London : J. & A. Churchill, [1874]

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New York : W. Wood, 1887.

London : H. Renshaw, 1849.

One of many possible plans if the league can resume play.

Rockville, Maryland : National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1984.

Rockville, Maryland : National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1988.

Springfield, Virginia : National Technical Information Service, 1974.

We consider the skill rating problem for multiplayer games, that is how to infer player skills from game outcomes in multiplayer games. We formulate the problem as a minimization problem $arg min_{s} s^T Delta s$ where $Delta$ is a positive semidefinite matrix and $s$ a real-valued function, of which some entries are the skill values to be inferred and other entries are constrained by the game outcomes. We leverage graph-based semi-supervised learning (SSL) algorithms for this problem. We apply our algorithms on several data sets of multiplayer games and obtain very promising results compared to Elo Duelling (see Elo, 1978) and TrueSkill (see Herbrich et al., 2006).. As we leverage graph-based SSL algorithms and because games can be seen as relations between sets of players, we then generalize the approach. For this aim, we introduce a new finite model, called hypernode graph, defined to be a set of weighted binary relations between sets of nodes. We define Laplacians of hypernode graphs. Then, we show that the skill rating problem for multiplayer games can be formulated as $arg min_{s} s^T Delta s$ where $Delta$ is the Laplacian of a hypernode graph constructed from a set of games. From a fundamental perspective, we show that hypernode graph Laplacians are symmetric positive semidefinite matrices with constant functions in their null space. We show that problems on hypernode graphs can not be solved with graph constructions and graph kernels. We relate hypernode graphs to signed graphs showing that positive relations between groups can lead to negative relations between individuals.

The transcription factor Nurr1 has been identified to be ectopically induced in the striatum of rodents expressing l-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID). In the present study, we sought to characterize Nurr1 as a causative factor in LID expression. We used rAAV2/5 to overexpress Nurr1 or GFP in the parkinsonian striatum of LID-resistant Lewis or LID-prone Fischer-344 (F344) male rats. In a second cohort, rats received the Nurr1 agonist amodiaquine (AQ) together with l-DOPA or ropinirole. All rats received a chronic DA agonist and were evaluated for LID severity. Finally, we performed single-unit recordings and dendritic spine analyses on striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in drug-naïve rAAV-injected male parkinsonian rats. rAAV-GFP injected LID-resistant hemi-parkinsonian Lewis rats displayed mild LID and no induction of striatal Nurr1 despite receiving a high dose of l-DOPA. However, Lewis rats overexpressing Nurr1 developed severe LID. Nurr1 agonism with AQ exacerbated LID in F344 rats. We additionally determined that in l-DOPA-naïve rats striatal rAAV-Nurr1 overexpression (1) increased cortically-evoked firing in a subpopulation of identified striatonigral MSNs, and (2) altered spine density and thin-spine morphology on striatal MSNs; both phenomena mimicking changes seen in dyskinetic rats. Finally, we provide postmortem evidence of Nurr1 expression in striatal neurons of l-DOPA-treated PD patients. Our data demonstrate that ectopic induction of striatal Nurr1 is capable of inducing LID behavior and associated neuropathology, even in resistant subjects. These data support a direct role of Nurr1 in aberrant neuronal plasticity and LID induction, providing a potential novel target for therapeutic development.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The transcription factor Nurr1 is ectopically induced in striatal neurons of rats exhibiting levodopa-induced dyskinesia [LID; a side-effect to dopamine replacement strategies in Parkinson's disease (PD)]. Here we asked whether Nurr1 is causing LID. Indeed, rAAV-mediated expression of Nurr1 in striatal neurons was sufficient to overcome LID-resistance, and Nurr1 agonism exacerbated LID severity in dyskinetic rats. Moreover, we found that expression of Nurr1 in l-DOPA naïve hemi-parkinsonian rats resulted in the formation of morphologic and electrophysiological signatures of maladaptive neuronal plasticity; a phenomenon associated with LID. Finally, we determined that ectopic Nurr1 expression can be found in the putamen of l-DOPA-treated PD patients. These data suggest that striatal Nurr1 is an important mediator of the formation of LID.

Akuilina Ihurre used to think she was too old to join a farmers’ group but she knew she needed support to overcome years of hunger. Today, she is producing food with seeds, agricultural tools and techniques acquired through an FAO Farmer Field School in Torit, in South Sudan.  

The Getty Museum hopes its social media challenge will spark inspiration amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Called "Social Distancing, Haiku and You," Alan Nakagawa's project will result in a sound collage that interweaves a multitude of voices

The ancient throwing stick may have been used by Neanderthals or an even earlier hominin

Why not use quarantine as an opportunity to have your homeschoolers master woodworking or engine repair?

A large destination resort in Minnesota, just a few hours south of Thunder Bay, Ont., has some big expansion plans.

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Four-time All Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski has agreed to a reunion with Tom Brady. The trade, finalized Tuesday night, brings Gronkowski and a seventh-round pick to Tampa Bay in exchange for a fourth-round selection.

A B.C. fentanyl trafficker with a history of ignoring court orders is seeking “exceptional parole” because of COVID-19, despite the fact he’s only one year into an eight-year sentence.

Saskia perseveres through language learning and connects with a young Albanian girl who becomes a follower of Jesus.

The post Master and Expand Your SOLIDWORKS Skills with LIVE Design series appeared first on The SOLIDWORKS Blog.

Are we really going to bet that we can go back to life as normal without proper coronavirus tracking in place?

To try and make life a little easier for you when trying to navigate the minefield of skincare, we’ve compiled a list of some of the companies out there making an effort to have cruelty-free products.

SPENDING less on skin care products can be tempting. Aren’t all the products the same? Don’t they all just use the same ingredients? You’re basically just paying for the brand name, right? It’s far too easy to fall into this trap – the trap which leads us to try and convince ourselves that the dollar store brand stuff is just as good as high-end beauty products.

Prudence Wade chats to self-confessed 'skincare junkie' Dominic Skinner, one of MAC's top make-up artists.

WITH the usual proviso that nothing, but nothing, in sport is in any way important when human lives are at stake due to coronavirus, nevertheless I do think it is time for some realism to surface in rugby – and other sports I could name.

Leaders in some districts say remote teaching will now be a skill they will build even more in their existing teacher corps. Others are more skeptical.

The public-private initiative between the technology company and a city school aims to prepare students for future careers.

The growing popularity of voice-activated technologies is forcing educators to think about the role such tools play in preparing students for the jobs of the future.

The social media giant, which is facing withering scrutiny over its data-collection practices, has announced a partnership with the National Urban League.

Concerned that schools don't notice or nurture business skills, nonprofits are using the humble lemonade stand to foster entrepreneurship.

FROM the nation's fascination with Elon Musk's Starlink satellites passing overhead to fevered speculation about military aircraft being spotted soaring above our rooftops, it suddenly seems like many of us are gazing towards the heavens.

Lorraine Wilson

Saskia perseveres through language learning and connects with a young Albanian girl who becomes a follower of Jesus.

Children in foster care are at elevated risk for adverse outcomes. Placement instability and failure to achieve timely permanence exacerbate that risk. A handful of studies have found that parent-management training is effective in promoting placement stability and timely permanence.

Unlike parent-management training, youth focused interventions have not been systematically evaluated for their impact on placement and permanency outcomes. A mentoring and skills group intervention for preadolescents in foster care demonstrated better placement and permanency outcomes, especially for high-risk subgroups. (Read the full article)

Children’s mastery of fundamental movement skills is correlated with a number of health benefits, including higher levels of physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, perceived scholastic and athletic competence, and lower levels of overweight.

This is the first study to examine the associations between low skill competence (a new and novel way to report motor skills) and a range of health-related and sociodemographic factors in a large representative sample of children and youth. (Read the full article)

Skills learned in standardized courses are estimated to last only a few months. Neonatal Resuscitation Program certification is mandatory for all pediatric residents and is valid for 2 years. Exact timing of when proficiency is lost is unknown.

Neonatal Resuscitation Program skills deteriorate immediately after certification, whereas knowledge is better retained. Significant skill deficits were seen at baseline raising concerns regarding the efficacy of the current course structure. Discrepancies in knowledge and skill retention may impact caregiver performance. (Read the full article)

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are a common pediatric condition often requiring inpatient management. Several studies describe recent increases in hospitalizations due to SSTIs.

In addition to rising hospitalizations, analysis of pediatric SSTI resource utilization trends revealed a twofold increase in incisions and drainages over a 13-year period. A growing number of incisions and drainages were performed in younger children. (Read the full article)

Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD) prevalence is 19-99%. OPD based on parent-report is associated with gross motor skills in children with cerebral palsy (CP), however this underestimates prevalence. Almost all children with severe CP have dysphagia; little is known about mild CP.

The prevalence of directly assessed OPD in preschool children with CP is 85% (70% in GMFCS I; 100% in GMFCS V). OPD was prevalent even in mild CP. Gross motor functional capacity is strongly related to dysphagia severity and prevalence. (Read the full article)

Blood cultures are a common investigation in children admitted to the hospital with skin and soft tissue infections. The yield of blood cultures in this condition is unknown.

Blood cultures are not useful in children admitted to the hospital with uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infections, and they may be associated with increased length of hospital stay. (Read the full article)

Primary ciliary dyskinesia presents in infancy with unexplained neonatal respiratory distress, yet diagnosis is often delayed until late childhood. Earlier diagnosis facilitates earlier onset of therapy, which may help to reduce long-term pulmonary morbidity and mortality.

A diagnostic workup for primary ciliary dyskinesia should be considered in a term infant presenting with unexplained respiratory distress and either lobar collapse, situs inversus, or a prolonged oxygen therapy requirement (>2 days). (Read the full article)

Early parenting programs benefit children’s development in low- and middle-income countries. However, the extent to which these interventions have a positive impact on parenting skills and their emotional availability is less studied.

An early child development intervention using play and communication activities to promote caregivers’ responsiveness can improve mother–child interactions, caregiving environment, caregiving practices pertaining to development and feeding, and, in combination with a nutrition intervention, support maternal emotional well-being. (Read the full article)

Overall, average scores were up two points since 2014 on the National Assessment of Educational Progress in Technology and Engineering Literacy.