types that might benefit from investigating these approaches, and then review a series of DFE tool types.
Practical life cycle assessment through streamlining
Authors: Weitz Keith A. , Sharma Aarti 
Published: February 2007

AbstractLife cycle assessment (LCA) provides a concept, framework, and method to identify and evaluate the environmental burdens of products and processes. An ongoing concern of companies trying to implement LCA is the value of LCA in supporting actual decisions versus the resources and time needed to conduct a “full” LCA. In response to these concerns, there has been a lot of activity surrounding the “streamlining” of LCA to keep it more manageable yet provide useful and acceptably accurate results. This article explores the concept of streamlining, discusses where and how streamlining decisions can be made in an LCA, and presents issues related to conducting more streamlined LCAs. Due to the wide variety of purposes and scenarios in which LCAs are conducted, it is difficult to devise a one‐size‐fits‐all method for streamlining. Instead, we have focused on presenting the streamlining options in the context of major decision points that are common to most LCAs.
Investor attitudes toward the value of corporate environmentalism: New survey findings
Authors: Soyka Peter A. , Feldman Stanley J. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractDuring the past several years, an increasing body of evidence and opinion has formed concerning the relationships between advancements in environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) management and the financial performance of the organization. In recent work,1 we have described a new theoretical model linking improvements in environmental management systems and environmental performance to corporate risk, stock volatility, and market value, as well as an empirical evaluation that validated our model. A number of other studies2 have documented changes in the market value of corporate equity as a function of environmental accidents, incidents, and (conversely) accomplishments. These are in addition to the numerous examples presented in the literature and at EH&S conferences and symposia that suggest that concerted efforts to reduce the organization's environmental “footprint” can yield cost savings, increased market share, reduced time to market, and perhaps other financial benefits. Some have gone so far as to proclaim that a new era has begun, in which environment‐friendly corporations will increasingly be recognized and rewarded by financial market participants, and organizations that lag behind will be severely penalized.3 This article documents a new survey undertaken to identify important environmental factors, if any, investors employ in evaluating the quality and worth of equity and debt financing instruments.
ISO 14001 registration: The process, the benefits, and the choice of registrar
Authors: Davies Chris , Webber Phil 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis article introduces the concept of ISO 14001 registration, outlines related assessment processes, and reviews the drivers behind developing an ISO‐14001‐concordant environmental management system (EMS) and seeking third party registration of that EMS. It focuses on registration strategies for larger organizations and considerations in choosing a registrar, including: auditor qualifications, standards for the conduct of EMS audits, and some issues for audit and registration service providers.The authors conclude that it is beneficial to pursue an ISO‐14001‐concordant EMS and that the value of the system can be enhanced through registration. However, some thought should be given to choosing the appropriate registrar, in particular to their EMS and audit approaches and to the qualifications of their audit team. Service providers are also cautioned to remember that ISO 14001 is not the same as ISO 9000, and that the registrar's standard of care in the discharge of their work should reflect that. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Education for sustainability: Are we flunking the future?
Authors: Henn Carl L. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWhen New Jersey's Office of Sustainability was originally established in 1997, it was at first quizzically referred to as the “Office of What?” Now, good people, high purpose, and new name (Sustainable Business Division of the Commerce Commission) have steadily gained respect as skeptics reflected on what the term sustainability can mean to life on earth as we know it in New Jersey and elsewhere. Current rates of growth in population, industrial production, consumerism, and environmental degradation cannot be supported indefinitely by Earth's finite carrying capacity. New ways of thinking, working, and living will be required to change our course of unsustainable human activity both locally and globally. Such a transformation is achievable only through major changes in education. This article contends that the rate, content, and scope of learning required to take a sustainable path in America are not happening. Some ideas for what needs to be done are suggested.© 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Selling green: What managers and marketers need to know about consumer environmental attitudes
Authors: Kaufman Lois 
Published: February 2007

AbstractResearch clearly shows that the environment is not going to go away as an issue of public concern. In fact, for many people, the environment is no longer simply an issue—it is a way of life. This is not likely to change. What has changed, however, is today's consumer. Today we are faced with a different type of consumer: one who is more knowledgeable on environmental issues—and more demanding. Environmental messages can be effective in reaching these potential buyers—but only if corporate managers and marketers understand public concerns and learn how to craft their environmental marketing strategies. © 1999 Integrated Marketing Services (IMS) and Environmental Research Associates, a division of IMS, Princeton, New Jersey. Reprinted with permission.
Environmental risk and liability management and its influence on profitability
Authors: Fletcher Charles D. , Paleologos Evan K. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractManaging environmental risk and liability for corporations and consultants requires a prudent combination of insurance techniques, company risk control plans, pollution prevention, and the proper allocation of retention funds. This article presents a review of current risk management techniques used to shield profits from limited and catastrophic loss scenarios. We recommend that corporations and consulting firms integrate insurance and risk management planning to mitigate environmental liabilities, navigate business risks, and safeguard corporate performance..© 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Kinetic studies of human and rat neutrophil lysoPAF acetyltransferase using lysoPAF and dansyllysoPAF as substrates
Authors: Schindler Peter W. , Ninio Ewa 
Published: February 2007

AbstractEnzyme kinetic studies of lysoPAF acetyltransferase from microsomal preparations of human and rat neutrophils were carried out using lysoPAF or dansyllysoPAF as substrate. With the human enzyme, incomplete conversion of the substrate into the product was observed at 37°C with both substrates. The acetyltransferase was inactivated at 37°C in the absence of substrate with a half‐life of 7.5 min. However, the initial rate of product formation under the assay conditions was linear up to 10 min. Both enzymes were optimally active at 40 μM concentration with either substrate, but enzyme activity was inhibited at higher substrate levels. At a constant substrate concentration (40 μM), the Km (μM) and Vmax (nmol product/min/mg protein) values for the human acetyltransferase, with respect to acetyl‐CoA were 132 and 23.1, respectively, with lysoPAF as substrate, and 105 and 26.7, respectively, when dansyllysoPAF was used. The Km and Vmax values for the rat enzyme were 105 and 6.5, respectively, with lysoPAF as substrate, and 120 and 5.4, respectively, when dansyllysoPAF was used. Under our standard conditions, lysoPAF required 1 mg of BSA per mL in the assay, whereas full activity of both enzymes was seen with dansyllysoPAF even in the absence of BSA. The results show that dansyllysoPAF can replace lysoPAF in the assay without any significant changes in kinetic parameters.
The hormonal regulation of platelet‐activating factor acetylhydrolase activity in plasma
Authors: Miyaura Shuichi , Maki Noriei , Byrd William , Johnston John M. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe have previously reported that certain fetal tissues including the lung and kidney have an increased platelet‐activating factor (PAF) content and enzymatic mechanism for its elevated biosynthesis during the latter stages of pregnancy. In contrast, in the maternal plasma compartment of both the rabbit and human, a decreased capacity to inactivate PAF has been demonstrated. The PAF acetylhydrolase in the fetal plasma is also suppressed. The present study was undertaken to determine the mechanism(s) involved in the regulation of PAF acetylhydrolase. The 17α‐ethynylestradiol was administered (intraperitoneal [i.p.] 2.5 mg/kg body wt 5 days) to female and male rats. The plasma PAF acetylhydrolase activity decreased 5‐fold. A decrease was observed when a concentration of the estrogen as low as 50 μg/kg was employed. The injection of dexamethasone (i.p., 1.3 mg/kg body wt, 5 days) to male and female rats resulted in a 3‐fold increase in the plasma PAF acetylhydrolase activity. The activity returned to the values prior to hormone treatment 4 days after cessation of treatment. Testosterone and progesterone were without effect on plasma acetylhydrolase activity. The change in PAF acetylhydrolase activity caused by estrogen and the glucocorticoid was reflected by a change in the activity in the HDL fraction and not due to the presence of an inhibitor or activator in the plasma of the hormone‐treated animals. Human serum obtained from a group of women, in which the 17β‐estradiol concentration was elevated in preparation for anin vitro fertilization procedure, showed an inverse relationship between the plasma estrogen concentration and the PAF acetylhydrolase activity. It is suggested that estrogen is responsible for the regulation of PAF acetylhydrolase and the decrease in the plasma PAF acetylhydrolase during the latter stages of pregnancy in both the maternal and fetal plasma caused by the hyperestrogenic state that occurs during this period. The observed increase in PAF acetylhydrolase by dexamethasone may account for, in part, the known anti‐inflammatory properties of this steroid by decreasing the concentration of this potent autacoid.
Recent advances in our understanding of the biochemical interactions between platelet‐activating factor and arachidonic acid
Authors: Chilton Floyd H. , Cluzel Marc , Triggiani Massimo 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIn the last few years, it has become increasingly apparent that the biochemistry of PAF (platelet‐activating factor) and that of arachidonic acid are interrelated in a number of inflammatory cells. Experiments presented here further point out that arachidonic acid plays a crucial role in the catabolism and biosynthesis of PAF. In addition, they suggest that the same phospholipid molecular species may serve as a source for both arachidonic acid and 1‐alkyl‐2‐lyso‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine during cell activation. Finally, they reveal that there may be common regulatory mechanisms for the biosynthesis of PAF and arachidonic acid metabolites. Taken together, studies examining the relationship between PAF and arachidonic acid suggest it may be difficult to consider the biochemistry of PAF without considering arachidonic acid metabolism and vice versa.
Chemical synthesis and physiological activity of sulfonium analogues of platelet activating factor
Authors: Kates Morris , Adams George A. , Blank Merle L. , Snyder Fred 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPhosphatidylsulfocholine (PSC), the sulfonium analogue of phosphatidylcholine (PC), occurs naturally in some diatoms. The replacement of the −N+(CH3)3 group by a −S+(CH3)2 results in an increase in the polar head group size in PSC relative to that of PC, consistent with the observed increase in permeability of PSC bilayers towards urea. It was of interest to see whether replacement of the −N+(CH3)3 group in platelet activating factor (PAF) by an −S+(CH3)2 group leads to any change in platelet aggregation or other physiological activity. Synthesis of the sulfonium analogue of PAF was carried out by suitable modifications of known procedures. The PAF‐sulfonium analogue was found to have almost the same platelet aggregating activity as PAF itself, in the concentration range 1–20 μM, but a much lower activity in the range 0.01–1 μM. The analogue had little or no effect on the platelet aggregation activity of PAF when added in the concentration range 0.01–1 μM and had about half the hypotensive activity of PAF towards hypertensive CDF male rats. The sulfonium analogue, however, was much more cytotoxic to HL‐60 cells than PAF itself, in the concentration range 0–15 μM; replacement of the acetate group by a benzyl group increased the cytotoxicity to the level of that of the methoxy analogue of PAF. Thus, replacement of the −N+(CH3)3 group by a −S+(CH3)2 group in the polar head group region of PAF results in a relatively small change in its platelet aggregation activity and a decrease in its hypotensive activity, but greatly increases its antitumor activity.
Thieno‐triazolo‐1,4‐diazepines as antagonists of platelet‐activating factor: Present status
Authors: Casals‐Stenzel Jorge 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe platelet‐activating factor, 1‐O‐alkyl‐2‐acetyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine, (PAF) antagonistic activity of thienotriazolodiazepines has recently been described. The lead compound in this series was brotizolam, which also exhibits sedative and hypnotic effects. By combination of brotizolam with the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist RO 15‐1788, PAF antagonistic and central nervous system (CNS) activities could be segregated. Systematic structure variation has led to potent and selective PAF antagonists without CNS effects. WEB 2086 and its analogues WEB 2170 and STY 2108 are representative examples of this structural type and have shown a high potency and selectivity in PAF‐induced and PAF‐dependentin vitro tests and in experimental models. Studies in healthy volunteers have demonstrated potent pharmacological activity and good safety and tolerance of oral, intravenous or inhaled WEB 2086 in man. These agents should therefore prove useful for the further elucidation of the pathophysiological role of PAF and provide an opportunity for therapeutic applications in diseases in which the involvement of PAF has been implicated.
PAF receptor structure: A hypothesis
Authors: Godfroid J. J. , Dive G. , Lamotte‐Brasseur J. , Batt J. P. , Heymans F. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractDifferent hypotheses of the structure of platelet‐activating factor (PAF) receptor based on structure‐activity relationships of agonists and antagonists are reviewed. For an agonistic effect, strong hydrophobic interactions and an ether function are required in position‐1 of the glycerol backbone; chain length limitations and steric hindrance demand a small group in position‐2. The unusual structural properties of non‐PAF‐like antagonists required 3‐D electrostatic potential calculations. This method applied to seven potent antagonists suggests a strong “Cache‐oreilles” (ear‐muff) effect,i.e., two strong electronegative wells (isocontour at −10 Kcal/mole) are located at 180° to each other and at a relatively constant distance. Initial consideration of the “Cache‐oreilles” effect implied the structure of a bipolarized cylinder of 10–12 Å diameter for the receptor. However, very recent results on studies with agonists and antagonists structurally similar to PAF suggest that the receptor may in fact be a multi‐polarized cylinder.