Abstract: A bullet resistant protective shield for a desk. The protective shield comprises a shield piece having a first channel coupling mechanism. The first channel coupling includes a substantially horizontal element and a substantially vertical element. The first channel coupling mechanism corresponds to a second channel coupling mechanism on a desktop, which also has a horizontal element and a vertical element. The first horizontal element and the first vertical element define a first channel and the second horizontal element and the second vertical element define a second channel. The first vertical element can be placed in the second channel and the second vertical element can be placed in the first channel thereby removably securing the shield piece to the desktop.

Abstract: A projectile resistant desk. The desk includes a desktop support having a receptacle and a removable desktop hingedly coupled to a slip rod; wherein the slip rod substantially corresponds to the receptacle and allows the desktop to be removably secured to the desktop support. The projectile resistant desk is suited for frame styled or storage styled supports. The desktop can be made of a variety of materials including bullet-resistant glass, polycarbonates, polyurethane, fiberglass and resins and can include one or more handles on its underside. The desk can further include a projectile resistant leg shield.

Abstract: The invention is designed to enhance mammalian reproduction and in particular to improve the use of existing artificial insemination catheters in combination with novel products and processes for the insemination of mammals such as pigs. The invention comprises a controlled/sustained release delivery system comprising a metabolite/carrier combination based on specific gels, polymers and/or other molecular complexes for metabolite delivery at the point of insemination en order to promote aspects of spermatozoa function.

Abstract: A serial communications device comprises a controller to obtain digital diagnostic data representative of operational characteristics of the serial communications device, memory to store the digital diagnostic data and at least one interface, including an interface to serially communicate data via a serial cable. The serial communications device also comprises a signal controller configured to encode the digital diagnostic data onto a serial data signal for transmission via the serial cable by adjusting signal levels of the serial data signal while preserving original data in the serial data signal. Encoding the digital diagnostic data includes serializing the digital diagnostic data, determining a series of signal levels for the serialized digital diagnostic data based on a signal encoding map, and adjusting signal levels for the serial data signal based on the determined series of signal levels.

Abstract: A serial communications device comprises a controller to obtain digital diagnostic data representative of operational characteristics of the serial communications device, memory to store the digital diagnostic data and at least one interface, including an interface to serially communicate data via a serial cable. The serial communications device also comprises a signal controller configured to encode the digital diagnostic data onto a serial data signal for transmission via the serial cable by adjusting signal levels of the serial data signal while preserving original data in the serial data signal. Encoding the digital diagnostic data includes serializing the digital diagnostic data, determining a series of signal levels for the serialized digital diagnostic data based on a signal encoding map, and adjusting signal levels for the serial data signal based on the determined series of signal levels.

Abstract: The serial communication device includes a first module coupled to a second module via a serial cable. Each of the first and second modules comprise one or more of: a power interface, a controller, memory, a first interface, and a second interface. The power interface is configured to receive operating power for the respective module from an external power source. The controller is configured to obtain digital diagnostic data representative of operational characteristics of at least the respective module. The memory is configured to store the digital diagnostic data. The first interface is configured to allow an external host to read the digital diagnostic data from the memory. The second interface, which is distinct and separate from the first interface, is configured to serially communicate data to the second module via the serial cable.

Abstract: The invention is designed to enhance mammalian reproduction and in particular to improve the use of existing artificial insemination catheters in combination with novel products and processes for the insemination of mammals such as pigs. The invention comprises a controlled/sustained release delivery system comprising a metabolite/carrier combination based on specific gels, polymers and/or other molecular complexes for metabolite delivery at the point of insemination in order to promote aspects of spermatozoa function.

Abstract: The serial communication bus includes a first module coupled to a second module via a serial cable. Each of the first and second modules comprise one or more of: a power interface, a controller, memory, a first interface, and a second interface. The power interface is configured to receive operating power for the respective module from an external power source. The controller is configured to obtain digital diagnostic data representative of operational characteristics of at least the respective module. The memory is configured to store the digital diagnostic data. The first interface is configured to allow an external host to read the digital diagnostic data from the memory. The second interface, which is distinct and separate from the first interface, is configured to serially communicate data to the second module via the serial cable.