Abstract: Methods for recovering viable microorganisms from a sample comprising an antimicrobial agent comprise incubating the sample with coated particles to form particle-microorganism complexes and then separating the particle-microorganism complexes from the antimicrobial agent. These methods are used to detect the absence or presence of a microorganism in a sample that also contains an antimicrobial agent. Corresponding compositions and kits are also provided.

Abstract: A chip package system comprising N multiple processor cores can be tested by receiving a data file characterizing the chip package system. Thereafter, simulation testing is conducted for each core for each of Mi . . . j states using the data file such that each core is active in each state while all other cores are inactive. Each simulation test results in a simulation. The simulations are then combined to result in a composite test covering MN*j combinations. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: A chip package system comprising N multiple processor cores can be tested by receiving a data file characterizing the chip package system. Thereafter, simulation testing is conducted for each core for each of M, states using the data file such that each core is active in each state while all other cores are inactive. Each simulation test results in a simulation. The simulations are then combined to result in a composite test covering MN8j combinations. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: A chip package system comprising N multiple processor cores can be tested by receiving a data file characterizing the chip package system. Thereafter, simulation testing is conducted for each core for each of Mi . . . j states using the data file such that each core is active in each state while all other cores are inactive. Each simulation test results in a simulation. The simulations are then combined to result in a composite test covering MN*j combinations. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: Methods for separating microorganisms from non-microorganism cells in a non-microorganism cell-containing sample comprise incubating the sample with particles to form particle-microorganism complexes and then separating the particle-microorganism complexes from the non-microorganism cells. These methods are used to detect the absence or presence of a microorganism in a sample that also contains non-microorganism cells. Particular reagents and combinations of reagents enhance the selective capture of microorganisms in mixed samples. Corresponding compositions and kits are also provided.

Abstract: A method of detecting a ligase expressing micro-organism in a sample comprises steps of treating the sample under conditions that inhibit the activity of ATP-dependent ligase from mammalian cells but which do not inhibit the activity of the microbial ligases, contacting the sample or a portion of the sample with a nucleic acid molecule which acts as a substrate for ligase activity in the sample, incubating the thus contacted sample under conditions suitable for ligase activity; and specifically determining the presence and/or the amount of a ligated nucleic acid molecule resulting from the action of the ligase on the substrate nucleic acid molecule to indicate the presence of the ligase expressing micro-organism. The micro-organism may be a fungus or a bacterium or both. High pH conditions may be employed to inactivate mammalian ligases. Related kits are described.

Abstract: A method of detecting a ligase expressing micro-organism in a sample comprises steps of treating the sample under conditions that inhibit the activity of ATP-dependent ligase from mammalian cells but which do not inhibit the activity of the microbial ligases, contacting the sample or a portion of the sample with a nucleic acid molecule which acts as a substrate for ligase activity in the sample, incubating the thus contacted sample under conditions suitable for ligase activity; and specifically determining the presence and/or the amount of a ligated nucleic acid molecule resulting from the action of the ligase on the substrate nucleic acid molecule to indicate the presence of the ligase expressing micro-organism. The micro-organism may be a fungus or a bacterium or both. High pH conditions may be employed to inactivate mammalian ligases. Related kits are described.

Abstract: A method of detecting a ligase expressing micro-organism in a sample comprises steps of treating the sample under conditions that inhibit the activity of ATP-dependent ligase from mammalian cells but which do not inhibit the activity of the microbial ligases, contacting the sample or a portion of the sample with a nucleic acid molecule which acts as a substrate for ligase activity in the sample, incubating the thus contacted sample under conditions suitable for ligase activity; and specifically determining the presence and/or the amount of a ligated nucleic acid molecule resulting from the action of the ligase on the substrate nucleic acid molecule to indicate the presence of the ligase expressing micro-organism. The micro-organism may be a fungus or a bacterium or both. High pH conditions may be employed to inactivate mammalian ligases. Related kits are described.

Abstract: A method of detecting a ligase expressing micro-organism in a sample comprises steps of treating the sample under conditions that inhibit the activity of ATP-dependent ligase from mammalian cells but which do not inhibit the activity of the microbial ligases, contacting the sample or a portion of the sample with a nucleic acid molecule which acts as a substrate for ligase activity in the sample, incubating the thus contacted sample under conditions suitable for ligase activity; and specifically determining the presence and/or the amount of a ligated nucleic acid molecule resulting from the action of the ligase on the substrate nucleic acid molecule to indicate the presence of the ligase expressing micro-organism. The micro-organism may be a fungus or a bacterium or both. High pH conditions may be employed to inactivate mammalian ligases. Related kits are described.

Abstract: A sensor of the enzyme-electrode type containing a layer of porous material of restricted permeability between the enzyme and a sample to be analysed. The porous material has a percentage porosity not greater than 5% and preferably in the range 0.005% to 0.5%.