Abstract: A method for treating a viral infection of a mammalian subject that comprises administering a virus-inhibiting amount of a halogenated xanthene, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, an alkyl ester or amide or aromatic ester or amide derivative thereof as disclosed within, to that mammalian subject. A method of inducing a type I interferon response in a mammalian subject that presents with a microbial infection, cancerous tumor or hematological malignancy that comprises administering an amount of a halogenated xanthene as discussed above, effective to induce the type I interferon response. A method of enhancing a mammalian immunogen-specific immune response that comprises contacting mammalian cells, in vivo or present in a mammalian cell growth supporting medium, with an adjuvant-effective amount of a halogenated xanthene as discussed above, and an immunogen to which that response is to be enhanced.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a first set of modules is placed on pieces of equipment for providing information about the piece of equipment on which the modules are located. In another embodiment, a second set of modules is placed on racks where pieces of equipment may be stored. In yet another embodiment, modules of the second set communicate with modules of the first set in order to provide information about the equipment and where the equipment is stored. In an embodiment, the modules on the racks also provide information about the availability of space on the racks. In an embodiment, modules of the second set provide power to modules of the first set. In yet another embodiment, the first set and second set of modules communicate with each other optically without being physically connected.