The ability to build and leverage world models is essential for a general-purpose AI agent. Testing such capabilities is hard, in part because the building blocks of world models are ill-defined. We ...present Elements of World Knowledge (EWOK), a framework for evaluating world modeling in language models by testing their ability to use knowledge of a concept to match a target text with a plausible/implausible context. EWOK targets specific concepts from multiple knowledge domains known to be vital for world modeling in humans. Domains range from social interactions (help/hinder) to spatial relations (left/right). Both, contexts and targets are minimal pairs. Objects, agents, and locations in the items can be flexibly filled in enabling easy generation of multiple controlled datasets. We then introduce EWOK-CORE-1.0, a dataset of 4,374 items covering 11 world knowledge domains. We evaluate 20 openweights large language models (1.3B--70B parameters) across a battery of evaluation paradigms along with a human norming study comprising 12,480 measurements. The overall performance of all tested models is worse than human performance, with results varying drastically across domains. These data highlight simple cases where even large models fail and present rich avenues for targeted research on LLM world modeling capabilities.
•Co-doped ZnO NPs were synthesized effectively using co-precipitation method.•Observed blue shift in band gap energies of Co-doped ZnO NPs.•Co-doped ZnO NPs demonstrated room-temp ferromagnetic ...property.•Potential application of Co-doped ZnO NPs in optoelectronics and spintronic devices.
In the search for a diluted magnetic semiconductor (DMS) for spintronics devices, Zn1-xCoxO (x = 0, 0.020, 0.035, 0.050, and 0.065) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using a simple and cost-effective co-precipitation technique. To demonstrate the advantages of Co-doping, the morphological, microstructure, optical, and magnetic properties of the Co-doped ZnO NPs were extensively investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis.) spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) techniques. The synthesized NPs exhibited a hexagonal wurtzite structure. Their lattice parameters were found to decrease with increasing Co-doped wt.%, confirming the incorporation of Co2+ in ZnO. The solid solution limit of Co-ZnO NPs was found to be Zn0.965Co0.035O. The crystallite sizes of the NPs were found to vary from 38.36 to 39.68 nm. Pure ZnO formed both the nanospheres (NSs) and nanorods (NRs), but Co-doped ZnO generated NRs only. The narrowest NR, with a diameter of 94 nm, was obtained for the Zn0.965Co0.035O. With a ‘Blue shift’, the band gap energies were found to increase from 3.34 to 3.61 eV. The ZnO showed diamagnetic behavior whereas all the Co-doped NRs showed room temperature ferromagnetic (RTFM) properties. The highest magnetization values (Ms) 5.07 × 10-2emu/g and (µB/Co2+) 14.93 × 10-3 were observed for Zn0.965Co0.035O NRs, and these values are several times higher than many previously reported values. The origin of the ferromagnetism was found to be an intrinsic property of the Co-doped ZnO NRs. The study successfully synthesized Co-doped ZnO DMS, which could be used for spintronic-based photoelectronic and ferromagnetic devices.
Present study describes the physicochemical behavior of the coordination complex of copper i.e. Cu(im)6F2.4H2O (Hexakis(imidazole)copper(II) fluoride tetrahydrate) and its solubilization by anionic ...surfactants sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and sodium stearate (SS). The detailed investigation was accomplished by electrical conductivity measurements and UV–visible spectroscopy in aqueous solutions of anionic surfactants in the sub micellar and micellar concentration ranges. Furthermore, thermodynamic parameters of complex-surfactant interaction and CMC of both surfactants in the presence of copper imidazole complex were evaluated by electrical conductivity and experimental results revealed an increase in CMC of both surfactants in the presence of complex. CMC increases with rise in temperature and the trend of variation in thermodynamic parameters indicates that the solubilization of copper imidazole complex in micelles of both surfactants is spontaneous and enthalpy as well as entropy driven. Spectroscopic investigation indicates high degree of solubilization and strong interaction in case of complex and SDS than for SS.
Copper complex is solubilized by micelles of SDS to greater extent than by SS micelles due to relatively higher magnitude of electrostatic interaction of complex with SDS Display omitted
•CMC of both surfactants increased due to the presence of CuIC in micellar medium.•There is strong interaction between CuIC and SDS.•Micellization is favored by entropy as well as enthalpy.•CuIC exhibited antioxidant activity against DPPH and hemolytic activity against RBCs.
Fresh and clean water is consistently depleting and becoming a serious problem with rapid increases in population, so seawater desalination technology has captured global attention. For an efficient ...desalination process, this work proposes a novel, nanofibrous, thin-film composite membrane (NF-TFC) based on the deposition of the nanofibrous active layer of a blend of chitosan (CS) and poly (vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) crosslinked with maleic acid on a 3-triethoxysilylpropylamine functionalized cellulose acetate substrate. FTIR analysis demonstrated the development of chemical and physical interactions and confirmed the incorporation of functional groups present in the NF-TFC. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs depict the fibrous structure of the active layers. The reverse osmosis (RO) desalination characteristics of NF-TFC membranes are elevated by increasing the concentration of the crosslinker in a CS/PVP blend. Cellulose acetate (CA)-S4 attained an optimal salt rejection of 98.3% and permeation flux of 42.9 L/m
h, suggesting that the NF-TFC membranes could be favorable for seawater desalination.
Carrot is an important root vegetable and salinity has strong effect on its seed germination and seedling characters. An experiment was conducted at the Postgraduate Laboratory of the Department of ...Horticulture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the period from July to August, 2023 to study the effect of salinity stress on the seed germination and seedling characters of four carrot varieties. The two-factor experiment consisted of four carrot varieties viz. Orange king, Orange star, Sangal and Red lady, and five salinity levels viz. control (tap water), 25 mM, 50 mM, 75 mM and 100 mM NaCl. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with three replications. Results revealed that salinity and carrot varieties significantly influenced all the parameters studied. The highest seed germination (44.44%) was obtained from Orange king while the lowest (32.89%) was obtained from Red lady. The highest seed germination (41.11%) was obtained from 100 mM NaCl solution and the lowest (34.44%) was found from 75 mM NaCl. Among the treatment combinations, the highest seed germination (60.00%) was obtained from Orange king along with 50 mM NaCl. The maximum radicle (15.46 mm) and plumule length (12.36 mm), leaf size (5.50 mm), number of leaves (2.73) and seedling height (27.82 mm) was obtained from Orange king. Maximum plumule length (13.27 mm), leaf size (5.98 mm) and seedling height (23.27mm) was obtained from control treatment and maximum number of leaves (2.08) from 25 mM NaCl solution. Among the treatment combinations, highest radicle length (18.27 mm), plumule length (17.40 mm), leaf size (7.60 mm), seedling height (35.67 mm) was obtained from Orange king along with 25 mM NaCl solution. Therefore, Orange king along with 50 mM NaCl solution and 25 mM NaCl solution was found to be better in respect of seed germination and seedling characters of carrots compared to other treatments respectively.
The solubilization and physicochemical behavior of a coordination complex of nickel, namely Ni(im)
6
F
2
·5H
2
O hexakis(imidazole)nickel(II) fluoride pentahydrate, in aqueous micellar media of ...anionic surfactants, i.e., sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sodium stearate (SS), were investigated by using UV–Vis spectroscopy and electrical conductivity measurements. Spectroscopic techniques were used for the computation of binding constant (
K
b
), partition coefficient (
K
x
), change in free energy of binding (Δ
G
b
), and change in free energy of partition (Δ
G
p
), whereas electrical conductivity data was helpful to calculate thermodynamic parameters of micellization of surfactants in the presence of the Ni complex, i.e., standard entropy of micellization (Δ
S
m
), free energy (Δ
G
m
), and enthalpy of micellization (Δ
H
m
). It is evident from the results that solubilization of the Ni complex takes place because of electrostatic as well as hydrophobic interactions. The presence of the Ni complex in micellar media increases the critical micelle concentration of both surfactants owing to the structure-breaking effect.
Novel SARS-CoV-2 variants are emerging at an alarming rate. The delta variant and other variants of concern (VoC) carry spike (S)-protein mutations, which have the potential to evade protective ...immunity, to trigger break-through infections after COVID-19 vaccination, and to propagate future waves of COVID-19 pandemic. To identify SARS CoV-2 variants in Bangladesh, patients who are RT-PCR-positive for COVID-19 infections in Dhaka were screened by a RT-PCR melting curve analysis for spike protein mutations. To assess the anti-SARS CoV-2 antibody responses, the levels of the anti-S -proteins IgA and IgG and the anti-N-protein IgG were measured by ELISA. Of a total of 36 RT-PCR positive samples (75%), 27 were identified as delta variants, with one carrying an additional Q677H mutation and two with single nucleotide substitutions at position 23029 (compared to Wuhan-Hu-1 reference NC 045512) in the genome sequence. Three (8.3%) were identified as beta variants, two (5.5%) were identified as alpha variants, three (8.3%) were identified as having a B.1.1.318 lineage, and one sample was identified as an eta variant (B.1.525) carrying an additional V687L mutation. The trend of higher viral load (lower Cp values) among delta variants than in the alpha and beta variants was of borderline statistical significance (p = 0.045). Prospective studies with larger Bangladeshi cohorts are warranted to confirm the emergence of S-protein mutations and their association with antibody response in natural infection and potential breakthrough in vaccinated subjects.
Genomic surveillance and seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2) in Bangladesh is paramount for COVID-19 pandemic preparedness yet lagging the high-income ...countries due to limited resources.
SARS-CoV-2 variants, COVID-19 symptoms, and serology were prospectively evaluated in a cross-sectional study of Bangladeshi adults testing RT-PCR positive in 2021 and 2022.
SARS CoV-2 Omicron variants of asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 in 2022 replaced Delta variant infections requiring hospitalization and oxygen support. The omicron XBB became predominant in July 2022 and associated with cough, headache or body ache and loss of smell; 47 of 68 (69 %), 30 of 68 (44 %) and 27 of 68 (40 %) respectively at higher frequency than BA.1/BA.2; 16 of 88 (18 %), 13 of 88 (15 %) and 0 of 88 (0 %) p < 0.01, p < 0.01 and p < 0.0001. Linear regression analysis reveals no associations between the number of previous infections and the number of symptoms, r = −0.084, p = 0.68. The anti-nucleoprotein (N)-protein IgG post COVID-19 and anti-Spike (S) protein IgG post-COVID-19 vaccination were similar between BA.2, BA.4/BA.5 and XBB and significantly lower than the levels in delta variant infections (p < 0.001).
Omicron XBB subvariants emerged in Bangladesh two months prior to previous reports and include unique patterns of S-protein mutations not assigned in PANGO lineage. The SARS CoV-2 omicron break-through infections persist in the presence of sustained antibody responses and vaccinations, underscoring the importance of molecular surveillance in low-income countries.
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