Structural integrity analysis of axially cracked pipelines using conventional and constraint-modified failure assessment diagrams

This study explores applications of the failure assessment diagram (FAD) methodology to predict the failure behaviour for high pressure pipelines with planar defects having different geometries (i.e., crack depth and crack length). One purpose of this investigation is to assess the capability of FAD procedures in integrity analyses of high pressure pipelines with varying crack configurations. Another purpose is to address the effectiveness of constraint-based FADs to predict burst pressure of low-constraint cracked pipelines. Full scale burst testing of end-capped pipe specimens with axial surface flaws provide the data needed to compare the failure predictions derived from the FAD procedures. The analyses reveal that the degree of agreement between predicted pressures and experimentally measured values depends rather markedly on the crack size for the tested pipes. Moreover, the analyses also show a possible weak dependence of the predicted pressures on the constraint-based correction scheme. Overall, the results validate the use of FAD-based methodologies for defect assessments of axially cracked pipelines.     

Engineering a heavy atom derivative for the X-ray structure analysis of cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase

Based on a preliminary structural model of cyclodextrin glycosyltransferasefrom Bacillus circulans (EC 2.4.1.19 [EC] ), Ser428 and Ser475 ofthe enzyme were mutated to cysteines in order to produce suitableheavy atom derivatives. Mutant Ser475 - Cys could not be expressedas protein. Mutant Ser428 - Cys was expressed in Escherichiacoli and purified. It crystallized isomorphously and gave riseto a mercury derivative that improved the electron density map.The structural results show that the new mercury-binding siteis in a pocket at the protein surface.     

Evaluation of genetic polymorphism among Lactobacillus rhamnosus non-starter Parmigiano Reggiano cheese strains

Parmigiano Reggiano (PR) is an Italian cooked, long-ripened cheese made with unheated cow's milk and natural whey starter. The microflora is involved in the manufacturing of this cheese, arising from the natural whey starter, the raw milk and the environment. Molecular studies have shown that mesophilic non-starter lactic acid bacteria (NSLAB) are the dominant microflora present during the ripening of PR. In this study, a characterisation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus isolated from a single PR manufacturing and ripening process is reported, using a combination of genotypic fingerprinting techniques (RAPD-PCR and REP-PCR). The intraspecies heterogeneity evidenced for 66 strains is correlated to their abilities to adapt to specific environmental and technological conditions. The detection of biotypes that correlate with specific moments in cheese ripening or differential development throughout this process suggests that these strains may have specific roles closely linked to their peculiar technological properties.