Blog

What is Self-Storage?

Published

4 years ago

January 27, 2020

Often when we explain what services we offer; the recurring question always appears: what does it mean? self-storage? Self-storage is the term used to refer to the temporary rental of private storage spaces. According to the best caloundra storage facility Association, it implies “self-service storage for private users, professionals or companies that need a small warehouse, a small storage room or a safe and exclusive space, which they want to manage themselves with total freedom”.

Born in the United States after World War II, self-storage was developed until leading the world market in this country, and having Australia and Spain as strong competitors.

In Argentina we know them as bailers and storage, in Spain they say storage rooms and in Anglo-Saxon countries, self-storage (and you probably recognize them having ever seen the reality TV show Who gives more?). The high rate of consumerism together with the high cost of the land made offering private spaces the perfect solution: it allows access to a personal space for a lower price than that of a property.

Self-storage, whose fundamentals are privacy, security and comfort, is a service for both private clients and corporate clients. The particular customer serves when:

you need to have a larger space than the one physically owned in the home
you have to vacate a home without having another available
the home is going to be remodeled and the environments need to be cleared
moves to a smaller house than the one that was owned
He decides to leave his home for a long time and wants to avoid paying a rent
acquires inheritance
redecorates his house and has not yet gotten rid of the previous decoration or wants to keep it
You need to store cars, boats, ATVs or other vehicles and do not have their own garage

At the corporate level, self-storage is a solution for businesses and offices that need to store:

documentation that they do not access frequently
merchandise, supplies, packaging material and pre or post season products
promotional and advertising material in large quantities or dimensions
furniture, equipment and machinery in the face of remodeling or temporary cessation of activity

Likewise, the spaces function as distribution points for companies that do not have their own premises, as is the case of distributors and online sales companies. For these cases, the providers of self-storage spaces have diversified and offer specific spaces for these transactions, such as the courtesy offices that Metro box provides for the encounter with private clients.

The self-storage industry continues to grow and has already come to standardize services and conditions worldwide through organizations such as Inside Self-Storage, which summons annual fairs to discuss the state and future of the industry, while offering seminars on different areas of the business, opens the debate for the resolution of frequent problems and generates statistics to understand the evolution of the market.

Blog

Applications of Automation in Research and Clinical Diagnostics

Published

2 months ago

May 18, 2024

Rosario Farell

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.