Measuring Uncertainty in Games: Design and Preliminary Validation

Uncertainty is an important element of game play, which is widely believed to act as a precondition for player experience (PX). To investigate the concept and examine its relation to other PX concepts, we should be able to measure it. We present the design and preliminary results of the validation of the Player Uncertainty in Games (PUG) questionnaire. Based on various sources from games user research and work done with regards to searching digital archives, we designed a questionnaire that measures the experience of uncertainty in games. The scale was refined down to 66 items via interviews with players and expert reviews, which was then validated and further refined based on data gathered from gamers in an online survey. The Principal Component Analysis showed high level of internal consistency for the scale and each of its four factors: Disorientation, Exploration, Prospect, and Randomness. This work demonstrates the initial findings towards a validated tool for measuring uncertainty of players in digital games

Directed transport in periodically rocked random sawtooth potentials

We study directed transport of overdamped particles in a periodically rocked random sawtooth potential. Two transport regimes can be identified which are characterized by a nonzero value of the average velocity of particles and a zero value, respectively. The properties of directed transport in these regimes are investigated both analytically and numerically in terms of a random sawtooth potential and a periodically varying driving force. Precise conditions for the occurrence of transition between these two transport regimes are derived and analyzed in detail.Comment: 18 pages, 7 figure

Acceptability of a Plasticity Focused Serious Game Intervention for PTSD: A User Requirements Analysis

Background: Trauma-focussed CBT (TF-CBT) is a first line treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD. Despite a solid evidence base, TF-CBT response and attrition rates vary considerably. Plasticity focused interventions, including the use of serious games, have the potential to improve TF-CBT response and treatment retention. Objective: The aim of this study was assess the acceptability of a smartphone delivered plasticity focused serious game to improve response to TF-CBT for PTSD; and to carry out a user requirements analysis should development of a prototype be warranted. Methods: We conducted two one-to-one interviews (n = 2);one focus group involving service users who had received a diagnosis of PTSD (n = 3); and one focus group involving psychological trauma service clinicians (n = 4). Results: We found that the concept of a plasticity focused smartphone intervention for PTSD is acceptable to patients and clinicians. Service users and clinicians both believed that usage should be guided by a therapist, and both contributed useful input regarding the audiovisual aspects of the proposed serious game. It was accepted that the game would not be suitable for all patients, and that clinicians would need to appropriately prescribe usage of the game. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the acceptability of the proposed serious game and clarify the user requirements for such an intervention. It is the intention of the authors to carry out a user experience evaluation using a prototype serious game in a clinical population

Evalution of endogenous intoxication in patients on herpesassociated multiforme exudative erythema

In this work the determination of the parameters of endogenous intoxication in patients herpes associated multiforme exudative erythema in the context of the severity of the disease compared with patients with exudative erythema multiforme other etiologies and patients with recurrent herpes simplex. Shown that patients herpes associated multiform exudative erythema of the oral cavity have a pronounced degree of endogenous intoxication, which is directly correlated with the degree of severity of the disease, which gives grounds for inclusion in the scheme of complex treatment of patients with herpeszoster bahatoformatne exudative erythema methods of detoxication therapy

Lost at the Edge of Uncertainty: Measuring Player Uncertainty in Digital Games

Uncertainty has previously been identified as an important ingredient of engaging games. Design in games can create different levels of uncertainty in players that they can recognize and describe as being either attributable to external forces, such as chance or hidden information, or internal to their own understanding of what to do in relation to their own goals. While it appears that uncertainty can contribute both positive and negative play experiences, there is little work in trying to operationalize and measure this concept as a component of player experience. Reported in this article is an analysis of data from over 700 players using modern bi-factor analysis techniques resulting in a five factor psychometric scale which captures the broad feelings of players about uncertainty in games. Three of these specific factors appear to point toward a single generic factor of uncertainty that is internal to the players, one captures experiences relating to external uncertainty, with the final factor relating to player’s experience of exploring the game to resolve uncertainty. In order to further validate the scale, we conducted an experiment with a commercial puzzle game manipulating the duration of play with predicted outcomes on the different specific factors of the scale. Overall the scale shows promise with good statistical reliability and construct validity of the separate factors and so will be a useful tool for further investigating player experiences in digital games

Innovations and support for quality in agriculture : a case study

The aim of the article is to investigate the economic and legal aspects of integrating innovations in agriculture and supporting the quality of agricultural products in the context of modern Russia. Throughout the process of research, the authors analyzed the directions of agricultural sector development, mechanisms of quality and safety support, as well as customer rights protection. As a result the authors have agreed on, the need to integrate cluster models in the agricultural sector, notably in the bee-keeping, seed production (including financing of this activity), as well as legislative stimulus to shift towards «green» biotechnology in the domestic agriculture. Based on the research conducted, the authors have proposed mechanisms to improve the current Russian legislation in the spheres of innovation development and support for quality and safety of agricultural production.peer-reviewe

Comparison of phosphorus removal efficiency of conventional activated sludge system and sequencing batch reactors in a wastewater treatment plant

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness application of sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) for phosphorus removal compared to the conventional activated sludge (CAS) treatment system. The results showed that the removal efficiency of phosphorus reached about 99% at wastewater treatment plant with CAS system. At the same time, the maximum phosphorus removal efficiency can be achieved to 88% if the SBRs system operating parameters are optimized. Finally, this study demonstrated that even if granules are not fully developed, the SBR system is working with a good efficiency

Management of wastewater from landfill of inorganic fiberglass

ArticleSustainability is one of the key factors in smart environment management and include the reduction of environment footprint. The waste and wastewater management plans are aimed on actions to reduce the amount of waste and environmental pollution. This includes collection of waste, logistics, storage, processing or valorisation and also treatment. The aim of this research was to evaluate environmental pollution risk and to demonstrate one of the wastewater management schemes to reduce the pollution level. Evaluation of the better management scheme was performed in one of the landfills in Latvia, where fiberglass waste and other inorganic waste is stored. Onsite evaluation results demonstrated the need to develop a better wastewater management scheme of inorganic fiberglass landfill. After that, laboratory–scale experiments for conventional coagulation and biodegradation tests have been performed for efficient management

PReS-FINAL-2041: Macrophage activation syndrome in the children with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis during the course of tocilizumab

Background Trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common among individuals with a mental disorder, but symptoms often go undetected and untreated. Methods The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of PTSD among a large sample of adults with psychiatric diagnoses and to establish factors associated with symptoms going undetected. Participants were 1,946 adults recruited by the National Centre for Mental Health. Structured interviews and validated self-report questionnaires were used to ascertain clinical and demographic information for analysis. Results The prevalence of participants screening positive for PTSD that had not been detected by clinical services was 13.9% [12.4–15.5%, 95% confidence interval]). Factors associated with undetected PTSD were female gender, younger age of first contact with psychiatric services, and lower household income. Especially, poor rates of detection were observed after traumatic events, such as child abuse and sexual assault. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate the need for routine assessment of trauma histories and symptoms of PTSD among individuals with anymental disorder