Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for automatically packaging one or more articles as a set of items to be shipped is disclosed. The system, apparatus, and method processes packaging material based at least in part on a scan of the set of items to be shipped, and forms cushioning of two matched streams of packaging material, with height of each package automated to size for the set, yielding shipping-ready customized packages. The customized packages are configured to conform to each individual article's size. The packaging material preferably is fully recyclable and is made from paper which is selectively expandable to create a cushioning layer around the set.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for automatically packaging one or more articles as a set of items to be shipped is disclosed. The system, apparatus, and method processes packaging material based at least in part on a scan of the set of items to be shipped, and forms cushioning of two matched streams of packaging material, with height of each package automated to size for the set, yielding shipping-ready customized packages. The customized packages are configured to conform to each individual article's size. The packaging material preferably is fully recyclable and is made from paper which is selectively expandable to create a cushioning layer around the set.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for automatically packaging one or more articles as a set of items to be shipped is disclosed. The system, apparatus, and method processes packaging material based at least in part on a scan of the set of items to be shipped, and forms cushioning of two matched streams of packaging material, with height of each package automated to size for the set, yielding shipping-ready customized packages. The customized packages are configured to conform to each individual article's size. The packaging material preferably is fully recyclable and is made from paper which is selectively expandable to create a cushioning layer around the set.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for automatically packaging one or more articles as a set of items to be shipped is disclosed. The system, apparatus, and method processes packaging material based at least in part on a scan of the set of items to be shipped, and forms cushioning of two matched streams of packaging material, with height of each package automated to size for the set, yielding shipping-ready customized packages. The customized packages are configured to conform to each individual article's size. The packaging material preferably is fully recyclable and is made from paper which is selectively expandable to create a cushioning layer around the set.

Abstract: A mobile omnidirectional device having a base support, four wheels pivotally connected to the base support, each wheel being driven by a drive motor, a controller for individually controlling each of the drive motors, and a power source for powering the controller and the drive motors. The device provides a zero inch turning radius and can be configured as a jib hoist or a rolling transportation cart.

Abstract: A composite panel structure of a polymer matrix cote sandwiched by metal layers is described. The polymer matrix comprises 1-30 wt % fluoropolymer and 70-99 wt % of a flame retardant mineral. The fluoropolymer may be polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) with a high limiting oxygen index, which confers fire resistance properties to the polymer matrix and the composite panel structure. The composite panel structure may be used on the exterior of buildings and may fulfill building code requirements for the polymer matrix core being noncombustible as determined by ASTM E136 and CAN/ULC S114 compliance.

Abstract: A composite panel structure of a polymer matrix core sandwiched by metal layers is described. The polymer matrix comprises 1-30 wt % fluoropolymer and 70-99 wt % of a flame retardant mineral. The fluoropolymer may be polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) with a high limiting oxygen index, which confers fire resistance properties to the polymer matrix and the composite panel structure. The composite panel structure may be used on the exterior of buildings and may fulfill building code requirements for the polymer matrix core being noncombustible as determined by ASTM E136 and CAN/ULC S114 compliance.

Abstract: A composite panel structure of a polymer matrix core sandwiched by metal layers is described. The polymer matrix comprises 1-30 wt % fluoropolymer and 70-99 wt % of a flame retardant mineral. The fluoropolymer may be polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) with a high limiting oxygen index, which confers fire resistance properties to the polymer matrix and the composite panel structure. The composite panel structure may be used on the exterior of buildings and may fulfill building code requirements for the polymer matrix core being noncombustible as determined by ASTM E136 and CAN/ULC S114 compliance.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods for treating pregnant patients at risk of adverse pregnancy outcome, including, in some embodiments, by measuring one or more of a level of iC3b, intact C3, and total C3.

Abstract: A mobile omnidirectional device having a base support, four wheels pivotally connected to the base support, each wheel being driven by a drive motor, a controller for individually controlling each of the drive motors, and a power source for powering the controller and the drive motors. The device provides a zero inch turning radius and can be configured as a jib hoist or a rolling transportation cart.

Abstract: The present invention features the use of compstatin and complement inhibiting analogs thereof for treating and/or preventing age related macular degeneration and other conditions involving macular degeneration, choroidal neovascularization, and/or retinal neovascularization. The invention also provides compositions comprising compstatin or a complement inhibiting analog thereof and a second therapeutic agent. The invention also provides compositions comprising compstatin or a complement inhibiting analog thereof and a gel-forming material, e.g., soluble collagen, and methods of administering the compositions.

Abstract: The present invention features the local administration of complement inhibitors for treatment of complement-mediated disorders. In certain embodiments the invention features inhibiting activation of one or more locally produced complement proteins. The invention provides sustained release formulations and devices comprising a complement inhibitor and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods for predicting flare in subjects with autoimmune disease (e.g., lupus erythematosus). In some embodiments, pending flares may be reduced in severity and/or prevented from clinical manifestation in their entirety using provided methods. In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods for preventing or reducing the severity of a flare including the steps of determining in a sample from a subject suffering from lupus erythematosus a complement activation potential, administering a treatment or implementing a change in treatment if the complement activation potential is about 25% or higher, wherein a complement activation potential of about 25% or higher indicates that the subject will experience a flare within 30 days.

Abstract: A method for treating an individual at risk for a complement-associated disorder is provided, the method including: (a) obtaining a sample of a body fluid from the individual; (b) measuring a complement activation level in the sample via a point-of-care lateral flow immunoassay; (c) correlating the complement activation level in the sample to a risk of a complement-associated disorder by comparing the complement activation level in the sample to a reference level in a control, wherein a deviation in complement activation level in the sample compared to the reference level in the control indicates the individual is at risk for a complement-associated disorder; (d) selecting a treatment for the individual, based on the correlating of step (c); and (e) treating the individual with the treatment selected in accordance with step (d).

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating one or more phenotypes of a macrophage-related cell, e.g., a macrophage. The invention further provides methods of treating disease by modulating macrophage phenotype. Representative phenotypes include pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, immunogenic, tolerogenic, tissue-destructive, tissue restorative, cytotoxic, migratory, bone-resorbing, pro-angiogenic, anti-angiogenic, suppressor, antigen presentation, or phagocytic. Representative diseases include atherosclerosis, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: The present invention features the use of compstatin and complement inhibiting analogs thereof for treating and/or preventing age related macular degeneration and other conditions involving macular degeneration, choroidal neovascularization, and/or retinal neovascularization. The invention also provides compositions comprising compstatin or a complement inhibiting analog thereof and a second therapeutic agent. The invention also provides compositions comprising compstatin or a complement inhibiting analog thereof and a gel-forming material, e.g., soluble collagen, and methods of administering the compositions.

Abstract: A method for regenerating deactivated acidic ionic liquid is described. The method involves reducing a level of free hydrochloric acid in the deactivated acidic ionic liquid in a removal zone using at least one of heat, a stripping fluid, reduced pressure, and liquid-liquid extraction to form a deactivated acidic ionic liquid having a reduced level of free hydrochloric acid; and regenerating the deactivated acidic ionic liquid having the reduced level of free hydrochloric acid.

Abstract: A method for regenerating deactivated acidic ionic liquid is described. The method involves reducing a level of free hydrochloric acid in the deactivated acidic ionic liquid in a removal zone using at least one of heat, a stripping fluid, reduced pressure, and liquid-liquid extraction to form a deactivated acidic ionic liquid having a reduced level of free hydrochloric acid; and regenerating the deactivated acidic ionic liquid having the reduced level of free hydrochloric acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for assessing complement activation and methods for assessing the ability of an agent or condition of interest to modulate complement activation. The present invention provides methods for assessing whether a subject has or is at increased risk of developing a complement-mediated disorder, e.g., age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Also provided are kits containing materials useful for performing the methods.

Abstract: Methods of detecting complement activation including steps of detecting in a sample from a subject a level of iC3b wherein the detecting involves specific interaction between the iC3b and a non-cross-reactive antibody thereto, comparing the detected level with a reference level, which reference level is within a range of about 10 ng/ml to about 5,000 ng/ml, wherein determination that the detected level is above the reference level indicates that the subject is suffering from or susceptible to undesirable and/or pathologic complement activation, and administering treatment to treat undesired complement activation if the detected level is above the reference level. Other methods of detecting complement activation with or without measuring iC3b are also provided.