Abstract: The present invention relates in part to isolated nucleic acid molecules (polynucleotides) which encode Rhipicephalus sanguineus glutamate gated chloride channels. The present invention also relates to recombinant vectors and recombinant hosts which contain a DNA fragment encoding R. sanguineus glutamate gated chloride channels, substantially purified forms of associated R. sanguineus glutamate gated chloride channels and recombinant membrane fractions comprising these proteins, associated mutant proteins, and methods associated with identifying compounds which modulate associated Rhipicephalus sanguineus glutamate gated chloride channels, which will be useful as insecticides.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining the presence of cracks in razor blades during manufacturing. The methods may include, for example, providing a plurality of razor blades in a stack, inducing a current in the stack, and measuring a parameter that is related to the current and indicative of the presence or absence of cracks in the razor blades.

Abstract: Selective growth inhibitors are identified by (i) providing a semi-solid nutrient medium (e.g., an agar plate) co-seeded with a strain of cells (e.g., bacteria or fungi) that is sensitive to growth inhibitors having a particular mode of action and with a strain that is essentially the same as the sensitive strain except that it is resistant to said growth inhibitors, wherein the sensitive strain is co-seeded in the nutrient medium in an amount substantially in excess of that of the resistant strain; (ii) treating the medium with a test substance; (iii) incubating the treated medium under conditions suitable for the growth of both the sensitive and the resistant strains; and (iv) examining the incubated treated medium for growth inhibition. The observation in (iv) of a zone of no growth except for isolated colonies of the resistant strain is an indication that the test substance is a selective growth inhibitor having the mode of action of interest.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining the presence of cracks in razor blades during manufacturing. The methods may include, for example, providing a plurality of razor blades in a stack, inducing a current in the stack, and measuring a parameter that is related to the current and indicative of the presence or absence of cracks in the razor blades.

Abstract: A magnetic testing device for obtaining a damaged index of an elongated magnetically-permeable object in real time includes a permanent magnet assembly with spaced-apart poles, a tubular pole piece adapted to surround the object, Hall effect devices placed in the magnetic flux path, a leakage flux sensor installed between the pole pieces, and a real time signal processing unit. The signal processing unit provides local fault (LF) signals generated by the leakage flux sensor, and loss of metallic area (LMA) signals generated by the Hall effect devices. The standard deviations of the LF signals are summed, the root-mean-square of the LF signals is summed, the absolute values of the LF signals are integrated, and the LMA signal is multiplied by a coefficient which is dependent on the object construction. The damage index is then determined using the thus-calculated values. Preferably, when a wire rope is passed through the monitoring device, the damage index is given to the user in a hand-held display means.

Abstract: A magnetic testing device for detecting loss of metallic area and internal and external defects in elongated magnetically-permeable objects includes a permanent magnet assembly having poles adapted to be spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of an elongated object for inducing a longitudinal magnetic flux in a section of the object between the poles of the magnet assembly, the magnet assembly being strong enough to magnetically saturate the section of the object. A tubular pole piece is arranged to surround the object adjacent each pole of the permanent magnetic assembly for directing the magnetic flux into the object at one pole and out of the object at the other pole. Hall effect devices are placed in the path of the magnetic flux for sensing the reduction of the flux passing through the elongated object due to any reduction of cross-sectional area of the elongated object between the pole pieces caused by loss of metallic area in the elongated object.

Abstract: A borehole deviation monitor comprises a probe body adapted to be lowered in a borehole and including two inclinometers mounted in an orthogonal configuration to provide simultaneous X and Y axis inclination signals indicating the dip angle of the borehole with respect to the vertical and two triaxial magnetometers to provide reference signals indicating the azimuth angle of the borehole. The magnetometers are separated by a predetermined distance along the axis of the probe. A cable takeup winch mechanism is provided to lower the probe body into the borehole by predetermined increments equal to the distance between the two magnetometers. A control and data storage station is connected to the two inclinometers and magnetometers for reading and storing the data collected at each incremental distance and for correcting the azimuth reading given by the top magnetometer by substracting any difference in readings between the two magnetometers at the previous position of the probe.