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A diffuser for a lighting device comprises a diffuser region, a hook element and a nose element. A light fixture comprises a housing with an opening and a diffuser as described above, in which the nose element extends through the opening, optionally further comprising an accessory including at least one spring element engaging the hook element. A light fixture structure comprises a housing defining an opening and an first attachment element comprising a nose element, a hook element and a connection region, and optionally further comprising a diffuser engaging a first portion of the hook element, and/or an accessory which engages a second portion of the hook element. An eyeball accessory comprises first and second housing elements pivotably attached to each other. An accessory for a light fixture comprises a housing member and a spring element engageable with a fixture.

Apparatus and methods for feedback in a spiking neural network. In one approach, spiking neurons receive sensory stimulus and context signal that correspond to the same context. When the stimulus provides sufficient excitation, neurons generate response. Context connections are adjusted according to inverse spike-timing dependent plasticity. When the context signal precedes the post synaptic spike, context synaptic connections are depressed. Conversely, whenever the context signal follows the post synaptic spike, the connections are potentiated. The inverse STDP connection adjustment ensures precise control of feedback-induced firing, eliminates runaway positive feedback loops, enables self-stabilizing network operation. In another aspect of the invention, the connection adjustment methodology facilitates robust context switching when processing visual information. When a context (such an object) becomes intermittently absent, prior context connection potentiation enables firing for a period of time. If the object remains absent, the connection becomes depressed thereby preventing further firing.

The present invention further relates to the selection of the specific filter combinations, which can provide sufficient information for multivariate calibration to extract accurate analyte concentrations in complex biological systems. The present invention also describes wavelength interval selection methods that give rise to the miniaturized designs. Finally, this invention presents a plurality of wavelength selection methods and miniaturized spectroscopic apparatus designs and the necessary tools to map from one domain (wavelength selection) to the other (design parameters). Such selection of informative spectral bands has a broad scope in miniaturizing any clinical diagnostic instruments which employ Raman spectroscopy in particular and other spectroscopic techniques in general.

A step-design cannula and delivery system for chronic delivery of therapeutic substances into the brain using convention-enhanced delivery of therapeutic substances and which effectively prevents reflux in vivo and maximizes distribution in the brain.

A solid pharmaceutical dosage form that is safeguarded against abuse containing at least one active substance that could be subject to abuse and at least one antagonist for the active substance, which antagonist is spatially separate from the active substance. The active substance or substances is/are present in at least one subunit (a), and the at least one antagonist is present in at least one subunit (b), and the at least one antagonist in subunit (b) is to all intents and purposes not released in the body if the dosage form is correctly administered as prescribed.

Apparatus and methods for activity based plasticity in a spiking neuron network adapted to process sensory input. In one embodiment, the plasticity mechanism may be configured for example based on activity of one or more neurons providing feed-forward stimulus and activity of one or more neurons providing inhibitory feedback. When an inhibitory neuron generates an output, inhibitory connections may be potentiated. When an inhibitory neuron receives inhibitory input, the inhibitory connection may be depressed. When the inhibitory input arrives subsequent to the neuron response, the inhibitory connection may be depressed. When input features are unevenly distributed in occurrence, the plasticity mechanism is capable of reducing response rate of neurons that develop receptive fields to more prevalent features. Such functionality may provide network output such that rarely occurring features are not drowned out by more widespread stimulus.

The present invention provides muscle-derived cells, preferably myoblasts and muscle-derived stem cells, genetically engineered to contain and express one or more heterologous genes or functional segments of such genes, for delivery of the encoded gene products at or near sites of musculoskeletal, bone, ligament, meniscus, cartilage or genitourinary disease, injury, defect, or dysfunction. Ex vivo myoblast mediated gene delivery of human inducible nitric oxide synthase, and the resulting production of nitric oxide at and around the site of injury, are particularly provided by the invention as a treatment for lower genitourinary tract dysfunctions. Ex vivo gene transfer for the musculoskeletal system includes genes encoding acidic fibroblast growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, insulin-like growth factor, platelet derived growth factor, transforming growth factor-β, transforming growth factor-α, nerve growth factor and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IRAP), bone morphogenetic protein (BMPs), cartilage derived morphogenetic protein (CDMPs), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and sonic hedgehog proteins.

The present invention is directed to a method of treating dental erosion, preventing dental discoloration or both comprising orally administering to a mammal (preferably, a human) a beverage composition having a pH of greater than about 5.5; wherein the beverage composition comprises a compound having the structure:

wherein n is an integer averaging from about 7 to about 100 and M, M′, and M″ are each, independently, selected from the group consisting of sodium and potassium. The present invention is further directed to kits comprising the foregoing beverage composition and information that use of the beverage composition provides treatment against dental erosion, dental discoloration or both.

The invention includes an interactive method of therapy for disease management, and for improving self-management of diabetes and other medical conditions. The invention improves quality of life for users with a medical condition, and decreases the over all cost of health care for insurers. Operation of the invention promotes therapeutic behavioral change and substantial increase in adherence to disease self-management programs. In one embodiment, the invention uses a video game to improve self-management of a disease. Games used with the invention provide one or more reinforcements to players who wish to change their behaviors in a way that improves their chronic disease condition. Reinforcements consist of token rewards, prizes, increasing scores, group approval or disapproval, and increased social status. A video game accesses medical data of a player. The video game prompts players to perform one or more out-of-game self-management activities associated with the medical condition. The invention then adjusts the video game based on medical data associated with one or more out-of-game self-management activities. In-game and out-of-game rewards, including social rewards, provide incentives to continue with a self-management program.

Presented is a design of modular LED lighting fixture whereby the steps of light directing and light redirecting are independent, but cooperative, so to promote a compact fixture design with low effective projected area (EPA), good thermal properties, and a selectable degree of glare control. A lighting system employing a plurality of said fixtures is highly customizable yet has the potential to be pre-aimed and pre-assembled prior to shipping, which reduces the potential for installation error while preserving the customized nature of the fixtures.

A method of detaching a thin film from a source substrate comprises the following steps: implanting ions or gaseous species in the source substrate so as to form therein a buried zone weakened by the presence of defects; splitting in the weakened zone leading to the detachment of the thin film from the source substrate. Two species are implanted of which one is adapted to form defects and the other is adapted to occupy those defects, the detachment being made at a temperature lower than that for which detachment could be obtained with solely the dose of the first species.

The present invention provides methods of treating, preventing, slowing the progression of, or ameliorating the symptoms of T cell mediated immunological diseases, particularly autoimmune diseases (e.g., autoimmune diabetes (i.e. type 1 diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)) and multiple sclerosis) through the use of anti-human CD3 antibodies. The antibodies of the invention of the invention are preferably used in low dose dosing regimens, chronic dosing regimens or regimens that involve redosing after a certain period of time. The methods of the invention provide for administration of antibodies that specifically bind the epsilon subunit within the human CD3 complex. Such antibodies modulate the T cell receptor/alloantigen interaction and, thus, regulate the T cell mediated cytotoxicity associated with autoimmune disorders. Additionally, the methods of the invention provide for use of anti-human CD3 antibodies modified such that they exhibit reduced or eliminated effector function and T cell activation as compared to non-modified anti-human CD3 antibodies.

Apparatus and methods for plasticity in spiking neuron network. The network may comprise feature-specific units capable of responding to different objects (red and green color). Plasticity mechanism may be configured based on difference between two similarity measures related to activity of different unit types obtained during network training. One similarity measure may be based on activity of units of the same type (red). Another similarity measure may be based on activity of units of one type (red) and another type (green). Similarity measures may comprise a cross-correlogram and/or mutual information determined over an activity window. Several similarity estimates, corresponding to different unit-to-unit pairs may be combined. The combination may comprise a weighted average. During network operation, the activity based plasticity mechanism may be used to potentiate connections between units of the same type (red-red). The plasticity mechanism may be used to depress connections between units of different types (red-green).

A laundry detergent composition comprising a graft copolymer of polyethylene, polypropylene or polybutylene oxide with vinyl acetate in a weight ratio of from about 1:0.2 to about 1:10; from about 0.2% to about 8% of organic solvent; and from about 2% to about 20% of a surfactant system; wherein said detergent composition is in a form selected from: liquid; gel; and combinations thereof.

The present invention relates to sodium channel blockers. The present invention also includes a variety of methods of treatment using these inventive sodium channel blockers.

A flow cytometry system and related method, among other things, are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the system includes first, second, and intermediate slab formations, the last of which has formed therewithin a microfluidic channel, a lens structure arranged proximate the microfluidic channel, and a light conveying structure arranged proximate to the lens structure. The lens structure is configured to direct a portion of light to proceed between the channel and the conveying structure. The intermediate slab formation is sandwiched between the other two slab formations. In at least another embodiment, the system includes a microfluidic prism arranged proximate to the second end of a light conveying structure. Light emanating from a microfluidic channel is provided to the conveying structure at the first end, conveyed to the second end, and provided to the prism, which outputs a plurality of portions of the light at different frequencies in different directions.