Certain elements function inside out (9)

I believe the answer is:

actinides

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'certain elements' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't judge whether this works.

'function inside out' is the wordplay.
'function' becomes 'act' (I've seen this before).
'out' is an anagram indicator (out can mean wrong or inaccurate).
'inside' anagrammed gives 'inides'.
'act'+'inides'='ACTINIDES'

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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