Abstract: A strain sensor comprises includes a viscous piezoresistive element embedded or encapsulated within a solid, flexible, resilient packaging element, and contact means contactable from the exterior of the strain sensor and defining an electrical path through or along at least a portion of the viscous piezoresistive element, the resistance of the electrical path varying with deformation of the strain sensor. The invention allows the high gauge factor of a viscous piezoresistive material to be taken advantage of in a practical device by containing the material within a packaging element. The packaging element ensures a consistent output response as a function of deformation of the strain sensor and enables the strain sensor to detect time-varying forces due to the resilient nature of the packaging element.

Abstract: Systems and processes for operating a digital assistant using a hierarchical belief state are disclosed. In an example process, a user utterance of a dialog is received. A belief state for the dialog is determined. The belief state comprises a plurality of dialog slots. Each dialog slot of the plurality of dialog slots includes a respective marginal certainty for a concept or property represented by the respective dialog slot. A first dialog slot of the plurality of dialog slots further includes one or more joint certainties for one or more interpretations arising from the first dialog slot. Based on the marginal certainty of each dialog slot of the plurality of dialog slots and the one or more joint certainties of the first dialog slot, a policy action is selected from a plurality of candidate policy actions that correspond to the belief state. The selected policy action is performed.

Abstract: Systems and processes for operating a digital assistant using a hierarchical belief state are disclosed. In an example process, a user utterance of a dialogue is received. A belief state for the dialogue is determined. The belief state comprises a plurality of dialogue slots. Each dialogue slot of the plurality of dialogue slots includes a respective marginal certainty for a concept or property represented by the respective dialogue slot. A first dialogue slot of the plurality of dialogue slots further includes one or more joint certainties for one or more interpretations arising from the first dialogue slot. Based on the marginal certainty of each dialogue slot of the plurality of dialogue slots and the one or more joint certainties of the first dialogue slot, a policy action is selected from a plurality of candidate policy actions that correspond to the belief state. The selected policy action is performed.

Abstract: Systems and processes for optimizing dialogue policy decisions for digital assistants using implicit feedback are provided. In an example process, a user utterance is received. Based on a text representation of the user utterance, one or more user intents corresponding to the user utterance are determined. A policy action is selected from a plurality of candidate policy actions based on a belief state for the one or more user intents and a policy model. The policy action is performed, including outputting results of the policy action for presentation. A success score for the policy action is determined based on whether one or more predetermined types of implicit user feedback are detected after performing the policy action. A set of parameter values of the policy model is modified using the determined success score.

Abstract: According to the present invention there are provided methods of regulating the immune system of a companion animal and methods of improving the digestion of a companion animal, wherein each of said methods comprises administering to a companion animal a probiotic bacteria strain of the genus Bifidobacteria.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the species Bifidobacterium pseudolongum obtainable by isolation from resected and washed canine gastrointestinal tract having a probiotic activity in animals. Methods of use and compositions comprising the Bifidobacterium pseudolongum of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the genus Lactobacilli obtainable by isolation from resected and washed feline gastrointestinal tract having a probiotic activity in animals. Methods of use and compositions comprising the Lactobacilli of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the genus Bifidobacteria obtainable by isolation from resected and washed feline gastrointestinal tract having a probiotic activity in animals. Methods of use and compositions comprising the Bifidobacteria of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the genus Lactobacilli obtainable by isolation from resected and washed canine gastrointestinal tract having a probiotic activity in animals. Methods of use and compositions comprising the Lactobacilli of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the genus Lactobacilli obtainable by isolation from resected and washed feline gastrointestinal tract having a probiotic activity in animals. Methods of use and compositions comprising the Lactobacilli of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: According to the present invention there are provided methods of use in companion animals of probiotic bacteria of the genus Bifidobacteria.

Abstract: Methods of use in humans of probiotic bacteria of the genus Bifidobacteria for regulating the condition of human keratinous tissue to achieve cosmetic beauty benefits. Said methods include regulation, either prophylactic or therapeutic, of the cosmetic appearance of human keratinous tissue, such as human hair, skin (e.g., scalp), and nails. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of marketing a composition comprising probiotic Bifidobacteria. In one embodiment, the method comprises: (1) offering for sale a composition comprising probiotic Bifidobacteria; and (2) communicating to a potential consumer of said composition that oral administration of said composition can regulate the condition of human keratinous tissue.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the species Bifidobacteria pseudolongum obtainable by isolation from resected and washed canine gastrointestinal tract having a probiotic activity in animals. Methods of use and compositions comprising the Bifidobacteria pseudolongum of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the species Bifidobacteria globosum obtainable by isolation from resected and washed canine gastrointestinal tract having a probiotic activity in animals. Methods of use and compositions comprising the Bifidobacteria globosum of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the genus Lactobacilli obtainable by isolation from resected and washed canine gastrointestinal tract having a probiotic activity in animals. Methods of use and compositions comprising the Lactobacilli of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: According to the present invention there are provided methods of use in companion animals of probiotic bacteria of the genus Bifidobacteria.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the species Bifidobacteria globosum obtainable by isolation from resected and washed canine gastrointestinal tract having a probiotic activity in animals. Methods of use and compositions comprising the Bifidobacteria globosum of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the species Bifidobacterium globosum obtainable by isolation from resected and washed canine gastrointestinal tract having a probiotic activity in animals. Methods of use and compositions comprising the Bifidobacterium globosum of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: According to the present invention there are provided methods of use in companion animals of probiotic bacteria of the genus Lactobacilli.

Abstract: Novel methods of determining efficacy of a treatment of inflammatory diseases of the bowel in mammals are provided. The methods are of use in screening and determining the efficacy of treatments of inflammatory diseases of the bowel, and for determining the efficacy response of individual sufferers of inflammatory diseases of the bowel to a given regime. Kits for carrying out the method are also provided.