Abstract: A nucleic acid based method is provided for the detection of methanogens in human, animal, plant and in environmental samples of soil, sediment or water that are terrestrial or subterranean in origin. The method is effected by (a) obtaining a biological sample; and (b) analyzing the sample for a nucleic acid sequence/s unique to methanogens, wherein a detectable level of the nucleic acid sequence unique to methanogens is indicative of the presence of methanogens in the sample. Further, a scheme for inferring the identity of the different types of methanogens is provided, wherein, the DNA sequences of the methyl reductase genes detected in that sample are compared to methyl reductase sequences of known methanogens. With this technology, methanogens in samples containing less than {fraction (1/1000)}th of a gram of biomass can be detected.

Abstract: An automatic titration apparatus for optically determining incompatibility of petroleum oils. The apparatus includes reservoirs for oil and solvent, a sealed temperature-controlled mixing vessel, including a liquid mixer, pumps and transfer lines for dispensing oil and solvent from said reservoirs to said mixing vessel wherein oil and solvent are mixed to form a mixture, an aggregate detector, transfer lines for transferring said mixture to the aggregate detector, and a computer programmed to operate and monitor all elements of said apparatus.