Thioxanthone Sensitized Photodegradation of Poly(alkyl methacrylate) Films

The thioxanthone-sensitized photodegradation of poly(alkyl methacrylate) films [alkyl = methyl, ethyl, butyl, and hexyl] was studied using near UV-vis light. The photooxidation process continued even after the total consumption of the sensitizer, possibly due to the excitation of the ketyl groups formed during the first stages of the process. The rate of oxidation, as well as the formation of hydroxy, peroxy, and ketyl groups was faster for polymers with larger ester groups. The decrease of the molecular weight of the degradated polymers was also larger for the hexyl substituted polymer. The side-chain size effect was attributed to the larger amount of secondary hydrogens available for abstraction by the triplet state of thioxanthone, present in the larger ester groups. The lower glass transition temperature of the hexyl substituted polymer allows a better diffusion of oxygen to the deeper layers of the films that also contributes to the faster photodegradation rate. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 115: 1283-1288, 2010

Short fiction of Thomas Hardy: an exploration and assessment

Hardy's novels and poetry have received extensive criticism, in due proportion to their merit. Hardy's short stories, however, have been virtually excluded from the annals of Hardy criticism, even though Hardy wrote over forty short stories, several of which are truly outstanding. In part, the reason for this neglect is because of the neglected state of the short story in Victorian England. Short fiction, published mainly only in periodicals and never collected in volume form, was obscured to a large extent by the highly popular serial novel. This thesis examines Thomas Hardy's short stories in the context of both the Victorian period and the Victorian short story genre, and explores the ways in which Thomas Hardy improved upon and deviated from some of the common types of short fiction being written in his day.

Fall 2014

Inside this Issue: Archives Kickoff for Winthrop’s Integration CommemorationGiving Thanks … Dean HerringWoodfork ScholarshipActive Friends Member List for 2015Rudy Mancke to SpeakNote From the Chair … Dr. Jane WhiteMembership Form

Summer 2014

Inside this Issue: Bob Gorman RetiresKim Wright to SpeakWhy Friends Matter … Dean HerringActive Member List & Friends Fall ElectionMembership Application

Spring 2014

Inside this Issue: Friends Board Meets Baumgarte to SpeakInaugurations… — Dean HerringA Note From the Sec.- Treas. — Dr. FaulknerMember Application

Fall 2013

Inside this Issue: Friends Board Meets Gorman on Blue SoxGiving Thanks — Dean HerringA Note From the Chair — Dr. WeaverMember Application

Summer 2013

Inside this Issue: Bela and M.H. Herlong Book Talk Success of April 8Welcome New WU President ComstockMergers, Mayhem and More — Dean HerringA Note From the Chair — Dr. WeaverMember Application

Spring 2013

Inside this Issue: Library Endowment Fund EstablishedActive/Life Member List for FriendsA Note From the ChairMembership Form

Fall 2012

Inside this Issue: Business Report of the Friends / Endowment to be EstablishedDean HerringKay McSpadden Wins Norman Mailer AwardA Note From the ChairMember Application