Abstract: The present invention provides novel compositions and methods based on the discovery of the mechanisms associated with STING signaling. Compositions identified find use in treatment of diseases where STING signaling is implicated in the pathology.

Abstract: Disclosed is a guardrail including a post and a longitudinal beam, the post and longitudinal beam being linked via at least one fastener and mounting plate. The mounting plate in one embodiment includes a rigid body configured to mate with the at least one fastener; and at least one deformable region or regions about or alongside the body that, in the event of an impact on the guardrail, bends and/or breaks thereby releasing the body from the remainder of the mounting plate and in doing so allowing the post and longitudinal beam to separate. A guardrail post including at least one fastener and at least one mounting plate is also described along with a mounting plate for use in a guardrail assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring, reporting, controlling, and improving enterprise performance are described. A system receives objective statements for an enterprise, which can be an IEE value chain of the enterprise, and enterprise-specific measurable metrics through an interactive user interface with their associated processes. The system collects historical data and real-time data (e.g., daily) associated with enterprise-specific measurable metrics from a plurality of infield resources and analyses the historical data and the real-time data using a statistical model to provide information that teams can use to determine the strengths and shortcomings of the enterprise. Based on the determined strength and shortcomings, the system provides, using a knowledge database, information so that leadership and teams can determine where to focus process-output metric improvement efforts via process improvement efforts so that the enterprise-as-a-whole financially benefits.

Abstract: In the above embodiment, the second leg distal end may be shaped to directly enter the slot, the distal end being aligned in a direction parallel and offset relative to the longitudinal cable axis. Also in the above embodiment, the first leg distal end may be shaped as an inverted U-shaped hook, the U-shaped hook being perpendicular and offset relative to the longitudinal cable axis and at least part of the post wall beneath the slot fits within the U-shaped hook once the hanger reaches the final seated position. The end shapes noted above are provided by way of example only and should not be seen as limiting.

Abstract: Disclosed is a guardrail including a post and a longitudinal beam, the post and longitudinal beam being linked via at least one fastener and mounting plate. The mounting plate in one embodiment includes a rigid body configured to mate with the at least one fastener; and at least one deformable region or regions about or alongside the body that, in the event of an impact on the guardrail, bends and/or breaks thereby releasing the body from the remainder of the mounting plate and in doing so allowing the post and longitudinal beam to separate. A guardrail post including at least one fastener and at least one mounting plate is also described along with a mounting plate for use in a guardrail assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring, reporting, controlling, and improving enterprise performance are described. A system receives objective statements for an enterprise, which can be an IEE value chain of the enterprise, and enterprise-specific measurable metrics through an interactive user interface with their associated processes. The system collects historical data and real-time data (e.g., daily) associated with enterprise-specific measurable metrics from a plurality of infield resources and analyses the historical data and the real-time data using a statistical model to provide information that teams can use to determine the strengths and shortcomings of the enterprise. Based on the determined strength and shortcomings, the system provides, using a knowledge database, information so that leadership and teams can determine where to focus process-output metric improvement efforts via process improvement efforts so that the enterprise-as-a-whole financially benefits.

Abstract: An air system for a seat includes an air pump, a first air operated task unit, and a second air operated task unit. The air pump is adapted to output a system air volume at a constant flow rate. The first air operated task unit is adapted to receive at least a portion of the system air volume and operate at a first pressure. The second air operated task unit is adapted to receive at least a portion of the system air volume and operate at a second pressure different than the first pressure.

Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a seat bottom having a bottom cushion and a seat back coupled to the seat bottom with the seat back having a back cushion. At least one of the bottom cushion and the back cushion defines a passage. The vehicle seat further comprises a blower assembly coupled to one of the seat bottom and the seat back. The blower assembly comprises a housing and a stator, which is coupled to the housing and comprises a plurality of driving coils. The blower assembly further comprises a rotor rotatably coupled to the housing about a rotational axis, with the rotor comprising a plurality of permanent magnets arranged to generate a flux concentrated on the driving coils. The blower assembly further comprises an impeller coupled to the rotor to rotate about the rotational axis to generate a flow of air through the passage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wire rope barrier using a cable hanger or hangers retaining a cable against a post and releasing the cable from the post in a tuneable and controllable manner when the barrier is subjected to an impact force and displacement. The hanger includes at least two legs, each with a different axis of rotation relative to the post where the legs are hooked, so the hanger in an impact releases the post from the cable at a predetermined loading and in a controllable and repeatable manner. In one embodiment, the hanger legs extend from a cable holding portion, the legs attaching to opposing sides of the post. In another embodiment, when subjected to a predetermined impact force, at least one hanger releases a retained cable when the at least one leg or a part thereof deforms allowing the cable holding portion to in turn release the cable.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly comprises a seat bottom having a bottom cushion, a seat back coupled to the seat bottom with the seat back having a back cushion, and at least one of the bottom cushion and the back cushion having a passage. The assembly further includes a flow control layer coupled to the cushion having the passage with the flow control layer defining a first support area having a first plurality of slits and a second support area, adjacent to the first support area, having a second plurality of slits. Each slit defines a width that is moveable between a restricted position and a free-flowing position. The width of the first slits can move to the free-flowing position while the width of the second slits remains in the restricted position when the first support area receives a first load for flowing air through the first slits and the passage.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly comprises a seat bottom having a bottom cushion, a seat back coupled to the seat bottom with the seat back having a back cushion, and at least one of the bottom cushion and the back cushion having a passage. The assembly further includes a flow control layer coupled to the cushion having the passage with the flow control layer defining a first support area having a first plurality of slits and a second support area, adjacent to the first support area, having a second plurality of slits. Each slit defines a width that is moveable between a restricted position and a free-flowing position. The width of the first slits can move to the free-flowing position while the width of the second slits remains in the restricted position when the first support area receives a first load for flowing air through the first slits and the passage.

Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a seat bottom having a bottom cushion and a seat back coupled to the seat bottom with the seat back having a back cushion. At least one of the bottom cushion and the back cushion defines a passage. The vehicle seat further comprises a blower assembly coupled to one of the seat bottom and the seat back. The blower assembly comprises a housing and a stator, which is coupled to the housing and comprises a plurality of driving coils. The blower assembly further comprises a rotor rotatably coupled to the housing about a rotational axis, with the rotor comprising a plurality of permanent magnets arranged to generate a flux concentrated on the driving coils. The blower assembly further comprises an impeller coupled to the rotor to rotate about the rotational axis to generate a flow of air through the passage.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for improving the monitoring of processes. These systems comprise processors co-located with the (physical) processes and which accept certain metrics regarding the processes. These systems also include processors which are located remotely from the processes, but, which are in communication with the co-located processors. The remote processors receive the metrics from the co-located processors and transform these metrics to corresponding probability metrics. Based on the probability metrics, the remote processors determine whether the processes are predictable. They also output the predictability determinations regarding the processes. The processes can be associated with petrochemical wells, food/beverage processes, etc. Additionally, or in the alternative, some systems further comprise memories which store flowchart representations of the processes. In various embodiments, the remote processors associate the metrics with the operations represented in the flowcharts.