"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

Mini Review: Potential Applications of Non-host Resistance for Crop Improvement

Plant breeding for disease resistance is crucial to sustain global crop production. For decades, plant breeders and researchers have extensively used host plant resistance genes (R-genes) to develop disease resistant cultivars. However, the general instability of R-genes in crop cultivars when challenged with diverse pathogen populations emphasizes the need for more stable means of resistance. Alternatively, nonhost resistance is recognized as the most durable, broad-spectrum form of resistance against the majority of potential pathogens in plants and has gained great attention as an alternative target for managing resistance. While transgenic approaches have been utilized to transfer nonhost resistance to host species, conventional breeding applications have been more elusive. Nevertheless, avenues for discovery and deployment of genetic loci for nonhost resistance via hybridization are increasingly abundant, particularly when transferring genes among closely related species. In this mini review, we discuss current and developing applications of nonhost resistance for crop improvement with a focus on the overlap between host and nonhost mechanisms and the potential impacts of new technology

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

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

Formate Dehydrogenase (FDH1) Localizes to Both Mitochondria and Chloroplast to Play a Role in Host and Nonhost Disease Resistance

Nonhost disease resistance is the most common type of plant defense mechanism against potential pathogens. In this study, the metabolic enzyme formate dehydrogenase (FDH1) was identified to be involved in nonhost disease resistance in Nicotiana benthamiana and Arabidopsis thaliana. In Arabidopsis, AtFDH1 was highly upregulated in response to both host and nonhost bacterial pathogens. Arabidopsis Atfdh1 mutants were compromised in nonhost resistance, basal resistance, and gene-for-gene resistance. The expression patterns of salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) marker genes after pathogen infections in Atfdh1 mutant indicated that SA is most likely involved in the FDH1-mediated plant defense response to both host and nonhost bacterial pathogens. Previous studies reported that FDH1 localizes to only mitochondria, or both mitochondria and chloroplasts. Our results showed that the AtFDH1 localized to mitochondria and the amount of FDH1 localized to mitochondria increased upon infection with host or nonhost pathogens. Interestingly, the subcellular localization of FDH1 was observed in both mitochondria and chloroplasts after infection with a nonhost pathogen in Arabidopsis. We speculate that FDH1 plays a role in cellular signaling networks between mitochondria and chloroplasts to produce coordinated defense responses such as SA-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and hypersensitive response (HR)-induced cell death against nonhost bacterial pathogens

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

A roadmap for research in octoploid strawberry

The cultivated strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is an allo-octoploid species, originating nearly 300 years ago from wild progenitors from the Americas. Since that time the strawberry has become the most widely cultivated fruit crop in the world, universally appealing due to its sensory qualities and health benefits. The recent publication of the first high-quality chromosome-scale octoploid strawberry genome (cv. Camarosa) is enabling rapid advances in genetics, stimulating scientific debate and provoking new research questions. In this forward-looking review we propose avenues of research toward new biological insights and applications to agriculture. Among these are the origins of the genome, characterization of genetic variants, and big data approaches to breeding. Key areas of research in molecular biology will include the control of flowering, fruit development, fruit quality, and plant–pathogen interactions. In order to realize this potential as a global community, investments in genome resources must be continually augmented.Peer reviewe

The small GTPase, nucleolar GTP-binding protein 1 (NOG1), has a novel role in plant innate immunity

Plant defense responses at stomata and apoplast are the most important early events during plant-bacteria interactions. The key components for the signaling of stomatal defense and nonhost resistance have not been fully characterized. Here we report the newly identified small GTPase, Nucleolar GTP-binding protein 1 (NOG1), functions for plant immunity against bacterial pathogens. Virus-induced gene silencing of NOG1 compromised nonhost resistance in N. benthamiana and tomato. Comparative genomic analysis showed that two NOG1 copies are present in all known plant species: NOG1-1 and NOG1-2. Gene downregulation and overexpression studies of NOG1-1 and NOG1-2 in Arabidopsis revealed the novel function of these genes in nonhost resistance and stomatal defense against bacterial pathogens, respectively. Specially, NOG1-2 regulates guard cell signaling in response to biotic and abiotic stimuli through jasmonic acid (JA)- and abscisic acid (ABA)-mediated pathways. The results here provide valuable information on the new functional role of small GTPase, NOG1, in guard cell signaling and early plant defense in response to bacterial pathogens