Abstract: In an embodiment, a load carrying system for a wearer includes a carrier made of at least one flexible carrier material and comprises a front portion to be disposed at the wearer's front, and a back portion to be disposed at the wearer's back, when the system is worn by the wearer; a load attachment arrangement for detachably attaching a load to at least the front portion; a front load distribution arrangement comprising at least one elongated front load distribution element made of a material more rigid than the carrier material and attached to the front portion of the carrier by a front attachment member different from, and operating independently of, the load attachment arrangement; and a back load distribution arrangement disposed in the back portion of the carrier and separated from the front load distribution arrangement by the material of the carrier.

Abstract: In this application is described the characterization Borrelia burgdorferi lipoprotein BBK07, an in vivo expressed and surface-exposed immunogen. BBK07 expression in the infected hose can be detected at the RNA and protein level as early as the first week of infection. Therefore, described is the use of BBK07 antigen and immunogenic epitopes as well as bbk07 nucleotides in methods and kits for the diagnosis of Lyme disease.

Abstract: Novel N-heterocyclic carbene ligand precursors, N-heterocyclic carbene ligands and N-heterocyclic metal-carbene complexes are provided. Metal-carbene complexes comprising N-heterocyclic carbene ligands can be chiral, which are useful for catalyzing enantioselective synthesis. Methods for the preparation of the N-heterocyclic carbene ligands and N-heterocyclic metal-carbene complexes are given.

Abstract: A rigid corner guard protects a corner of a structure from collisions with objects. The corner guard includes a rigid body having a base, an upper end, and a wall extending between the base and the upper end that is configured to surround the corner of the structure. The corner guard also includes a leg structure secured to the rigid body including at least two leg portions adapted to support the rigid body of the corner guard. The separation between the at least two leg portions is at a predetermined distance. The corner guard further includes an adjustment mechanism coupled to the rigid body. The adjustment mechanism is configured to apply a force to the rigid body to flex the rigid body to adjust the predetermined distance for installation of the at least two leg portions. The corner guard is constructed of material with sufficient strength and toughness to withstand collisions with heavier industrial type equipment.

Abstract: An adjustable bollard protects structures from collisions with objects and limits access to particular areas. The bollard includes a rigid post body and a leg structure secured to the rigid body. The leg structure includes at least two leg portions adapted to support the rigid post body, where the two leg portions are separated by a predetermined distance. The bollard further includes an adjustment mechanism coupled to the rigid body, the two leg portions, or both. The adjustment mechanism is configured to apply a force to the rigid post body to flex the rigid body to adjust the predetermined distance for installation of the at least two leg portions. The bollard is constructed of material with sufficient strength and toughness to withstand collisions with heavier industrial type equipment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus removably and replaceably mounting a member in a hole that provides sufficient support for the member while also improving installation time of the anchor holding the member in place includes use of a drive anchor system. The drive anchor system includes a drive anchor. The drive anchor includes a hollow shaft having an internal chamber, an external wall, a first end, and a second end. A surface feature is disposed on the external wall for providing anchoring functionality. A bifurcating crevice extends from the second end of the hollow shaft toward the first end of the hollow shaft, and creates a first leg and a second leg of the hollow shaft. A member coupling is sized and dimensioned to fit within the internal chamber of the drive anchor, such that the member can couple with the member coupling.

Abstract: A metal etch processing sequence eliminates the need to use an organic masking layer solvent and etches a portion of an insulating layer after a plasma metal etching step. The etch of the insulating layer is performed with an etching solution that may include 1,2-ethanediol, hydrogen fluoride, and ammonium fluoride. The etching solution etches in a range of 100-900 angstroms of the insulating layer. The etch removes at least 75 percent of the mobile ions within the insulating layer, and should remove at least 95 percent of the mobile ions. The process may be implemented using an acid hood, an acid compatible spray tool, or a puddle processing tool. The process includes many different embodiments that allow the process to be easily integrated into many different existing processing sequences. A similar process may be used with a resist-etch-back processing sequence.