Form Follows Media::What is The Matrix as Film, Animation, Game and Comics?

In the digital age, the hyperspace of virtual reality systems stands out as a new spatial notion creating a parallel world to the space we live in. In this alternative realm, the body transforms into a hyperbody, and begins to follow the white rabbit. Not only in real world but also in the Matrix world. The Matrix project of Andy and Larry Wachowski started with a feature film released in 1999. However, The Matrix is not only a film (trilogy). It is a concept, a universe that brings real space and hyperspace together. It is a world represented not only in science fiction films but also in The Animatrix that includes nine animated Matrix films directed by Peter Chung, Andy Jones, Yoshiaki Kawajiri and others, four of which are written by the Wachowskis. The same universe is used in Enter the Matrix, a digital game whose script was written and directed by the brothers and a comic book, The Matrix Comics, which includes twelve different stories by artists like Neil Gaiman and Goef Darrow. The Wachowskis played an active role in the creation and realization of all these “products” of different media. The comic book came last (November 2003), however it is possible to argue that everything came out of comics – the storyboards of the original film. After all the Wachowskis have a background in comics.

In this study, I will focus on the formal analysis of the science fiction world of The Matrix - as a representation of hyperspace - in different media, feature film, animated film, digital game and comic book, focusing on diverse forms of space that come into being as a result of medium differences. To unfold the different formal characters of film, animation, game and comics, concepts and features including framing, flattening, continuity, movement, montage, sound/text, light and color will be discussed. An analysis of these products will help to open up a discussion on the relation of form, media and representation.

Density Matrix Renormalization Group for Dummies

We describe the Density Matrix Renormalization Group algorithms for time dependent and time independent Hamiltonians. This paper is a brief but comprehensive introduction to the subject for anyone willing to enter in the field or write the program source code from scratch. An open source version of the code can be found at: http://www.dmrg.it.

Numerical study of the effects of reinforcement/matrix interphase on stress-strain behavior of YAl2 particle reinforced MgLiAl composites

For the potential influence produced by the reinforcement/matrix interphase in particle reinforced metal matrix composites (PMMCs), a unit cell model with transition interphase was proposed. Uniaxial tensile loading was simulated and the stress/strain behavior was predicted. The results show that a transition interphase with both appropriate strength and thickness could affect the failure mode, reduce the stress concentration, and enhance the maximum strain value of the composite.

Isoprenylation of the G protein gamma subunit is both necessary and sufficient for beta gamma dimer-mediated stimulation of phospholipase C

We have previously shown that isoprenylation and/or additional pest-translational processing of the G protein gamma(1) subunit carboxyl terminus is required for beta(1) gamma(1) subunit stimulation of phospholipase C-beta(2) (PLC beta(2)) [Dietrich, A., Meister, M., Brazil, D., Camps, M., & Gierschik, P. (1994) Eur. J. Biochem. 219, 171-178]. To examine whether isoprenylation of the gamma(1) subunit alone is sufficient for beta(1) gamma(1)-mediated PLC beta(2) stimulation or whether any of the two subsequent modifications, proteolytic removal of the carboxyl-terminal tripeptide and/or carboxylmethylation, is required for this effect, nonisoprenylated recombinant beta(1) gamma(1) dimers were produced in baculovirus-infected insect cells, purified to near homogeneity, and then isoprenylated in vitro using purified recombinant protein farnesyltransferase. Analysis of the beta(1) gamma(1) dimer after in vitro farnesylation by reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography followed by delayed extraction matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry confirmed that the gamma(1) subunit was carboxyl-terminally farnesylated but not proteolyzed and carboxylmethylated. Functional reconstitution of in vitro-farnesylated beta(1) gamma(1) dimers with a recombinant PLC beta(2) isozyme revealed that farnesylation rendered recombinant nonisoprenylated beta(1) gamma(1) dimers capable of stimulating PLC beta(2) and that the degree of this stimulation was only approximately 45% lower for in vitro-farnesylated beta(1) gamma(1) dimers than for fully modified native beta(1) gamma(1) purified from bovine retinal rod outer segments. Taken together, these results suggest that isoprenylation of the gamma subunit is both necessary and sufficient for beta gamma dimer-mediated stimulation of phospholipase C.

A micromechanics approach for damage modeling of polymer matrix composites

A new model for damage evolution in polymer matrix composites is presented. The model is based on a combination of two constituent-level models and an interphase model. This approach reduces the number of empirical parameters since the two constituent- level models are formulated for isotropic materials, namely fiber and matrix. Decomposition of the state variables down to the micro-scale is accomplished by micromechanics. Phenomenological damage evolution models are then postulated for each constituent. Determination of material parameters is made from available experimental data. The required experimental data can be obtained with standard tests. Comparison between model predictions and additional experimental data is presented.

R-matrix-Floquet theory of multiphoton processes:VIII. A linear equations method

A new linear equations method for calculating the R-matrix, which arises in the R-matrix-Floquet theory of multiphoton processes, is introduced. This method replaces the diagonalization of the Floquet Hamiltonian matrix by the solution of a set of linear simultaneous equations which are solved, in the present work, by the conjugate gradient method. This approach uses considerably less computer memory and can be readily ported onto parallel computers. It will thus enable much larger problems of current interest to be treated. This new method is tested by applying it to three-photon ionization of helium at frequencies where double resonances with a bound state and autoionizing states are important. Finally, an alternative linear equations method, which avoids the explicit calculation of the R-matrix by incorporating the boundary conditions directly, is described in an appendix.

Preparation and Evaluation of Sustained-Release Matrix Tablets Based on Metoprolol and an Acrylic Carrier Using Injection Moulding

Sustained-release matrix tablets based on Eudragit RL and RS were manufactured by injection moulding. The influence of process temperature; matrix composition; drug load, plasticizer level; and salt form of metoprolol: tartrate (MPT), fumarate (MPF) and succinate (MPS) on ease of processing and drug release were evaluated. Formulations composed of 70/30% Eudragit RL/MPT showed the fastest drug release, substituting part of Eudragit RL by RS resulted in slower drug release, all following first-order release kinetics. Drug load only affected drug release of matrices composed of Eudragit RS: a higher MPT concentration yielded faster release rates. Adding triethyl citrate enhanced the processability, but was detrimental to long-term stability. The process temperature and plasticizer level had no effect on drug release, whereas metoprolol salt form significantly influenced release properties. The moulded tablets had a low porosity and a smooth surface morphology. A plasticizing effect of MPT, MPS and MPF on Eudragit RS and Eudragit RL was observed via DSC and DMA. Solubility parameter assessment, thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction demonstrated the formation of a solid solution immediately after production, in which H-bonds were formed between metoprolol and Eudragit as evidenced by near-infrared spectroscopy. However, high drug loadings of MPS and MPF showed a tendency to recrystallise during storage. The in vivo performance of injection-moulded tablets was strongly dependent upon drug loading. © 2012 American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists.

Nitrofuran antibiotic metabolites detected at parts per million concentrations in retina of pigs - a new matrix for enhanced monitoring of nitrofuran abuse

Nitrofuran metabolite residues AOZ, AMOZ, AHD and SEM were detected at parts per million concentrations in retina of pigs fed therapeutic doses of nitrofuran antibiotics. Discovery of this residue depot may allow widespread technology transfer to laboratories lacking LC-MS/MS thus improving global monitoring of these drugs.

BIT-LEVEL SYSTOLIC ARRAY CIRCUIT FOR MATRIX VECTOR MULTIPLICATION.

A bit-level systolic array for computing matrix x vector products is described. The operation is carried out on bit parallel input data words and the basic circuit takes the form of a 1-bit slice. Several bit-slice components must be connected together to form the final result, and authors outline two different ways in which this can be done. The basic array also has considerable potential as a stand-alone device, and its use in computing the Walsh-Hadamard transform and discrete Fourier transform operations is briefly discussed.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WORD AND BIT LEVEL SYSTOLIC ARRAYS AS APPLIED TO MATRIX multiplied by MATRIX MULTIPLICATIONS.

The mapping of matrix multiplied by matrix multiplication onto both word and bit level systolic arrays has been investigated. It has been found that well defined word and bit level data flow constraints must be satisfied within such circuits. An efficient and highly regular bit level array has been generated by exploiting the basic compatibilities in data flow symmetries at each level of the problem. A description of the circuit which emerges is given and some details relating to its practical implementation are discussed.

A multi-fibre multi-layer representative volume element (M2RVE) for prediction of matrix and interfacial damage in composite laminates

Multiscale micro-mechanics theory is extensively used for the prediction of the material response and damage analysis of unidirectional lamina using a representative volume element (RVE). Th is paper presents a RVE-based approach to characterize the materi al response of a multi-fibre cross-ply laminate considering the effect of matrix damage and fibre-matrix interfacial strength. The framework of the homogenization theory for periodic media has been used for the analysis of a 'multi-fibre multi-layer representative volume element' (M2 RVE) representing cross-ply laminate. The non-homogeneous stress-strain fields within the M2RVE are related to the average stresses and strains by using Gauss theorem and the Hill-Mandal strain energy equivalence principle. The interfacial bonding strength affects the in-plane shear stress-strain response significantl y. The material response predicted by M2 RVE is in good agreement with the experimental results available in the literature. The maximum difference between the shear stress predicted using M2 RVE and the experimental results is ~15% for the bonding strength of 30MPa at the strain value of 1.1%

Liouville-space R-matrix-Floquet description of atomic radiative processes involving autoionizing states in the presence of intense electromagnetic fields

A reduced-density-operator description is developed for coherent optical phenomena in many-electron atomic systems, utilizing a Liouville-space, multiple-mode Floquet–Fourier representation. The Liouville-space formulation provides a natural generalization of the ordinary Hilbert-space (Hamiltonian) R-matrix-Floquet method, which has been developed for multi-photon transitions and laser-assisted electron–atom collision processes. In these applications, the R-matrix-Floquet method has been demonstrated to be capable of providing an accurate representation of the complex, multi-level structure of many-electron atomic systems in bound, continuum, and autoionizing states. The ordinary Hilbert-space (Hamiltonian) formulation of the R-matrix-Floquet method has been implemented in highly developed computer programs, which can provide a non-perturbative treatment of the interaction of a classical, multiple-mode electromagnetic field with a quantum system. This quantum system may correspond to a many-electron, bound atomic system and a single continuum electron. However, including pseudo-states in the expansion of the many-electron atomic wave function can provide a representation of multiple continuum electrons. The 'dressed' many-electron atomic states thereby obtained can be used in a realistic non-perturbative evaluation of the transition probabilities for an extensive class of atomic collision and radiation processes in the presence of intense electromagnetic fields. In order to incorporate environmental relaxation and decoherence phenomena, we propose to utilize the ordinary Hilbert-space (Hamiltonian) R-matrix-Floquet method as a starting-point for a Liouville-space (reduced-density-operator) formulation. To illustrate how the Liouville-space R-matrix-Floquet formulation can be implemented for coherent atomic radiative processes, we discuss applications to electromagnetically induced transparency, as well as to related pump–probe optical phenomena, and also to the unified description of radiative and dielectronic recombination in electron–ion beam interactions and high-temperature plasmas.

Rare and common variants in extracellular matrix gene Fibrillin 2 (FBN2) are associated with macular degeneration

Neurodegenerative diseases affecting the macula constitute a major cause of incurable vision loss and exhibit considerable clinical and genetic heterogeneity, from early-onset monogenic disease to multifactorial late-onset age-related macular degeneration (AMD). As part of our continued efforts to define genetic causes of macular degeneration, we performed whole exome sequencing in four individuals of a two-generation family with autosomal dominant maculopathy and identified a rare variant p.Glu1144Lys in Fibrillin 2 (FBN2), a glycoprotein of the elastin-rich extracellular matrix (ECM). Sanger sequencing validated the segregation of this variant in the complete pedigree, including two additional affected and one unaffected individual. Sequencing of 192 maculopathy patients revealed additional rare variants, predicted to disrupt FBN2 function. We then undertook additional studies to explore the relationship of FBN2 to macular disease. We show that FBN2 localizes to Bruch's membrane and its expression appears to be reduced in aging and AMD eyes, prompting us to examine its relationship with AMD. We detect suggestive association of a common FBN2 non-synonymous variant, rs154001 (p.Val965Ile) with AMD in 10,337 cases and 11,174 controls (OR=1.10; p-value=3.79×10(-5)). Thus, it appears that rare and common variants in a single gene - FBN2 - can contribute to Mendelian and complex forms of macular degeneration. Our studies provide genetic evidence for a key role of elastin microfibers and Bruch's membrane in maintaining blood-retina homeostasis and establish the importance of studying orphan diseases for understanding more common clinical phenotypes.