Hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a defensive enzyme against oxidative stress. Vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent cytokine which promotes angiogenesis. We used induced sputum (IS) technology to study HO-1 and VEGF expressions in neutrophilic inflammation in asymptomatic welders. Aircraft plant employees were divided into three groups: Welders 1 (n=30) had short-term exposure to alumin...

In 1996, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) established criteria it uses when evaluating proposals for marketbased rates by natural gas pipelines. Since that time, a number of significant developments have occurred, both in markets for natural gas transportation and in economic tools for marketpower assessment. This article will review the current approach for measuring interstate ...

Article describes the issues related to the impact of underground mining exploitation on pipelines in Poland. For this purpose there was conducted the impact analysis of horizontal strains, curvatures and tilt changes of the surface on loads and displacements of these objects. Ground deformations can cause pipelines failures and thereby reduce their reliability. In addition, the examples of typ...

within the framework of international political economy, this article discusses the situation of energy resources, including oil and gas, in central asia and argues that due to abundance of oil and gas resources in such countries as kazakhstan, turkmenistan and uzbekistan, and hefty revenues generated by those resources, statesmen in these countries are planning to turn central asia into a majo...

The fundamental equations which describe the flow through gas and liquid pipelines are formally identical. However, the wide gap between the compressibility ranges of gases and liquids leads to quite different transport characteristics for both kinds of media. While for oil pipelines and pump stations specific topics like batch operation, surges, and possible slack line scenarios have to be con...

Gas clathrate hydrates were first identified in 1810 by Sir Humphrey Davy. However, it is believed that other scientists, including Priestley, may have observed their existence before this date. They are solid crystalline inclusion compounds consisting of polyhedral water cavities which enclathrate small gas molecules. Natural gas hydrates are important industrially because the occurrence of th...

Real-time models and associated applications have been widely used to support the safe and effi cient operation of pipelines from within the confi nes of the pipeline operations environment. Commercial systems have also been independently implemented to manage the business relationships between gas suppliers, shippers, transporters, and end users; however, the direct interchange of information ...