State University of New York System

About: State University of New York System is a education organization based out in Albany, New York, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 54077 authors who have published 78070 publications receiving 2985160 citations.

Unscented Filtering for Spacecraft Attitude Estimation

Abstract: A new spacecraft attitude estimation approach based on the unscented filter is derived. For nonlinear systems the unscented filter uses a carefully selected set of sample points to map the probability distribution more accurately than the linearization of the standard extended Kalman filter, leading to faster convergence from inaccurate initial conditions in attitude estimation problems. The filter formulation is based on standard attitude-vector measurements using a gyro-based model for attitude propagation. The global attitude parameterization is given by a quaternion, whereas a generalized three-dimensional attitude representation is used to define the local attitude error. A multiplicative quaternion-error approach is derived from the local attitude error, which guarantees that quaternion normalization is maintained in the filter. Simulation results indicate that the unscented filter is more robust than the extended Kalman filter under realistic initial attitude-error conditions.

Procalcitonin increase after endotoxin injection in normal subjects.

Abstract: As procalcitonin concentrations have been shown to be elevated in patients with septicemia and gram-negative infections in particular, we proceeded to investigate the effect of endotoxin, a product of gram-negative bacteria, on procalcitonin concentrations in normal human volunteers Endotoxin from Escherichia coli 0113:H10:k, was injected iv at a dose of 4 mg/kg BW into these healthy volunteers Blood samples were obtained before and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 24 h after injection of the endotoxin Each patient's cardiovascular and overall clinical status was monitored over this period The patients developed chills and rigors, myalgia, and fever between 1-3 h Tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels increased sharply at 1 h and peaked at 90 min, reaching the baseline concentration thereafter by 6 h Interleukin-6 levels increased more gradually, peaking at 3 h and reaching the baseline concentration at 8 h The procalcitonin concentration, which was undetectable (< 10 pg/mL) at 0, 1, and 2 h, was detectable at 4 h

Ceramic-Based Nanoparticles Entrapping Water-Insoluble Photosensitizing Anticancer Drugs: A Novel Drug−Carrier System for Photodynamic Therapy

Abstract: A novel nanoparticle-based drug carrier for photodynamic therapy is reported which can provide stable aqueous dispersion of hydrophobic photosensitizers, yet preserve the key step of photogeneration of singlet oxygen, necessary for photodynamic action. A multidisciplinary approach is utilized which involves (i) nanochemistry in micellar cavity to produce these carriers, (ii) spectroscopy to confirm singlet oxygen production, and (iii) in vitro studies using tumor cells to investigate drug-carrier uptake and destruction of cancer cells by photodynamic action. Ultrafine organically modified silica-based nanoparticles (diameter approximately 30 nm), entrapping water-insoluble photosensitizing anticancer drug 2-devinyl-2-(1-hexyloxyethyl) pyropheophorbide, have been synthesized in the nonpolar core of micelles by hydrolysis of triethoxyvinylsilane. The resulting drug-doped nanoparticles are spherical, highly monodispersed, and stable in aqueous system. The entrapped drug is more fluorescent in aqueous medium than the free drug, permitting use of fluorescence bioimaging studies. Irradiation of the photosensitizing drug entrapped in nanoparticles with light of suitable wavelength results in efficient generation of singlet oxygen, which is made possible by the inherent porosity of the nanoparticles. In vitro studies have demonstrated the active uptake of drug-doped nanoparticles into the cytosol of tumor cells. Significant damage to such impregnated tumor cells was observed upon irradiation with light of wavelength 650 nm. Thus, the potential of using ceramic-based nanoparticles as drug carriers for photodynamic therapy has been demonstrated.