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Houston Plant Explosion Lawyer

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Were you or a member of your family working at the International Nutrition plant when an explosion and building collapse occurred?

You have valuable legal rights. You could have a claim for workers’ compensation or wrongful death.

At Zehl & Associates, our Houston plant explosion lawyer have tremendous sympathy for all the victims of this horrific incident. Our law firm has served the Houston community for many years, and we would like to offer local support to all victims and their family members. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in the International Nutrition blast, you could be entitled to loss and damage compensation.

International Nutrition Plant Explosion

On Monday, January 31, 2014, part of the International Nutrition plant in Houston, Nebraska, collapsed after an explosion occurred inside the plant. At the time of the explosion, 38 people were working inside. Although many escaped alive, some did not.

Two deaths have been confirmed following the explosion at the Houston plant, while ten workers were injured. A worker indicated that the building collapsed from the third floor below, causing the extreme fire and smoke.

Previous Plant Violations

To the best of the workers’ general knowledge, they would not have recognized that International Nutrition was cited multiple times for “serious” violations by OSHA. They follow OSHA, “A serious violation exists when the occupational hazard could cause an accident or illness that could result in death or serious physical injury unless the employer did not know or could know of the violation.”

Some “serious” violations OSHA cited International Nutrition for include:

· In 2002, a man was crushed to death by a mixing machine – OSHA fined International Nutrition $ 13,600 for five serious violations, and a sixth discovered while investigating the man’s death.

· In 2012, International Nutrition was fined $ 10,430 to resolve serious violations discovered during a planned inspection.

After this incident, OSHA will likely conduct another investigation of the plant as the cause of the explosion has yet to be identified.

Potential Wounds

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) follows, grain manufacturing is a high hazard industry; there is an excellent risk of ignition or combustion by grain dust. Additionally, over the past 35 years, more than 500 explosions have occurred at grain handling facilities, causing 675 injuries and more than 180 fatalities.

After the Houston plant explosion, family and friends waited outside the plant to make sure their loved ones were okay. Unfortunately, not all of them made it out without a scratch, while some were trapped inside the dark and dusty building.

Some injuries that could be sustained during the plant explosion include:

· Abrasions

· Fractures

· Burns

· Collapsed lung

· Concussion

· Crush wounds

· Falls

· Hypothermia

· Smoke inhalation

· Wrongful death

If you ever face the explosion, you should immediately get medical attention, even if no injuries are present. Your attorneys could use those medical documents in formulating a robust case against the negligent entity.

Contact Our Houston Plant Explosion Lawyers

The attorneys at Zehl & Associates offer condolences to the families who lost a loved one during this incident and offered our support to all victims and families involved in this horrendous explosion.

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Applications of Automation in Research and Clinical Diagnostics

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Precision counts in the fields of science and medicine. This is particularly true for the basic task of counting and analyzing cells, which is used in both clinical and research settings. The introduction of automatic cell counters, which provide efficiency and accuracy that manual approaches cannot match, has resulted in a notable advancement in this field.

What is Automated Cell Counting?

Automated cell counters are advanced instruments that are made to precisely and swiftly count and examine cells. In contrast to manual counting methods that rely on human vision and a microscope, automated counters use software algorithms and image technology to count and analyze cells. This ensures more accurate findings by expediting the procedure and lowering the possibility of human error.

Type of Automated Cell Counters

There are several types of automated cell counters used in research and clinical diagnostics, each employing different technologies and methods for cell counting. The main types of automated cell counters include:

Image Cytometers: These devices use optical microscopy to statically image cells, which are frequently labeled to detect certain molecules or provide contrast. Cell counting is aided by the automation of image cytometers made possible by digital cameras.
Flow Cytometers: Use a regulated flow of suspended cells to align individual cells for analysis. Staining cells with fluorochromes enables visual characterization of the cells and facilitates high-throughput analysis.
Cell Sorters: Arrange cells according to their electrical properties. Sorting is accomplished by dividing the fluid stream containing the cells into droplets whose electrical charge varies according to the kind of cell and guiding them into various containers.
Time-Lapse Cytometers: Allow for continuous monitoring of cells in an incubator by employing non-heat-generating light sources, such as LEDs, in conjunction with image cytometry to investigate cellular dynamics without causing damage to living cells.
Hemocytometers: A qualified technician, an optical microscope, and a gridded slide with known volume wells are used in this manual cell counting approach. Up until the 1950s, hemocytometers were the norm for counting cells.

These various types of automated cell counters provide effective and precise methods for cell counting and analysis, each with unique benefits and uses in clinical and research environments.

Research

Automated cell counters have become indispensable tools in understanding cell behavior. They are used in various research fields, including cancer research, drug discovery, and stem cell therapy.

One of the key benefits in research is the ability to handle large volumes of data. For instance, in drug discovery, automated counters can quickly analyze the effects of thousands of compounds on cell growth and death. This high-throughput capability accelerates the pace of research, allowing scientists to screen potential drugs more efficiently than ever before.

Moreover, automated cell counters offer the precision required to detect subtle changes in cell populations. This is crucial in fields like cancer research, where understanding the behavior of cancer cells can lead to the development of more effective treatments.

Clinical Diagnostics

The impact of automated cell counters extends beyond the research laboratory and into clinical diagnostics. In medical laboratories, these devices play a critical role in routine blood tests, infectious disease diagnostics, and monitoring patient health during treatment.

For example, in a routine complete blood count (CBC), automated cell counters can quickly provide a detailed analysis of different blood cell types. This information is vital for diagnosing conditions such as anemia, infections, and blood cancers. The speed and accuracy of automated counters mean that patients can receive diagnoses and begin treatment more swiftly.

In the context of infectious diseases, automated counters can detect and quantify specific pathogens or immune cells, helping to diagnose infections quickly and accurately. During the COVID-19 pandemic, automated cell counting technologies were instrumental in monitoring virus spread and patients’ immune responses, showcasing their value in crisis situations.

Challenges and Future Directions

The initial cost of these devices can be high, and their operation requires specific technical expertise. Additionally, different types of cells and conditions may require customized counting protocols, necessitating ongoing adjustments and updates to software algorithms.

 

Looking ahead, ongoing advancements in technology promise to further enhance the capabilities of automated cell counters. The global cell counting market growth is anticipated at a CAGR of 7.5% by 2032. Innovations in imaging technology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are expected to improve accuracy, speed, and the ability to analyze more complex cell characteristics. As these technologies evolve, automated cell counters will become even more integral to research and diagnostics, opening new avenues for scientific discovery and patient care.

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