Towards Optimizing with Large Language Models

In this work, we conduct an assessment of the optimization capabilities of LLMs across various tasks and data sizes. Each of these tasks corresponds to unique optimization domains, and LLMs are required to execute these tasks with interactive prompting. That is, in each optimization step, the LLM generates new solutions from the past generated solutions with their values, and then the new solutions are evaluated and considered in the next optimization step. Additionally, we introduce three distinct metrics for a comprehensive assessment of task performance from various perspectives. These metrics offer the advantage of being applicable for evaluating LLM performance across a broad spectrum of optimization tasks and are less sensitive to variations in test samples. By applying these metrics, we observe that LLMs exhibit strong optimization capabilities when dealing with small-sized samples. However, their performance is significantly influenced by factors like data size and values, underscoring the importance of further research in the domain of optimization tasks for LLMs

Direct growth of ultra-long platinum nanolawns on a semiconductor photocatalyst

A template- and surfactant-free process, thermally assisted photoreduction, is developed to prepare vertically grown ultra-long Pt nanowires (NWs) (about 30-40 nm in diameter, 5-6 μm in length, and up to 80 NWs/100 μm2 in the wire density) on TiO2 coated substrates, including Si wafers and carbon fibers, with the assistance of the photocatalytic ability and semiconductor characteristics of TiO2. A remarkable aspect ratio of up to 200 can be achieved. TEM analytical results suggest that the Pt NWs are single-crystalline with a preferred 〈111〉 growth direction. The precursor adopted and the heat treatment conditions are crucial for the yield of NWs. The photoelectrons supplied by TiO2 gives rise to the formation of nano-sized Pt nuclei from salt melt or solution. The subsequent growth of NWs is supported by the thermal electrons which also generated from TiO2 during the post thermal treatment. The interactions between the ions and the electrons in the Pt/TiO2 junction are discussed in this study

Observational connection of non-thermal X-ray emission from pulsars with their timing properties and thermal emission

The origin and radiation mechanisms of high energy emissions from pulsars have remained mysterious since their discovery. Here we report, based on a sample of 68 pulsars, observational connection of non-thermal X-ray emissions from pulsars with their timing properties and thermal emissions, which may provide some constraints on theoretical modeling. Besides strong correlations with the spin-down power $\dot{E}$ and the magnetic field strength at the light cylinder $B_{\rm lc}$, the non-thermal X-ray luminosity in 0.5 - 8 keV, $L_{\rm p}$, represented by the power-law component in the spectral model, is found to be strongly correlated with the highest possible electric field strength in the polar gap, $E_{\rm pc}$, of the pulsar. The spectral power index $\Gamma_{\rm p}$ of that power-law component is also found, for the first time in the literature, to strongly correlate with $\dot{E}$, $B_{\rm lc}$ and $E_{\rm pc}$, thanks to the large sample. In addition, we found that $L_{\rm p}$ can be well described by $L_{\rm p}\propto T^{5.96\pm 0.64}R^{2.24\pm 0.18}$, where $T$ and $R$ are the surface temperature and the emitting-region radius of the surface thermal emission, represented by the black-body component in the spectral model. $\Gamma_{\rm p}$, on the other hand, can be well described only when timing variables are included, and the relation is $\Gamma_{\rm p} = \log(T^{-5.8\pm 1.93}R^{-2.29\pm 0.85}P^{-1.19\pm 0.88}\dot{P}^{0.94\pm 0.44})$ plus a constant. These relations strongly suggest the existence of connections between surface thermal emission and electron-positron pair production in pulsar magnetospheres.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures, accepted by MNRA

Inhibitory Effect of Anoectochilus formosanus Extract on Hyperglycemia-Related PD-L1 Expression and Cancer Proliferation

Traditional herb medicine, golden thread (Anoectochilus formosanus Hayata) has been used to treat various diseases. Hyperglycemia induces generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and enhancement of oxidative stress which are risk factors for cancer progression and metastasis. In this study, we evaluated hypoglycemic effect of A. formosanus extracts (AFEs) in an inducible hyperglycemia animal model and its capacity of free-radical scavenging to establish hyperglycemia-related carcinogenesis. AFE reduced blood glucose in hyperglycemic mice while there was no change in control group. The incremental area under blood glucose response curve was decreased significantly in hyperglycemic mice treated with AFE in a dose-dependent manner. AFE and metformin at the same administrated dose of 50 mg/kg showed similar effect on intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test in hyperglycemic mice. Free-radical scavenger capacity of AFE was concentration dependent and 200 μg/ml of AFE was able to reduce more than 41% of the free radical. Treatment of cancer cells with AFE inhibited constitutive PD-L1 expression and its protein accumulation. It also induced expression of pro-apoptotic genes but inhibited proliferative and metastatic genes. In addition, it induced anti-proliferation in cancer cells. The results suggested that AFE not only reduced blood glucose concentration as metformin but also showed its potential use in cancer immune chemoprevention/therapy via hypoglycemic effect, ROS scavenging and PD-L1 suppression