Induction time for crystal growth

An expression is derived for the induction time for crystal growth. It is shown that this induction time is not uniquely determined, and is dependent on experimental conditions. Induction time for crystal growth, unlike the induction time for nucleation, becomes unbounded if defined rigorously.     

Characterization of large molecular weight ester‐functionalized norbornene and hydroxylated norbornane carboxylic acid polymers prepared by ring‐opening metathesis polymerization

5‐Norbornene‐2‐ethyl ester (mixture of endo and exo) is polymerized via ring‐opening metathesis polymerization, yielding polymers with molecular weights ranging from 50,000 to 5,000,000 g/mol. The polymers are hydroxylated and saponified without alteration of the molecular weight. The polymers are analyzed by NMR, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. Films are cast from the polymers at several molecular weights and their rheological properties are investigated. The results showed greater solid‐like character with increasing molecular weight for all polymers analyzed. Cell viability studies showed that the films possessed minimal cytotoxicity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Optimal cooperative advertising integration strategy for organizations adding a direct online channel

Since the advent of the Web, retailers who served consumers offline (ie in stores or via catalogue) have grappled with how to effectively integrate the Internet into their marketing strategies and tactics. Clearly, how a firm elects to integrate the Internet into its retailing process, and how it coordinates offline and online strategic decisions, can impact its performance. In this paper, we examine integration decisions from a cooperative advertising perspective to determine the profitability of various integration strategies. We find that profit is greater when using a ‘partial-integration’ strategy rather than a ‘separation’ strategy; moreover, we find that profit is yet greater when using a ‘full-integration’ strategy rather than a ‘partial-integration’ strategy.     

Phantom energy: dark energy with w <--1 causes a cosmic doomsday

We explore the consequences that follow if the dark energy is phantom energy, in which the sum of the pressure and energy density is negative. The positive phantom-energy density becomes infinite in finite time, overcoming all other forms of matter, such that the gravitational repulsion rapidly brings our brief epoch of cosmic structure to a close. The phantom energy rips apart the Milky Way, solar system, Earth, and ultimately the molecules, atoms, nuclei, and nucleons of which we are composed, before the death of the Universe in a "big rip."     

Electron energy loss spectroscopy of the decomposition of formic acid on Ru(001)

Electron energy loss spectroscopy has demonstrated the existence of both a monodentate and a symmetric bidentate bridging formate as stable intermediates in the decomposition of formic acid on the Ru(001) surface. The monodentate formate converts upon heating to the bidentate formate which decomposes via two pathways: CH bond cleavage to yield CO₂ and adsorbed hydrogen; and CO bond cleavage to yield adsorbed hydrogen, oxygen and CO. Thermal desorption spectra demonstrate the evolution of H₂,H₂O, CO and CO₂ as gaseous products of the decomposition reaction. The observation of this product distribution from Ru(100), Ni(100) and Ni(110) had prompted the proposal of a formic anhydride intermediate, the existence of which is rendered questionable by the spectroscopic results reported here.     

The electrochemical methoxylation of methoxybenzenes and related compounds : The mechanism of electrochemical methoxylation of 1,4-dimethoxybenzene

Anodic oxidation of benzenoid aromatic ethers in methanolic KOH soln at a platinum electrode constitutes a one step method for the synthesis of the rare class of compounds, herein designated as the quinone diketals. The mechanism of conversion of 1,4-dimethoxybenzene to the diketal of p-benzoquinone, based on the evidence accumulated, is considered to proceed via discharge of the adsorbed aromatic compound, followed by nucleophilic reaction of the solvent system with the electrogenerated cationic species. The quinone diketal products resulting from anisole, 1,4-, 1,2-, and 1,3-dimethoxybenzene, 9,10-dimethoxyanthracene and benzodioxane have been established. In contrast methyl benzoate, anisonitrite, and benzene were found to be unreactive in agreement with a direct discharge scheme which does not involve methoxy radicals.