Abstract: A method of cryopreserving sperm cells which may include cooling the quantity of sperm cells to a holding temperature, maintaining the sperm cells substantially at the holding temperature for a period, and supercooling the sperm cells by cooling the sperm cells at a first cooling rate to a temperature that approaches a critical temperature zone at which ice crystal formation and changes in osmotic pressure damage sperm cells and then cooling the sperm at a second cooling rate faster than said first cooling rate through said critical temperature zone.

Abstract: Systems for switching optical signals are disclosed. Such a system may include a splitter and a plurality of polarizing filters. The splitter may be configured to receive emitted light and duplicate the emitted light into a plurality of light copies. Each polarizing filter may have a polarization and may be operably connected to the splitter. In addition, each polarizing filter may be configured to receive at least one of the plurality of light copies, filter the at least one of the plurality of received light copies such that light having a similar polarization as that of the polarizing filter passes through the polarizing filter, and output one of a plurality of outputs.

Abstract: A method of processing animal sperm cells that includes: collecting sperm cells from a male animal; sorting the sperm cells to obtain a quantity of sperm cells having a desired characteristic, the quantity of sorted sperm cells being contained in a first volume of fluid having a first concentration of sperm cells; and subjecting the sperm cells to concentration steps in which the concentration of the sperm cells is increased to a second concentration greater than the first concentration.

Abstract: A question item comprising: textual, visual or auditory subject matter; a query or instruction pertaining to the subject matter; and a representation of a response mechanism for receiving a user response to the query or instruction, may be retrieved from a data store. The subject matter, query or instruction and response mechanism may be presented in a presentation sequence, wherein a presentation duration of each of the subject matter, query or instruction and response mechanism is controlled by user input. Based on the user input, a presentation duration of each of the subject matter, query or instruction, and response mechanism may be determined. Each of the three presentation durations may be stored. A completion time may be determined based on one or more of the presentation durations and may be stored along with response accuracy, for use in calculating a user competency measure for the question item.

Abstract: A method and systems for implementing an access control algorithm across an optical network are described. The network includes a plurality of switch port devices, each including a local control plane processor. The local control plane processors receive control information related to the plurality of switch port devices; determine destination devices to which each of the plurality of switch port devices can transmit data and availability to receive incoming bursts at the switch port devices; and determine a time during the transmission period when the data is to be transmitted to at least one destination. Optionally, a central control plane processor receives control information from the local control plane processors and determines a time during a transmission period when at least a portion of the data is to be transmitted from at least one of the switch port devices to a destination, thereby regulating traffic over the optical network.

Abstract: A system for transmitting data on an optical burst network. The system includes an optical core configured to switch data bursts based upon a wavelength of the data bursts. The system also includes a plurality of switch port devices operably connected to the optical core, wherein at least one of the plurality of switch port devices is configured to transfer the data bursts to the optical core and at least one of the plurality of switch port devices is configured to receive the data bursts from the optical core. The system further includes at least one control plane processor operably connected to the plurality of switch port devices and configured to transmit scheduling information to at least one of the plurality of switch port devices configured to transfer the data bursts to the optical core.

Abstract: A question item comprising: textual, visual or auditory subject matter; a query or instruction pertaining to the subject matter; and a representation of a response mechanism for receiving a user response to the query or instruction, may be retrieved from a data store. The subject matter, query or instruction and response mechanism may be presented in a presentation sequence, wherein a presentation duration of each of the subject matter, query or instruction and response mechanism is controlled by user input. Based on the user input, a presentation duration of each of the subject matter, query or instruction, and response mechanism may be determined. Each of the three presentation durations may be stored. A completion time may be determined based on one or more of the presentation durations and may be stored along with response accuracy, for use in calculating a user competency measure for the question item.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for wirelessly powering an item. A source is configured to send wireless power. A target is configured to receive the wireless power and convert the wireless power to a useable power. A component is connected to and configured to receive the useable power from the target. When the component receives the usable power, the component activates. Also disclosed is an assembly including a system for wirelessly powering a component and a structure for supporting the system and an item.

Abstract: A switch for switching optical signals. The switch includes a plurality of inputs, wherein each of the plurality of inputs receives one of a plurality of input signals, and at least one coupling element operably connected to two or more of the plurality of inputs and configured to combine at least two of the input signals into a combined output signal. The switch further includes a splitting element operably connected to the at least one coupling element and configured to demultiplex the combined output signal to produce a plurality of demultiplexed output signals. A control plane processor is operably connected to at least one of the plurality of inputs and is configured to determine a schedule for one or more devices operably connected to the plurality of inputs to transmit data bursts.

Abstract: A switch port device for transmitting and receiving optical bursts over an optical burst network. The switch port device includes a plurality of end device interfaces, each interface connected to a local end device and configured to receive incoming data from the local end device. A protocol switch is connected to the plurality of end device interfaces and is configured to transfer the data to a second local end device if the destination device is the second local end device. Otherwise, a processing device is operably connected to the protocol switch and configured to modulate the incoming data to a wavelength associated with the destination device to produce a modulated burst. An optical transmitter is configured to transmit the modulated burst to an optical core and an optical receiver is configured to receive at least one incoming optical burst from the optical core.

Abstract: A switch port device for transmitting and receiving optical bursts over an optical burst network. The switch port device includes a first end device interface configured to receive incoming data from a first end device and intended for a destination device, a processing device operably connected to the first end device interface and configured to control the modulation of the incoming data to a wavelength associated with the destination device to produce a modulated burst, an optical transmitter operably connected to the processing device and configured to transmit the modulated burst to an optical core, and an optical receiver operably connected to the processing device and configured to receive at least one incoming optical burst from the optical core.

Abstract: A herbicidal composition comprises in aqueous solution a mixture of salts of glyphosate at a total glyphosate a.e. concentration not less than about 360 g/l, wherein (a) said glyphosate is in anionic form accompanied by low molecular weight non-amphiphilic cations in a total molar amount of about 100% to about 120% of the molar amount of said glyphosate; (b) said cations comprise potassium and propylammonium (e.g., isopropylammonium) cations in a mole ratio of about 70:30 to about 90:10; and (c) said potassium and propylammonium cations together constitute about 90 to 100 molar percent of all of said low molecular weight non-amphiphilic cations in the composition.

Abstract: Systems and methods for switching optical signals are disclosed. A switch may include a plurality of inputs, at least one coupling element operably connected to two or more of the plurality of inputs and a splitting element operably connected to the at least one coupling element. Each of the plurality of inputs may receive one of a plurality of input signals. The at least one coupling element may be configured to combine at least two of the input signals into a combined output signal. The splitting element may be configured to demultiplex the combined output signal to produce a plurality of demultiplexed output signals.

Abstract: A thermoformed packaging case has four wall-flanges which abut in ridge-within-groove nesting for interlocking and shock-absorbing closure of the case. Each edge has a pattern of ridges and grooves, and nesting of the edges of the flanges is enabled by a lateral shift in its ridge-groove pattern. Articles contained within the case are cushioned from shock by projections which protrude inwardly from inner surfaces of the walls to resiliently bear against the articles. Each buffer has a top surface surrounded by a valley and hump to provide shock-absorbing resilience. Locking of the case involves a flap hinged to a side-wall. To close a top-wall of the case onto the side-wall, projections of the top-wall enter recesses of the side-wall, and by folding the flap over to insert the projections into reverse recesses of the projections. The projections are snapped into recesses to effect triple-locking of the flap.

Abstract: A one-piece thermoformed packaging cap for article shock-protection which has two elongate wings integrally hinged and have upstanding shoulders which define a channel that receives part of the article. Ridges and grooves run along the shoulders of each wing such that when the wings are folded abut each other, the ridges and grooves of one wing nest within those of the other wing and provide cushioning and lateral interlocking between the wings. Caps can have four wings and wrap the entire perimeter of the article and may incorporate a locking tab to secure the wrap. Alternatively, an assembly of partial wrap-components can be locked via flap-tabs. For locking, a projection of one wing enters into a recess of another wing, and a locking flap of the latter wing is folded and a projection of the flap is snapped into the reverse recess of the thermoformed projection.

Abstract: Staining mixtures comprising viable spermatozoa, a composition which regulates oxidation/reduction reactions intracellularly or extracellularly, and a DNA selective dye are disclosed. The cells contained in such suspensions tend to have a greater capacity for enduring the various process steps typically associated with the sorting of sperm cells into gender enriched populations, thereby resulting in post-sort compositions with an increased number of viable or motile sperm. Processes for staining sperm cells comprising the formation of a staining mixture are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for wirelessly powering an item. A source is configured to send wireless power. A target is configured to receive the wireless power and convert the wireless power to a useable power. A component is connected to and configured to receive the useable power from the target. When the component receives the usable power, the component activates. Also disclosed is an assembly including a system for wirelessly powering a component and a structure for supporting the system and an item.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for wirelessly powering an item. A source is configured to send wireless power. A target is configured to receive the wireless power and convert the wireless power to a useable power. A component is connected to and configured to receive the useable power from the target. When the component receives the usable power, the component activates. Also disclosed is an assembly including a system for wirelessly powering a component and a structure for supporting the system and an item.

Abstract: Processes of storing sorted and unsorted spermatozoa, in the form of a sperm dispersion, having reduced motility relative to endogenous ejaculated sperm are disclosed. The immotile spermatozoa of the dispersion tend to have a greater capacity for enduring the rigors associated with storage, transportation, and fertilization procedures. Processes for providing such sperm dispersions, for inseminating a female mammal with such sperm dispersions, as well as compositions and combinations comprising the sperm dispersions, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Processes for selectively enriching a population of viable sperm cells with respect to a characteristic without physically sorting the cells are disclosed. The cells contained in such an enriched population benefit from the advantage of not being subjected to a sorting process. Processes of inseminating a female mammal and processes of forming a sperm dispersion utilizing the processes of selectively enriching a population of viable sperm cells are also disclosed.