Multi-calculation rate simulations

It is common in real time simulations of large aerospace systems to separate the high and low frequency subsystems within the simulation and perform the integrations of the subsystems at different calculation rates. This is done to strike a balance between accuracy of calculation and capacity of the digital computer. Questions arising as to the accuracy of this structure compared to single calculation rates were studied using a linear aircraft model. Also investigated were interactions arising to cause errors worse than those expected. Problems are specifically identified and guidelines are given for selection of sample rates for multiple rate simulations

A Cross-National Comparison of Consumers\u27 Attitudes Toward Direct Marketing and Purchase Intention

Existing research indicates that attitudes toward the three elements of direct marketing (the source, mode, and response channel) influence consumers\u27 intentions to purchase directly marketed products. While research investigating attitudes and consumers\u27 response has been conducted in the U.S., there has been no research to date which examines attitude structures and purchase intentions towards direct marketing in a multi-country setting, in spite of the standardized global efforts of direct marketeers. This study presents findings on attitude structures regarding direct marketing for three affluent open markets, the U.S., Singapore, and the Netherlands and empirically investigates the relationships between these consumers\u27 attitudes toward the three elements of direct marketing and purchase intentions

Stem Cells and Liver Disease

Liver transplantation is the primary treatment for various end-stage hepaticdiseases but is hindered by the lack of donor organs, complications associated with rejection and immunosuppression. An increasingly unbridgeable gap exists between the supply and demand of transplantable organs. Hence stem cell research and regenerative medicine have the potential to revolutionize the future of medicine with the ability toregenerate damaged and diseased organs. Stem cells serving as a repair system for the body, can theoretically divide without limit to replenish other cells. These cells could relieve the symptoms of liver disease or the genetic error could potentially be corrected by gene therapy. In cases of acute liver failure in adults, stem cell therapies might be used to support the liver, allowing it time to recover

Proteomics: an evolving technology in Laboratory Medicine

The rapid developments in both genomics and proteomicswill allow scientists to define the molecular pathways in normal anddiseased cells. With these models, researchers will have the ability topredict previously unknown interactions and verify such predictionsexperimentally. Novel proteins, cellular functions, and pathways will alsobe unravelled. It is hoped that understanding the connections betweencellular pathways and the ability to identify their associated biomarkerswill greatly reduce the suffering and loss of life due to diseases.KEY WORDS: Proteomics; Laboratory medicin

Fructosamine: an alternative assessment of past glycaemic control in developing countries

Fructosamine assay determines glycaemic control in diabetic patients by measuring glycosylated plasma protein. This study was done to assess the value of fructosamine as an alternative test to HbA1c as a measure of glycaemia. Sixty patients (both insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) were selected from the diabetic clinic and fasting blood samples were collected for estimation of glucose, HbA1c and fructosamine levels. The results were compared by correlation analysis and major discrepancies/discordance was detected by dividing the results into 3 clinical categories and detecting the cases in which the values fell in opposite clinical categories. Fructosamine correlated well with HbA1c (r = 0.41, p \u3c 0.01) and with fasting blood glucose (r = 0.45 p \u3c 0.01). Major discordance was detected in the results of only 7 patients which can partly be attributed to different periods over which HbA1c and fructosamine reflect average glycaemia. Fructosamine measures glycaemia over the past 2-3 weeks and HbA1c over 8 weeks. As fructosamine assay is relatively inexpensive, reliable and simple to perform; it can be used as an alternative to HbA1c and is particularly suited for developing countries