I don't think forcing yourself to stay up for a few days will really duplicate the effects of sleep deprivation. The biggest part of sleep deprivation is the psychological factor. Take a look at Chinese water torture- if you stick your head under a sink, there's no stress whatsoever, but when somebody ties you down and does it to you against your will, you freak out really quickly.
Oh well. The only advice I've heard about staying awake... when you lay down, hold a wooden or metal pole above your forehead, so that if you fall asleep, you'll let go and get bonked awake.
