Micro-Machinations: A DSL for Game Economies

In the multi-billion dollar game industry, time to market limits the time developers have for improving games. Game designers and software engineers usually live on opposite sides of the fence, and both lose time when adjustments best understood by designers are implemented by engineers. Designers lack a common vocabulary for expressing gameplay, which hampers specification, communication and agreement. We aim to speed up the game development process by improving designer productivity and design quality. The language Machinations has introduced a graphical notation for expressing the rules of game economies that is close to a designer’s vocabulary. We present the language Micro- Machinations (MM) that details and formalizes the meaning of a significant subset of Machination’s language features and adds sever

High coherence hybrid superconducting qubit

We measure the coherence of a new superconducting qubit, the {\em low-impedance flux qubit}, finding $T_2^* \sim T_1 \sim 1.5\mu$s. It is a three-junction flux qubit, but the ratio of junction critical currents is chosen to make the qubit's potential have a single well form. The low impedance of its large shunting capacitance protects it from decoherence. This qubit has a moderate anharmonicity, whose sign is reversed compared with all other popular qubit designs. The qubit is capacitively coupled to a high-Q resonator in a $\lambda/2$ configuration, which permits the qubit's state to be read out dispersively

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from two inbreeding bark beetle species (Coccotrypes)

We developed 14 microsatellite markers in Coccotrypes carpophagus and 14 in C. dactyliperda. These loci will be used for studying genetic structure and the level of inbreeding in populations in the Canary Islands and Madeira. As a result of long-term inbreeding, genetic variability is relatively low in these bark beetle species. We found one to five alleles per locus in 29 C. carpophagus and 41 C. dactyliperda from various localities. Eleven of the markers developed for C. carpophagus amplified in C. dactyliperda and seven of the markers developed for C. dactyliperda amplified in C. carpophagus

Mutation signatures of carcinogen exposure: Genome-wide detection and new opportunities for cancer prevention

10.1186/gm541Genome Medicine63

Reasoning with comparative moral judgements: an argument for Moral Bayesianism

The paper discusses the notion of reasoning with comparative moral judgements (i.e judgements of the form “act a is morally superior to act b”) from the point of view of several meta-ethical positions. Using a simple formal result, it is argued that only a version of moral cognitivism that is committed to the claim that moral beliefs come in degrees can give a normatively plausible account of such reasoning. Some implications of accepting such a version of moral cognitivism are discussed

3D Volumetric Modeling and Microvascular Reconstruction of Irradiated Lumbosacral Defects after Oncologic Resection

Background: Locoregional flaps are sufficient in most sacral reconstructions. However, large sacral defects due to malignancy necessitate a different reconstructive approach, with local flaps compromised by radiation and regional flaps inadequate for broad surface areas or substantial volume obliteration. In this report, we present our experience using free muscle transfer for volumetric reconstruction in such cases, and demonstrate 3D haptic models of the sacral defect to aid preoperative planning.Methods: Five consecutive patients with irradiated sacral defects secondary to oncologic resections were included, surface area ranging from 143-600cm2. Latissimus dorsi-based free flap sacral reconstruction was performed in each case, between 2005 and 2011. Where the superior gluteal artery was compromised, the subcostal artery was used as a recipient vessel. Microvascular technique, complications and outcomes are reported. The use of volumetric analysis and 3D printing is also demonstrated, with imaging data converted to 3D images suitable for 3D printing with Osirix software (Pixmeo, Geneva, Switzerland). An office-based, desktop 3D printer was used to print 3D models of sacral defects, used to demonstrate surface area and contour and produce a volumetric print of the dead space needed for flap obliteration. Results: The clinical series of latissimus dorsi free flap reconstructions is presented, with successful transfer in all cases, and adequate soft-tissue cover and volume obliteration achieved. The original use of the subcostal artery as a recipient vessel was successfully achieved. All wounds healed uneventfully. 3D printing is also demonstrated as a useful tool for 3D evaluation of volume and dead-space.Conclusion: Free flaps offer unique benefits in sacral reconstruction where local tissue is compromised by irradiation and tumor recurrence, and dead-space requires accurate volumetric reconstruction. We describe for the first time the use of the subcostal artery as a recipient in free flap sacral reconstruction. 3D printing of haptic bio-models is a rapidly evolving field with a substantial role in preoperative planning

Система мониторинга потерь углеводородных ресурсов на нефтеперерабатывающих заводах

В статті описана функціональна хіммотологічна модель системи управління енергоефективністю i основні етапи впровадження та функціонування системи моніторингу втрат вуглеводневих ресурсів на нафтопереробних заводах. Дана система сприяє ефективному керуванню установками перероблення вуглеводнів, що, в свою чергу, скорочує витрати на енергоносії, сировину нафтопереробних заводів та надає можливості для отримання більш якісних нафтопродуктів при зменшенні антропогенного впливу на навколишнє природне середовище.The present status of the energy resources efficiency in Ukraine and CIS countries can be defined as one that does not meet modern requirements. One of the reasons for this is the excessive waste of hydrocarbons. Particularly acute this problem is in the field of oil refining. Most of the processing units on the CIS countries territory were built in 60-70 years, when energy savings were not given much importance. To date, refinery equipment are worn out, the power consumption and the level of hydrocarbons waste in the basic processes on 30-60% higher than in modern foreign plants. This is explained by the crisis theories and methods of energy-efficient hydrocarbon resources use. This is the urgent need now in comprehensive introduction into practice new techniques and new energy efficient equipment based on preventing excessive hydrocarbons waste during oil processing, storage and shipment of petroleum products at the refinery The paper describes the functional model of energy efficiency management system and the main stages the hydrocarbon resources waste monitoring system implementation at the refineries. This system contributes to the effective management of the refinery units, decreases the power and crude oil consumption expenditures and provides the possibility of obtaining higher quality oil products while reducing human impact on the environment.В статье описана функциональная химмотологическая модель системы управления энергоэффективностью и основные этапы внедрения и функционирования системы мониторинга потерь углеводородных ресурсов на нефтеперерабатывающих заводах. Данная система способствует эффективному управлению установками переработки нефти, что, в свою очередь, сокращает затраты на энергоносители, сырье нефтеперерабатывающих заводов и предоставляет возможность получения более качественных нефтепродуктов при уменьшении антропогенного влияния на окружающую среду

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy presenting as a new daily persistent-like headache

New daily persistent headache (NDPH) is a recognized subtype of chronic daily headache with a unique presentation of a daily headache from onset typically in individuals with minimal or no prior headache history. Various secondary mimics of NDPH have now been documented but at present there has been no association made between primary epilepsy syndromes and new daily persistent-like headaches. A case patient is presented who developed a daily continuous headache from onset who 3 months after headache initiation had her first generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Further investigation into her history and her specific EEG pattern suggested a diagnosis of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). Her NDPH and seizures ceased with epilepsy treatment. Clinically relevant was that the headache was the primary persistent clinical symptom of her JME before the onset of generalized tonic-clonic seizures. The current case report adds another possible secondary cause of new daily persistent-like headaches to the medical literature and suggests another association between primary epilepsy syndromes and distinct headache syndromes

Формирование множества характеристик фактического режима водопотребления в системах коммунального водоснабжения

Обговорюються питання аналізу фактичного режиму водоспоживання в системах комунального водопостачання як початкового етапу планування енергоефективного режиму водоподачі. Метою дослідження є формування принципів комплексного аналізу добового водоспоживання та урахування впливу сезонних і кліматичних чинників. Для опису графіка добового водоспоживання сформовано сукупність характеристик, яка містить класичні та морфометричні показники. Для виявлення впливу кліматичних чинників запропоновано враховувати параметри, що характеризують погодні умови. Для виявлення сезонних особливостей дослідження добових графіків водоспоживання запропоновано здійснювати з урахуванням пори року та періодів добового циклу. Описані принципи комплексного аналізу графіка добового водоспоживання на основі бази даних добового водоспоживання, попередньо створеної в межах системи моніторингу режимів системи водопостачання, сприятимуть виявленню прихованих спільних рис у водоспоживанні.The issues of analysis of factual water consumption regime in municipal water supply systems as the initial stage planning of energy-effective mode of water supply are discussed in the article. The aim of the investigation is forming principles of complex analysis of diurnal water consumption and the consideration of impact of seasonal and climatic factors. Herewith, previous creation of diurnal water consumption database is assumed within the monitoring system of operation modes of municipal water supply system. A major indicator of regime is selected diurnal water consumption graph. The totality of characteristics, which contains the basic parameters of diurnal water consumption, as well as classical and morphometric indicators of irregularity graph, is formed to describe the graph of diurnal water consumption. To identify the influence of climatic factors was proposed to consider parameters characterizing weather conditions. To identify the seasonal features was suggested to make the investigation of diurnal graphs of water consumption with the consideration of seasons and periods of diurnal cycle. Described principles of complex analysis of graph of diurnal water consumption will promote detection hidden common features in the water consumption. This will allow to perform construction the family of typical graphs water consumption.Обсуждаются вопросы анализа фактического режима водопотребления в системах коммунального водоснабжения как начального этапа планирования энергоэффективного режима водоподачи. Целью исследования является формирование принципов комплексного анализа суточного водопотребления и учета влияния сезонных и климатических факторов. Для описания графика суточного водопотребления сформировано множество характеристик, которое содержит классические и морфометрические показатели. Для выявления влияния климатических факторов предложено учитывать параметры, характеризующие погодные условия. Для выявления сезонных особенностей исследование суточных графиков водопотребления предложено осуществлять с учетом времени года и периодов суточного цикла. Описанные принципы комплексного анализа графика суточного водопотребления на основе базы данных суточного водопотребления, предварительно созданной в рамках системы мониторинга режимов водоснабжения, способствуют выявлению скрытых общих особенностей в водопотреблении

Poelslakvreterij binnenkort verleden tijd

In 2005 heeft PPO Bomen een onderzoek opgestart om antwoord te kunnen geven op de vraag hoe slakkenschade het beste te voorkomen is. Daarbij is eerst onderzoek gedaan naar middelen om slakken te bestrijden. Het was de bedoeling middelen te vinden die slakkenschade kunnen voorkomen zonder dat ze schadelijk zijn voor de gekweekte waterplanten