What are Automated Paraphrasing Tools and how do we address them? A review of a growing threat to academic integrity

This article reviews the literature surrounding the growing use of Automated Paraphrasing Tools (APTs) as a threat to educational integrity. In academia there is a technological arms-race occurring between the development of tools and techniques which facilitate violations of the principles of educational integrity, including text-based plagiarism, and methods for identifying such behaviors. APTs are part of this race, as they are a rapidly developing technology which can help writers transform words, phrases, and entire sentences and paragraphs at the click of a button. This article seeks to review the literature surrounding the history of APT use and the current understanding of APTs placed in the broader context of the educational integrity-technology arms race

Learner Autonomy in the Vietnamese EAP Context: A Literature Review

This literature review explores the current body of research pertaining to learner autonomy in the Vietnamese English for Academic Purposes (EAP) context, investigating themes and research methodologies, conclusions drawn, limitations and possible avenues for further study and new research directions in the future. We demonstrate that although there are many studies exploring the concept of learner autonomy, the definitions as to how this term is described is not clear throughout the literature, and this is a limitation in the current research field. In addition to this, there is significant evidence suggesting that Vietnamese EAP learners are keen to engage in autonomous learning practices and can demonstrate the self-regulation required to do so, which disagrees with traditional conceptions of Confucian heritage culture learning approaches

Game of Tones: Faculty detection of GPT-4 generated content in university assessments

This study explores the robustness of university assessments against the use of Open AI's Generative Pre-Trained Transformer 4 (GPT-4) generated content and evaluates the ability of academic staff to detect its use when supported by the Turnitin Artificial Intelligence (AI) detection tool. The research involved twenty-two GPT-4 generated submissions being created and included in the assessment process to be marked by fifteen different faculty members. The study reveals that although the detection tool identified 91% of the experimental submissions as containing some AI-generated content, the total detected content was only 54.8%. This suggests that the use of adversarial techniques regarding prompt engineering is an effective method in evading AI detection tools and highlights that improvements to AI detection software are needed. Using the Turnitin AI detect tool, faculty reported 54.5% of the experimental submissions to the academic misconduct process, suggesting the need for increased awareness and training into these tools. Genuine submissions received a mean score of 54.4, whereas AI-generated content scored 52.3, indicating the comparable performance of GPT-4 in real-life situations. Recommendations include adjusting assessment strategies to make them more resistant to the use of AI tools, using AI-inclusive assessment where possible, and providing comprehensive training programs for faculty and students. This research contributes to understanding the relationship between AI-generated content and academic assessment, urging further investigation to preserve academic integrity

Carrier Transport mechanisms contributing to the sub-threshold current in 3C-SiC-on-Si Schottky Barrier Diodes

3C-Silicon Carbide (3C-SiC) Schottky Barrier Diodes on silicon (Si) substrates (3C-SiC-on-Si) seem not to comply with the superior wide band gap expectations in terms of excessive measured sub-threshold current. In turn, that is one of the factors which deters their commercialization. Interestingly, the forward biased part of the Current-Voltage (I-V) characteristics in these devices carries considerable information about the material quality. In this context, an advanced Technology Computer Aided Design (TCAD) model for a vertical Platinum/3C-SiC Schottky power diode is created and validated with measured data. The model includes defects originating from both the Schottky contact and the hetero-interface of 3C-SiC with Si which allows the investigation of their impact on the magnification of the sub-threshold current. For this, barrier lowering, quantum field emission and trap assisted tunneling of majority carriers need to be considered at the non-ideal Schottky interface. The simulation results and measured data allowed for the comprehensive characterization of the defects affecting the carrier transport mechanisms of the forward biased 3C-SiC on Si power rectifier for the first time

Experimental and physics based study of the Schottky Barrier Height inhomogeneity and associated traps affecting 3C-SiC-on-Si Schottky Barrier Diodes

The ability of cubic phase (3C-) Silicon Carbide (SiC) to grow heteroepitaxially on Silicon (Si) substrates (3C-SiC-on-Si) is an enabling feature for cost-effective Wide Bandgap devices and homogeneous integration with Si devices. In this paper, the authors evaluated 3C-SiC-on-Si Schottky Barrier Contacts by fabricating and testing non-freestanding lateral Schottky Barrier Diodes (LSBD). To gain a deep physical insight of the complex carrier transport phenomena that take place in this material, advanced Technology Computer Aided Design (TCAD) models were developed which allowed accurately matching of measurements with simulations. The models incorporate the device geometry, an accurate representation of the bulk material properties, and complex trapping/de-trapping and tunnelling phenomena which appear to affect the device performance. The observed non-uniformities of the Schottky Barrier Height (SBH) were successfully modelled through the incorporation of interfacial traps. The combination of TCAD with fabrication and measurements enabled the identification of trap profiles and pin their influence on the electrical performance of 3C-SiC-on-Si LSBD. The effect of temperature was studied by engaging the identified trap profiles and calculating the occupation distribution of electrons in 3C-SiC at elevated temperature. The investigation constitutes an imperative knowledge step towards the development of devices that take advantage of 3C-SiC material properties

The Ecological Role of Mesopredators and the Long-Term Effects of Mesopredator Control

Until approximately 20 years ago, mammalian predators were actively pursued by hunters and trappers for both sport and economic gain. However, during the past two decades fur prices have fallen precipitously, and sport hunting and trapping of mammalian predators is at an all-time low. Some suggest that decreased hunting and trapping pressure on mesomammal predators (e.g., raccoons, opossums, bobcats, foxes, coyotes, etc; hereafter, mesopredators) has resulted in increased mesopredator populations and a decline in many prey species. The role of mesopredators within southern forests is controversial, and there are few empirical studies on which to base management and political decisions regarding predation issues. Moreover, the few studies that do exist focus on the response of a single species or are of too short duration to fully understand the long-term effects of removal efforts. This study will provide empirical, long-term information on the ecological role of mesopredators. Our study uses mesopredator exclosures to experimentally explore the role of mesopredators within the broader wildlife community by artificially reducing mesopredator populations. Because we are using exclosures (electric fences specifically designed to exclude mesopredators, without restricting target prey species), there will be no need to sacrifice mesopredators to accomplish study objectives. Effects of mesopredators on avian, gopher tortoise, and small mammal population dynamics are of primary interest. However, we are also monitoring snake and raptor populations to determine how mesopredators affect their numbers and distribution and whether they, in tum, influence the dynamics of other wildlife populations

Prevalence and pattern of brown adpose tissue distribution of 18F-FDG in patients undergoing PET-CT in a subtropical climatic zone

BACKGROUND The uptake of 18F-FDG in brown adipose tissue (BAT) may have important implications in understanding the pathophysiology of BAT and obesity. Because of the thermal implications of BAT uptake of 18F-FDG, this study aimed to contribute to existing knowledge by assessing patients scanned in a subtropical environment with particular reference to ethnicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective study was carried out to determine the prevalence and pattern of BAT uptake in patients undergoing 18F-FDG PET-CT imaging in a PET facility located in a subtropical climatic zone. Standardized uptake values were obtained for regions of BAT uptake of 18F-FDG, and the distribution pattern was assessed according to anatomical region, sex, age, BMI and ethnicity. RESULTS Following a reveiw of a total of 386 scans, 38 patients showed BAT uptake of 18F-FDG (9.85%), with the mass and activity of BAT being greater in women than in men (11.95 and 6.88%, respectively). BAT uptake of 18F-FDG in the neck/supraclavicular, axillary and mediastinal regions was greater in adults whose BMI was less than 18kg/m2. However, perirenal BAT activity was shown to be greater in obese individuals. The frequency of BAT uptake of 18F-FDG was 55% in winter as against 45% during summer (P<0.012). There was no statistical difference in BAT uptake between black and white patients. CONCLUSION This study shows the pattern and prevalence of BAT in patients in a subtropical environment. Although the average seasonal temperatures are higher in a subtropical climate, a seasonal variation in BAT expression was observed, although there were no differences with respect to patient ethnicity.http://www.lww.comhb201

Mechanical versus manual chest compression for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (PARAMEDIC) : a pragmatic, cluster randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Mechanical chest compression devices have the potential to help maintain high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but despite their increasing use, little evidence exists for their effectiveness. We aimed to study whether the introduction of LUCAS-2 mechanical CPR into front-line emergency response vehicles would improve survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. METHODS: The pre-hospital randomised assessment of a mechanical compression device in cardiac arrest (PARAMEDIC) trial was a pragmatic, cluster-randomised open-label trial including adults with non-traumatic, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest from four UK Ambulance Services (West Midlands, North East England, Wales, South Central). 91 urban and semi-urban ambulance stations were selected for participation. Clusters were ambulance service vehicles, which were randomly assigned (1:2) to LUCAS-2 or manual CPR. Patients received LUCAS-2 mechanical chest compression or manual chest compressions according to the first trial vehicle to arrive on scene. The primary outcome was survival at 30 days following cardiac arrest and was analysed by intention to treat. Ambulance dispatch staff and those collecting the primary outcome were masked to treatment allocation. Masking of the ambulance staff who delivered the interventions and reported initial response to treatment was not possible. The study is registered with Current Controlled Trials, number ISRCTN08233942. FINDINGS: We enrolled 4471 eligible patients (1652 assigned to the LUCAS-2 group, 2819 assigned to the control group) between April 15, 2010 and June 10, 2013. 985 (60%) patients in the LUCAS-2 group received mechanical chest compression, and 11 (<1%) patients in the control group received LUCAS-2. In the intention-to-treat analysis, 30 day survival was similar in the LUCAS-2 group (104 [6%] of 1652 patients) and in the manual CPR group (193 [7%] of 2819 patients; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0·86, 95% CI 0·64-1·15). No serious adverse events were noted. Seven clinical adverse events were reported in the LUCAS-2 group (three patients with chest bruising, two with chest lacerations, and two with blood in mouth). 15 device incidents occurred during operational use. No adverse or serious adverse events were reported in the manual group. INTERPRETATION: We noted no evidence of improvement in 30 day survival with LUCAS-2 compared with manual compressions. On the basis of ours and other recent randomised trials, widespread adoption of mechanical CPR devices for routine use does not improve survival