1 . It was a heartwarming turn of events on the special night. The Inner Finland Police Department successfully _______ a missing child with the help of their police dog, Kuha. According to Finland’s Police Dog Association, the _______ went missing at around 7:00 pm on December 23. The snow covered the tracks, so the family had to seek _______ from the authorities. A rescue team was quickly _______ , including a dog, which played a(n) _______ role in the rescue.

The search initially focused on the city center, but the _______ came near the child’s home. Kuha carefully _______ a snow pile(堆)where children had built snow caves. Despite the challenging conditions, Kuha’s keen(敏锐的)sense of smell and its devotion _______ .

At around 12:30 am that night, Kuha discovered a shoe _______ under three feet of snow. The child, who had been trapped in a collapsed snow cave, was ________ firstly but gradually recovered after receiving medical attention. The community breathed a collective sigh of ________ as the child was able to speak in the ambulance.

The success of this rescue mission was ________ to the extensive training of police dog Kuha. The dog handler’s knowledge that human ________ rises in the snow led to a second search of the pile, ________ leading to the child’s discovery. The Finnish Police Dog Association also ________ Kuha’s role in the successful rescue.

2 . Researchers are training robots to perform an ever-growing number of tasks through trial-and-error reinforcement (强化) learning, which is often laborious and time-consuming. To help out, humans are now employing large language model (LLM) AI. A team at NVIDIA Research directed an AI protocol (协议) powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4 to teach a simulation (模拟) of a robotic hand nearly 30 complex tasks, including throwing a ball, pushing blocks, pressing switches, and some other seriously impressive abilities.

NVIDIA’s new “AI agent” Eureka uses GPT-4 by asking the large language model to write its own reward-based reinforcement learning software code. According to the company, Eureka doesn’t need complicated reminders or even pre-written patterns; instead, it simply begins experimenting with a program, and then follows any external human feedback.

In the company’s announcement, Linxi “Jim” Fan, a senior research scientist at NVIDIA, described Eureka as a unique combination of LLMs and simulation programming. “We believe that Eureka will enable robots to control items flexibly and provide a new way to produce physically realistic animations for artists,” Fan added. After testing its training protocol within an advanced simulation program, Eureka then analyzes its collected data and directs the LLM to further improve upon its design. The result is a protocol capable of successfully numbering a variety of robotic hand designs to operate scissors, turn pens and open cupboards within a physics-accurate simulated environment.

Eureka’s alternatives to human-written trial-and-error learning programs aren’t just effective—in most cases, they’re actually better than those authored by humans. In the team’s open-source research paper findings, Eureka-designed reward programs outperformed humans’ code in over 80 percent of the tasks—amounting to an average performance improvement of over 50 percent in the robotic simulations.

“Reinforcement learning has contributed to impressive wins over the last decade, yet many challenges still exist, such as reward design, which remains a trial-and-error process,” said Anima Anandkumar, an AI researcher. “Eureka is the first step toward developing new algorithms (算法) that integrate generative and reinforcement learning methods to solve hard tasks.”

3 . In 1972, Barbara Rieco penned a heartfelt children’s book that held her dream within its pages. Despite her best efforts, the manuscript (手稿) faced repeated rejection from publishers, leading her to eventually set aside her dream of becoming a published author.

Little did she know that, decades later, her grandson would turn the dream into reality. Chad Cooper, a production professional, decided to give his grandmother the ultimate Christmas gift — the publication of her treasured book. Visiting her in Baltimore for the holidays, he secretly took her original manuscript, along with the drawings for the book she had obtained from an artist years ago, and transformed them into a beautifully printed book.

On Christmas morning, as Barbara unwrapped the carefully crafted gift, she was overcome with emotion as she realized what the surprise was. The moment, captured and posted online by Chad, quickly resonated (产生共鸣) with viewers, and the video became a hit.

“This is probably the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me in my entire life,” Barbara said in the video, who also gave her grandson a big hug, with tears.

Chad’s thoughtful gesture didn’t just end with the surprise; he also included a link to the book on Amazon, making it available to the public. The response was nothing short of magic — within days, Barbara’s once-forgotten book skyrocketed to the top of Amazon’s bestseller list, earning the coveted spot as a best seller.

Chad filmed the reaction to that news and shared more updates. Barbara said she had been reading every single comment online and wanted to respond to them all but there were thousands of them.

“I’ve bought Barbara Rieco’s book even though I’m 21 and don’t even have kids. I’ve read it and I really like it,” said one viewer.

“My children enjoy reading the book and they recommend me to read it as well,” another viewer commented.

Barbara Rieco’s book, now accepted by a new generation of readers, continues to spread joy and inspiration.

4 . At Reader’s Digest, we understand a holiday is never just a holiday. It’s visiting new and inspiring places, enabling you to experience different cultures, broaden minds and discover the unknown. It’s something exciting to look forward to and talk about when you get home. It’s making memories that will last a lifetime.

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5 . Weekend Visitor Engagement Volunteers—Museum of Zoology

Our wonderful team of Visitor Engagement Volunteers help us make the Museum a friendly, accessible and safe place to visit. We need extra help at weekends when we are at our busiest. This role will suit anyone who is keen to take on a public facing role. Knowledge of the Museum or the collections is not a necessity, but much enthusiasm and willingness to learn is all that is needed. We are looking for a minimum commitment of two shifts per month, which is approximately 7 hours in total.

Visitor Engagement Volunteers provide a friendly welcome and interact with visitors. They supply information about the exhibitions and displays, and answer questions from visitors or direct them to members of staff. You will be acting as the face of the Museum so we’d like you to welcome visitors and be aware of their needs.

Visitor Engagement Volunteers play a valuable role in maintaining museum security during opening hours by supervising visitors in the galleries, and supporting the front of house staff.

Shift times

Tuesdays to Saturdays—10 a. m. to 1:15 p. m. or 1:15 p. m. to 4:30 p. m.

Sundays—12 p. m. to 2 p. m. or 2 p. m. to 4:30 p. m.

How to Get Involved?

Step 1: Log in or create a Volunteer Makers account and accept the challenge.

Step 2: Await a response from the team who will be in touch with further information.

6 . Getting third-party computer producers to add an AI button to laptops is the latest move by Microsoft to take most advantage of its close partnership with ChatGPT-maker OpenAI and make itself a gateway for applications of generative AI technology.

Although most people now connect to the Internet — and many AI applications — by phone rather than computer, it’s a symbolic kickoff to what’s expected to be a competitive year as tech companies race to outdo each other in AI applications even as they haven’t yet settled all the moral and legal consequences. The New York Times last month charged both OpenAI and Microsoft that tools like ChatGPT and Copilot — formerly known as Bing Chat — are infringing (侵犯) on copyrighted news articles.

The keyboard redesign will be Microsoft’s biggest change to PC keyboards since it introduced a special Windows key in the 1990s. Microsoft’s four-squared logo design on it has evolved, but the key has been a fixture on Windows-oriented keyboards for about three decades.

The newest AI button is marked by the ribbon-like Copilot logo and is located near the space bar. On some computers it will replace the fight “CTRL” key, while on others it will replace a menu key.

Microsoft is not the only company with customized (订制的) keys. Apple pioneered the concept in the 1980s with its “Command” key marked by a looped square design(it also sported an Apple logo for a time). Google has a search button on its Chromebooks and was first to experiment with an AI-specific key to launch its voice assistant on its now-discontinued Pixelbook.

But Microsoft has a much stronger hold on the broader PC market through its licensing agreements with third-party producers like Lenovo, Dell and HP. About 82% of all desktop computers, laptops and workstations run Windows, compared to 9%for Apple’s in-house operating system and just over 6% for Google’s.

Microsoft hasn’t yet said which computer-makers are installing the Copilot button beyond Microsoft’s own in-house line of high-end Surface equipment. It said some of the companies are expected to unveil (公布) their new models at next week’s CES gadget show in Las Vegas.

7 . I sat at the corner of the living room, staring at the Christmas tree. It was the best tree we had had. My husband ________ it immediately we found it among the rows of pre-cut trees. We ________ that it was a real beauty. We thought it was the ________ tree even though it was not. Like most Christmas trees, it has a good ________, which was facing out toward the living room. Seen from every angle, the tree is the most ________ one. But if you stood where I was ________, you would see that this tree has its ________. One side wasn’t shaped quite as ________ as the other. So we put this side around to the corner because none wanted to see that ________ side.

Upon hearing about the tree, my eight-year-old daughter, Kaylyn, ________, “Christmas is ruined!” Christmas wasn’t mined, Kaylyn. Like most things, Christmas is all about what you ________. And many of us are wishing that Christmas should be perfection which we can only achieve in our ________, like everything is right in the world.

So there’s ________ for us that perfection could be found in the least perfect world. ________, you don’t have to face the world with your “good side” and push your “bad side” of you into the corner, in hopes that no one will ________ it.

8 . I’ve gotten deep into rhythm games that I simply don’t typically have access to from the US. And a playlist of songs can only take you so far. When Arcaea released on the Nintendo Switch I though, “Eventually, my time is here.” Originally released for mobile phones in 2017, Arcaea is an incredibly full rhythm game from lowiro. The Switch version alone comes with over 150 songs, multiple game modes and two distinct ways to play.

Song choice is the most important part of any rhythm game in my opinion. That, and variety, which Arcaea has plenty of. The game has the usual modes. World Mode, Music Play and Story are all available. It’s all par for the course and not really worth explaining.

Going back to the Story mode though, I know unlocking and reading little tidbits (花絮) about the characters in rhythm games is a big deal for a lot of people. The story is incredibly basic and the characters don’t really differ that much in my opinion. It’s frankly dismissible. I never found myself eager to spend currency and unlock new information regarding people or even the world.

The only aspect of the game that Arcaea excels in is its song choice. Like I said earlier, it has over 150 songs, with a few new original ones added. There’s an amazing mix of genre and sound. Arcaea doesn’t give players five versions of the same song with different vocalists or only include songs with different, but still connected, genres. In the grand scheme of things, 150 tracks may not seem like a large number to boast. Still, I genuinely felt as though the Switch versions song library was just as good as any mobile rhythm games’. Especially since all are included with your base purchase.

One of the only questions I really wanted answered when I first opened up Arcaea was, “How does this play with Nintendo Switch controls?” The game is especially keen to let players know it has two vastly different game options. Naturally, my expectations were high. I’ve had bad luck with rhythm games on the Switch. Unfortunately, Arcaea falls into the same issue I’ve found with similar games.

……

Overall, I think Arcaea is a good game, but the problem with the Nintendo Switch port is that a lot of its benefits are found in the mobile version. I didn’t really enjoy playing this on my Switch. It wasn’t fun on the hands or wrists. If your phone can’t handle more games space-wise or isn’t built for rhythm games, I would say get this. Playing with the touch screen requires a little maneuvering, but eventually works. Plus, the music is just amazing.

9 . I was taught at a young age to be afraid rather than to experience life. Don’t ride a bike because you might get hit by a car. Don’t swim because you might drown. That’s why I was initially afraid to approach others. They might say no—how could I live with that rejection?

A book changed me. Near the end of the book, the writer suggested trying out what I had just read but to pretend it was like the training game in a sport—when the games didn’t count. When my teams would lose formal games, I couldn’t bear to watch. But when they lost in the training game, I didn’t care.

I don’t know why the suggestion to pretend my attempts didn’t count could resonate with me. But I knew this new way of thinking worked for me. It gave me power to know the results didn’t matter because this was the exhibition game when I was practicing what I had learned before the real games started.

I discovered there were other ways to use this new tool. It allowed me to have a successful sales career, even though I heard the word “no” hundreds of times. It was part of the business, but I didn’t let it get me down. I turned a negative into a positive by reasoning that every time I heard the word “no”, it meant I was one step closer to “yes”. It’s amazing how powerful you feel when you remove the fear that stops you from going after what you want in life.

I still work my sales job, and we have a lot of high-school and college students working at the company. I will pass on the advice that I learned many years ago and encourage them to use that idea for whatever they want to achieve.