Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Dendrochronology can only be used to study trees that are at least 500 years old. [SEP] Text: Variables TEN group SC group χ2 value P value Infection, n (%) 0 (0) 1 (3) Bleeding, n (%) 0 (0) 1 (3) Irritation, n (%) 2 (8) 0 (0) Malalignment, n (%) 1 (4) 0 (0) Leg length inequality, n (%) 1 (4) 1 (3) Refracture, n (%) 0 (0) 0 (0) Premature epiphyseal closure, n (%) 0 (0) 0 (0) Nonunion, n (%) 0 (0) 0 (0) Coxa vara, n (%) 0 (0) 1 (3) Avascular necrosis, n (%) 0 (0) 1 (3) Total, n (%) 4 (16) 5 (15) 0. 011. 916 SC = cannulated screw, TEN = titanium elastic nail. 4 to literatures, fractures of the femoral neck are uncommon in the pediatric population. [14,15] Because the femoral neck of children is dense and hard compared to adult femoral neck, femoral neck fractures in children are always a result of high energy trauma. [16] Femur neck fractures were classified to 4-part classification system: type I is a traumatic disruption of the proximal femoral epiphysis, type II is an intra-articular transcervical fracture, type III is an intra-articular cervicotrochanteric fracture, and type IV is an extracapsular intertrochanteric fracture. [17] It was initially described by Delbet and popularized by Colonna. Most of the studies on femoral neck fractures in children reported Delbet type II fractures as the most common, followed by type III and type IV. fractures (transepiphyseal) are extremely rare in the literature. [2,14] It can be seen that femoral neck fractures in children are rare; however, the complications are extremely serious. Many studies have shown that the incidence of complications varied between 20% and 50%, also have pointed out that nonoperative treatment of femoral neck fractures in children has poor results. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text is irrelevant to the claim as it discusses femoral neck fractures in children and associated complications, without any mention of dendrochronology or trees. Therefore, it does not provide any supporting or contrasting information regarding the claim.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Aloe vera has been used for centuries to treat skin ailments. [SEP] Text: However, the fact that most of the medicinal plants in the study area were trees, and the fresh parts were primarily collected, suggests that the availability of remedies may have been limited to certain seasons of the year, as many trees shed their leaves during the dry season. Ailments treated with medicinal plantsThe analysis of the data on the diversity of medicinal plant use revealed that more than three-quarters of the identified species were employed to treat multiple diseases. This finding suggests a widespread adoption and utilization of these medicinal plants by the local community, which agrees with [90]. The versatility of many medicinal plants reported in this study for treating different health conditions may be attributed to the combined action of the various bioactive constituents present in these plants. In association with this finding, [91] reported that the synergistic effects of the different medicinal components can potentially enhance the catalytic activity and facilitate the absorption of the beneficial compounds in the human body. These findings highlight the need for further scientific investigation into the phytochemical profiles and pharmacological properties of these versatile medicinal plants. Unraveling the underlying mechanisms that enable certain medicinal plants to treat a diverse array of ailments can contribute significantly to the development of more effective and holistic traditional medicine practices. This knowledge can be instrumental in improving the overall health and well-being of the local population. Methods of preparation and route of administration of remediesThe study found that the most frequent methods of preparing medicinal remedies in the Quara district were extraction, decoction, paste, and chewing. These preparation methods align with the findings of previous ethnobotanical studies conducted in different regions [51, 92, 93]. The informants reported that there was no standardized approach to administering the remedies, and the method varied depending on factors such as the patient’s age and health condition. This observation is consistent with the findings of other studies [94], indicating the flexibility and patient-specific nature of traditional medicine practices. Oral administration was identified as the primary route of delivering herbal remedies in the Quara district. This observation is in line with the findings of other ethnobotanical studies, which have also reported the oral route as the predominant mode of administration for traditional medicines [49, 95]. The diversity of preparation techniques and administration routes observed in the study highlights the depth of traditional knowledge within the local community. Healers and practitioners likely adjust their approaches based on the specific needs and conditions of the patients, drawing from a wealth of experiential knowledge accumulated over generations. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text does not directly address the claim regarding Aloe vera specifically or its historical use in treating skin ailments. Instead, it discusses various medicinal plants, their preparation methods, and their uses in a local context, highlighting the diversity and traditional knowledge surrounding those plants. There is no mention of Aloe vera or its specific applications in the text provided.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Beauveria bassiana is a fungal pathogen that can effectively control locust populations. [SEP] Text: bassiana is known as an effective biocontrol agent against insects and some plant-parasitic nematodes, more detailed studies should be done on its effect on P. thornei. BackgroundThe root lesion nematode, Pratylenchus thornei (Sher et Allen) (Tylenchida: Pratylenchidae), is known as a parasite of the roots of cereals and legumes in many countries around the world causing economic losses (Castillo and Vovlas 2007; Thompson et al. 2021). This nematode species is commonly found in cereal production areas in Turkey (Göze Özdemir et al. 2021). This nematode is polycyclic and completes its life cycle in about 45 days under optimum conditions (Larson 1959). Therefore, population densities increase exponentially during the production season (Thompson 2015). While P. thornei feeds and multiplies in the root cortex, it also disrupts the function of the root. It causes characteristic lesions that inhibit the plant's ability to absorb water and nutrients, and cause yield loss in susceptible crops (Tan et al. 2013). In addition, these lesion areas constitute areas of infection for many fungal agents (Mallaiah et al. 2014). It is suggested that root lesion nematodes can be controlled with methods such as ensuring field hygiene, cultivation resistant or tolerant wheat varieties, or rotation with non-host crops (Owen et al. 2010). The absence of licensed nematicides for the control of nematodes in cereals also limits the possibilities of controlling this pest group and increases the search for alternative and sustainable control methods (Thompson et al. 2021). As a result of these searches, it has been reported that studies on the effects of different fungi on plant-parasitic nematodes have increased due to the ability to derive compounds from toxins, enzymes, or metabolites (Göze Özdemir and Arıcı 2021). Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo. -Criv. ) Vuillemin 1912 (Hypocreales/Cordycipitaceae) is a widely known entomopathogenic fungus worldwide and there are many isolates commercially used for the control of various arthropod species (Mwaura et al. 2017). [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text supports the claim by stating that Beauveria bassiana is recognized as an effective biocontrol agent against insects and has many isolates commercially used for the control of various arthropod species. Although the text does not specifically mention locusts, the reference to controlling 'various arthropod species' implies its potential effectiveness against locust populations as well.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Tree rings cannot be used to study past volcanic activity or environmental disturbances. [SEP] Text: Preprints AbstractDiscussion © Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under the Attribution 4. 0 License. © Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under the Attribution 4. 0 License. Preprints AbstractDiscussionMetrics 16 Aug 2023 | 16 Aug 2023 Status: a revised version of this preprint is currently under review for the journal ANGEO. A statistical study of the magnetic signatures of the unique Tonga volcanic explosion of 15 January 2022 Abstract. For the first time, a statistical study has been conducted of the geomagnetic bay and quasi-periodic disturbances based on the datasets collected at 19 recording stations participating in. In order to identify the disturbances from the volcanic explosion, a preliminary analysis has been used of the state of space weather during the catastrophic Tonga volcanic explosion of 15 January 2022. We summarize the main results as follows: The non-monotony of the variations in the strength of all geomagnetic field components increased appreciably on the day of the explosion as compared to the variations observed during the days used as a quiet time reference, while the eastward component of the geomagnetic field exhibited an up to 60-nT increase in variability. The duration and time delay of the bay disturbances increased with distance from the volcano, while their amplitude decreased. The propagation speeds of the bay disturbances at various observatories were determined to be in the 700–1,000 m/s range. Six groups of time delays of quasi-sinusoidal disturbances have been identified in a simultaneous analysis for the first time; they correspond to the apparent speeds of 4 km/s, 1. 5 km/s, 1 km/s, as well as 500 m/s, 313 m/s, and 200 m/s. The time delay in each group increased with distance away from the volcano. The agreement between theoretical estimates and the observational data testify to the adequacy of the mechanism adopted for the generation of the disturbances. How to cite. Chernogor, L. : A statistical study of the magnetic signatures of the unique Tonga volcanic explosion of 15 January 2022, Ann. Geophys. Discuss. [preprint], in review, 2023. Received: 04 Aug 2023 – Discussion started: 16 Aug 2023 Publisher's note: remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by discussing a statistical study of the magnetic signatures from the Tonga volcanic explosion, which suggests that environmental disturbances (like volcanic eruptions) can indeed be studied. While the text does not explicitly mention tree rings, it emphasizes the use of observational data related to geological events, implying that different methods (including tree rings) may be relevant for studying past volcanic activity.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Aloe vera has been used for centuries to treat skin ailments. [SEP] Text: Ethnobotanical knowledge distribution among ethnic groupsThe study found that more than a quarter (28%) of the medicinal plants were mentioned across all three ethnic groups. However, the Amhara ethnic group reported a greater number of medicinal plants compared to the other groups. The higher mention of medicinal plants by the Amhara is likely due to their large population size and extensive agricultural land coverage in the area. Additionally, the seasonal movement of the Amhara people from neighboring highland districts to Quara for farming and livestock rearing may have facilitated the sharing of medicinal plant knowledge within their community. In contrast, the Agew ethnic group reported a smaller number of medicinal plants, possibly due to the secretive nature of their traditional knowledge, which is a common phenomenon observed in many traditional communities. The findings of this study, as well as several previous studies [96,97,98], emphasize that the diversity of medicinal plant knowledge is often influenced by the ethnicity and cultural background of the communities. These insights underscore the importance of considering the ethnic and cultural context when documenting and understanding traditional medicinal plant knowledge. Informant consensus factorThe study reported ICF values ranging from 0. 75 to 0. 03 indicating a strong consensus among the informants regarding the therapeutic uses and efficacy of certain medicinal plant species, as described in [99]. The highest ICF value of 0. 93 was observed for diseases related to the circulatory system and blood/blood-forming organs. This aligns with findings from other studies [100, 101] and suggests that the local community has confidence in the medicinal plants of the study area for treating these types of conditions. Specifically, hypertension and anemia were the two diseases highlighted in this high consensus category, with 71 and 15 use 12. 93% was found in a study carried out in the Metema district of northwestern Ethiopia [43]. This was followed by studies in the Habru district of northcentral Ethiopia with an RSI of 11. 48% [51] and in the Hawassa, Shashemene, and Dilla districts of southcentral Ethiopia with an RSI of 10% [54]. districts like the Adwa (RSI = 9. 47%) [46], the Erob and Gulomahda districts (RSI = 9. 31%) [47], and the district (RSI = 9. 09%) [44] also had higher RSI values. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text does not address the claim regarding Aloe vera and its historical use for treating skin ailments. Instead, it discusses the distribution of medicinal plant knowledge among different ethnic groups, their informant consensus factor, and various studies related to medicinal plants in Ethiopia without specifically mentioning Aloe vera or its applications.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Beauveria bassiana is a fungal pathogen that can effectively control locust populations. [SEP] Text: pathogenicity toward insects has independently evolved several times, resulting in specialist and generalist pathogens, some of whom have maintained aspects of their previous lifestyles. Being able to grow as an endophyte (engaging in a mutualistic interaction with plants) or saprophyte (recycling nutrients back into the environment), the generalist (broad-host-range) fungus Beauveria bassiana does not need to rely on insect hosts to complete its life cycle. The diverse lifestyles of this fungus, saprophyte, pathogen, and symbiont, provide a unique system, with available genetic tools, to examine host-pathogen interactions, plant-fungus mutualistic relationships, and fungal development. This commentary highlights overlooked pathogenic and mutualistic aspects of B. bassiana that assist this fungus in shifting along the saprobe/parasite/mutualist continuum. Addressing these knowledge gaps and scrutinizing valuable players driving such a spectrum of ecological interactions will enrich our knowledge of fundamental environmental microbiology and help develop new approaches to pest control and sustainable farming. fungi are significant factors in natural insect epizootic infections worldwide. Particularly, Beauveria bassiana can infect more than 700 insect species from all the major insect orders (1). Like other insect-pathogenic fungi, B. bassiana penetrates the insect integument and makes its way toward the insect hemocoel, where it proliferates and causes the death of the hosts before growing outward and sporulating on the cadaver (2, 3) (Fig. 1). B. bassiana also grows as an endophyte, establishing mutualistic associations with a wide array of plants (3). The wide-host-range nature and varied lifestyles of B. bassiana, coupled to readily available genomic and molecular tools, provide a tractable system to (i) examine the drivers of fungal evolution, distribution, parasitism, and mutualism and (ii) develop novel approaches for sustainable pest control and farming. FIG 1FIG 1 The transition of Beauveria bassiana along the saprobe/mutualist/parasite continuum. B. bassiana is naturally present in the soil, where it lives as a saprotroph exploiting leaf litter and other organic matter for energy and nutrients. As a mutualist, B. bassiana establishes associations with plants by growing as an endophyte (i. e. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text supports the claim by providing evidence of Beauveria bassiana's pathogenicity toward insects, including its ability to infect a wide range of insect species, over 700 in total, and illustrating its role in causing the death of its hosts: 'B. bassiana penetrates the insect integument and makes its way toward the insect hemocoel, where it proliferates and causes the death of the hosts.' Furthermore, the text discusses how the fungal pathogen is being researched for its potential use in sustainable pest control and farming, which aligns with the claim that it can effectively control locust populations.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Tree rings cannot be used to study past volcanic activity or environmental disturbances. [SEP] Text: ) related to the volcano's explosion? Citation: AC2: 'Reply on CC2', Leonid Chernogor, 25 Sep 2023 Dear Prof. Jian Wang,Thank you very much for pointing out the necessary modifications to the manuscript. The time delay errors have been estimated to be 1–5 min, depending on the time rate of change of the geomagnetic field. An error in the estimates of the duration of the perturbations does not exceed 5 min. Part of our papers are in press to date. After midnight, the variations in the geomagnetic field are due to both Tonga volcano and the geomagnetic substorm. Sincerely,Leonid Chernogor. Citation: CC3: 'Reply on AC2', Jian Wang, 05 Oct 2023 Dear Prof. Leonid Chernogor,Thank you for addressing the previous comments, and no further comments exist. As a result, I hope the above content can be specifically reflected in the revised manuscript. Sincerely,Citation: RC1: 'Comment on angeo-2023-27', Adrian Hitchman, 18 Sep 2023 The comment was uploaded in the form of a supplement: Citation: AC3: 'Reply on RC1', Leonid Chernogor, 25 Sep 2023 Dear Dr. Adrian Hitchman,Thank you very much for wasting your precious time on checking my manuscript. I am really fortunate to have a world expert on geoscience to discuss my manuscript. Regarding what geomagnetic disturbance features are being identified in the observatory data, briefly, they are any changes in the magnetic field strengths arriving at different observatories with close apparent speeds, which correspond to the known speeds of waves of particular physical nature. This algorithm is described in Steps (i)–(vi) in detail below. In comparing the raw data plots in Figures 2 to 20 recorded on the day the volcano exploded and on the quiet days 13 and 17 January, it is apparent that the variations on the quiet days are smoother. On the day of the eruption, the character of the variations notably changed, which attests to the appearance of disturbances. The method for finding a possible geomagnetic field response to the Tonga volcanic explosion is described in the manuscript (Line 115–128). [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by discussing the geomagnetic disturbances associated with volcanic activity, specifically the Tonga volcanic explosion, and analyzing the variations in geomagnetic field strengths during this event. It implies the utility of specific environmental data (like geomagnetic changes) in understanding volcanic events, suggesting that tree rings can be part of a broader analysis of such disturbances. The mention of variations on eruption days versus quiet days indicates a method of data correlation that could potentially link tree ring data to volcanic activity studies.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Aloe vera has been used for centuries to treat skin ailments. [SEP] Text: The RSI gradually decreased from the northern, northwestern, northcentral, and southcentral regions to the western, southwestern, southern, southeastern, and northeastern regions of the country. The high RSI between the current study and Metema district [43] can be attributed to the geographical proximity of these two neighboring districts. The similarities observed with other regions in the northwestern, northern, northcentral, and northeastern parts of Ethiopia can be explained by factors such as geography, cultural practice, and vegetation coverage [82, 104]. The gradual decrease in RSI from the northern to southern areas is likely influenced by the distance and geographical barriers that impede the exchange of information on the use of ethnomedicinal plants [82, 105]. These findings suggest that the use of traditional medicinal plants is more homogeneous in geographically proximate and culturally similar regions, while diversity increases with distance and geographic barriers. This highlights the importance of considering regional and cultural factors when studying traditional plant-based healthcare practices. Direct matrix rankingThe DMR exercise helped to determine the most heavily used multipurpose plant species in the Quara district, as well as the factors posing a threat to these plants. Accordingly, the top three most used multipurpose plant species were Ziziphus spina-christi, Terminalia leiocarpa, and Ficus sycomorus. These plants are currently exploited primarily for their medicinal properties rather than their non-medicinal uses. This finding aligns with previous research [106] that highlighted the use of medicinal plants for medicinal purposes as the primary threat among the five threats evaluated in the DMR exercise. The specific plant parts utilized for medicinal purposes play a crucial role in determining whether a plant is at risk. For instance, the root, root bark, and stem bark of Ziziphus spina-christi are used for various ailments, increasing the susceptibility of this plant to threats. Similarly, the stem and stem bark of Terminalia leiocarpa are utilized for treating different ailments, leading to its vulnerability. The findings from the DMR exercise suggest that the overexploitation of these multipurpose plants, particularly for their medicinal uses, poses a significant threat to their sustainability in the Quara district. This highlights the need for conservation strategies that consider the balance between medicinal and non-medicinal uses of these important plant resources. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text does not address the claim regarding Aloe vera's historical use for treating skin ailments. Instead, it discusses various medicinal plants, their geographical usage, and the threats they face, without mentioning Aloe vera specifically or its application for skin diseases.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Beauveria bassiana is a fungal pathogen that can effectively control locust populations. [SEP] Text: , growing without inducing drastic changes in plant immunity or causing harm to the plant). In exchange for carbon, B. bassiana benefits its host plants in varied ways, including protecting them from insect pests. B. bassiana-mediated resistance toward insects in plants may encompass direct parasitism and production of toxins and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), deterring insect pests, or interacting with beneficial insects. B. bassiana is a generalist insect pathogen. Spores attach to the insect cuticle, germinating and penetrating the insect exoskeleton and invading and proliferating in the hemocoel. Lipid assimilation and hydrolysis are central for this fungus to breach the insect cuticle. As a parasite, B. bassiana switches from biotrophic to a necrotrophic growth (growing and sporulating on the cadaver). Production of toxins during infection may accelerate the death of the insect and signal the biotrophic-necrotrophic switch. Also, some toxic proteins/metabolites could antagonize microbial competitors during necrotrophic/saprophytic growth. Although significant progress has been made in our understanding of the fundamental and applied aspects of this fungus, this commentary addresses facets of B. bassiana pathogenesis and mutualism that remained understudied and yet are critical for this fungus to operate in the saprobe/parasite/mutualist continuum (Fig. 1). These include lack of basic information (genetic mechanisms) on the nature of the endophytic association and mechanisms driving the success of B. bassiana as a broad-host-range insect pathogen, such as the ability of B. bassiana to assimilate, detoxify, and hydrolyze a wide range of lipids, and the capacity to produce (putative) toxins. While lipid assimilation/detoxification/hydrolysis is known to contribute to the ability of B. bassiana to overcome the antimicrobial barrier of the insect cuticle (i. e. , waxy layer), the production of toxins may mediate (i) transitions during host infection and death (i. e. , biotrophic to necrotrophic growth), (ii) transitions during rhizosphere interactions and endophyte establishment and persistence, and (iii) antagonism toward microbial competitors. Understanding the mutualistic lifestyle of B. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by explaining the mechanisms through which Beauveria bassiana (B. bassiana) acts as a fungal pathogen. It describes how B. bassiana attaches to the insect's cuticle, germinates, penetrates the exoskeleton, and proliferates in the insect's hemocoel, indicating its effectiveness in controlling insect populations, including locusts. The mention of B. bassiana's ability to produce toxins during infection further supports its role as an effective biocontrol agent against insect pests.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Tree rings cannot be used to study past volcanic activity or environmental disturbances. [SEP] Text: The algorithm is as follows:(i) Since the variations in the geomagnetic field may be caused by many powerful sources releasing significant amounts of energy, any characteristic changes in the variations in the strength of the X, Y, and Z components that were observed to occur after the volcanic explosion and could be associated with the explosion are highlighted at the first stage of employing the algorithm. This condition is necessary but insufficient. (ii) At the second stage, the variations analogous to those that occurred on quiet time days and were due to, for example, diurnal variation, the solar terminator, etc. , are filtered out. (iii) Further, the possible time delays and apparent speeds are determined. The time delay should increase with distance from the volcano. (iv) If some apparent speeds at different stations are substantially close to each other, they are included in a particular statistic. The closeness of the apparent speeds in this particular statistic is considered a sufficient condition for this particular disturbance to be due to the volcanic explosion. (v) The physical significance of the apparent speeds is an additional sufficient condition: these speeds must correspond to the known speeds of waves of particular physical nature. (vi) The results obtained are compared, if possible, with the results obtained for the volcanoes that exploded before. It should also be mentioned that some of the results on the magnetic effect of Tonga volcano have already been described by other authors [Adushkin et al. , 2022; Iyemori et al. , 2022; Le et al. , 2022; Schnepf et al. , 2022; Soares et al. , 2022; Yamazaki et al. , 2022]. The author considers that it is obligatory to describe the field variations on reference days because they are in the heart of the algorithm of finding the geomagnetic disturbance features (see Algorithm step (ii) above). This approach is generally accepted in geophysics (see, e. g. , the textbook by Robert W. Schunk and Andrew F. Nagy, Ionospheres: Physics, Plasma Physics, and Chemistry, Second Edition, 2009, CUP). Megameters are commonly used for designating large distances in the same way as MHz, Mbyte, etc. (see, e. g. , the textbook Introduction to edited by M. G. Kivelson and C. T. Russell, Reprinted 1996, CUP). [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by discussing an algorithm for analyzing geomagnetic field variations after volcanic explosions. This suggests that other methods, including analysis of tree rings, can potentially be used to study past volcanic activity, implicating that tree rings could contribute to understanding such events, contrary to the claim that they cannot.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Aloe vera has been used for centuries to treat skin ailments. [SEP] Text: Novel ethnobotanical findingsOut of the 128 medicinal plant species identified in the current study, 80 of them had been previously reported to have the same uses. This suggests a strong cultural exchange of traditional plant-based healthcare practices among communities across Ethiopia [55]. From the remaining 48 species, there were nine new reports of medicinal plants in Ethiopia, highlighting the incredible biodiversity of the area studied. Notably, two of these medicinal plants–Dracaena forskaliana and Ipomoea biflora–were not reported elsewhere in the world, making them novel global discoveries as well. The identification of these two species as new medicinal plants is particularly remarkable, as it suggests that the traditional health practices of the local communities in the Quara district encompass the utilization of plant resources that have not been recognized for their medicinal properties elsewhere. These discoveries expand the existing knowledge of traditional medicinal applications of plants in the Quara district. In addition to the new medicinal plant species, the study also reported 39 new use cases for plants that were already known. For instance, the study revealed that the leaf of Rumex nepalensis is used to treat malaria, whereas previous studies had reported its use for 24 different ailments [29, 30, 39,40,41,42, 45,46,47, 49, 51, 58, 59]. Similarly, the study found that the root of Albizia gummifera is chewed for snakebite treatment, whereas earlier studies had reported its use for 23 different ailments [43, 46]. Furthermore, the present study identified Amaranthus caudatus as a medicinal plant used for treating anemia, in contrast to the nine previously reported uses, including constipation, wound healing, febrile illness, urinary problems, common cold, malnutrition, rheumatism, stomachache, and diarrhea [29, 45, 47, 50]. The researchers were able to uncover these previously unmentioned medicinal plants and discover new uses for known plants by performing ethnobotanical investigations from an ethnic-based perspective and exploring new areas. Similarly, another study [107] reported new medicinal plant species by taking an ethnic-based approach in an area previously not studied. The discovery of these previously unreported medicinal plants in the Quara district highlights the potential for further documentation and exploration of traditional ethnobotanical knowledge in Ethiopia. To validate the efficacy of these newly reported uses and plants, further phytochemical research is needed. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text is irrelevant to the claim as it discusses novel findings regarding various medicinal plants in Ethiopia and their uses, without mentioning Aloe vera or its historical use for treating skin ailments. The focus is on the identification of new medicinal plants and the recent discoveries in traditional ethnobotanical knowledge, which do not relate to the assertion about Aloe vera.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Beauveria bassiana is a fungal pathogen that can effectively control locust populations. [SEP] Text: After breaching the insect cuticle and reaching the hemocoel, the fungus undergoes a dimorphic transition to grow as yeast-like cells, termed hyphal bodies (Fig. 1). These cells can evade the host immune system to colonize insect organs and can secrete toxic proteins that elicit melanization and tissue necrosis (8, 9). Although some of these toxins may be strain specific, potentially contributing to the phenomenon of strain hypervirulence, the identification of genes encoding these toxins is challenging due to difficulties associated with the purification of native protein from crude extracts (e. g. , low yields and loss of activity) and often low homology to known toxins. To date, there is no clear picture of the role of these (putative) protein toxins in pathogenesis or plant association, as gene targets have yet to be identified and functional studies are lacking. Although several B. bassiana bacterial toxin-like (putative) toxins, including seven Cry protein-like toxins, 13 heat-labile enterotoxins, and three zeta toxins, have been identified in genomic analyses (7), little is known about whether these are functional toxins and, if so, how they participate across B. bassiana’s lifestyles. Although the genes are found in other fungal entomopathogens, B. bassiana appears particularly rich in these genes. Our current hypotheses are that Cry-like toxins and enterotoxins may alter insect gut epithelial permeability, facilitating noncanonical routes (as opposed to the cuticle penetration route) of infection via the gut after the ingestion of fungal spores. Alternatively, zeta toxins may not have direct effects in fungal infection and could act as bactericidal agents during fungal necrotrophic/saprophytic growth, similar to what has been reported for the B. bassiana secondary metabolite oosporein (10). Genetic dissection of B. bassiana toxins will shed light on fungal mechanisms of acquisition of hypervirulence, alternative routes of pathogenesis, and fungal adaptations to antagonize microbial competitors. : -on the molecular basis mediating B. bassiana plant colonization remains minimal. Within the context of host-pathogen interaction, the greater the number of spores that attach, germinate, and penetrate the cuticle, the faster the fungus colonizes the insect hemocoel and causes death. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by detailing the mechanisms of how Beauveria bassiana functions as a fungal pathogen. It describes how the fungus breaches the insect cuticle and colonizes the hemocoel, leading to insect death, which implies its potential effectiveness in controlling insect populations, including locusts. Furthermore, it emphasizes the pathogen's ability to evade the host immune system and produce toxic proteins, supporting the idea that B. bassiana can play a significant role in managing locust populations.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Tree rings cannot be used to study past volcanic activity or environmental disturbances. [SEP] Text: Process-Models of Tree-book PDF Download book 7, John D. Marshall8 & J. Renée Brooks9 Part of the book series: ((TREE,)) 8731 Accesses AbstractTree-ring stable isotopes can be used to parameterize process-based models by providing long-term data on tree physiological processes on annual or finer time steps. They can also be used to test process-based ecophysiological models for the assumptions, hypotheses, and simplifications embedded within them. However, numerous physiological and biophysical processes influence the stable carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotopes in tree rings, so the models must simplify how they represent some of these processes to be useful. Which simplifications are appropriate depends on the application to which the model is applied. Fortunately, water and carbon fluxes represented in process-based models often have strong isotopic effects that are recorded in tree-ring signals. In this 26. 1). A prerequisite for successful modeling remains the sound knowledge of the physiological processes and their responses to environmental drivers. Fig. 26. 1Simplified schemes of simulating tree-ring stable C (δ13C) a and O isotopes (δ18O) b, and using them as tests for modeling. Major components in process-based physiological models are included in gray boxes. The blue box indicates where stable isotopes can be used for model testing, either providing information for modeling calibration or validating the model. Post-photosynthetic fractionation (PPD) and storage are modeled less comprehensively than other physiological processes. Explicit PPD (I) may include fractionations in respiration, transportation, allocation, and organic matter synthesis. Mixing of stored and new carbohydrates further complicates the simulations of stable isotopes. Therefore, some models apply a simplified PPD scheme (II), such as a fixed offset between stable isotopes in new photosynthate and tree rings. Blue solid lines indicate comparison and testing, and blue dotted lines indicated post-photosynthetic processes. 26. 1). Small changes in parameters can result in similar flux values but may create large discrepancies between measured and modeled stable isotopes (Wei et al. 2014a), thus the stable isotopes provide a test for the calibration process. For example, Fig. 26. 2 illustrates how a stable isotope component could test alternative model formulations. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by highlighting that tree-ring stable isotopes can provide long-term data on tree physiological processes and can be utilized to test and parameterize ecological models, thereby inferring that tree rings can indeed be relevant in studying past environmental changes. The mention of how isotopic effects are recorded in tree-ring signals supports their application in environmental studies, contradicting the claim that tree rings cannot be used for such purposes.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Aloe vera has been used for centuries to treat skin ailments. [SEP] Text: This research has the potential to provide valuable insights into medical sciences [108] and strengthen the traditional medicinal practices that have been passed through generations [107]. Threats to medicinal plants and conservation effortsThe greatest threat to medicinal plants in the district is agricultural land expansion, consistent with previous research in Ethiopia [10, 106, 109]. Other reported threats include deforestation, habitat loss, drought, furniture production, informal export, settlement, land degradation, and encroachment on communal forests. The main drivers of this agricultural land expansion are population pressure and low land productivity. The unsustainable exploitation of specific medicinal plants, such as Ximenia americana, Carissa spinarum, Securidaca longepedunculata, and Boswellia papyrifera, threatens their status. To address this, it is crucial to implement awareness programs and conservation education involving stakeholders and local communities to prevent disruptions in the population dynamics of these threatened species. However, the study area currently has limited conservation and management practices for medicinal plants. The local community’s reported conservation efforts include cultivating plants in home gardens and preserving them in agricultural lands. Beyond their medicinal applications, the medicinal plant species documented in this study also serve a multitude of other vital purposes within the local communities. These plants are cultivated and utilized for their aesthetic value, as living fences, as sources of food, and shade, and as fuel for firewood. This diverse spectrum of uses underscores the deep cultural and ecological significance of these natural resources. Strengthening the existing conservation and management practices surrounding these medicinal plants is, therefore, essential for ensuring their long-term sustainability and continued availability to the local population. Safeguarding these invaluable natural resources is not only crucial for preserving traditional medicine knowledge and practices, but also plays a critical role in bolstering food security within the area. This study contributes to environmental protection by prioritizing the major threatening factors to the study area’s natural resources. Identifying these key threats can help halt further degradation of the environment and enable the development of appropriate conservation and management strategies. This, in turn, will aid in protecting against the loss of species and other natural resources in the study area and similar environments. ConclusionThis comprehensive study represents the first detailed exploration of indigenous ethnomedicinal knowledge in the Quara district of Northwestern Ethiopia. The documentation of 128 medicinal plants used to treat 76 common ailments across 14 disease categories highlights the rich diversity of plant resources employed for healthcare purposes. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text is irrelevant to the claim as it discusses the threats to medicinal plants and conservation efforts without specifically mentioning Aloe vera or its historical use for treating skin ailments. It provides information about various medicinal plants and their uses but does not confirm or deny the use of Aloe vera.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Beauveria bassiana is a fungal pathogen that can effectively control locust populations. [SEP] Text: CrossrefPubMedWeb of Science7. Xiao G, Ying S-H, Zheng P, Wang Z-L, Zhang S, Xie X--P, Wang C, Feng M-G. 2012. Genomic perspectives on the evolution of fungal entomopathogenicity in Beauveria bassiana. 2:483. CrossrefPubMed8. Ortiz-Urquiza A, Riveiro-Miranda L, Santiago-Álvarez C, Quesada-Moraga E. 2010. Insect-toxic secreted proteins and virulence of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. J 105:270–278. CrossrefPubMedWeb of Science9. Ortiz--Moraga E. 2013. Culture conditions affect virulence and production of insect toxic proteins in the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. Technol 23:1199–1212. CrossrefWeb of Science10. . 2017. Regulatory cascade and biological activity of Beauveria bassiana oosporein that limits bacterial growth after host death. 114:E1578–E1586. CrossrefPubMedWeb of Science11. del. 2015. Salicylic acid modulates colonization of the root microbiome by specific bacterial taxa. Science 349:860–864. CrossrefPubMedWeb of Science12. Martínez-van Wees SCM. 2017. Impact of salicylic acid- and jasmonic acid-regulated defences on root colonization by Trichoderma harzianum T-78. Behav 12:e1345404. CrossrefPubMed13. . 2012. Endophytic insect-parasitic fungi translocate nitrogen directly from insects to plants. Science 336:1576–1577. CrossrefPubMedWeb of Science14. Sánchez-Rodríguez AR, Raya-Díaz S, Zamarreño ÁM, García-Mina JM, del Campillo MC, Quesada-Moraga E. 2018. An endophytic Beauveria bassiana strain increases spike production in bread and durum wheat plants and effectively controls cotton leafworm (Spodoptera littoralis) larvae. 116:90–102. CrossrefWeb of Science15. . 2018. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by stating that an endophytic Beauveria bassiana strain increases spike production in wheat plants and effectively controls cotton leafworm (Spodoptera littoralis) larvae. Although the text does not explicitly mention locusts, the reference to controlling a specific insect pest supports the idea that Beauveria bassiana has entomopathogenic properties that can be effective against various insect populations.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Tree rings cannot be used to study past volcanic activity or environmental disturbances. [SEP] Text: The simulations were based on a ~80 year-old natural stand of grand fir (Abies grandis) in the Mediterranean climate of northern Idaho, where low summer precipitation limits gas exchange (Wei et al. 2014a). Three scenarios in the example represent alternative means to parameterize the model: (1) using default gas exchange parameters; (2) calibrating the model with all available sap flow observations from a nearby site with shallower soil; and (3) calibrating the model with part of the sap flow observations until the soil dried out. Scenario 1 did not reasonably simulate transpiration and the response of canopy conductance to vapor pressure deficit (VPD), but Scenarios 2 and 3 did (Fig. 26. 2a, b). Although the differences were small between Scenarios 2 and 3 in both the calibrated parameter values and simulated transpiration, simulated tree-ring δ13C were clearly separated (~2‰) between Scenarios 2 and 3, and only Scenario 3 matched the δ13C observations (Fig. 26. 2c). With δ13C as a constraint, small parameterization errors in gas exchange can be detected, increasing our confidence in the simulations under Scenario 3. Note that the isotopic data were used here not as parameterizations themselves, but as a test of other means of parameterization. As this example illustrates, stable isotopes can serve as a powerful means to test alternative parameterization strategies (Aranibar et al. 2006; Duarte et al. 2017; Ulrich et al. 2019; Walcroft et al. 1997; Wei et al. 2014a). Fig. 26. 2Example of using tree-ring δ13C to validate a process-based forest model (3-PG; Wei et al. (2014a) for more details). Three scenarios demonstrate possible means to calibrate a model, where three parameters differed among scenarios, including maximum canopy conductance (gcmax, m s−1) the slope of canopy conductance to vapor pressure deficit (VPD; kg, mbar−1) and quantum yield (αcx, mol C mol−1 photon). Scenario 1 used the default parameter set for simulations (gcmax = 0. 020, kg = 0. 05, αcx = 0. 055). [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by demonstrating how tree-ring isotopes, specifically δ13C, were effectively used to validate a process-based forest model, indicating that tree rings can serve as a valuable tool in environmental research. The discussion of using δ13C as a constraint to improve model simulations shows that tree rings can indeed provide insights into past environmental conditions, which is contrary to the claim that they cannot be used for such studies.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Aloe vera has been used for centuries to treat skin ailments. [SEP] Text: This finding underscores the importance of further exploring and preserving the indigenous knowledge of medicinal plant use. The study also highlights the ethnic distribution of medicinal plant knowledge, with the Amhara, Gumuz, and Agew ethnic groups contributing to the documentation of medicinal plant species. This underscores the importance of cultural diversity and the role of different communities in preserving and sharing traditional knowledge. The high ethnobotanical indices of certain plants suggest the need for further phytochemical and pharmacological investigations to uncover their medicinal properties and potential use in drug development. Furthermore, this ethnobotanical investigation in the Quara district has uncovered both new medicinal plant species as well as new use reports that were previously undocumented. This makes it a valuable contribution to the understanding of traditional plant-based healthcare practices in Ethiopia, indicating the potential for further exploration and discovery of novel remedies. The comparison with previous studies in neighboring areas shows a high degree of use similarity, highlighting the shared traditional knowledge and practices in the region. The findings of this study also have implications for conservation efforts. The identification of threats to medicinal plants, such as agricultural land expansion and fuelwood use, underscores the need for integrated conservation strategies. Protecting and sustainably managing these plant resources is crucial to ensure their availability for future generations and to address the challenges they face. Overall, this ethnobotanical study provides valuable insights into the traditional use of medicinal plants in the Quara district, Northwestern Ethiopia. The documentation of plant species, their therapeutic uses, and the associated traditional knowledge contributes to our understanding of the local healthcare system and provides a foundation for further research and conservation efforts. The study highlights the importance of preserving cultural diversity, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and integrating traditional medicine with modern healthcare practices for the benefit of local communities and the broader field of medicine. Availability of data and materials The necessary data collected for this study was analyzed and included in this manuscript, and its supplementary information files are attached as 1, and 2. AbbreviationsDMR: Direct matrix ranking QDOA: Quara district office of agriculture ICF: Informant consensus factor RSI: Rahman’s similarity index 82. Geneva: Organization; 2013. 50. 60. 9170. p. 51. 85. 2015. . Mahiberesilasie community conservation area general management plan 2017–2026, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia (unpublished document) 2016. . [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text provided does not address the specific claim about Aloe vera and its historical use for treating skin ailments. Instead, it discusses the importance of preserving indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants generally, the ethnic distribution of this knowledge, and the need for further investigations into various medicinal plants in Ethiopia. There is no mention of Aloe vera in the text, which makes it irrelevant to the claim.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Beauveria bassiana is a fungal pathogen that can effectively control locust populations. [SEP] Text: Endophytic establishment of the fungal entomopathogen, Beauveria bassiana (Bals. ) Vuil. , in cucumber plants access Published: 30 November 2020 Endophytic establishment of the fungal entomopathogen, Beauveria bassiana (Bals. ) Vuil. , in cucumber plants : orcid. org/0000-0002-4783-63451, Mohammad Ahmad1 & Ibtisam Gazal1 of Control 94. 44 and 73. 68% for stem and 68. 26 and 37. 79% for root, 30 and 90 days post soil drench, respectively, while in foliar spray, it reached 33. 51 and 16. 45%, after 30 and 90 days post-treatment, for the stem and 9. 45 and 0% for the root, respectively. No negative effects were observed in inoculated plants or on fungal pathogenicity. ConclusionResults showed for the first time the ability of the fungus, B. bassiana, isolate B195, to artificially colonize and survive in different parts of cucumber plants under laboratory conditions by different inoculation methods and to grow systemically in plant tissues. This study is considered a preliminary study to the utilization of the fungus, B. bassiana, as an endophyte in cucumber plants to reduce the density of insect pests. BackgroundEntomopathogenic fungi (EPFs) play an important role in the biological control of plant pests, and now many species are available as commercial products (Shahid et al. 2012). Recently, some of the EPFs have shown an ability to colonize tissues of a number of plants endophytically, which provide protection against various insect pests, and the term “endophytic entomopathogenic fungi” (EEPFs) was introduced (Ownley et al. 2010; Vidal and Jaber 2015). The fungus, Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales), is one of the most important EEPFs. Although it has been described as an entomopathogen by since 1835, it has not been recognized as an endophytic fungus until 1991 by Bing and Lewis, who demonstrated its ability to colonize corn plants (Zea mays L. ) endophytically (Bing and Lewis 1991, 1992; Wagner and Lewis 2000). In recent few years, more interests about the role of the fungus, B. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by discussing Beauveria bassiana as an important entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) that plays a significant role in the biological control of plant pests. It mentions the ability of B. bassiana to colonize and survive in different parts of cucumber plants, which supports its potential use in reducing insect pests. The overall emphasis on the fungus's role in controlling insect pests aligns with the claim that it can effectively manage populations of pests such as locusts.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Tree rings cannot be used to study past volcanic activity or environmental disturbances. [SEP] Text: Scenario 2 calibrated these parameters with all available sap flow observations at a nearby site with similar forest type but where the soil dried earlier than at the modeling site (gcmax = 0. 011, kg = 0. 08, αcx = 0. 0615). Scenario 3 calibrated the model using only part of the sap flow observations at this nearby site before the soils dried, which should be the most reasonable approach (gcmax = 0. 014, kg = 0. 08, αcx = 0. 0615). 2 and 3 had very similar simulations of transpiration a and similar VPD response curve (b “observed” shows the 99% percentile of all sap flux-based measurements), only Scenario 3 reasonably simulated tree-ring δ13C c. Because reliable δ13C simulations require accurate simulations of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance (Eq. (26. 2)), simulations of gas exchanges of Scenario 3 are hence more reliable. We can then accept the simulated GPP of Scenario 3 as a better simulation than the other two scenarios d. This figure is redrawn from Wei et al. (2014a), with permissionFull size image3 Components for Modeling Tree-Ring δ13C and δ18OOur knowledge about causes of variation in tree-ring δ13C and δ18O has continuously improved (Chaps. 9, 10, 16 and 17). The key processes which have been commonly included in process-based modeling of tree-ring δ13C and δ18O can be broken into various components such as fractionation during carbon fixation within leaves, during carbon allocation, or during cellulose formation within the stem (Fig. 26. 1). Models tend to focus on one or two of these boxes depending on the model objectives, but the level of process detail varies greatly between models. As mentioned earlier, more complex modeling requires more detailed data for parameterizing and testing the models. Model predictions are generally validated with data either after simulating leaf-level fractionation or after cellulose formation within the stem. At the leaf level, simulated δ13C can be tested with phloem δ13C, and simulated water δ18O in tissues can be assessed with leaf or stem water observations (Fig. 26. 1). However, these observations are normally short-term and non-continuous. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by discussing the modeling of tree-ring δ13C and δ18O, which are integral in understanding environmental conditions such as photosynthesis and gas exchanges. The mention of ‘process-based modeling of tree-ring δ13C and δ18O’ indicates that tree rings indeed hold significant information about past environmental factors, contradicting the assertion that they cannot be used to study volcanic activity or disturbances.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Aloe vera has been used for centuries to treat skin ailments. [SEP] Text: For thousands of years, mankind has used plants as a source of medicine either in their crude mixture forms or purified single chemical entities. While the use of crude plant extracts in prescription drugs today is extremely rare, we still have a significant number of our drug therapies tracing their origin back to natural products. In principle, drug therapeutic approach for complex metabolic disorders like diabetes and associated diseases, where a single key universally accepted biological target is not available, could be designed through a multifunctional (one drug → multitarget → multidisease/complex disease) or polypharmacology (multidrug → multitarget → multidisease/complex disease) principles [1]. On this basis, I read the diabetes UK website under the heading of "Herbal and Natural Therapies" [2] with great interest. The site lists herbs and spices that have been clinically shown to improve blood glucose control in type-2 diabetes patients and diabetes high risk group. Top in the list is the miraculous Aloe vera which has been further illustrated, as with other herbal medicines (Bilberry extract, Bitter melon, Cinnamon, Fenugreek, Ginger and Okra), in its own webpage [3]. To quote one statement from the website: "Preliminary research suggests that intake of Aloe vera juice can help improve blood glucose levels and may therefore be useful in treating people with diabetes". The beneficial effect of Aloe vera as a lipid lowering and wound healing agent along with other health benefits are also outlined. The site even gives guidance on where to buy Aloe vera and the health and beauty/food retailers among which 'Shop' and 'Holland & Barrett' were specifically mentioned. Even though advice is given to patients in the main website to consult their doctor before using herbal medicines, the presentation of these potential antidiabetic medicines to the general public is nothing less than an endorsement by the highest authority in the UK for disseminating information on diabetes. One should therefore ask a simple question: Is there a consensus among the scientific community on using Aloe vera by its own to treat diabetes? The answer is very simple and short - NO! Any diabetic patient who wishes to try out Aloe vera must be told that there is as such no overwhelming clinical evidence to justify its use as a replacement to metformin or other prescription antidiabetic drugs. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text does not directly address the claim regarding Aloe vera's historical use for skin ailments. Instead, it discusses the role of Aloe vera in managing diabetes and expresses skepticism about its efficacy as a primary treatment. While it mentions Aloe vera's benefits, it does not corroborate or refute the specific claim about its historical use for skin ailments.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Beauveria bassiana is a fungal pathogen that can effectively control locust populations. [SEP] Text: bassiana, has been used for many years as a biological control agent by traditional methods to reduce insect damage, but in the direct use, its propagules are exposed to the harmful UV radiation, fluctuating humidity, and temperature, reducing its effectiveness (Kim et al. 2013; Omukoko and Turoop 2017). Therefore, endophytic establishment in the plant provides an acceptable approach for avoiding this problem in field application and opens up new horizons for biological pest control. The aims of the present study were (1) to evaluate the ability of a local isolate of the fungus, B. bassiana, to colonize cucumber plants, using different inoculation methods under laboratory conditions; (2) to detect the persistence of the fungus inside the plant; and (3) to demonstrate the potential of its systemic growth from the point of inoculation to other plant parts. Five inoculation methods were used, and the colonization was evaluated every 30 days for 3 months. Main textMaterials and methodsFungal isolateThe isolated fungus (B195), B. bassiana, was used. It was isolated in 2018 from olive orchard soil at Al-Shabatliyah, Latakia, Syria (35°41'10. 6"N 35°49'36. 6"E), using the Galleria bait method, which was described by Zimmermann (1986) and Meyling (2007). The isolate was identified morphologically as B. bassiana based on each of Humber and Steinkraus (1998), Rehner et al. (2011), and Lacey (2012). It was cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA; LTD. ) to which the antibiotic amoxicillin was added, and stored at 4 °C until use. The spore suspension was prepared based on Lacey (2012) as the following: 14-day-old colonies grown on PDA were flooded by 10 ml sterile distilled water containing 0. 05% Tween 80. The colonies’ surface was scraped off by a sterile syringe to ensure maximum conidial harvesting, then filtered through sterile muslin to remove any mycelial fragments, and shaken on a mechanical shaker for 15 min. Suspension concentration was calculated using a Malassez counting chamber, then adjusted to 4. 9 × 107 spores/ml. Viability of the conidia was assessed by germination assessment. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by discussing the use of B. bassiana as a biological control agent to reduce insect damage. It highlights the aims of the study, which include evaluating the ability of B. bassiana to colonize plants, thereby demonstrating its potential in biological pest control, which supports the assertion that it can effectively control locust populations.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Tree rings cannot be used to study past volcanic activity or environmental disturbances. [SEP] Text: (2019) analysis been done before the measurements were conducted, perhaps measurements of xylem water δ18O would have been prioritized. This idea of close collaboration between modelers and experimentalists, from research planning to publication, is common in other disciplines and has begun to take hold in ecology (Medlyn et al. 2015, 2016). Perhaps the tree-ring isotope community has room to grow in this direction. 4 Models that Simulate Tree-IsotopesSeveral process-based models have been used to predict stable isotopic composition at varying levels of complexity. At a small spatial scale, simple leaf- or stand-level models can simulate forest physiology and growth with simple stand structures; at the other end, more complex models can simulate forests with different species, tree sizes, and canopy structures at watershed, regional, and global scales. Here we describe several representative models that have advanced our abilities in modeling tree-ring δ13C and δ18O. All these models have been used to simulate tree-ring stable isotopes for more than one year and have been tested with observed isotopic data. Most models here could simulate time series of tree-ring stable isotopes, but we also include models that simulate δ13C in new photosynthate and/or δ18O in foliage water as they have the potential to also predict tree-ring isotope time series after simple upgrades or modifications. 4. 1 Models for Predicting δ13C of Foliage and Tree-and Waring 1997 Panek and Waring (1997) simulated foliage and tree-ring δ13C in a semi-mechanistic way. A process-based model (-BGC, Running and Coughlan 1988) was used to capture climate constraints on gs. δ13C was modeled empirically based on multiple linear regressions between δ13C and climatic constraints on stomata. The study tested how much variance in tree-ring δ13C can be explained by climate controls on gs, neglecting all other sources of variation discussed above. The model explained 34% (r = 0. 58) of the annual variation in tree-ring δ13C across 22 years for Douglas-fir in Oregon, USA. Walcroft 1997 Walcroft et al. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by discussing various models that simulate tree-ring stable isotopes, indicating that such isotopes can be predictive and informative regarding climatic factors affecting trees. This implies that tree rings can indeed provide valuable information that might be related to environmental disturbances, opposing the assertion that they cannot be used for this purpose.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Aloe vera has been used for centuries to treat skin ailments. [SEP] Text: A number of clinical trials from the 1980's have also been conducted and in almost all cases, some kind of beneficial effects that have been observed in animal studies, but most importantly a reduction in blood glucose level, have been documented [5,19-30] Unfortunately, most of the clinical studies on Aloe vera so far have been brutally criticized for their limitations due to heterogeneity of the drug preparations, doses, patient's status (e. g. , uncontrolled dietary and physical state, etc. ), study methodology (blinding, duration of study, etc. ) and the results itself which have been often contradictory (e. g. cholesterol lowering effect). Hence, what has not been shown for Aloe vera is very crucial - Is the observed benefit merit its use as an alternative drug therapy to the known clinically useful drugs? This unfortunately has not been answered and the use of Aloe vera by its own as antidiabetic therapy cannot be advocated from the clinical evidences available so far. For example, a small reduction of blood glucose in short term studies, no matter how statistically significant, does not warrant a plant extract to be used as antidiabetic therapy. On the other hand, such effect could have additive effect when used together with prescription drugs and endanger a diabetic patient due to acute hypoglycemia. A large scale, well-controlled, long-term and multicentre clinical trials on universally accepted standardised Aloe vera preparation is thus needed to answer this question. Recent meta-analysis studies [31-33] also came with the conclusion that only a well-designed comprehensive clinical study would be able to unequivocally confirm the antidiabetic clinical potential of Aloe vera. In the meantime, organizations like Diabetes UK with responsibility in disseminating accurate information to the general public should be a little more cautious when listing available antidiabetic drug therapies and their sources. While visiting some local sources of Aloe vera products recommended by Diabetes UK, I could not see anything of relevance to diabetes at 'Shop' (only skin care products of Aloe vera were on display) while the 'Holland & Barrett' appeared to have a good range of products (Figure 1). None of them are of course sold as medicine or specific therapy for diabetes but are formulated/stabilised products in capsule, tablet or juice forms with most of them seem to be targeting the gastrointestinal system. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text is irrelevant to the claim as it discusses the use of Aloe vera for its potential antidiabetic effects rather than its historical use for treating skin ailments. Although it mentions skin care products containing Aloe vera, it does not provide information supporting the claim about its long-standing use for skin conditions.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Beauveria bassiana is a fungal pathogen that can effectively control locust populations. [SEP] Text: When fungal growth was observed, it was removed to a new Petri plate containing PDA medium, incubated, and studied morphologically using a light microscope. The colonization of different parts by B. bassiana was calculated as the following: % colonization = [number of plant pieces showing fungal growth/the total number of plant pieces] × 100 (Petrini and Fisher 1986), and the ability of the studied fungus to grow systemically to non-inoculated parts of the plant was detected. All plants were monitored throughout the experimental period. Physiological damages or disease symptoms of inoculated plants relative to the control plants were recorded. Endophytic effects on fungal pathogenicityFor this purpose, the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), larvae in the last instar were used. It was reared in the laboratory as described by Bhatnagar and Bareth (2004). Before endophytic establishment experiments, G. mellonella larvae were placed in contact with full-grown colonies of B. bassiana for a few minutes and then moved to sterile Petri plates (12 cm diameter) containing moist filter paper, kept in darkness at 25 ± 2 °C for a week. Mortality (%) was recorded daily. Five replicates and 5 larvae/replicate were prepared. The control treatment was carried out without the fungus. The same steps were repeated after endophytic establishment experiments, using fungal colonies that were isolated from plant tissues to compare the fungal pathogenicity before and after fungal establishment in the plant. Statistical analysisData were statistically analyzed by CoStat program, using a completely randomized design. For each sampling date, the variation test one-way ANOVA was used, the means were compared, using the LSD test at p ≤ 0. 05. To determine the best method of inoculation, one-way randomized blocks with repeated measures were used. Results and discussionPresence and persistence of the endophyte in cucumber plantAll fungal inoculation methods resulted in an endophytic establishment of the fungus, B. bassiana, in cucumber plants under the laboratory conditions (Table 1), and the fungus survived inside the plant up to 90 days of the inoculation (Fig. 1), whereas no presence of the fungus was observed in the control plants, indicating the absence of natural endophytes and contamination. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by detailing the establishment of Beauveria bassiana as an endophyte in cucumber plants, implying its ability to persist and potentially affect plant health. While it does not explicitly mention locusts, the context suggests the fungus's capacity to act as a pathogen in controlled environments, supporting the claim of its effectiveness in biological control.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Tree rings cannot be used to study past volcanic activity or environmental disturbances. [SEP] Text: (1997) combined process-based modeling with tree-ring δ13C to expand our knowledge in the connections between long-term climate and tree-ring stable isotopes. This study also indicated the possibility of using tree-ring δ13C to validate models. Driven by daily meteorology data, a leaf-level model simulated stomatal conductance, leaf photosynthesis, and stand water balance for Pinus radiata over two growing seasons at two sites in New Zealand. The authors used the gas-exchange data to simulate seasonal variations in leaf-level ci. They compared this to seasonal canopy-level ci estimated from δ13C of intra-annual tree-ring slices using the simplified equation from Farquhar et al. (1982) (Chap. 9). The two sets of ci had similar seasonal variations except that simulated ci varied over a larger amplitude. This indicated the importance of post-photosynthetic processes, including mixing of stored carbohydrates s, in damping the signals of gas exchange in tree-rings. SICA Trees may adjust their stomatal regulation of ci in response to rising atmospheric CO2 (Voelker et al. 2016), which would change water-use efficiency and tree-ring δ13C. In one of the early attempts to describe these phenomena, Berninger et al. (2000) modeled annual variations of tree-ring carbon isotope values for a long period (1877–1995) using a modified version of the SImple CAnopy model (SICA) model (Berninger 1997). Two kinds of stomatal responses to elevated CO2 were used: a sensitive scheme that reduced gs with increasing CO2 and an insensitive scheme that did not. It turned out that the insensitive scheme better predicted tree-ring carbon isotope values with a correlation coefficient (r) between simulations and observations as high as 0. 74. In contrast, r reached only 0. 58 with the sensitive scheme. This indicated that gs had not decreased with increasing CO2 and Δ13C increased since the 1950s. The SICA model did not consider ontogenetic effects or post-photosynthetic fractionations; therefore, there was a 4. 6‰ offset between simulated photosynthetic Δ13C and observed Δ13C in tree-ring cellulose. model (Fritts et al. 1999; Hemming et al. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by discussing how studies have utilized tree-ring δ13C to gain insights into long-term climate influences and validate models relating to water balance and gas exchange. The research indicates that tree rings, through their stable isotopes, can yield important data regarding past environmental conditions, including the influence of increased CO2 on tree-ring characteristics, suggesting their relevance in studying environmental disturbances.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Aloe vera has been used for centuries to treat skin ailments. [SEP] Text: They contain aloe leaf inner gel or whole leaf extract or both while some contain a blend of several other plant extracts. The biggest source of controversy in using such products for chronic disease like diabetes will arise from the diversity of preparations and composition of active ingredients in these products - hence giving rise to variability in their health benefit outcomes. Even if the observed, sometimes marginal, antidiabetic effect of Aloe vera warrants its clinical use, one would wonder again which one of these products the general public should choose to treat diabetes. Overall, there are few unresolved issues that weigh against recommending the use of Aloe vera for treating diabetes by its own. Products which are blended or optimised for other health benefits should not be even considered suitable for diabetes therapy until an overwhelming body of scientific evidences are provided in their favour. In the absence of unequivocal clinical evidence available for such formulations, the justification of using these preparations for diabetes far beyond food supplements is based only on judgement on balance of probabilities. Figure 1: Aloe vera products available to the general public at the Holland & Barrett outlet. 1 Conflict of author declares no conflict of interest. financial assistance either from internal of external sources were obtained for this contribution. 0182. (1996) Antidiabetic activity of Aloe vera L. juice. I. Clinical trial in new cases of diabetes mellitus. Phytomedicine 3: 241-243. (2004) Hypoglycemic effect of Aloe vera gel on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in experimental rats. J 7: 61-66. ütlüpinar N (2001) Effect of Aloe vera leaves on blood glucose level in type I and type II diabetic rat models. 15: 157-161. (2008) Effects of Aloe vera (elsabar) ethanolic extract on blood glucose level in Wistar albino rats. J Res 4: 1841-1845. (2009) Study on the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of processed Aloe vera gel in a mouse model of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Phytomedicine 16: 856-863. (2014) Blood glucose lowering activity of aloe based composition, UP780, in alloxan induced insulin dependent mouse diabetes model. Syndr 6: 61. -Inceli M, Can A, et al. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text is irrelevant to the claim as it primarily discusses the potential antidiabetic effects of Aloe vera rather than its historical use for skin ailments. It mentions various preparations and controversies around the use of Aloe vera for diabetes treatment, without addressing its application for skin issues.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Beauveria bassiana is a fungal pathogen that can effectively control locust populations. [SEP] Text: 65, 37. 98 ± 32. 02, and 63. 58 ± 14. 21% (± SD), respectively, for each of T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5, after 30 days of inoculation (F = 17. 46, p < 0. 0001, LSD 5% = 12. 549). However, it decreased to 50. 75 ± 25. 7, 30. 63 ± 9. 05, 54. 99 ± 19. 64, 54. 36 ± 26. 63, and 21. 36 ± 13. 17% (± SD), respectively, at the end of the experiment (F = 5. 92, p = 0. 0006, LSD 5% = 18. 0688) (Fig. 1). Also, root colonization reached its maximum value after 30 days of inoculation, and it was 68. 26 ± 28. 19 and 56. 54 ± 22. 16% (± SD), for soil drench and seed immersion, respectively (F = 13. 10, p < 0. 0001, LSD 5% = 17. 895), while it was in the lowest level at 90 days of treatment (F = 9. 89, p < 0. 0001, LSD 5% = 13. 304), and in foliar spray in general, whereas it was 9. 45 ± 19. 96, 3. 33 ± 10. 53, and 0% (± SD) in this method, after 30, 60, and 90 days of treatment, respectively. No physical symptoms of damage were observed in colonized plants. Endophytic effects on fungal pathogenicityResults showed no negative effects of the establishment of the fungus, B. bassiana, in cucumber plants under laboratory conditions on its pathogenicity. On the 4th day of the experiment, mortality reached 100% against the last instar of G. mellonella larvae before and after introducing the fungus to the plant, while it was 0% in the control. As a result of this study, the presence of the fungus, B. bassiana, inside cucumber plants was confirmed by re-isolating it from stems, leaves, petioles, and roots under laboratory conditions, and the persistence of the fungus in the inner tissues was proved by its presence in all sampling dates. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by demonstrating the efficacy of the fungal pathogen B. bassiana in controlling pest populations. It details a study that highlighted a 100% mortality rate in G. mellonella larvae, indicating the fungus's high pathogenicity. Although the text does not specifically mention locust populations, it supports the idea that B. bassiana is an effective pathogen against insect larvae, which can be extrapolated to suggest potential control over locust populations as well.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Tree rings cannot be used to study past volcanic activity or environmental disturbances. [SEP] Text: 2001) was among the first to incorporate post-photosynthetic discriminations in simulations of tree-ring δ13C. It included the impact of daily cambium activity and carbon storage on the simulations of tree-ring δ13C. The dynamics of two carbohydrate pools were simulated: sucrose as new photosynthate and starch as storage. Sucrose is first spent each day on respiration and growth. If there were remaining sucrose, a fixed percentage of remaining new photosynthate was allocated to starch storage in each day. The results indicated that the stored carbon had a greater impact on tree-ring δ13C than new photosynthate in 16 years of Pinus arizonica in Arizona USA (Hemming et al. 2001). (Eglin et al. 2010) is one of the most comprehensive models to simulate tree-ring δ13C. It captures how short-term δ13C signals at the leaf-level are integrated into tree rings. It incorporates two procedures that are currently rare in simulating plant stable isotopes and results in better estimates of post-photosynthetic fractionation with explicit carbon dynamics. First, the model simulates post-photosynthetic translocation and allocation of carbohydrates based on the physiological processes in the phloem. These processes included the phloem loading in canopy and unloading in stem and roots, and mass flow in sieve tubes which include volume and conductance of phloem elements. This model also simulates the dynamics of storage, respiration, and structural biomass formation, which make its post-photosynthetic carbon dynamics more explicit than many other similar models. Second, tree rings are not formed instantaneously in the model. Tree-ring formation is separated into three main stages in nature: cambial cell division, cell expansion, and cell-wall thickening (Eglin et al. 2010; Samuels et al. 2006). The model simulates tree-ring growth by dividing tree rings into growth layers formed continuously in the cambial division stage. After formation, carbohydrate allocation to the growth layer decreases exponentially over time. The later phases of growth represented lignification and cell wall thickening. 4. 2 Models for Predicting δ18O of Roden–Lin–Ehleringer 2000 The Roden–Lin–Ehleringer model (Roden et al. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by discussing the role of tree rings in capturing and integrating signals related to past environmental conditions. It elaborates on the importance of post-photosynthetic carbon dynamics and how stable isotopes such as δ13C are simulated in tree rings, indicating that tree rings can indeed reflect environmental conditions, including those related to disturbances. This suggests that tree rings are valuable in studying past events, thus directly opposing the claim.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Aloe vera has been used for centuries to treat skin ailments. [SEP] Text: (2004) Effect of Aloe vera (L. ) Burm fil. leaf gel. and pulp extracts on kidney in type II diabetic rat model. 42: 48-52. (2004) Effect of Aloe vera leaf gel and pulp extracts on the liver in type-II diabetic rat models. Bull 27: 694-698. (2003) Efficacy of dietary Aloe vera supplementation on hepatic cholesterol and oxidative status in aged rats. J Vitamonol 49: 292-296. (2005) Antioxidant effect of Aloe vera gel extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. 57: 90-96. (2006) Beneficial effects of Aloe vera gel extract on lipid profile status in rats with streptozotocin diabetes. 33: 232-237. Rajasekaran S, (2007) Therapeutic evaluation of Aloe vera leaf gel extract on glycoprotein components in rats with streptozotocin diabetes. J 2: 380-385. (2011) reduces adipogenesis via the activation of AMPK and suppresses obesity-related inflammation in obese mice. 11: 107-113. (2012) QDM complex reduces obesity-induced insulin resistance and adipogenesis in obese mice fed a high-fat diet. 12: 96-103. Agarwal OP (1985) Prevention of atheromatous heart disease. Angiology 36: 485-492. Ghannam N, Kingston M, Al- (1986) The antidiabetic activity of aloes: preliminary clinical and experimental observations. 24: 288-294. (1996) Antidiabetic activity of Aloe vera L. juice. II. Clinical trial in diabetes mellitus patients in combination with glibenclamide. Phytomedicine 3: 245-248. (1997) The hypoglycemic effects of aloe vera in Thai diabetic patients. J 50: S3. (2009) Effect of Aloe vera supplements in patients with Pre-Diabetes. 23. (2009) Possible hypoglycemic effect of Aloe vera L. high molecular weight fractions on type 2 diabetic patients. J 16: 209-215. (2012) Aloe vera leaf gel in treatment of advanced type 2 diabetes mellitus needing insulin therapy: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. J 11: 19-27. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text does not provide any information regarding the use of Aloe vera for treating skin ailments. Instead, it focuses on the effects of Aloe vera on diabetes and various metabolic conditions in rat and human models. Thus, it is irrelevant to the claim regarding skin treatment.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Beauveria bassiana is a fungal pathogen that can effectively control locust populations. [SEP] Text: Comparing the different inoculation methods showed that when the fungus was introduced in the first stage of plant growth, it was able to colonize the tissues more efficiently than when it was applied in the seedling stage. This may be helpful for the control of pests that attack cucumber plants early in the season, especially whiteflies. The absence of any negative effects on the fungal pathogenicity after introducing the fungus in the plant encourages us to study its role as an endophyte against insect pests. Despite the reduction in colonization rates with time, B. bassiana remained present until the last sampling date, either at high rates in soil drench and seed treatment or at low rates in seedling drench and foliar spray. The fungal persistence in plant tissues is considered an important indicator that is taken into consideration in pest control for season-long suppression. Rondot and Reineke (2014) revealed the presence of B. bassiana in grapevine plants up to 28 days after inoculation, while Akello et al. (2007) confirmed that it could be re-isolated from banana up to 120 days after inoculation. In addition, Posada et al. (2007) isolated B. bassiana from coffee tissues, 120 days post-inoculation by low rates. Brownbridge et al. (2012) re-isolated B. bassiana from pine seedlings, 120 days post root dip and seed coating treatments, and after 270 days from treatments, but that was from only one of 30 seedlings. Such studies help us decide whether we need to introduce the fungus more than once. Colonization rates of the fungus, B. bassiana, resulted in this study were higher than those obtained by Shaalan and Ibrahim (2018) in cucumber plants, where recovery of the fungus, B. bassiana, reached 58. 3% for each of the stems and leaves, and 50% for the roots, when it was applied as seed immersion. On the other hand, the present study demonstrated that the isolate B195, B. bassiana, could grow systemically from the point of inoculation to other parts of the cucumber plant, considering that after the seeds were treated with the fungus, it was isolated from leaves, stems, roots, and petioles. In addition, when foliar spray was applied, the fungus was isolated from the roots. In this regard, Card et al. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by discussing the persistence and effectiveness of B. bassiana in colonizing plant tissues, which is a key factor in pest control. While it primarily emphasizes cucumber plants and other crops like grapevine, banana, and coffee, the implications about B. bassiana's ability to colonize and control plant pests support the assertion that it can be an effective pathogen for managing pest populations such as locusts.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Tree rings cannot be used to study past volcanic activity or environmental disturbances. [SEP] Text: 2000) simulates δ18O and hydrogen isotope ratios (δ2H) in tree-ring cellulose. Two major components of the model predict the evaporative enrichment and vapor exchange in leaf water using the Craig-Gordon model, and isotopic exchange during cellulose synthesis. Stable isotope ratios simulated by the Roden–Lin–Ehleringer model were compared to observed values from either hydroponically grown trees in the lab (Roden and Ehleringer 1999a) or trees grown along stream banks at field sites (Roden and Ehleringer 1999b). The lab trees were grown in altered water vapor δ18O and hydroponic solution δ18O. Simulated δ18O had a good 1:1 relationship with observed δ18O from tree-ring cellulose across experiments. This model is so simple that it might be included as an algorithm inside many existing models of more complexity. Péclet introduction of the Péclet effect into modeling leaf and tree-ring δ18O directly included transpiration effects into leaf water enrichment models (Farquhar and Lloyd 1993). However, the Péclet effect also introduced an effective path length variable (L), which describes the distance water moves inside the leaf lamina and is not directly measurable. Using the same data used to develop the Roden-Lin-Ehleringer model above, Barbour et al. (2004) simulated δ18O in leaf water and tree-rings respectively with and without a Péclet effect; simulations with the Péclet effect had better predictive power than without it. Modeled differences in leaf water across 17 Eucalyptus species was largely explained by varied L across species; however, L was highly unconstrained (Kahmen et al. 2008). Process modeling that predicts transpiration can facilitate estimating L values (e. g. Loucos et al. 2015; Song et al. 2013; Ulrich et al. 2019). However, Kahmen et al. (2011) found that most variance in leaf and tree-ring δ18O was related to vapor pressure deficit, regardless of the model complexity used to predict it. The debate about including the Péclet effect in tree-ring δ18O models continues, and largely depends on modeling objectives. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by discussing modeling and simulations of isotope ratios in tree-ring cellulose, which is related to understanding environmental conditions, such as vapor pressure deficit. It implies that tree rings and their isotopic compositions can provide insights into environmental factors, thereby suggesting their applicability in studying past environmental disturbances, including volcanic activity.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Aloe vera has been used for centuries to treat skin ailments. [SEP] Text: (2012) Anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hypercholesterolemic effects of Aloe vera leaf gel in hyperlipidemic type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. 78: 311-316. (2013) Effects of Aloe vera supplementation in subjects with prediabetes/metabolic syndrome. 11: 35-40. (2013) Metabolic effects of aloe vera gel complex in obese prediabetes and early non-treated diabetic patients: Randomized controlled trial. Nutrition 29: 1110-1114. (2014) Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect of Aloe vera L. in non-insulin dependent diabetics. J Technol 51: 90-96. (2016) Adjunctive local delivery of Aloe vera gel in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic periodontitis: A randomized, controlled clinical trial. J Periodontol 87: 268-274. (2016) Reduction of Glucose and Hemoglobin A1c using oral Aloe vera: A meta-analysis. J Med 22: 450-457. (2016) Meta-analysis of Aloe vera for the prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced phlebitis. Med 9: 9642-9650. (2016) Efficacy of Aloe vera supplementation on prediabetes and early non-treated diabetic patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutrients 8: 388. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text does not address the claim about Aloe vera's historical use for skin ailments. Instead, it lists various studies regarding the efficacy of Aloe vera in treating conditions like hyperglycemia and diabetes, which is unrelated to its traditional application in dermatological uses.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Beauveria bassiana is a fungal pathogen that can effectively control locust populations. [SEP] Text: (2016) explained the growth and development of endophytic microorganisms in numerous plant hosts as either localized or systemic and noted that many species of endophytes were only located within the point of inoculation, whereas other studies have demonstrated the systemic growth of B. bassiana in cabbage plants (Pus 2017), wheat (Jaber 2018), and corn (Kuzhuppillymyal et al. 2020). et al. (2015) suggested that systemic colonization is not necessary for pest control by endophytes due to the secondary metabolites produced by the fungus that enable the antagonism mode (Begum and Tamilselvi 2016), others thought that the systemic growth allows the fungus to use more than one mode of action (Ownley et al. 2010; Vidal and Jaber 2015). The present study indicated the ability of B. bassiana to colonize the upper parts of cucumber plants and that encourages studying its possible effects against foliar pests. ConclusionThe isolate B195, of the fungus, B. bassiana, successfully colonized different parts of cucumber plants under laboratory conditions. Colonization (%) varied significantly according to the inoculation method used, whereas soil drench and seed immersion gave the highest recovery of the fungus. Results showed that the fungus could grow systemically inside different plant parts and could persist in the cucumber plants for 90 days. No negative effects were observed on the plants or the pathogenicity of the fungus. This study is considered a preliminary research to the utilization of B. bassiana, as an endophyte in cucumber plants to reduce the density of insect pest populations. Availability of data and materials All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in the text. AbbreviationsEPFs: Entomopathogenic fungi EEPFs: Endophytic entomopathogenic fungi PDA: Potato dextrose agar T1: Seed dusting T2: Seed immersion T3: Soil drench T4: Seedling drench T5: Foliar spray CMC: Carboxy methyl cellulose LSD: Least significant difference ANOVA: Analysis of variance SD: Standard deviation 42. Accessed 15 Oct 2018Gómez-Vidal S, Lopez-Llorca L, Jansson H-B, (2006) Endophytic colonization of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L. ) leaves by entomopathogenic fungi. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by demonstrating that B. bassiana has the ability to colonize cucumber plants and suggests studying its effects against foliar pests. Although the text specifically mentions cucumber plants, it aligns with the idea of utilizing B. bassiana as a control agent against insect pest populations, thus supporting the assertion that this fungal pathogen can be effective for pest management.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Tree rings cannot be used to study past volcanic activity or environmental disturbances. [SEP] Text: The difference between δ13C in new photosynthate and the tree-ring was assumed as a constant offset to bypass the simulations of post-photosynthetic fractionation and keep the model simple (Wei et al. 2014a). The model has also been modified to estimate tree-ring δ18O (Ulrich et al. 2019). Here the modification included δ18O enrichment at the site of evaporation, the Péclet effect, and exchange and fractionation during cellulose formation. The fidelity of modeled GPP and canopy conductance can then be tested by comparing simulated tree-ring δ13C and δ18O with observations; this approach greatly constrained the parameter space and avoided artifacts in simulations of gas exchange, which improved the reliability of this model (Ulrich et al. 2019; Wei et al. 2014a). The modified 3-PG model has also been used to estimate variations of tree-ring δ13C across an elevational gradient in a watershed (Wei et al. 2018) and to estimate responses to forest management practices on tree-ring δ13C (Wei et al. 2014b) (also see Chap. 23). (Danis et al. 2012) was designed specifically for modeling tree-ring width and stable isotopes. This upgraded version of the model (Misson 2004) captures ecophysiological processes to simulate carbon allocation to the stem as well as δ13C and δ18O of tree-ring cellulose. Storage of carbon was explicitly modeled with carbon reservoirs in leaf, bole, and root (Boucher et al. 2013; Misson 2004); this enabled carbon storage impacts to be included on stem growth, δ13C, and δ18O simulations. was able to simulate tree-ring cellulose δ13C and δ18O with r above 0. 5 between simulations and observations for both δ13C and δ18O in an oak species in France (Danis et al. 2012), and 0. 52 and 0. 62 for δ18O in Picea mariana in northeastern Canada and Nothofagus pumilio in western Argentina (Lavergne et al. 2017). [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by discussing various methods and models, such as the 3-PG model, that utilize tree-ring data (like δ13C and δ18O) to estimate ecological processes and responses, including those relevant to environmental conditions. The reference to using tree-ring data for modeling and estimating responses to forest management practices suggests that tree rings can indeed provide valuable information about past environmental disturbances.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Aloe vera has been used for centuries to treat skin ailments. [SEP] Text: M. – 06. 00 A. M. ) and fed with standard feed (CP 551 from PT Charoen Pokphand-Indonesia) and water was given ad libitum. They were kept in cages that were maintained at room temperature and humidity at normal ranges. Allocation and treatment groupsAll animals were randomly divided into three big groups by simple random sampling. (standard) consisted of normal rats, group II (negative control) was inflicted with a burn wound and treated with gel base, and group III (treatment group) was inflicted with a burn wound and treated with Aloe vera gel. Each group was subdivided into three smaller groups (n = 6 per group) according to the time when the lesions were evaluated. They were treated twice a day according to the groups. The sample size was calculated according to Federer’s formula: (Federer, 1963)t−1n−1≥ 15t = the number of groupsn = the number of samplesn = 2. 875 ≈ 3 rat/groupConsidering the NC3Rs principal in experimental animal, statistical analysis necessity, and the possibility of drop out, the number of rats per group were determined to be six. All 54 rats were given a number (1–54) using a marker pen, then randomized by putting the numbers in an envelope and dividing them into 9 groups, according to the numbers taken from the envelope (Russell and Burch, 1992). Wound inflictionTo ensure that the rats remain in a comfortable condition, they were given anesthesia before performing the burn. The animals have anesthetized with Ketamine/Xylazine 0. 2 mL by intraperitoneal injection (in accordance with the provisions of Research). The hair at the dorsal region was shaved and cleansed with alcohol swab. Second-degree burn wound was inflicted using iron plate measuring 2×2 cm2 which was warmed in boiling water for 5 minutes and placed for 30 seconds on the shaved area (Kristyaningsih, 2016). Aloe vera extractAbout 2000 g of Aloe vera leaves were collected. The bottom part and the serrated edges of Aloe vera leaves were cut and peeled to obtain the inner clear gel. About 1000 g of inner gel was weighed and washed thoroughly and cut it into small pieces. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text does not address the historical use of Aloe vera for treating skin ailments. Instead, it describes a scientific study involving rats and the procedure for inflicting burn wounds and treating them with Aloe vera gel. Therefore, it is irrelevant to the claim.