"Those who are familiar with MI5's techniques say the whole point about the way MI5 works is they try to build a rapport with people, " he said.

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He rejected tubular steel as too susceptible to glare and heat and cold and went on to experiment with the steam techniques that produced his familiar pale, satiny, bentwood birch furniture, so pleasing to the hand and eye.

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But Dr. Levy, who isn't familiar with the UCSF plans, said Framingham researchers want more information about how such techniques would affect privacy and other issues before including them as study tools.

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