Abstract: An etching method includes applying a photoresist over a substrate, forming an opening in the photoresist, and etching the substrate under the opening using a plasma generated with a gas composition containing argon and an amount of higher atomic mass inert gas. The amount may be effective to increase photoresist stability compared to otherwise identical etching lacking any of the higher atomic mass inert gas. The photoresist may have a composition sensitized to an actinic energy wavelength of 248 nm or less. A method of increasing the stability of 248 nm or less photoresist during RIE includes providing a means for reducing electron temperature of a plasma and etching a substrate exposed through photoresist openings without substantially destabilizing the photoresist.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of etching features into substrates. A plurality of hard mask layers is formed over material of a substrate to be etched. A feature pattern is formed in such layers. A feature is etched only partially into the substrate material using the hard mask layers with the feature pattern therein as a mask. After the partial etching, at least one of the hard mask layers is etched selectively relative to the substrate material and remaining of the hard mask layers. After etching at least one of the hard mask layers, the feature is further etched into the substrate material using at least an innermost of the hard mask layers as a mask. After the further etching, the innermost hard mask layer and any hard mask layers remaining thereover are removed from the substrate, and at least a portion of the feature is incorporated into an integrated circuit.

Abstract: The invention features a novel gene encoding methionine synthase reductase. The invention also features a method for detecting an increased likelihood of hyperhomocysteinemia and, in turn, an increased or decreased likelihood of neural tube defects, cardiovascular disease, Down's Syndrome or cancer. The invention also features therapeutic methods for treating and/or reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, Down's Syndrome, cancer, or neural tube defects. Also provided are the sequences of the human methionine synthase reductase gene and protein and compounds and kits for performing the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The invention features a novel gene encoding methionine synthase reductase. The invention also features a method for detecting an increased likelihood of hyperhomocysteinemia and, in turn, an increased or decreased likelihood of neural tube defects, cardiovascular disease, or cancer. The invention also features therapeutic methods for treating and/or reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, or neural tube defects. Also provided are the sequences of the human methionine synthase reductase gene and protein and compounds and kits for performing the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A carbon containing masking layer is patterned to include a plurality of container openings therein having minimum feature dimensions of less than or equal to 0.20 micron. The container openings respectively have at least three peripheral corner areas which are each rounded. The container forming layer is plasma etched through the masking layer openings. In one implementation, such plasma etching uses conditions effective to both a) etch the masking layer to modify shape of the masking layer openings by at least reducing degree of roundness of the at least three corners in the masking layer, and b) form container openings in the container forming layer of the modified shapes. Capacitors comprising container shapes are formed using the container openings in the container forming layer. Other implementations and aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: A carbon containing masking layer is patterned to include a plurality of container openings therein having minimum feature dimensions of less than or equal to 0.20 micron. The container openings respectively have at least three peripheral corner areas which are each rounded. The container forming layer is plasma etched through the masking layer openings. In one implementation, such plasma etching uses conditions effective to both a) etch the masking layer to modify shape of the masking layer openings by at least reducing degree of roundness of the at least three corners in the masking layer, and b) form container openings in the container forming layer of the modified shapes. Capacitors comprising container shapes are formed using the container openings in the container forming layer. Other implementations and aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a unique interactive diagnostic system and method driven by expert systems. In particular, a system and method for troubleshooting of networked electronic devices, driven by an inference engine which controls both the user interaction and the operation of and collection of data from diagnostic tools, are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention includes a knowledge base 200, an inference engine 201, a communications processor 210 for handling requests to and from the inference engine and the other components (except the knowledge base), an interaction management processor 220 for handling interactions with a plurality of end users 230 over a communications network 240, and a plurality of peripheral control units 250 and their associated peripheral units 250, which collectively can gather status information and perform diagnostic tests on the said networked electronic devices.

Abstract: The invention features a novel gene encoding methionine synthase reductase. The invention also features a method for detecting an increased likelihood of hyperhomocysteinemia and, in turn, an increased or decreased likelihood of neural tube defects, cardiovascular disease, Down's Syndrome or cancer. The invention also features therapeutic methods for treating and/or reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, Down's Syndrome, cancer, or neural tube defects. Also provided are the sequences of the human methionine synthase reductase gene and protein and compounds and kits for performing the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a unique interactive diagnostic system and method driven by expert systems. In particular, a system and method for troubleshooting of networked electronic devices, driven by an inference engine which controls both the user interaction and the operation of and collection of data from diagnostic tools, are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention comprises a knowledge base 200, an inference engine 201, a communications processor 210 for handling requests to and from the inference engine and the other components (except the knowledge base), an interaction management processor 220 for handling interactions with a plurality of end users 230 over a communications network 240, and a plurality of peripheral control units 250 and their associated peripheral units 250, which collectively can gather status information and perform diagnostic tests on the said networked electronic devices.

Abstract: The invention features a novel gene encoding methionine synthase reductase. The invention also features a method for detecting an increased likelihood of hyperhomocysteinemia and, in turn, an increased or decreased likelihood of neural tube defects, cardiovascular disease, or cancer. The invention also features therapeutic methods for treating and/or reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, or neural tube defects. Also provided are the sequences of the human methionine synthase reductase gene and protein and compounds and kits for performing the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A method and means for handling events in a computer system which occur during the execution of programs including routines prepared in a plurality of computer programming languages is described. The number and identity of each unique computer programming language used in the preparation of the program is determined using a language list contained in the application program. A unique event handling means (event handler) is initialized for each unique computer programming language used in the program. As the program executes selected events of interest to the event handlers are detected. The parameters associated with the selected event are determined. Optionally the detected events may be divided into two types: broadcast or targeted. Broadcast events are sent to all event handlers (except the debug event handler), whereas, the targeted events are sent to a single event handler.

Abstract: In a disk drive system having two actuators, each said actuator having a plurality of transducers, said system employing a transducer switching procedure for switching between a first presently selected transducer and a second to be selected transducer, an apparatus, associated with the nonpackwriting actuator, for controlling the sensing of an address mark by said second transducer, said apparatus comprising an address mark means for generating an address mark search signal to start an address mark search when an address mark is expected to be read by said first transducers; and an adjusting means connected to said address mark means for altering the time when said address mark means will generate said address mark search signal such that said second transducer will read the next address mark to occur on the track being read by said second transducer after said second transducer is selected.