Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing branded virtual objects in a virtual environment are presented. A game instance of a computer-implemented multiplayer online game is generated, where the game instance is associated with a virtual environment of a player. A graphical user interface to the player is provided, where the graphical user interface displays at least one branded virtual object for selection by the player, and where the branded virtual object corresponds to a real-world brand. Selection and placement of the branded virtual object in the virtual environment by the player is monitored. The virtual environment of the player is updated to include the branded virtual object.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing branded virtual objects in a virtual environment are presented. A game instance of a computer-implemented multiplayer online game is generated, where the game instance is associated with a virtual environment of a player. A graphical user interface to the player is provided, where the graphical user interface displays at least one branded virtual object for selection by the player, and where the branded virtual object corresponds to a real-world brand. Selection and placement of the branded virtual object in the virtual environment by the player is monitored. The virtual environment of the player is updated to include the branded virtual object.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing branded virtual objects in a virtual environment are presented. A game instance of a computer-implemented multiplayer online game is generated, where the game instance is associated with a virtual environment of a player. A graphical user interface to the player is provided, where the graphical user interface displays at least one branded virtual object for selection by the player, and where the branded virtual object corresponds to a real-world brand. Selection and placement of the branded virtual object in the virtual environment by the player is monitored. The virtual environment of the player is updated to include the branded virtual object.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing branded virtual objects in a virtual environment are presented. A graphical user interface is provided to a requestor device. A request is received from the requestor device to present a branded virtual object to a player of a multiplayer online game. During rendering of the online game, a request is received from the player to locate a virtual object in a virtual environment of the player in the online game, the player is presented with an option to select the branded virtual object for placement in the virtual environment, the branded virtual object is inserted in the virtual environment at a placement position in the virtual environment selected by the player responsive to the player selecting the branded virtual object, and a selection count associated with the branded virtual object is updated.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for monitoring player interactions with branded virtual objects in a virtual environment are presented. A game instance of a computer-implemented multiplayer online game is generated, where the game instance is associated with a virtual environment of a first player. A graphical user interface is provided to a second player, where the graphical user interface displays at least one branded virtual object, and where the branded virtual object corresponding to a real-world brand. Player engagement data is generated based on the second player's interaction with the branded virtual object in the virtual environment of the first player. The player engagement data of the second player is stored in a database.

Abstract: An automated bidding system accepts offers for an advertising opportunity within a computer-implemented game. The advertising opportunity may indicate an opportunity to place a branded virtual object in a virtual environment of the computer-implemented game. This bidding system may receive advertising offers for the advertising opportunity from multiple entities, where an advertising offer may include offer attributes that indicate at least a virtual object for the advertising opportunity. The bidding system may also determine opportunity constraints of the advertising opportunity, which are used to select an advertising offer that is appropriate for the advertising opportunity. The bidding system may then selectively accept an advertising offer from an advertising entity based on the offer attributes and the opportunity constraints.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing branded virtual objects in a virtual environment are presented. A game instance of a computer-implemented multiplayer online game is generated, where the game instance is associated with a virtual environment of a player. A graphical user interface to the player is provided, where the graphical user interface displays at least one branded virtual object for selection by the player, and where the branded virtual object corresponds to a real-world brand. Selection and placement of the branded virtual object in the virtual environment by the player is monitored. The virtual environment of the player is updated to include the branded virtual object.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing branded virtual objects in a virtual environment are presented. A game instance of a computer-implemented multiplayer online game is generated, where the game instance is associated with a virtual environment of a player. A graphical user interface to the player is provided, where the graphical user interface displays at least one branded virtual object for selection by the player, and where the branded virtual object corresponds to a real-world brand. Selection and placement of the branded virtual object in the virtual environment by the player is monitored. The virtual environment of the player is updated to include the branded virtual object.

Abstract: A monitoring system for combined heat and power (CHP) units (1) has a main monitoring computer (2) at a remote central location connected to the CHP units (3). Data is processed and energy management information, as well as repair and maintenance procedures, can be derived by the remote and local computers (2, 3). Energy management information can also be obtained locally by means of a PC connected by a dial-up or network link (7) to a data access device (4b) of the local computer (3).

Abstract: A monitoring system for combined heat and power (CHP) units (1) has a main monitoring computer (2) at a remote central location connected to the CHP units (1) via dial-up or internet links (5). Data from sensors (1d) for each CHP unit is fed to a respective local computer (3). Data is processed and energy management information, as well as repair and maintenance procedures, can be derived by the remote and local computers (2, 3). Energy management information can also be obtained locally by means of a PC connected by a dial-up or network link (7) to a data access device (4b) of the local computer (3).

Abstract: Surgical needles are attached to sutures with controlled pull-out characteristics by a short crimp--that is a crimp whose length is markedly less than the length of the end of the suture in the needle; with an essentially undistorted portion of the needle adjacent to where the suture emerges from the needle, and an essentially undistorted portion around the front of the suture, so that only a short section of the needle is crimped around the suture. This leaves the suture uncrushed where it emerges from the needle and hence of superior strength where sharp bends occur during use. It also leaves an undistorted portion of the suture ahead of the crimp so that on pull-out, the suture is retained not only by frictional engagement of the crimp but also by the forces required for the distortion of the head of the suture so that it will pull through the reduced section of the crimp.

Abstract: Surgical needles are attached to sutures with controlled pull-out characteristics by a short crimp--that is a crimp whose length is markedly less than the length of the end of the suture in the needle; with an essentially undistorted portion of the needle adjacent to where the suture emerges from the needle, and an essentially undistorted portion around the front of the suture, so that only a short section of the needle is crimped around the suture. This leaves the suture uncrushed where it emerges from the needle and hence of superior strength where sharp bends occur during use. It also leaves an undistorted portion of the suture ahead of the crimp so that on pull-out, the suture is retained not only by frictional engagement of the crimp but also by the forces required for the distortion of the head of the suture so that it will pull through the reduced section of the crimp.