Abstract: Described herein is a method for selectively oxidizing a substrate. The method includes forming a non-conformal layer on at least one side surface of a trench or a hole of a substrate. After forming the non-conformal layer, the at least one trench or at least one hole may be selectively oxidized, wherein oxidation of the non-conformal layer and an exposed portion of the at least one side wall not covered by the non-conformal layer occurs to form an oxide layer. The oxide layer is thicker at a lower portion of the at least one side wall than the upper portion of the at least one side wall, such that it tapers.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for covering an airless spray gun for the purpose of protecting the gun while preventing unintended triggering. Protecting the gun prolongs the life of the tool while preventing unintended triggering helps prevent injection injuries. In one embodiment a semi-rigid elastomeric form encloses the top, front, bottom and at least a portion of the sides of an airless spray gun, or air assisted spray gun, while a flexible elastomeric material covers a significant portion of the sides of the tool.

Abstract: The present invention provides a specific set of gene expression markers from peripheral blood leukocytes that are indicative of a host response to exposure, response, and recovery infectious pathogen infections. The present invention further provides methods for identifying the specific set of gene expression markers, methods of monitoring disease progression and treatment of infectious pathogen infections, methods of prognosing the onset of an infectious pathogen infection, and methods of diagnosing an infectious pathogen infection and identifying the pathogen involved.

Abstract: Methods for forming dielectric materials on a substrate in a single cluster tool are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a cluster tool having a plurality of deposition chambers, depositing a metal-containing oxide layer on a substrate in a first chamber of the cluster tool, treating the metal-containing oxide layer with an insert plasma process in a second chamber of the cluster tool, annealing the metal-containing oxide layer in a third chamber of the cluster tool, and depositing a gate electrode layer on the annealed substrate in a fourth chamber of the cluster tool.

Abstract: There is disclosed a rearward closure assembly for an automotive vehicle. The assembly includes a rear panel and a rearward roof panel that can be moved along track guides that extend from a rear portion of the vehicle to the top of the vehicle. The rear panel can be translated from a first position to a second position such that the rear panel and roof panel are generally opposing and parallel to each other to open a lower portion of a rearward passageway of the vehicle. Thereafter, the rear panel and the roof panel can be translated above a top portion of the vehicle to open an upper portion of the rearward passageway.