Characterization and evaluation of Paulownia elongota as a raw material for paper production

Paulownia elongota, one of the most fast growing species of the world, was evaluated as raw material for pulp and paper production. The chemical, morphological and anatomical aspects of paulownia woodwere determined. The lignin, holocellulose and ∝-cellulose contents in P. elongota wood were comparable to those of some common non-wood and hardwood raw materials. Different chemical pulping procedures were applied to P. elongota wood to evaluate its pulping potential. Paper strength properties and acidic group content bound to the cell wall were determined. The alkali solubility, water solubility and alcohol-benzene extractive content were higher than those from wood and most nonwoods. The fiber length of 0.83 mm was observed, which is close to low end of the hardwoods but fiber diameter was very wide, similar to that of softwoods. The pulpability of paulownia wood was alsostudied. The pulp yield and viscosity were very low and the kappa numbers were high. The strength properties were comparable to those of some wood and non-wood pulps. Although, paulownia pulpsare considered as low quality materials, it can be used for paper production when mixed with long fibrous materials

Surveillant Spectatorship: Race and Surveillance in Literature and Sport from Ralph Ellison to Colin Kaepernick

This dissertation theorizes the concept of &ldquo;surveillant spectatorship,&rdquo; which names a dynamic through which fans who watch and follow sport (in-person and through various media) become active monitors of athletes, often exercising rhetorical and material power. The dissertation begins with an examination of Colin Kaepernick&rsquo;s 2016 national anthem protests to reveal that the controversies around the protests are precipitated by surveillant spectatorship. Then surveillant spectatorship is applied to literary texts and events in the world of sports to produce new understandings of the ways in which surveillant spectatorship operates in sport and its representations in literature. The major literary texts studied are Ralph Ellison&rsquo;s Invisible Man, Michael Lewis&rsquo;s Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game, Don DeLillo&rsquo;s Pafko at the Wall, August Wilson&rsquo;s Fences, and Roberto Bola&ntilde;o&rsquo;s 2666.</p

Seasons Of Change: A Discourse Analysis Of University Rhetorical Response During A Generational Pandemic

Institutions of higher education are no strangers to crisis situations. From world wars to campus violence, colleges and universities across the United States have been both directly and indirectly affected by these crisis situations. However, in the early part of 2020, higher education was faced with a situation that transcended anything colleges and universities had seen before—COVID-19. What made COVID-19 so unique was how the disease quickly permeated throughout the United States. Thus, a stage was set for institutions of higher education to defend their campuses and communities from a most historical pandemic. This study, understanding the historical significance of the COVID-19 pandemic, researched how two public universities in Virginia, William & Mary and the University of the Virginia, used email communication to inform the students, faculty, and staff of their respective institutions during the pandemic. A discourse analysis was conducted and found that both institutions framed their discourse using a science and data-driven approach coupled with a unity-based structural frame that advanced the rhetoric and narrative of their COVID-19 response