Abstract: A method for forming a contact hole of a semiconductor device, wherein a polymer residual on a bottom surface of the contact hole is treated with plasma of mixture gas containing oxygen to convert the polymer residual into a pure silicon oxide film free of carbon and fluorine for easy removal in a subsequent washing process is disclosed. The method comprises (a) sequentially forming a capping layer and a planarized interlayer insulating film on a semiconductor substrate having a predetermined lower structure; (b) selectively etching the interlayer insulating film to expose a predetermined region of the capping layer; (c) removing the exposed capping layer; (d) subjecting the resulting structure to a plasma treatment using a mixture gas containing oxygen; and (e) performing a cleaning process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of the formula I which are inhibitors of the adhesion and migration of leucocytes and/or antagonists of the adhesion receptor VLA-4 which belongs to the group of integrins. The invention also relates to processes for the preparation of formula I, pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of formula I, and the treatment or prophylaxis of various diseases caused by or are associated with excess leucocyte adhesion and/or leucocyte migration, as well as diseases associated with cell-cell or cell-matrix interactions, which on interactions of VLA-4 receptors with their ligands play a part of, for example, inflammatory processes, rheumatoid arthritis or allergic disorders.

Abstract: A ferroelectric memory device features a main cell array, a row redundancy cell array, a first column redundancy cell array, a second column redundancy cell array, main bitline pull-up controllers, and column selection controllers. The main cell array includes main bitlines and sub bitlines. The row redundancy cell array is configured to share the main bitlines with the main cell array. The first column redundancy cell array is configured to share wordlines and platelines with the main cell array. The second column redundancy cell array is configured to share redundancy wordlines and redundancy platelines with the row redundancy cell array, and to share redundancy main bitlines with the first column redundancy. The main bitline pull-up controllers pull up main bitlines and redundancy main bitlines in response to first control signals, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel chimpanzee erythropoietin polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, and antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ferroelectric memory device comprising a cell array block, a data bus unit and a control circuit unit. The cell array block has a bitline structure including a main bitline and a plurlaity of sub bitlines. The main bitline is connected to a column selection controller, and the plurality of sub-bitlines have both terminals connected to the main bitline, respectively, and connected to a plurality of unit cells. The data bus unit is connected to the column selection controller. The control circuit unit includes a sense amplifier array connected between a data I/O buffer and a sense amplifier data bus connected to the data bus unit. A plurality of the cell array blocks are arranged like a matrix. The control circuit unit is disposed in a first center line of symmetry wherein the first center line is parallel to the main bitline, and the data bus unit is disposed in a second center line of symmetry wherein the second center line is vertical to the main bitline.

Abstract: The nonvolatile ferroelectric memory device comprises a plurality of cell array blocks; a plurality of drivers; and a plurality of decoders connected to the cell array blocks, respectively, wherein the decoder comprises a first sub-decoder for generating the decoding signal applied to the driver and a second sub-decoder for generating a signal selecting the driver. As a result, the nonvolatile ferroelectric memory device can reduce the area of the device and improve the driving speed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic DNA sequences which encode one or more collections of homologous proteins/(poly)peptides, and methods for generating and applying libraries of these DNA sequences. In particular, the invention relates to the preparation of a library of human-derived antibody genes by the use of synthetic consensus sequences which cover the structural repertoire of antibodies encoded in the human genome. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a single consensus antibody gene as a universal framework for highly diverse antibody libraries.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device including a write protected region, comprising a program command processor, a write protected region setting unit and a write controller. The program command processor outputs a program command signal by decoding an external signal. The write protected region setting unit stores a region address corresponding to an inputted address when the program command signal is activated, and outputs a write protect signal when the program command signal is inactivated. The write controller controls a cell corresponding to the region address not to perform a write mode when the write protect signal is activated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for changing production ratios of carotenoid compounds in a process of microbiological production of a plurality of carotenoid compounds. By controlling the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the culture during cultivation, production ratios of carotenoid compounds such as astaxanthin, adonixanthin, &bgr;-carotene, echinenone, canthaxanthin, zeaxanthin, &bgr;-cryptoxanthin, 3-hydroxyechinenone, asteroidenone and adonirubin, are changed.

Abstract: Bioerodible poly(orthoesters) useful as orthopedic implants or vehicles for the sustained delivery of pharmaceutical, cosmetic and agricultural agents contain hydrogen bonding groups and &agr;-hydroxy acid-containing groups.

Abstract: The invention provides for the use of oligodeoxynucleotide decoys for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of diseases associated with the binding of endogenous transcription factors to genes involved in cell growth, differentiation and signalling or to viral genes. By inhibiting endogenous trans-activating factors from binding transcription regulatory regions, the decoys modulate gene expression and thereby regulating pathological processes including inflammation, intimal hyperplasia, angiogenesis, neoplasia, immune responses and viral infection. The decoys are administered in amounts and under conditions whereby binding of the endogenous transcription factor to the endogenous gene is effectively competitively inhibited without significant host toxicity. The subject compositions comprise the decoy molecules in a context which provides for pharmacokinetics sufficient for effective therapeutic use.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for the assessment of mucin gene expression. The invention also relates to compositions and methods for the identification of compounds useful in the treatment of various disorders caused by mucin overproduction. The invention provides novel MUC5B promoter sequences and reporter constructs comprising these MUC5B promoter sequences. The invention further provides methods for drug screening to identify compounds have the ability to inhibit MUC5B gene expression. Compounds having the ability to inhibit MUC5B gene expression find use in the treatment of diseases characterized by mucin hyperproduction.

Abstract: Processes and kits for immobilizing a high density of nucleic acids on an insoluble surface, which are particularly useful for mass spectrometric detection of nucleic acids, are disclosed. Arrays containing the immobilized nucleic acids and use of the immobilized nucleic acids in a variety of solid phase nucleic acid chemistry applications, including nucleic acid synthesis (chemical and enzymatic), hybridization and/or extension, and sequencing, are provided. Serial and parallel dispensing tools that can deliver defined volumes of fluid to generate multi-element arrays of sample material on a substrate surface are further provided. Tools provided herein can include an assembly of vesicle elements, or pins, wherein each of the pins can include a narrow interior chamber suitable for holding nanoliter volumes of fluid. Methods for dispensing tools that can be employed to generate multi-element arrays of sample material on a substrate surface are also provided.

Abstract: A fluid-cooled mount for an injector; suitable, for example, for mounting an automotive fuel injector on a combustion exhaust system to inject an NOx reducing fluid into the exhaust system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the modification of immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) domains, IgSF fragments and fusion proteins thereof, especially to the modification of antibody derivatives, so as to improve their solubility, and hence the yield, and ease of handling. The inventors have found that this can be achieved by making the region which comprised the interface with domains adjoined to said IgSF domain in a larger fragment or a full IgSF protein, and which becomes exposed in the IgSF domain, more hydrophilic by modification. The present invention describes DNA sequences encoding modified IgSF domains or fragments and fusion proteins thereof, vectors and hosts containing these DNA sequences, IgSF domains or fragments or fusion proteins obtainable by expressing said DNA sequences in suitable expression systems, and a method for modifying IgSF domains, so as to improve their solubility, expressibility and ease of handling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for in situ protection of sensitive optical materials from alternation or damage due to exposure to trace atmospheric components, during shipping, storage or operation. The sensitive optical material is disposed within an enclosure adaptable to be substantially sealed against the external atmosphere. A container, enclosing a sink material absorbing trace atmospheric components, is coupled to the enclosure by a gas permeable surface, which allows fast diffusion of the trace atmospheric component inside the enclosure to the sink material.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions of biologically active polypeptides in powder form suitable for nasal administration, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a biologically active polypeptide and a water-soluble polysaccharide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods for rapidly and unambiguously identifying small organic molecule ligands for binding to biological target molecules. Small organic molecule ligands identified according to the methods of the present invention may find use, for example, as novel therapeutic drug lead compounds, enzyme inhibitors, labeling compounds, diagnostic reagents, affinity reagents for protein purification, and the like. Also presented are novel methods for identifying high affinity binding ligands for a biological target molecule of interest, wherein those methods comprise linking two or more small organic molecule ligands previously identified as being capable of binding to the biological target molecule of interest. Biological target molecules include, for example, polypeptides, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, nucleoproteins, glycoproteins, glycolipids and lipoproteins.

Abstract: Human Edg4 and Edg5 polypeptides and their respective amino acid and nucleic acid sequences are provided for use in investigating cytoprotection, apoptosis, cellular proliferation, and other biological pathways in which phospholipid mediators are implicated.

Abstract: Polysubstituted indan-1-ol compounds of formula I, its physiologically acceptable salts and physiologically functional derivatives are disclosed Compositions comprising the same, methods of preparation and methods for the prophylaxis or treatment of obesity are also disclosed herein.