title: Twardowski, rationality, and post-truth

authors: Ulatowski, Joseph W.

subjects: Kazimierz Twardowski

abstract: If Twardowski is correct about rationality, then truth comes in degrees. If truth comes in degrees, then we must replace a classical conception of truth with a nearby alternative. Post-truth accepts that statements need not be true or false but may be scalar. Thus, Twardowski's own vision of rationality (logistic anti-irrationalism) would have to accept that truth comes in degrees.

text: Twardowski, rationality, and post-truth If Twardowski is correct about rationality, then truth comes in degrees. If truth comes in degrees, then we must replace a classical conception of truth with a nearby alternative. Post-truth accepts that statements need not be true or false but may be scalar. Thus, Twardowski's own vision of rationality (logistic anti-irrationalism) would have to accept that truth comes in degrees.

year: 2026

title: Quality of cellulose and biostimulant extracts from Oedogonium calcareum cultivated during primary wastewater treatment

authors: Jayasooriya, Nethmie

subjects: Biomass utilization

abstract: A practical two-product cascading biorefinery was developed to extract a biostimulant and cellulose from the freshwater filamentous macroalga Oedogonium calcareum grown while treating primary wastewater. Biostimulant production provides a valuable extract with production of disinfected residual biomass for further product development. Both Escherichia coli and F-specific RNA bacteriophage, indicators of human pathogens contamination, were absent from the residual biomass. The chemical composition of the biostimulant was complex, consisting of growth-promoting substances, free amino acids, and minerals. The O. calcareum cellulose fractions yielded between 9.5% and 10.1% (w/w) with purities from 84% to 90% and closely resembled microcrystalline cellulose. Biostimulant extraction improved cellulose quality by increasing crystallinity from 59% to 62%. Biomass condition, drying process, and biostimulant production influenced the crystallinity index. This study demonstrates a two-step process of biostimulant and cellulose extraction from wastewater-grown Oedogonium, simultaneously disinfecting biomass and isolating high-quality cellulose as a sustainable alternative to conventional extraction methods.

text: Quality of cellulose and biostimulant extracts from Oedogonium calcareum cultivated during primary wastewater treatment A practical two-product cascading biorefinery was developed to extract a biostimulant and cellulose from the freshwater filamentous macroalga Oedogonium calcareum grown while treating primary wastewater. Biostimulant production provides a valuable extract with production of disinfected residual biomass for further product development. Both Escherichia coli and F-specific RNA bacteriophage, indicators of human pathogens contamination, were absent from the residual biomass. The chemical composition of the biostimulant was complex, consisting of growth-promoting substances, free amino acids, and minerals. The O. calcareum cellulose fractions yielded between 9.5% and 10.1% (w/w) with purities from 84% to 90% and closely resembled microcrystalline cellulose. Biostimulant extraction improved cellulose quality by increasing crystallinity from 59% to 62%. Biomass condition, drying process, and biostimulant production influenced the crystallinity index. This study demonstrates a two-step process of biostimulant and cellulose extraction from wastewater-grown Oedogonium, simultaneously disinfecting biomass and isolating high-quality cellulose as a sustainable alternative to conventional extraction methods.

year: 2024-07-01

title: Rolling Our Eyes Towards God: An Intervention Arising from Mormon Missionary YouTube Activity and The Cultural (Mis)Appropriation of Haka

authors: Simon, Hemopereki

abstract: This Kaupapa Māori Research writing inquiry explores the (mis)appropriation of haka and the social media video-sharing platform YouTube in that (mis)appropriation. The article examines the specific case of a group of Latter-day Saint missionaries in Wangarratta, Australia, who wrote and performed an English- language haka that the author finds violent and offensive. The article outlines Aileen Moreton-Robertson’s White Possessive doctrine in relation to the Church and white patriarchal salvation. Haka’s cultural background and appropriation are explained. Theoretical explanations of collective and cultural memory and YouTube as a social media platform and cultural archive follow. The author highlights YouTube grey literature sources on haka cultural (mis)appropriation. The 2006 case study “missionary haka” video is critiqued and analysed. Case study issues are discussed. The Church’s history of racial discrimination and violence and its religious aetiology of skin colour make this video ”misappropriated,” according to research. This performance uses haka to promote white and religious supremacy and the idea that you must be white and/or religious to be fully human. This message helps the LDS Church mission of possessing Indigenous souls and remaining the “true religion”.

text: Rolling Our Eyes Towards God: An Intervention Arising from Mormon Missionary YouTube Activity and The Cultural (Mis)Appropriation of Haka This Kaupapa Māori Research writing inquiry explores the (mis)appropriation of haka and the social media video-sharing platform YouTube in that (mis)appropriation. The article examines the specific case of a group of Latter-day Saint missionaries in Wangarratta, Australia, who wrote and performed an English- language haka that the author finds violent and offensive. The article outlines Aileen Moreton-Robertson’s White Possessive doctrine in relation to the Church and white patriarchal salvation. Haka’s cultural background and appropriation are explained. Theoretical explanations of collective and cultural memory and YouTube as a social media platform and cultural archive follow. The author highlights YouTube grey literature sources on haka cultural (mis)appropriation. The 2006 case study “missionary haka” video is critiqued and analysed. Case study issues are discussed. The Church’s history of racial discrimination and violence and its religious aetiology of skin colour make this video ”misappropriated,” according to research. This performance uses haka to promote white and religious supremacy and the idea that you must be white and/or religious to be fully human. This message helps the LDS Church mission of possessing Indigenous souls and remaining the “true religion”.

year: 2023-02-05