Abstract: Method of causing a selectable item including customized graphic for electronic messaging application starts with a processor generating customized graphics based on user identifiers for a first, a second, and a third client device. Processor causes a communication list interface that includes a group selectable item to be displayed on the first client device. The group selectable item includes the second customized graphic and the third customized graphic. Processor receives a request for a group communication session from the first client device. The request for the group communication session is generated by the first client device when the user of the first client device selects a first portion of the group selectable item displayed on the first client device. Processor causes a communication interface for the group communication session between a group of client devices to be displayed at the first client device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for interacting with and managing a database that stores discounts. A booking file is received that includes a plurality of data elements. A discount rule is retrieved from a discount rule database. The discount rule is potentially applicable to the itinerary based on the data elements in the booking file. The discount rule is associated with at least one condition, and is valid to price the fare if the at least one condition is satisfied. If the at least one condition is satisfied, a reference corresponding to the discount rule is added to the data elements. A pricing engine is provided with the data elements and prices the fare based on a discount associated with the discount rule.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for pricing a fare for a travel segment. A discount database is maintained that includes a discount associated with a condition. Data elements associated with a booking file are received. The data elements include data identifying a passenger and data regarding the travel segment. In response to the receipt of the data elements, the discount database is automatically accessed to retrieve the condition associated with the discount. The condition is automatically evaluated based on the data elements to determine whether the discount is applicable to price the fare. If the condition is satisfied, the data elements are updated to include a reference related to the discount.

Abstract: A modified arthropod, an arthropod-modifying bacterium, and use thereof as an agent for control of diseases transmitted by arthropods, particularly mosquitoes, is provided. More specifically, an isolated arthropod-adapted Wolbachia bacterium capable of modifying one or more biological properties of a mosquito host is provided. The modified arthropod may be characterized as having a shortened life-span, a reduced ability to transmit disease, a reduced susceptibility to a pathogen, a reduced fecundity, and/or a reduced ability to feed from a host, when compared to a corresponding wild-type arthropod.

Abstract: A modified arthropod, an arthropod-modifying bacterium, and use thereof as an agent for control of diseases transmitted by arthropods, particularly mosquitoes, is provided. More specifically, an isolated arthropod-adapted Wolbachia bacterium capable of modifying one or more biological properties of a mosquito host is provided. The modified arthropod may be characterized as having a shortened life-span, a reduced ability to transmit disease, a reduced susceptibility to a pathogen, a reduced fecundity, and/or a reduced ability to feed from a host, when compared to a corresponding wild-type arthropod.

Abstract: An embryo-transfer catheter has an extruded shaft with a gas-filled lumen that extends helically along the catheter to provide an ultrasound marker. The catheter has a side opening close to a closed rounded patient end. The catheter could be completely transparent to x-rays or the plastics from which it is formed could incorporate an x-ray opaque filler, such as barium sulphate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated DNA molecule encoding Malathion Carboxylesterase capable of hydrolysing at least one organophosphate selected from the group consisting of carboxylester organophosphates and dimethyloxon organophosphates. The DNA molecule comprises a nucleotide sequence having at least 60%, preferably at least 80% and more preferably at least 95% homology with Lc?E 7, in which the protein encoded by the DNA molecule differs from E 3 at least in the substitution of Trip at position 251 with an amino acid selected from the group consisting of Leu, Ser, Ala, Ile, Val, Thr, Cys, Met and Gly. The preferred substituents are Leu and Ser.

Abstract: A laryngeal mask airway has a tubular shaft with a mask portion secured at its patient end. The mask portion comprises a PVC mount and an inflatable cuff secured around an edge of the mount. The posterior surface of the mount and cuff has a coating of a hydrophilic polymer or copolymer which becomes slippery when hydrated to ease insertion of the airway into the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated DNA molecule encoding Malathion Carboxylesterase capable of hydrolysing at least one organophosphate selected from the group consisting of carboxylester organophosphates and dimethylol organophosphates. The DNA molecule comprises a nucleotide sequence having at least 60%, preferably at least 80% and more preferably at least 95% homology with Lc?E 7, in which the protein encoded by the DNA molecule differs from E 3 at least in the substitution of Trip at position 251 with an amino acid selected from the group consisting of Leu, Ser, Ala, Ile, Val, Thr, Cys, Met and Gly. The preferred substituents are Leu and Ser.

Abstract: An embryo-transfer catheter has an extruded shaft with a gas-filled lumen that extends helically along the catheter to provide an ultrasound marker. The catheter has a side opening close to a closed rounded patient end.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated DNA molecule encoding Malathion Carboxylesterase capable of hydrolysing at least one organophosphate selected from the group consisting of carboxylester organophosphates and dimethyloxon organophosphates. The DNA molecule comprises a nucleotide sequence having at least 60%, preferably at least 80% and more preferably at least 95% homology with Lc&agr;E7, in which the protein encoded by the DNA molecule differs from E3 at least in the substitution of Trip at position 251 with an amino acid selected from the group consisting of Leu, Ser, Ala, Ile, Val, Thr, Cys, Met and Gly. The preferred substituents are Leu and Ser.

Abstract: New materials having improved biocompatibility have novel zwitterionic groups at the surface. The zwitterion is characterized by having at least one monovalent substituent at the atom carrying the cationic charge which is an aryl group. Preferably the atom carries at least two, and preferably three such aryl, usually phenyl, groups. The cationic group is preferably a triphenylphosphonium. Treatment of surfaces to provide pendant zwitterionic groups of the specified type have reduced platelet activation, whilst they do not appear to reduce platelet adhesion. The invention has utility in the field of blood contacting device, especially devices for implantation, such as vascular grafts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials which comprise a surface having pendant groups of formula (I), in which the groups --B-- are the same or different, preferably the same, and each is --CH.sub.2 -- or --C(.dbd.O)--, preferably --CH.sub.2 --, R.sup.1 is hydrogen alkyl of 1 to 12, preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a group capable of bonding to, or bonded to, a ligand or R.sup.1 is a polymerisable, preferably ethylenically unsaturated, group and Z is a zwitterionic group. Usually both groups B are the same and are joined to identical groups so that the compound of formula (I) is achiral. New compounds are achiral glyceryl phosphatidyl choline analogues. Surfaces having the groups (I) at their surface have improved biocompatibility, and show reduced fibrinogen absorption, reduced platelet activation, reduced microorganism adhesion and are useful in the production of implants or prostheses, for extra-corporeal circuitry for body fluids, for treating membranes of various type, for contact lenses.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials which comprise a surface having pendant zwitterionic groups Z comprising, as anion, a phosphate, sulphonate, carboxylate or phosphate-ester group or a phosphate ester group in which one or more of the ester oxygen atoms is replaced by --S--, --NH-- or by a valence bond and, as cation, an ammonium, phosphonium or sulphonium moiety, provided that where the anion is a phosphate-ester group or derivative thereof or sulphonate and the cation is a trialkyl quaternary ammonium group (the alkyl groups each containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms) and the group linking the anion and cation moieties is an alkylene group, the alkylene group, contains at least 5, preferably at least 6, and more preferably at least 7, carbon atoms. The materials have improved biocompatibility for instance as evidenced by reduced protein deposition and reduced platelet activation.