Representation Engineering: A Top-Down Approach to AI Transparency

In this paper, we identify and characterize the emerging area of representation engineering (RepE), an approach to enhancing the transparency of AI systems that draws on insights from cognitive neuroscience. RepE places population-level representations, rather than neurons or circuits, at the center of analysis, equipping us with novel methods for monitoring and manipulating high-level cognitive phenomena in deep neural networks (DNNs). We provide baselines and an initial analysis of RepE techniques, showing that they offer simple yet effective solutions for improving our understanding and control of large language models. We showcase how these methods can provide traction on a wide range of safety-relevant problems, including honesty, harmlessness, power-seeking, and more, demonstrating the promise of top-down transparency research. We hope that this work catalyzes further exploration of RepE and fosters advancements in the transparency and safety of AI systems.Comment: Code is available at https://github.com/andyzoujm/representation-engineerin

Inversion Analysis Method for Tunnel and Underground Space Engineering: A Short Review

With the rise of the fourth industrial revolution, traditional methods of analyzing investment have been transformed into intelligent methods under big data and the Internet of Things. This has created a new approach to solving practical engineering problems. This paper examines the formation and evolution of the application of inversion theory in tunnel and underground engineering, summarizing research progress using traditional and intelligent inversion analysis methods to identify three types of target unknown quantities in tunnels and underground projects: initial ground stress, support structure load, and tunnel characteristic parameters. It also offers an outlook on how to optimize inversion analysis methods to solve more challenging and complex tunneling problems in the context of informatization, digitalization, and intelligence. In the current research process of tunnel and underground space engineering problems, the inversion theory system has been improved, but inversion analysis methods still face many challenges. These include the low reliability of initial ground stress inversion under complex geological conditions, the lack of indicators to objectively evaluate the accuracy of inversion analysis, and the high costs of intelligent inversion analysis means. Moving forward in the context of big data and the information era, the future development direction for inversion theory and inversion methods in tunnel and underground space engineering is to combine new monitoring technology, computer vision technology, and simulation analysis technology to establish multifaceted intelligent inversion analysis models

Optimization of Preparation Process and Pharmacokinetics of APAP Double-Release Pellet Capsules

In order to develop a kind of APAP double-release pellet capsules, which was prepared with the manual filling method, the immediate and sustained release pellets of a certain proportion were prepared by the fluidized bed coating and the extrusion spheroidization process, respectively. It was founded that both the prepared immediate-release pellets and sustained-release pellets had smooth and round surfaces. The particle size distribution ranged evenly from 16 to 35 mesh. Response surface plots showed that the optimal preparation prescription for immediate-release pellets were that ethanol concentration (X1) 70%, APAP 20%, MCC (X2) 40%, PVP K30 (X3) 20%, and sucrose pellet core 20%; and the optimal preparation prescription for sustained-release pellets were that HPMC concentration (X*3) 6.5%, APAP 30%, EC (X*1) 20%, MCC (X*2) 40%, PVP K30 4%, and lactose 6%. The results of pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that, after the APAP double-release pellet was orally administered, compared with that of conventional tablets, the plasma APAP levels in the blood circulation dramatically rose to significant peaks as a result of the quick and slow release of APAP from the capsules, which significantly prolonged the effective time of drugs in blood. Finally, immediate and sustained antipyretic-analgesic effects were obtained

Optimization of Preparation Process and Pharmacokinetics of APAP Double-Release Pellet Capsules

In order to develop a kind of APAP double-release pellet capsules, which was prepared with the manual filling method, the immediate and sustained release pellets of a certain proportion were prepared by the fluidized bed coating and the extrusion spheroidization process, respectively. It was founded that both the prepared immediate-release pellets and sustained-release pellets had smooth and round surfaces. The particle size distribution ranged evenly from 16 to 35 mesh. Response surface plots showed that the optimal preparation prescription for immediate-release pellets were that ethanol concentration (X1) 70%, APAP 20%, MCC (X2) 40%, PVP K30 (X3) 20%, and sucrose pellet core 20%; and the optimal preparation prescription for sustained-release pellets were that HPMC concentration (X*3) 6.5%, APAP 30%, EC (X*1) 20%, MCC (X*2) 40%, PVP K30 4%, and lactose 6%. The results of pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that, after the APAP double-release pellet was orally administered, compared with that of conventional tablets, the plasma APAP levels in the blood circulation dramatically rose to significant peaks as a result of the quick and slow release of APAP from the capsules, which significantly prolonged the effective time of drugs in blood. Finally, immediate and sustained antipyretic-analgesic effects were obtained

Scientometric Analysis on Rice Research under Drought, Waterlogging or Abrupt Drought-Flood Alternation Stress

Many studies have shown that abiotic stresses could severely impact crop growth and yield, but a comprehensive review from a bibliometric perspective is lacking. This study explores how the research direction of rice under drought, waterlogging or both stresses has evolved over the past three decades, based on bibliometric analysis using Vosviewer 1.6.15 and HistCite Pro. Data were collected from the academic database of Web of Science. The results showed that 12 journals had a high number of publications and highly local citations. Meanwhile, the three journals of Field Crops Research, Journal of Experimental Botany and Plant Physiology could be the most influential leaders in this field. The author Arvind Kumar had the highest contribution to the output of articles, and Lizhong Xiong had a greater impact on the field. China, and Chinese institutions, were dominant in terms of the number of articles, but Japan, Germany, UK and institutions in USA and Japan had a higher quality of publications on average. Scholars are concerned with using transgenic methods for improving rice productivity with increasing abiotic stress tolerance; the research topics of rice cultivars, irrigation, water-use efficiency and soil fertility may be gradually shifting from a single theme to intertwining with the themes of genomics and abiotic/biotic resistance with climate change in the future

Ce-Doped LaMnO₃ Redox Catalysts for Chemical Looping Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Ethane

As a novel reaction mode of oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene, the chemical looping oxidative dehydrogenation (CL-ODH) of ethane to ethylene has attracted much attention. Instead of using gaseous oxygen, CL-ODH uses lattice oxygen in an oxygen carrier or redox catalyst to facilitate the ODH reaction. In this paper, a perovskite type redox catalyst LaMnO3+δ was used as a substrate, Ce3+ with different proportions was introduced into its A site, and its CL-ODH reaction performance for ethane was studied. The results showed that the ratio of Mn4+/Mn3+ on the surface of Ce-modified samples decreased significantly, and the lattice oxygen species in the bulk phase increased; these were the main reasons for improving ethylene selectivity. La0.7Ce0.3MnO3 showed the best performance during the ODH reaction and showed good stability in twenty redox cycle tests

Emerging roles of APLN and APELA in the physiology and pathology of the female reproductive system

APLN, APELA and their common receptor APLNR (composing the apelinergic axis) have been described in various species with extensive body distribution and multiple physiological functions. Recent studies have witnessed emerging intracellular cascades triggered by APLN and APELA which play crucial roles in female reproductive organs, including hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis, ovary, oviduct, uterus and placenta. However, a comprehensive summary of APLN and APELA roles in physiology and pathology of female reproductive system has not been reported to date. In this review, we aim to concentrate on the general characteristics of APLN and APELA, as well as their specific physiological roles in female reproductive system. Meanwhile, the pathological contexts of apelinergic axis dysregulation in the obstetrics and gynecology are also summarized here, suggesting its potential prospect as a diagnostic biomarker and/or therapeutic intervention in the polycystic ovary syndrome, ovarian cancer, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus

Role of Cue Training, Context, and Stimulus Intensity on Fear Generalization in Humans

Fear generalization is a crucial mechanism underlying maladaptive behavior, but factors influencing this process are not fully understood. We investigated the effects of cue training and context on fear generalization and how cognitive rules influence responses to different conditions. We also examined the role of stimulus intensity in fear generalization to provide insight into fear generalization mechanisms. Participants (n = 104) completed a fear emotion task with two stages: acquisition and generalization testing. Subjective fear expectancy ratings were used as outcome measures. Participants who received single threat cue training exhibited stronger fear generalization responses than those who received discrimination training with threat and safe cues. Participants who received discrimination training and used linear rules had the strongest fear response to the largest stimulus. Therefore, a safe cue may mitigate fear generalization but could increase fear responses to more intense stimuli. Altering context did not change the fear generalization response because fear generalization is mainly governed by the association between the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned fear stimulus. The present study emphasizes the multifaceted nature of fear generalization and the importance of examining multiple factors to understand this phenomenon. These findings elucidate fear learning and provide insights needed for effective interventions for maladaptive behavior