The Action of Chain Extenders in Nylon-6, PET, and Model Compounds

The action of two complementary chain extenders is studied in model systems as well as in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and nylon–6. Chain extenders are low molecular weight compounds that can be used to increase the molecular weight of polymers in a short time. The reaction must preferably be fast enough to execute this step in an extruder. 1,3-Phenylene bis(2-oxazoline-2) (PBO) and isophthaloyl biscaprolactamate (IBC) are used in this study. Bisoxazolines react quickly with carboxylic acids. With model compounds it is shown that, under processing conditions, high conversions can be reached. However, the conversion is not complete. The high rate and the absence of volatile reactants are the most important characteristics of this reaction. Bislactamates are suitable coupling agents for hydroxy and amino functional polymers. The path of this coupling reaction depends on the type of nucleophile and on the reaction temperature. Under mild conditions the elimination of caprolactam is the main reaction. Under more severe conditions the ring opening mechanism may also be operative. The increase of the viscosity is studied with one as well as with a mixture of the two chain extenders. The effect is larger when both types of chain extenders are used simultaneously

Marine Monitoring Program: Annual report for inshore water quality monitoring 2018-19

[Extract] The program design includes the collection of water samples along transects in the Cape York, Wet Tropics, Burdekin and Mackay-Whitsunday regions year-round, with higher frequency sampling during the wet season to better characterise this period of episodic river discharge. Satellite imagery and modelling simulations are linked with in-situ monitoring data to estimate the exposure of inshore areas to end-of-catchment loads from rivers

Thesis Manon Neilen 2020

This work is part of the thesis of Manon Neilen, published in 2020 at Utrecht University Title: RxLR and CRN effectors of the spinach downy mildew Peronospora effusa and their interacting plant protein

The Action of Chain Extenders in Nylon-6, PET, and Model Compounds

The action of two complementary chain extenders is studied in model systems as well as in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and nylon–6. Chain extenders are low molecular weight compounds that can be used to increase the molecular weight of polymers in a short time. The reaction must preferably be fast enough to execute this step in an extruder. 1,3-Phenylene bis(2-oxazoline-2) (PBO) and isophthaloyl biscaprolactamate (IBC) are used in this study. Bisoxazolines react quickly with carboxylic acids. With model compounds it is shown that, under processing conditions, high conversions can be reached. However, the conversion is not complete. The high rate and the absence of volatile reactants are the most important characteristics of this reaction. Bislactamates are suitable coupling agents for hydroxy and amino functional polymers. The path of this coupling reaction depends on the type of nucleophile and on the reaction temperature. Under mild conditions the elimination of caprolactam is the main reaction. Under more severe conditions the ring opening mechanism may also be operative. The increase of the viscosity is studied with one as well as with a mixture of the two chain extenders. The effect is larger when both types of chain extenders are used simultaneously.

The genome of Peronospora belbahrii reveals high heterozygosity, a low number of canonical effectors and CT-rich promoters

Along with Plasmopara destructor, Peronosopora belbahrii has arguably been the economically most important newly emerging downy mildew pathogen of the past two decades. Originating from Africa, it has started devastating basil production throughout the world, most likely due to the distribution of infested seed material. Here we present the genome of this pathogen and results from comparisons of its genomic features to other oomycetes. The assembly of the nuclear genome was ca. 35.4 Mbp in length, with an N50 scaffold length of ca. 248 kbp and an L50 scaffold count of 46. The circular mitochondrial genome consisted of ca. 40.1 kbp. From the repeat-masked genome 9049 protein-coding genes were predicted, out of which 335 were predicted to have extracellular functions, representing the smallest secretome so far found in peronosporalean oomycetes. About 16 % of the genome consists of repetitive sequences, and based on simple sequence repeat regions, we provide a set of microsatellites that could be used for population genetic studies of Pe. belbahrii. Peronospora belbahrii has undergone a high degree of convergent evolution, reflecting its obligate biotrophic lifestyle. Features of its secretome, signalling networks, and promoters are presented, and some patterns are hypothesised to reflect the high degree of host specificity in Peronospora species. In addition, we suggest the presence of additional virulence factors apart from classical effector classes that are promising candidates for future functional studies