Getting Better Signals Out of the Brain:Decoding Algorithms and Autonomous Electrodes

Summary form only given. This talk summarized our efforts to develop new technologies whose aim is to improve the quality and quantity of the information derived from extracellular recordings. This work is motivated by ongoing activities at Caltech to develop neural prostheses based on the brain's parietal reach region (PRR). The talk first reviewed our progress towards developing a functioning neural prosthesis in order to motivate the need to develop long-lasting chronic interfaces between electrodes and neurons. The second half of the talk focuses on our efforts to develop a new class of "movable" electrodes that autonomously isolate a neural cell so as to optimize the recorded signal quality, and then maintain optimal signal quality using feedback. Such devices are likely to improve the reliability and robustness of future chronic neural prosthetic systems. We also summarized current research in neural decoding algorithms, whose aim is to extract the maximum information content from the recorded signals

Valuing New Hampshire Salt Marshes: An Approach to Measuring Ecosystem Services

David Burdick presented work a method for estimating the ecosystem services benefits of salt marsh restoration. The approach combines ecological valuation, which uses structural and functional indicators to measure the marshes response to restoration, and economic valuation, which uses ecosystem services valuations, to determine the net gain in ecosystem services of marsh restoration

Restoring Salt Marsh and Functions to Newly Acquired Shoreline in North Mill Pond, Portsmouth

A berm of construction debris used to fill salt marsh and steepen the shoreline along North Mill Pond many decades ago was removed in 2010 after the land was deeded to the City. Removal of the berm reestablished regular tidal flooding to over 2,400 ft2 of tidal marsh. From 2009 to 2011, the fifth grade classes at New Franklin School learned about the project and planted mussels, shrubs and marsh plants at the site. Plant survival was excellent in the low marsh (94%) and good in the high marsh (77%). By September 2011 (Year Two) plant cover increased to 42% in the low marsh and 13% in the high marsh. After the first growing season for the upper marsh (planted in May, 2011), cover reached 23%. Some fine-grained sediment was eroded from the surface of the high marsh due to low plant cover, but no linear features or erosion scours were observed. The site can be observed over time online, including construction and plant development at http://picturepost.unh.edu

\u27How To\u27 Guide for Synthesizing NERRs Marsh Monitoring Data

The purpose of this guide is to provide a user-friendly and informative guide on ‘How to’ synthesize salt marsh data from theNational Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRs). In this guide, we outline and detail the steps taken from requesting/cataloguing data to summarizing these data through visual and statistical analysis. These methods can be used at a single or multiple site(s) as well as over multiple years. Though this guide is specific to NERRs and focuses on plant community data, it may also be useful for other monitoring parameters and programs to guide protocol design and analyses. Here, we conduct a synthesis of New England salt marshes using NERRs data collected from the past decade

A precision six-meter deployable boom for the Mariner-Venus-Mercury 1973 magnetometer experiment

A unique deployable boom developed for accurately positioning magnetometers 6 meters (19.7 feet) from a spacecraft is described. Weight, mounting system, magnetic cleanliness, thermal dimensional stability, and natural frequency were critical constraints that were met. The boom was flown on Mariner 10 and deployed flawlessly. The design, development, and testing of the boom and optical alignment of the sensors are described. Design trades and problem solutions are discussed

A More Perfect Union: A National Citizenship Plan

A More Perfect Union: A National Citizenship Plan sets forth the resources, activities, and partnerships that would be required to naturalize as many eligible immigrants as possible. It calls for a national mobilization in support of citizenship, identifying the roles of government, immigrant service agencies, and other sectors of society in a coordinated plan. It describes a program that could serve as a linchpin of an emerging U.S. immigrant integration strategy.Access the complete report via the download link below. An executive summary and individual chapters may be downloaded at http://www.cliniclegal.org/DNP/citzplan.html