def simplify_record(record_comps):
    """
    Replace the names of some standard record by shorter names

    Parameter
    ---------
    record_comps: a list of strings
        A list of available particle record components

    Returns
    -------
    A list with shorter names, where applicable
    """
    # Replace the names of the positions
    if ('position/x' in record_comps) and ('positionOffset/x' in record_comps):
        record_comps.remove('position/x')
        record_comps.remove('positionOffset/x')
        record_comps.append('x')
    if ('position/y' in record_comps) and ('positionOffset/y' in record_comps):
        record_comps.remove('position/y')
        record_comps.remove('positionOffset/y')
        record_comps.append('y')
    if ('position/z' in record_comps) and ('positionOffset/z' in record_comps):
        record_comps.remove('position/z')
        record_comps.remove('positionOffset/z')
        record_comps.append('z')

    # Replace the names of the momenta
    if 'momentum/x' in record_comps:
        record_comps.remove('momentum/x')
        record_comps.append('ux')
    if 'momentum/y' in record_comps:
        record_comps.remove('momentum/y')
        record_comps.append('uy')
    if 'momentum/z' in record_comps:
        record_comps.remove('momentum/z')
        record_comps.append('uz')

    # Replace the name for 'weights'
    if 'weighting' in record_comps:
        record_comps.remove('weighting')
        record_comps.append('w')

    return(record_comps)