Abstract: Compounds and methods are provided for enhancing or boosting the transfection rate or efficiency of mammalian cells by foreign DNA, such as bacterial plasmid DNA. Compounds, including natural products and inventive synthetic compounds can increase the effectiveness of uptake and incorporation of foreign DNA by mammalian cells, such as human cells, by suppression of DNA cytosine deamination, which is believed to be a mechanism by which these cells eliminate foreign DNA. Inhibition of the cytosine deaminase enzymes by compounds as described herein serves to provide more effective transfection of eukaryotic cells by plasmids including engineered gene sequences. Transfection can be used to study cellular processes, or to cure genetic diseases in human patients. The inventive materials and methods increase the efficiency and effectiveness of such transfection techniques.

Abstract: A method for detecting a gas phase constituent such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, hydrogen, or hydrocarbons in a gas comprising oxygen such as air, includes providing a sensing material or film having a metal embedded in a catalytically active matrix such as gold embedded in a yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) matrix. The method may include annealing the sensing material at about 900° C., exposing the sensing material and gas to a temperature above 400° C., projecting light onto the sensing material, and detecting a change in the absorption spectrum of the sensing material due to the exposure of the sensing material to the gas in air at the temperature which causes a chemical reaction in the sensing material compared to the absorption spectrum of the sensing material in the absence of the gas. Systems employing such a method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for detecting a gas phase constituent such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, hydrogen, or hydrocarbons in a gas comprising oxygen such as air, includes providing a sensing material or film having a metal embedded in a catalytically active matrix such as gold embedded in a yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) matrix. The method may include annealing the sensing material at about 900° C., exposing the sensing material and gas to a temperature above 400° C., projecting light onto the sensing material, and detecting a change in the absorption spectrum of the sensing material due to the exposure of the sensing material to the gas in air at the temperature which causes a chemical reaction in the sensing material compared to the absorption spectrum of the sensing material in the absence of the gas. Systems employing such a method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for forming hydrogen sensing materials include forming a palladium alloy thin film having less than about 83 atomic percent of palladium, and annealing the palladium alloy thin film to relieve residual stress and increase atomic intermixing of the nanorystaline lattice, while maintaining a grain size close to the grain size of the nonannealed palladium alloy thin film. For example, the sensing material may include a palladium-gold alloy thin film having about 60 atomic percent of palladium and about 40 atomic percent of gold. The palladium-gold alloy thin film is then annealed at a temperature of about 200 degrees Celsius for 1 hour. Methods for detecting hydrogen containing gas in which the hydrogen sensing material is maintained in a single phase when exposed to the hydrogen containing gas, and optical hydrogen sensors are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for comparing multiple sets of information in a compare display. One embodiment of the invention includes a system for displaying cruise package and pricing information in side-by-side windows wherein the user may replace the contents of each of the windows with an alternate selection of cruise package and pricing information. The compare display enables the users to compare accurately the detailed cruise package and pricing information.

Abstract: In one embodiment, systems and methods for on-line selling and booking of cruises enable a plurality of customers, agents, and cruise lines to interact with a cruise selling and booking system via communication mediums. An interactive tool is provided for compiling, reviewing, and processing information obtained from the cruise lines, customers, and agents. Customers and/or agents may search for and compare various cruise packages to find a cruise that best suits the customer needs and desires.

Abstract: In one embodiment, systems and methods are used to maintain client relationships by tracking and managing customers and agents involved in booking a cruise. Furthermore, various activities which take place between an agent and active customers are monitored, whereby the type and quantity of activities performed by the agent is evaluated to assign a period of time of ownership of the customer. During the period of time while the customer is owned, other agents are prevented from acquiring the customer and subsequent booking commission. A series of rules which determine the duration of ownership of the customer are maintained and applied to enable the ownership to be changed as needed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for matching customer preferences with available options determining customer needs which may be used for the purpose of facilitating the cruise selling and booking process. The cruise selling and booking system is designed to store customer information and preferences and use the information to query available cruise options. The results of the query represent optimized cruise selections for which the customer will be well suited. The user quickly accesses relevant cruise package and pricing information which may be used for detailed comparisons between individual cruise packages.

Abstract: In one embodiment, systems and methods are used to maintain client relationships by tracking and managing customers and agents involved in booking a cruise. Furthermore, various activities which take place between an agent and active customers are monitored, whereby the type and quantity of activities performed by the agent is evaluated to assign a period of time of ownership of the customer. During the period of time while the customer is owned, other agents are prevented from acquiring the customer and subsequent booking commission. A series of rules which determine the duration of ownership of the customer are maintained and applied to enable the ownership to be changed as needed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, systems and methods of comparing pricing information may commence with a user access the cruise selling and booking system to search for cruise packages that meet a customer's preferences. The user may utilize the cruise selling and booking system to select a set of pricing options for which the customer may qualify. The user may then view detailed pricing information that corresponds to the set of pricing options in one or more of the available price matrices.