<Chapter 13> Cross-border Diffusion of Energy Policy in Asia: The Case of Energy Efficiency Standard and Labeling (EES&L) (Part V: Hybrid systems in environmental governance)

Edited by Akihisa Mor

"Teach AI How to Code": Using Large Language Models as Teachable Agents for Programming Education

This work investigates large language models (LLMs) as teachable agents for learning by teaching (LBT). LBT with teachable agents helps learners identify their knowledge gaps and discover new knowledge. However, teachable agents require expensive programming of subject-specific knowledge. While LLMs as teachable agents can reduce the cost, LLMs' over-competence as tutees discourages learners from teaching. We propose a prompting pipeline that restrains LLMs' competence and makes them initiate "why" and "how" questions for effective knowledge-building. We combined these techniques into TeachYou, an LBT environment for algorithm learning, and AlgoBo, an LLM-based tutee chatbot that can simulate misconceptions and unawareness prescribed in its knowledge state. Our technical evaluation confirmed that our prompting pipeline can effectively configure AlgoBo's problem-solving performance. Through a between-subject study with 40 algorithm novices, we also observed that AlgoBo's questions led to knowledge-dense conversations (effect size=0.73). Lastly, we discuss design implications, cost-efficiency, and personalization of LLM-based teachable agents

Beyond the Standard Model B-parameters with improved staggered fermions in Nf=2+1N_f=2+1 QCD

We calculate the kaon mixing B-parameters for operators arising generically in theories of physics beyond the standard model. We use HYP-smeared improved staggered fermions on the $N_f = 2+1$ MILC asqtad lattices. Operator matching is done perturbatively at one-loop order. Chiral extrapolations are done using "golden combinations" in which one-loop chiral logarithms are absent. For the combined sea-quark mass and continuum extrapolation, we use three lattice spacings: $a \approx 0.045, 0.06$ and $0.09 \text{fm}$. Our results have a total error of 5-6%, which is dominated by the systematic error from matching and continuum extrapolation. For two of the BSM $B$-parameters, we agree with results obtained using domain-wall and twisted-mass dynamical fermions, but we disagree by $(4-5)\sigma$ for the other two.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, Lattice 2013 Proceedin

Development of a prediction system for precipitation- and wind-causing typhoons affecting the Korean peninsula using observational data

Introduction: When the forecasted typhoon track differs from the numerical model’s prediction, the estimated precipitation and wind from the model may not be reliable. Typically, forecasters receive numerical model forecasts with a delay of 4 h or more in calculation time. However, a more timely reference of precipitation and wind forecasts is required in an emergency with an approaching typhoon. Analyses of the observational data of typhoon-related characteristics, such as heavy rainfall and strong winds, from 1997 to 2021 revealed that their distribution areas are considerably affected by typhoon tracks. In this study, we developed a precipitation and wind prediction system based on the observational data of the typhoons that affected the Korean Peninsula.Methods: Typhoon tracks were categorized into west-coast landfalls, southeast landfalls, and those passing the Korea Strait. Each category affects the Korean Peninsula differently in terms of rainfall and wind. We devised a system that predicts these patterns based on incoming typhoon tracks. We can make forecasts by comparing the approaching typhoons to previous instances and analyzing their center, movement direction, and size. Observations from these past typhoons were averaged to produce a forecast grid for each new typhoon.Results: Our system, validated from 2019 to 2022, showed a wind speed root-mean-square error of 3.37 m/s and a precipitation accuracy index of 0.72. For comparison, traditional numerical models yielded 5.04 m/s and 0.75, respectively. This indicates that our system is comparably efficient and computationally less demanding.Discussion: Our system’s strength is its ability to offer real-time typhoon forecasts, often faster than numerical models. However, its dependence on historical data limits its predictive power for atypical weather scenarios. It is essential to consider integrating ensemble models with these observations for enhanced accuracy. Since 2022, this system has been operational at the Korea Meteorological Administration, showing consistent reliability in forecasting

Calculation of BSM Kaon B-parameters using Staggered Quarks

We present updated results for kaon B-parameters for operators arising in models of new physics. We use HYP-smeared staggered quarks on the $N_f = 2+1$ MILC asqtad lattices. During the last year we have added new ensembles, which has necessitated chiral-continuum fitting with more elaborate fitting functions. We have also corrected an error in a two-loop anomalous dimension used to evolve results between different scales. Our results for the beyond-the-Standard-Model B-parameters have total errors of $5-10$\%. We find that the discrepancy observed last year between our results and those of the RBC/UKQCD and ETM collaborations for some of the B-parameters has been reduced from $4\!-\!5\,\sigma$ to $2\!-\!3\,\sigma$.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures, Lattice 2014 proceedin

Valosin-containing protein is a key mediator between autophagic cell death and apoptosis in adult hippocampal neural stem cells following insulin withdrawal

Background: Programmed cell death (PCD) plays essential roles in the regulation of survival and function of neural stem cells (NSCs). Abnormal regulation of this process is associated with developmental and degenerative neuronal disorders. However, the mechanisms underlying the PCD of NSCs remain largely unknown. Understanding the mechanisms of PCD in NSCs is crucial for exploring therapeutic strategies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Result: We have previously reported that adult rat hippocampal neural stem (HCN) cells undergo autophagic cell death (ACD) following insulin withdrawal without apoptotic signs despite their normal apoptotic capabilities. It is unknown how interconnection between ACD and apoptosis is mediated in HCN cells. Valosin-containing protein (VCP) is known to be essential for autophagosome maturation in mammalian cells. VCP is abundantly expressed in HCN cells compared to hippocampal tissue and neurons. Pharmacological and genetic inhibition of VCP at basal state in the presence of insulin modestly impaired autophagic flux, consistent with its known role in autophagosome maturation. Of note, VCP inaction in insulin-deprived HCN cells significantly decreased ACD and down-regulated autophagy initiation signals with robust induction of apoptosis. Overall autophagy level was also substantially reduced, suggesting the novel roles of VCP at initial step of autophagy. Conclusion: Taken together, these data demonstrate that VCP may play an essential role in the initiation of autophagy and mediation of crosstalk between ACD and apoptosis in HCN cells when autophagy level is high upon insulin withdrawal. This is the first report on the role of VCP in regulation of NSC cell death. Elucidating the mechanism by which VCP regulates the crosstalk of ACD and apoptosis will contribute to understanding the molecular mechanism of PCD in NSCs. © 2016 Yeo et al.1

GSK3B induces autophagy by phosphorylating ULK1

Unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1), a mammalian homolog of the yeast kinase Atg1, has an essential role in autophagy induction. In nutrient and growth factor signaling, ULK1 activity is regulated by various posttranslational modifications, including phosphorylation, acetylation, and ubiquitination. We previously identified glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3B) as an upstream regulator of insulin withdrawal-induced autophagy in adult hippocampal neural stem cells. Here, we report that following insulin withdrawal, GSK3B directly interacted with and activated ULK1 via phosphorylation of S405 and S415 within the GABARAP-interacting region. Phosphorylation of these residues facilitated the interaction of ULK1 with MAP1LC3B and GABARAPL1, while phosphorylation-defective mutants of ULK1 failed to do so and could not induce autophagy flux. Furthermore, high phosphorylation levels of ULK1 at S405 and S415 were observed in human pancreatic cancer cell lines, all of which are known to exhibit high levels of autophagy. Our results reveal the importance of GSK3B-mediated phosphorylation for ULK1 regulation and autophagy induction and potentially for tumorigenesis. © 2021, The Author(s).1

Who Shares? Who Doesn't? Factors Associated with Openly Archiving Raw Research Data

Many initiatives encourage investigators to share their raw datasets in hopes of increasing research efficiency and quality. Despite these investments of time and money, we do not have a firm grasp of who openly shares raw research data, who doesn't, and which initiatives are correlated with high rates of data sharing. In this analysis I use bibliometric methods to identify patterns in the frequency with which investigators openly archive their raw gene expression microarray datasets after study publication