A semiconductor device with dual damascene structure is provided, which suppresses propagation delay of signals without using complicated processes. There is further disclosed a diagnostic method for monitoring the severity or potential lethality of sepsis or septic shock, comprising measuring the serum concentration of HMG1 in a patient exhibiting or at risk or exhibit sepsis or septic shock symptoms. Further, the energy of the tone or voice signals are determined at specific frequencies utilizing a Goertzel Filter process. Various video-oriented characteristics associated with the results of the queries are determined and a rank score is calculated for each.