Transcriptional landscape of the prenatal human brain.

The anatomical and functional architecture of the human brain is mainly determined by prenatal transcriptional processes. We describe an anatomically comprehensive atlas of the mid-gestational human brain, including de novo reference atlases, in situ hybridization, ultra-high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and microarray analysis on highly discrete laser-microdissected brain regions. In developing cerebral cortex, transcriptional differences are found between different proliferative and post-mitotic layers, wherein laminar signatures reflect cellular composition and developmental processes.

An anatomically comprehensive atlas of the adult human brain transcriptome.

Neuroanatomically precise, genome-wide maps of transcript distributions are critical resources to complement genomic sequence data and to correlate functional and genetic brain architecture. Here we describe the generation and analysis of a transcriptional atlas of the adult human brain, comprising extensive histological analysis and comprehensive microarray profiling of ∼900 neuroanatomically precise subdivisions in two individuals. Transcriptional regulation varies enormously by anatomical location, with different regions and their constituent cell types displaying robust molecular signatures that are highly conserved between individuals.

Processing Techniques for the 93 K Superconductor Ba2YCu3O7.

Superconductivity above the temperature of liquid nitrogen in copper oxide-based systems has led to optimism that superconductors may at last find wide application. The critical temperature, however, is just one of the required parameters. The materials must be made into usable forms such as wire, thick films, thin films, and bulk ceramics.

Building a hierarchy with neural networks: an example-image vector quantization.

Electronic neural networks can perform the function of associative memory. Given an input pattern, the network searches through its stored memories to find which of them best matches the input. Thus the network does a combination of content-addressable search and error correction.

Electronic neural network chips.

This paper reviews two custom electronic circuits that implement some simple models of neural function. The circuits include a thin-film array of read-only resistive synapses and an array of programmable synapses and amplifiers serving as electronic neurons. Circuit performance and architecture are discussed.

Electrons in silicon microstructures.

Silicon microstructures only a few hundred atoms wide can be fabricated and used to study electron transport in narrow channels. Spatially localized voltage probes as close together as 0.1 micrometer can be used to investigate a variety of physical phenomena, including velocity saturation due to phonon emission, the local potentials caused by scattering from a single trapped electron, and quantum tunneling or hopping among very few electron states.

Microfabrication as a scientific tool.

Research in microfabrication not only serves the microelectronics industry but also can provide research tools for studying the behavior of matter at submicrometer dimensions. A variety of techniques including optical, x-ray, and electron beam lithography and reactive ion etching can be used to make structures, devices, and arrays only hundreds of atoms across. Microfabrication techniques have been applied to experiments on surface-enhanced Raman scattering, transport in one-dimensional conductors, and macroscopic quantum tunneling.