Users guide for guidance and control Launch and Abort Simulation for Spacecraft (LASS), volume 1

The mathematical models and computer program which are used to implement LASS are described. The computer program provides for a simulation of boost to orbit and abort capability from boost trajectories to a prescribed target. The abort target provides a decision point for engine shutdown from which the vehicle coasts to the vicinity of the selected abort recovery site. The simulation is a six degree of freedom simulation describing a rigid body. The vehicle is influenced by forces and moments from nondistributed aerodynamics. An adaptive autopilot is provided to control vehicle attitudes during powered and unpowered flight. A conventional autopilot is provided for study of vehicle during powered flight

Assessment of International Tourists\u27 Perception on Local Foods in Tanzania

Consumption of local food is broadly recognized as an essential part of tourists’ experience. Locally distinctive food can be important both as a tourism attraction in itself and in helping to shape the image of a destination. Local food experiences have the potential to contribute considerably to sustainable development, help maintain regional identities and support agricultural diversification. While local foods have the potential to reduce poverty in rural communities, their image and perception to tourists remain largely unexamined. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the way international tourists perceive local food in Tanzania. Data was collected using questionnaires (N = 540) at Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), which serves tourists who have just completed their visits from the most popular “Northern Circuit” of Tanzania National Parks. The findings show that (74.5%) of the respondents agreed that overall local food was of good quality and (58.5%) agreed that local food was safe to eat. However, respondents felt strongly that the hotels they stayed in did not provide many varieties of local foods (42.3%) or sufficient information about local foods (36.5%)

An Evaluation of Conventional Cephalometric Appraisals

Although lateral cephalographic diagnosis is central to craniofacial skeletal assessment, their classification (categorization) remains largely empiric. In this study, pre- and post-treatment lateral cephalographic dimensional arrays were subjected to the classic numerical taxonomic technique of cluster analysis. The resultant patient groupings (clusters) were not only inconsistent with respect to their Angle malocclusion categories, but also the composition of each cluster group varies depending upon the dimensional arrays analyzed. These findings demonstrate that lateral cephalometric categorization remains largely subjective.Bien que le diagnostic céphalométrique latéral soit essentiel pour l’évaluation du squelette craniofacial, les classifications (catégorisation) restent largement empiriques. Dans le présent travail, les mesures céphalométriques latérales prises avant et après traitement ont été soumises à la technique taxonomique numérique classique de l’analyse de groupe. Les groupes de patients obtenus n’étaient pas compatibles avec leur situation dans la classification des malocclusions d’Angle. De plus, la composition de chaque groupe variait en fonction de l’ordre des dimensions analysées, ces résultats prouvent que la catégorisation céphalométrique latérale reste tout à fait subjective

THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF SERIOUS FLUOROQUINOLONE-RELATED ADVERSE EVENTS

Peer reviewe

Translational aspects of cytochrome P450-mediated drug-drug interactions : A case study with clopidogrel

Multimorbidity, polypharmacotherapy and drug interactions are increasingly common in the ageing population. Many drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are caused by perpetrator drugs inhibiting or inducing cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, resulting in alterations of the plasma concentrations of a victim drug. DDIs can have a major negative health impact, and in the past, unrecognized DDIs have resulted in drug withdrawals from the market. Signals to investigate DDIs may emerge from a variety of sources. Nowadays, standard methods are widely available to identify and characterize the mechanisms of CYP-mediated DDIs in vitro. Clinical pharmacokinetic studies, in turn, provide experimental data on pharmacokinetic outcomes of DDIs. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling utilizing both in vitro and in vivo data is a powerful tool to predict different DDI scenarios. Finally, epidemiological studies can provide estimates on the health outcomes of DDIs. Thus, to fully characterize the mechanisms, clinical effects and implications of CYP-mediated DDIs, translational research approaches are required. This minireview provides an overview of translational approaches to study CYP-mediated DDIs, going beyond regulatory DDI guidelines, and an illustrative case study of how the DDI potential of clopidogrel was unveiled by combining these different methods.Peer reviewe

Parental Warmth and Hostility and the Development of Psychopathic Behaviors : A Longitudinal Study of Young Offenders

Parental behaviors may shape levels of psychopathic traits and antisocial outcomes among youth. To better evaluate the potential causality of these associations, we used eight follow-ups from the Pathways to Desistance study of 1354 offending adolescents (14.3% female; 40.1% black) and examined whether within-individual variation in parenting over time was associated with within-individual variation in psychopathic traits and offending. Multilevel regression models were adjusted for age, gender, ethnicity, contact with parental figure, and self-reported offending. Adolescent self-reported parental warmth was associated with lower psychopathic traits, and parental hostility with higher psychopathic traits. The results indicated that the more supportive and nurturing the parent, the lower the levels of psychopathic traits, whereas the more hostile the parent, the higher the levels, respectively. In addition, self-reported offending was predicted by higher parental hostility and lower maternal warmth. In time-lagged analysis, psychopathic traits did not predict parental behaviors. In young offenders parental warmth may protect against development of psychopathic traits in adolescence, whereas parental hostility may strengthen these traits. We conclude, that parenting quality matters in adolescence. Warm parenting style at this developmental period associates with lower psychopathic features among young offenders possibly lowering the risk of further criminal activity.Peer reviewe

Interpersonal Relationships as Protective and Risk Factors for Psychopathy : A Follow-up Study in Adolescent Offenders

Friendships and romantic relationships may function as protective and risk factors for psychopathic traits. To better understand potential causal associations, we investigated whether within-individual changes in relationship characteristics were related to changes in psychopathic traits over time. Data were derived from ten repeated measurements of the Pathways to Desistance longitudinal study of 1354 offending adolescents (14.3% female; 40.1% Black). Analyses were adjusted for age, gender, ethnicity, self-reported offending and living facilities. Relationships of high quality were associated with lower psychopathic traits, whereas antisocial behavior and antisocial influence in relationships were related to higher psychopathic traits. Within-individual analysis indicated that time-invariant individual characteristics did not confound these associations. The findings suggest that the quality and antisocial activities of interpersonal relationships can affect positively or negatively on the levels of psychopathy.Peer reviewe

Medicines, environment and clinical pharmacology

Medical associations and other societies have announced their theses on protection of the climate and environmental aspects in medicine. The challenges with climate change and sustainability are complex, and no quick solutions are to be found. However, basic knowledge on these issues should be available to everyone, and environmental aspects of drugs are important to all healthcare professionals. We present here a study with medical students who were introduced for the first time to environmental aspects of medicines. The results confirmed the suitability and feasibility of the approach to introduce this subject to students, and we propose that the same method can be used also when explaining the issue to medical professionals. We would like to encourage particularly clinical pharmacologists, pharmacologists and pharmacists to take a more apparent position in this field and to participate in the discussions where the strategies for the choice of medicines are considered.Peer reviewe

Health service use and costs associated with fluoroquinolone-related tendon injuries

Y The aim of this study was to assess costs and health service use associated with tendon injuries after the use of fluoroquinolone antimicrobialsin Finland during 2002-2012. This retrospective observational study included data from the Finnish Pharmaceutical Insurance Pool's pharmaceutical injury claims. In total, 145 compensated claimants aged >= 18 years presenting tendon injuries after the use of fluoroquinolones (FQs) were included in the study. Outcomes of interest were the number of outpatient visits to primary, secondary, tertiary, and private healthcare services, hospital days, rehabilitation and their costs. Regression models were used to analyze the impact of patient characteristics on hospital days, as well as the relationship between patient characteristics and tendon ruptures. Direct costs of a tendon injury averaged 14,800euro and indirect costs were estimated to be 9,077euro for employed claimants. Fifty-one percent of the claimants were hospitalized, with an average duration of 21 days. Hospitalization was the costliest form of health service use with an average of 9,915euro per hospital episode. Hospital days and direct costs increased with the severity of the injury. Tendon ruptures, in particular bilateral ruptures, required substantially more hospital days and their direct costs were significantly higher than those of uncomplicated tendinitis. Concurrent use of oral corticosteroids and increasing age were associated with a higher likelihood of tendon ruptures. Although rare, FQ-related tendon injuries can result in considerable costs and health service use. Medical staff should remain vigilant when prescribing FQs, especially in groups at increased risk for tendon injuries.Peer reviewe