Letter processing and font information during reading: beyond distinctiveness, where vision meets design

Letter identification is a critical front end of the reading process. In general, conceptualizations of the identification process have emphasized arbitrary sets of distinctive features. However, a richer view of letter processing incorporates principles from the field of type design, including an emphasis on uniformities across letters within a font. The importance of uniformities is supported by a small body of research indicating that consistency of font increases letter identification efficiency. We review design concepts and the relevant literature, with the goal of stimulating further thinking about letter processing during reading.

Streptococcus halichoeri sp nov., isolated from grey seals (Halichoerus grypus)

Phenotypic and phylogenetic studies were performed on six unidentified, Gram-positive, catalase-negative, chain-forming Streptococcus-like organisms recovered from grey seals. Biochemically the six strains were highly related to each other, but they did not appear to correspond to any recognized species of the genus Streptococcus. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies confirmed that phylogenetically the strains were members of the genus Streptococcus, but sequence divergence values of greater than 3 % compared with reference streptococcal species demonstrated that the organisms from seals represent a novel species. SDS-PAGE analysis of whole-cell proteins confirmed the phenotypic distinctiveness of the seal organisms. Based on biochemical criteria and molecular chemical and genetic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown organism from seals be classified as a novel species, Streptococcus halichoeri sp. nov., the type strain of which is CCUG 48324(T) (=CIP 108195(T)).

Atopococcus tabaci gen. nov., sp nov., a novel Gram-positive, catalase-negative, coccus-shaped bacterium isolated from tobacco

A novel Gram-positive, aerobic, catalase-negative, coccus-shaped organism originating from tobacco was characterized using phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. The organism contained a cell wall murein based on L-lysine (variation A4 alpha, type L-lysine-L-glutamic acid), synthesized long-chain cellular fatty acids of the straight-chain saturated and monounsaturated types (with C(16:1)omega 9, C-16:0 and C(18:1)omega 9 predominating) and possessed a DNA G+C content of 46 mol%. Based on morphological, biochemical and chemical characteristics, the coccus-shaped organism did not conform to any presently recognized taxon. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies confirmed the distinctiveness of the unknown coccus, with the bacterium displaying sequence divergence values of greater than 7% with other recognized Gram-positive taxa. Treeing analysis reinforced its distinctiveness, with the unidentified organism forming a relatively long subline branching at the periphery of an rRNA gene sequence cluster which encompasses the genera Alloiococcus, Allolustis, Alkalibacterium, Atopostipes, Dolosigranulum and Marinilactibacillus. Based on phenotypic and molecular phylogenetic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown organism from tobacco be classified as a new genus and species, Atopococcus tabaci gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of Atopococcus tabaci is CCUG 48253(T) (= CIP 108502(T)).

Streptococcus devriesei sp nov., from equine teeth

Phenotypic and phylogenetic studies were performed on four unidentified Gram-positive staining, catalase-negative, cc-hemolytic Streptococcus-like organisms recovered from the teeth of horses. SDS PAGE analysis of whole-cell proteins and comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated the four strains were highly related to each other but that they did not correspond to any recognised species of the genus Streptococcus. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed the unidentified organisms form a hitherto unknown sub-line within the Streptococcus genus, displaying a close affinity with Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus ferus and related organisms. Sequence divergence values of > 5% with thew and other reference streptococcal species however demonstrated the organisms from equine sources represent a novel species. Based on the phenotypic distinctiveness of the new bacterium and molecular chemical and molecular genetic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown species be classified as Streptococcus devriesei sp. nov. The type strain of Streptococcus devriesei is CCUG 47155(T) (= CIP 107809T).

Actinomyces suimastitidis sp. nov., isolated from pig mastitis

An unusual Actinomyces-like bacterium originating from a pig with mastitis was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic investigation. The morphological and biochemical characteristics of the organism were consistent with its preliminary assignment to the genus Actinomyces but it did not appear to correspond to any recognized species. PAGE analysis of whole-cell proteins confirmed the phenotypic distinctiveness of the bacterium and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis demonstrated that it represents a hitherto unknown sub-line amongst a cluster of Actinomyces species which embraces Actinomyces canis, Actinomyces georgiae, Actinomyces hyovaginalis, Actinomyces meyeri, Actinomyces odontolyticus, Actinomyces radingae and Actinomyces turicensis. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium isolated from pig mastitis be classified as Actinomyces suimastitidis sp. nov. The type strain of Actinomyces suimastitidis is CCUG 39279T (= CIP 106779T).

Reading is now 'cool': a study of English teachers' perspectives on e-reading devices as a challenge and an opportunity

E-reading devices such as The Kindle have rapidly secured a significant place in a number of societies as at least one major platform for reading. To some extent they are part of the overarching move towards a fully digitised world but they have a distinctiveness in being deliberately “book-like”. Teachers generally have some suspicion towards “New Media”, especially when it challenges their established practice and nothing dominates the school more than the physical book. What may be the challenges but also the benefits of e-readers to teachers and students? What may be the particular challenges to those teachers who are, traditionally, the guardians of the book, that is the teachers of mother tongue literature? This article reports on a survey of English teachers in England to gauge their reactions to e-readers, both personally and professionally and describes their speculations about the place of e-readers in schools in the future. There is a mixed reaction with some teachers concerned about the demise of the book and the potential negative impact on reading. However, the majority welcome e-readers as a dynamic element within the reading environment with particular potential to enthuse reluctant readers and those with special or linguistic needs. They also, some grudgingly, view the fact that reading using this form of technology appeals to the “e-generation” and may succeed in making reading “cool”. This form of technology is, ironically (given that it appears to threaten traditional books) likely to be rapidly adopted in classrooms.

Realism and reality formats

The chapter focuses on the relationships between 'Reality TV' and other ‘realist’ forms and genres of television. This issue is connected to larger debates about ‘televisuality’, and the understanding of the distinctiveness of the medium. Television processes and worries over reality in all of its genres, so that realism becomes a particularly ambiguous term. One meaning focuses on the actual scenes, places and people are represented rather than imagined. A second meaning refers to television’s representation of recognisable and often contemporary experience. Another meaning of realism refers to the development of new and different forms to give access to the real. Furthermore, the establishment of category distinctions in television, such as between factual and fictional forms, or between drama and documentary, could be seen as increasingly problematic in contemporary television. Reality TV can thought of as the trying-out of forms and modes of address in one genre or form that are adopted from apparently different genres and forms, thus creating connection and distinction simultaneously. This chapter addresses these distinctions and ambiguities within Reality TV, using examples including One Born Every Minute and The Only Way is Essex.

Autonomy and the socialisation of architects

The socio-cultural production of architects' identities, and their professional personas, is a lively source of continuing debate. At one extreme, there is the claim to autonomy that highlights the distinctiveness of architecture and its cultural and disciplinary specificity. This view is challenged by those who emphasise architects' dependence, for acting and actions, on their embeddedness into collective, social, settings and relationships. In the paper, we consider what it may mean to be ‘autonomous of’ and ‘dependent on’ in relation to the actions of architects. There is limited specification in architectural writings about what autonomy and dependence are, and we suggest that there is a need not to discount such terms, but to reformulate them by recognising that the socially constructed self is an integral part of individual action. In this respect, we seek to amplify, and evaluate, the concept of relational autonomy that distances the notion of autonomy from individualistic, under-socialised, accounts of architects and their practices. Referring to three empirical examples of practice, we amplify this understanding by, first, outlining what a relational autonomous approach to architecture might entail, and, secondly, assessing how far it may enable a conception of the practices of architects in ways whereby, following Tony Fry's observations, they are conceived as much broader than ‘the specificity of any particular activity’ that expresses their existence.

Is it still King Lear? English teachers and the e-reader phenomenon

E-reading devices such as the Kindle have rapidly secured a significant place in a number of societies as at least one major platform for reading.To some extent they are part of the overarching move towards a fully digitised world, but they have a distinctiveness in being deliberately‘book-like’. Teachers generally have some suspicion towards ‘New Media’, especially when it challenges their established practice. This chapter reports on a survey of English teachers in England to gauge their reactions to e-readers, both personally and professionally, and describes their speculations about the place of e-readers in schools in the future. There is a mixed reaction with some teachers concerned about the demise of the book and the potential negative impact on reading. However, the majority welcome e-readers as a dynamic element within the reading environment with particular potential to enthuse reluctant readers and those with special or linguistic needs. They also, some grudgingly, view the fact that reading using this form of technology appeals to the ‘egeneration’ and may succeed in making reading ‘cool’. This form of technology is, ironically [given that it appears to threaten traditional books], likely to be rapidly adopted in classrooms.

Past mobilities: archaeological approaches to movement and mobility

The new mobilities paradigm has yet to have the same impact on archaeology as it has in other disciplines in the social sciences – on geography, sociology and anthropology in particular – yet mobility is fundamental to archaeology: all people move. Moving away from archaeology’s traditional focus upon place or location, this volume treats mobility as a central theme in archaeology. The chapters are wide-ranging and methodological as well as theoretical, focusing on the flows of people, ideas, objects and information in the past; it also focuses on archaeology’s distinctiveness. Drawing on a wealth of archaeological evidence for movement, from paths, monuments, rock art and boats, to skeletal and DNA evidence, Past Mobilities presents research from a range of examples from around the world to explore the relationship between archaeology and movement, thus adding an archaeological voice to the broader mobilities discussion. As such, they will be of interest not only to archaeologists and historians, but also to sociologists, geographers and anthropologists.

How distinctive is philosophers’ intuition talk?

The word “intuition” is one frequently used in philosophy. It is often assumed that the way in which philosophers use the word, and others like it, is very distinctive. This claim has been subjected to little empirical scrutiny, however. This article presents the first steps in a qualitative analysis of the use of intuition talk in the academy. It presents the findings of two preliminary empirical studies. The first study examines the use of intuition talk in spoken academic English. The second examines the use of intuition talk in written academic English. It considers what these studies tell us about the distinctiveness of philosophical language and methods and considers some implications for evaluative and ameliorative methodology.