Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Climate adaptation alone can fully counteract the effects of climate change. [SEP] Text: In addition, some more operational priorities emerge that merit mention. UncertaintyPerhaps the most important principle to emerge from the cases is that uncertainty remains the dominant feature of potential climate change impact on water resource projects. This uncertainty must be recognized and reflected in analytical approaches, strategy development, and project design. Uncertainty does not mean that stochastic methods cannot be used to detect – and project – trends. For instance, where projections of precipitation are made using multiple GCMs and the range of future uncertainties can be constrained, stochastic methods are already usefully applied. More serious challenges arise where relevant variables are not well understood or constrained as is the case with modeling future rainfall-runoff in conditions where both land cover and precipitation intensities are both poorly understood. PrecautionaryThe precautionary principle is usually understood to constrain developments until their impacts are understood. In the climate change context, a precautionary approach will ensure that decisions are taken in time to address possible future contingencies. This is explicitly stated in Cape Town’s post-disaster water strategy which commits to make new investments which will not be used unless there is a dry period in which they are needed. This reflects the high costs imposed on the wider society by supply failure. Projects with lengthy implementation periods such as the IVRS augmentations should be implemented on a precautionary basis to avoid inefficient crisis responses that characterized many water sector investments. A precautionary approach would also introduce supply restrictions earlier rather than later although political resistance is always a factor in this – recent extreme power restrictions in Zimbabwe resulted, in part, from earlier decisions to continue generating at full capacity at Kariba, contrary to drought operating rules. Path DependenceA concern frequently raised about water resource developments of all kinds is that they commit their societies to particular development paths and close off other options. The difficulty with these discussions is that they frequently involve larger political issues about which there is little consensus. In large measure, Windhoek’s current challenges are the result of century-old colonial spatial planning decisions; the option of refocusing economic development in a more propitious location is an important alternative. Similarly, South Africa’s IVRS reflects the fact that the mining economy promoted extensive development in a location with limited water resources and that coastal areas would be easier to serve. Beira’s location, which also served colonial objectives, is very vulnerable to current climate, and vulnerabilities will be aggravated by climate change. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by emphasizing the importance of considering uncertainty in the context of climate change impacts on water resource projects and the necessity for a precautionary approach. It indicates that adaptation strategies cannot fully remedy the challenges posed by climate change due to various uncertainties and limitations, such as poor understanding of future rainfall-runoff scenarios. This suggests that adaptation alone is insufficient without addressing broader systemic issues and uncertainties, thus refuting the claim that it can fully counteract the effects of climate change.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Chassis organisms like E. coli are commonly used for synthetic gene construction. [SEP] Text: 11. 6856-6862. 2005. 379. CAS 5066. 10. 1128/AEM. 00413-10. 1266. 10. 1021/bp034365+. 336. 364. 10. 2144/000112112. 801. 10. 1007/s10529-010-0223-y. 89. 315. 10. 1016/0378-1119(88)90440-4. 4130. CAS 430. 10. 1007/s00284-001-0015-7. 229. 912. 10. 1128/AEM. 01804-06. 672. 10. 1002/(SICI)1097-0290(19980920)59:6<666::AID-BIT2>3. 0. CO;2-D. 261. 10. 1016/0734-9750(95)00004-A. 538. CAS 128. 10. 1016/j. jbiotec. 2004. 08. 004. 739. 10. 1111/j. 1742-4658. 2010. 07991. x. 30. 10. 1111/j. 1751-7915. 2008. 00048. x. 7039. 10. 1128/AEM. 70. 12. 7033-7039. 2004. 51. 10. 1006/plas. 1997. 1294. 91. 10. 1006/mben. 1999. 0142. 2655. 10. 1128/AEM. 02091-10. 47. 2011. 10. 1128/AEM. 02315-08. 389. 10. 1111/j. 1751-7915. 2009. 00107. x. 3650. 10. 1073/pnas. 0909910107. 1827. 10. 1093/nar/gkr850. 10. 1186/1475-2859-11-133. 2115. 10. 1529/biophysj. 107. 127191. 318. 10. 1016/0022-2836(79)90395-4. 5111. 10. 1073/pnas. 82. 15. 5107. 38. 151. 10. 1016/S0168-1656(98)00054-6. 548. 10. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text does not provide any relevant information concerning the use of chassis organisms like E. coli for synthetic gene construction. Instead, it consists solely of a series of citations and identifiers, making it irrelevant to the claim.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Genetic engineering in agriculture can improve crop resistance to pests and diseases. [SEP] Text: 257881 Author's Reply, 10 Dec 2020 Download author's reply Download tracked changes file Decision by Marta Montserrat, posted 29 Oct 2020 In the preprint presented by Lartigue et al. the authors introduce a novel perspective for the genetic improvement of Agents (BCAs) based on behavioral traits that relate to the performance of individuals as BCAs, and that define the personality of individuals. The authors propose the genetic improvement of personality traits to be used as tool to create highly performant BCAs. The idea is novel and the manuscript has potential to contribute significantly to agricultural sciences and to the development of new strategies to improve pest control with methodologies that are respectful with the environment and the human health. Yet, in my opinion, the potential success for using behavioral traits to breed natural enemies is likely to be severely hampered by the extremely low heritability values (<0. 1) found in most of the behavioral traits and the two personality scores. This is a severe drawback that the authors need to address, not only by acknowledging the limitations of their strategy (as they do in the last paragraph of the discussion) but by offering real solutions, or convincing ways, to overcome this drawback, if only to convince the reader that introducing the genetic improvement of personalities in the biological pest control programs is realistic and feasible. Additional requirements of the managing board: As indicated in the 'How does it work? ’ section and in the code of conduct, please make sure that: -Data are available to readers, either in the text or through an open data repository such as Zenodo (free), Dryad or some other institutional repository. Data must be reusable, thus metadata or accompanying text must carefully describe the data. -Details on quantitative analyses (e. g. , data treatment and statistical scripts in R, bioinformatic pipeline scripts, etc. ) and details concerning simulations (scripts, codes) are available to readers in the text, as appendices, or through an open data repository, such as Zenodo, Dryad or some other institutional repository. The scripts or codes must be carefully described so that they can be reused. -Details on experimental procedures are available to readers in the text or as appendices. -Authors have no financial conflict of interest relating to the 10. 1111/brv. 12641. Genomic selection is especially useful when traits display a lower heritability. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by discussing the potential of genetic improvement to enhance pest control methods in agricultural sciences. It mentions that the authors propose genetic improvement of personality traits in biological control agents, which relates to creating more effective pest control systems. This aligns with the idea of utilizing genetic engineering to improve crop resistance, as effective pest control can contribute significantly to overall crop health and resistance to pests and diseases.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Climate adaptation alone can fully counteract the effects of climate change. [SEP] Text: But these are not issues on which water managers can determine policy. At best, they can ensure that the concerns and constraints are well understood and thus influence wider development policy debates. FlexibilityIn response to uncertainty about future trends, it is helpful if strategies to meet future needs are sufficiently flexible to accommodate different futures. This principle has already been explicitly adopted in a number of the case study projects: has identified a range of options that could rapidly be implemented in the event of a “step change” in climate; the ENCW scheme serving Windhoek can be implemented in a sequence of steps. Similarly, each step in the past and future development of South Africa’s IVRS involved a choice from a set of different options. System-and ProblemshedsThe importance of conceptualizing and operating linked infrastructure as a system rather than as individual units brings many benefits. The values of these benefits are explicitly determined in the but are also evident in the IVRS, Windhoek, and, at a nascent stage, Mombasa and Cape Town’s new strategy. LinkagesThe linkage of different sources and demand centers provides a variety of resilience benefits that can greatly assist adaptation to changing climate conditions. A benefit that could be achieved by operating Zambezi hydropower as a coordinated system is that extreme events are often not correlated. While in the south and Kariba were running dry, which draws more resources from the north had to open its flood gates to manage inflows. South Africa’s IVRS has already demonstrated that multiple sources provide greater assured yields than the sum of their “stand-alone” yields and Windhoek’s situation is similar. Proposals for Kenya’s to form part of an integrated bulk system would replicate this approach. DiversificationDiversification of sources provides further important resilience benefits and should be a guiding principle for climate change adaptation. Windhoek’s surface water/groundwater mix has enabled it to withstand repeated drought crises. Cape Town’s recent experience highlighted the risk of relying solely on surface water supplies, which although linked all derived their inflow from a single small catchment area. Alternative sources had not been developed because, individually, their unit costs were higher, but this calculation omitted consideration of the value of additional reliability that could be gained from diversification. Care must be taken, however, to ensure that apparently diversified sources are not correlated. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by discussing the complexity of climate adaptation strategies. It emphasizes that adaptation measures, such as diversification and linked infrastructure, are necessary but cannot singularly address the challenges imposed by climate change. For example, it highlights that 'flexibility in response to uncertainty about future trends' and 'the importance of conceptualizing and operating linked infrastructure as a system' are critical, indicating that adaptation alone is insufficient to fully counteract climate change effects.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Beauveria bassiana is a fungal pathogen that can effectively control locust populations. [SEP] Text: robertsii isolates on Galleria melonella collected from rhizosphere soil in tomato plant farms at Koka and Guder areas in Ethiopia. MethodsDescription of the study siteThe experiment was conducted at the under laboratory conditions. Ambo is far away from Addis Ababa, 110 km to the west, at a geographical coordinate of 8°59′N latitude and 37. 85°E longitude, with an altitude of 2,100 m a. s. l. The daily temperature ranges from 15 to 29°C, with an annual temperature of 22°C on average. The soil sample was collected from two sites, namely Guder and Koka in Ethiopia. Guder is located at a latitude and longitude of 8o58′N and 374o6E, respectively, with an altitude of 2,101 m a. s. l. , whereas Koka is found at 8o25′ N latitude, 39o02′ E longitude, and an altitude of 1,605 m a. s. l. The minimum and maximum temperatures ranged from 12. 14 to 27. 39°C, respectively (Etefa and Dibaba, 2011). Sampling of rhizosphere soil from tomato plantsRhizosphere soil was collected from tomato farmlands by uprooting vegetative-stage tomato plants. During the collection, the upper layer of soil was removed. A total of 40 rhizosphere soil samples were taken from two locations. Five samples were taken from each spot and mixed in a plastic bag before being taken to the bio-control laboratory of the for the isolation of B. bassiana and M. robertsii. Finally, one kilogram (kg) of the soil sample was used for the isolation by removing unnecessary parts from the soil (Sevim et al. , 2010). Isolation of B. bassiana and M. robertsii from Rhizosphere soil samplesFrom 40 soil samples, B. bassiana and M. robertsii were isolated by using the Galleria baiting method as follows (Zimmermann, 1986; Belay et al. , 2017). One kilogram of soil sample was moistened by sterilized water and added to a 1. 5 kg screw-capped glass jar. A total of 10 wax moth larvae were separately introduced into jars filled with soil samples and incubated at 26°C for 10 consecutive days under dark conditions. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text is irrelevant to the claim because it primarily discusses the geographical and environmental details of a study location, the sampling methods for isolating Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium robertsii, and the conditions under which the experiment was conducted. It does not provide any information about the effectiveness of Beauveria bassiana in controlling locust populations.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Genetic engineering in agriculture can improve crop resistance to pests and diseases. [SEP] Text: They use a statistical approach to identify whether the plants in their pixels may be infected. The team is figuring out how to make the satellites and robots work together so that the satellites can identify a potential outbreak and its location in a vineyard at a very early stage of infection and then deploy the robot there to check it out. Gold is one of several researchers seeking to snoop on the chemical communication of plants from afar using remote sensing. Their goal is to catch the hints plants give about their inner workings—subtle signs related to their pigments, defense chemicals, or structural compounds—and then clue in farmers earlier to pests and pathogens. In the case of downy mildew, if a grower can catch it before the infection finds its way across the field, they can avoid dousing their entire fields with fungicides and instead treat only the afflicted areas, potentially protecting against losses while helping decrease the amount of agrochemicals used. Scientists are applying the same reasoning to reduce the amount of fertilizer farmers apply to their crops, helping their bottom line and avoiding excess chemicals’ running off into the environment. Credit:. Gold (right) and colleagues (left) and (center) are developing disease-spotting robots that could be automatically directed to an area of the vineyard according to what satellites detect from space. The chemical communiqués of plants Unlike humans, whose immune systems learn as they face different threats, plants enter the world with all the immune defense systems they’ll ever have, Gold says. Their response to infections or pests is based on signaling, which turns on genes that produce defense compounds or that broadcast news of the attack throughout the plant. These chemical messages occur even at early stages of the disease, possibly before the infection can spread. That early messaging creates an opportunity to snoop on the plant through spectroscopy. “We know that this behavior exists in plants and exists among all plants,” says Jordan A. Dowell, a plant biologist at University. So researchers are building libraries of spectra collected from plants in different conditions. The goal is to link a plant’s chemical responses to, for example, fungal infection or attack by a leaf-munching bug. Scientists can do these sorts of studies in greenhouses or in fields using drones or cameras atop towers. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by discussing how researchers are using advanced technology such as remote sensing to identify potential plant infections early. It mentions that plants can signal their defense responses against infections or pests, which aligns with the potential of genetic engineering to enhance these natural defense mechanisms in crops. Specifically, the text describes efforts to link chemical responses of plants to pest attacks, demonstrating that understanding and potentially manipulating these responses could help improve crop resistance.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Climate adaptation alone can fully counteract the effects of climate change. [SEP] Text: Thus, while reuse is a useful option, it depends on the availability of wastewater which, in crisis situations, may be constrained. YieldIt is widely recognized that storage is an integral element of any substantial water resource system, crucial to ensure adequate flows in dry seasons. However, it is often considered solely as part of river management infrastructure. and the IVRS use strategic storage fed slowly by wet season surpluses from external sources to build a reserve that can be drawn down to provide a guaranteed supply during dry periods. This contributes significantly to their reliance against drought and other climate impacts at lower cost than would be required for the development of a new source. and ReliabilityOne of the features of both water and power projects in Southern and is how little recognition is given to the financial and economic benefits of reliability and resilience of supply. This was forcefully illustrated by the economic losses suffered by due to 3 years of water restrictions. But the economies of countries dependent on Zambezi hydropower have also been significantly constrained by the power cuts and rationing, and Windhoek’s economic activity has been curtailed by water shortages. There is a need for more nuanced analysis of the funding of schemes that enhance resilience and reliability of supply since these values are often not included in user charges and benefit a wider public than the direct users. Operational PrioritiesWill be CriticalGiven the intensification of hydrological analysis and decision-making, water management institutions will have to ensure that they have the capabilities to respond to the emerging challenges. This will require appropriate structures as well as the development and retention of the specialist skills, often in collaboration with specialized institutions of higher education. Is RequiredIn all the water supply cases, current investment has been insufficient to achieve resilience to current climate variability. While this is often viewed as a problem that can be resolved by establishing effective markets for water (and also to power), the benefits of assured supplies spill far beyond the direct users to the wider society although they may only be fully realized in the longer term. This means that the full value of the water project outputs cannot be captured by prices alone and different financial arrangements are required that reflect the long-run economic benefits of secure supplies. Where water projects, notably hydropower, directly mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, this should be reflected in financial terms. Current “green finance” proposals will only be of assistance if loan conditions address these structural constraints. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by indicating that current investments and measures in water management and supply systems are insufficient to achieve resilience against climate variability, emphasizing that more nuanced analyses and financial arrangements are needed to enhance reliability and resilience. It suggests that addressing climate impacts goes beyond adaptation alone and requires additional resources and structural changes, thus implying that adaptation is not the sole solution to counteract climate change effects.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Beauveria bassiana is a fungal pathogen that can effectively control locust populations. [SEP] Text: Larval deaths were inspected and recorded every three days. The moisture of the soil was maintained by moistening it with sterile water daily. The cadavers were taken off the soil and surface sterilized with 1% sodium hypochlorite for 2 minutes, followed by 70% ethanol for 10 seconds, and rinsed three times with sterile water. Surface-disinfected larval cadavers were placed on sterile plastic plates with slightly wetted filter paper and incubated at room temperature up to the sporulation of outgrown mycelia. The sporulation of B. bassiana and M. robertsii over the dead cadavers was examined, and the spores were harvested by a sterilized inoculating wire loop, transferred onto Agar (SDA) Microxpress® media, and incubated at 27±1°C for 14–21 days. Isolates were purified by subculturing on newly prepared SDA media, and pure cultures were preserved with glycerol and maintained on agar at -19°C for further work. Morphological identification and characterization of isolatesFungal isolates were morphologically identified and characterized using the identification key of Humber (Humber, 1997), depending on fungal structures acquired from pure culture (Gürlek et al. , 2018). In addition to the new isolates, three B. bassiana (APPRC-44-44BC-1, and APPRC-27) and one M. robertsii (S-26) isolates were also characterized from the as standard checks for the comparison of isolates. Consequently, the morphologies of B. bassiana and M. robertsii were characterized by the culturing of pure cultures on the SDA media, and inspection was done for 14–21 days. Both macroscopic and microscopic characterization of isolates was conducted by observation of morphological features of isolates. Macroscopic features such as mycelial color, colony reverse, colony shape and color, colony elevation, and surface texture were observed. Microscopic characterization of isolates was also done under an Olympus SC50 (CX33RTFS2, Olympus Corporation) microscope with ×40 magnification (Barra et al. , 2013) by measuring conidial length and diameter, hyphal growth, and conidiogenous cells using the slide culture technique. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text is irrelevant to the claim as it provides detailed methodology for isolating and characterizing fungal species but does not specifically mention the efficacy of Beauveria bassiana in controlling locust populations.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Genetic engineering in agriculture can improve crop resistance to pests and diseases. [SEP] Text: The researchers compared hyperspectral and thermal images of trees afflicted with these various conditions, and they were able to find a more specific spectral fingerprint, achieving an accuracy of 92% in detecting the various plant stresses (Nat. Commun. 2021, DOI: 10. 1038/s41467-021-26335-3). Zarco-Tejada’s team is now adding more species, such as peaches and citrus, to its repertoire. “the whole world has become aware of how important the early detection of the infection is,” he says. This is true for plants too as new pathogens arise, current threats spread through international trade, and some from the past reemerge with a warming climate, he adds. Researchers, including Zarco-Tejada and others, are also working to link what they see in the spectra to the processes inside plants. “We can learn something about the biology of the disease and how it progresses by looking at that chemical fingerprint,” Townsend says. Recently, scientists found that hyperspectral imaging could distinguish different sugar beet diseases on the basis of how each disease changed the plants’ levels of chlorophylls, carotenoids, flavonoids, and some phenols (Phytopathology 2023, DOI: 10. 1094/PHYTO-03-22-0086-R). Researchers are starting to combine hyperspectral imaging with studies that screen for genetic variation in a large number of individuals. This combined approach could look for genetic differences that may be favorable for crops (Sci. Rep. 2020, DOI: 10. 1038/s41598-020-65999-7). Meanwhile, others are scouring hyperspectral data for signatures of other plant traits, such as flavor characteristics or disease resistance. Hyperspectral imaging isn’t accessible to most farmers yet, Townsend says, and they may not need that level of sensing power anyway. As scientists sift through hyperspectral data to determine plants’ disease signatures, they can home in on some choice wavelengths that can be applied in far-cheaper multispectral sensors. Related: How technology is helping farmers grow more food with less chemicals Making plants shine There’s another way to tell if plants are stressed: genetically engineer them so they reveal what’s ailing them. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by discussing advancements in hyperspectral imaging and genetic engineering techniques that can help detect plant diseases and stressors. It mentions that researchers are combining hyperspectral imaging with genetic variation studies to identify favorable traits for crops, including disease resistance. This aligns with the claim that genetic engineering can enhance crop resilience.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Climate adaptation alone can fully counteract the effects of climate change. [SEP] Text: Communication to ConsensusWater resource development occurs to a greater or lesser extent in the public domain and is thus subject to public scrutiny and political decision. One of the challenges faced by sector managers is that they address complex issues about which public perceptions may differ widely. Water management institutions need to develop and sustain communication with their stakeholder communities to ensure their support for demand-side interventions as well as for investments on the supply side. Information for “Dynamic Stationarity”The dynamic nature of hydrological systems under climate change means that analysis will no longer rely on standard sets of reference data from a fixed time period. The values of many hydrological variables will be changing in unpredictable ways that will require hydrological data to be updated on a regular basis. This will require an intensification of data collection and management. As one group of commentators remarked, “in a nonstationary world, continuity of observations is critical” (Milly et al. 2008). ConclusionsThe principles that emerged from this review support the initial hypothesis that adaptation to climate change in the water and hydropower sector will best be achieved by following strategies that address current climate variability. All of the principles enunciated are equally appropriate to current climate variability or climate change. The proviso introduced by including climate change is that such interventions should recognize that uncertainties under future climate change are likely to be greater than at present. This reinforces the need for options that allow greater flexibility of approach, but it also highlights the need for a precautionary approach that will see interventions made earlier rather than later, as found to its cost. The idea that interventions should be made sooner rather than later will often meet opposition because it will be seen to reinforce current development trajectories and path dependence. The reason that alternative trajectories are not followed is usually that they are constrained by politics and economics. Even if the intent is to allow economic and social disruption to drive new trajectories, creating water and power crises is unlikely to create the conditions for change. Given the challenges posed by climate change, deliberate disruption of societies and economies is a high risk strategy with little certainty about the likely outcomes. One consistent finding is that the challenges of planning, implementing, and operating large water resource schemes under difficult hydrologies will become more complex as climate change impacts intensify. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by asserting that adaptation to climate change cannot fully counteract its effects. It emphasizes the complexities of hydrological systems under climate change and the need for a precautionary approach that acknowledges uncertainties of future climate impacts. Specifically, it states that 'the challenges of planning, implementing, and operating large water resource schemes under difficult hydrologies will become more complex as climate change impacts intensify,' implying that adaptation alone is insufficient without considering the broader impacts and uncertainties of climate change.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Beauveria bassiana is a fungal pathogen that can effectively control locust populations. [SEP] Text: Slide culture preparationThe technique was conducted by autoclaving a 9-cm-diameter Petri dish with filter paper and a bent glass rod. A 15 g-1 of water agar was cut by a 1 cm × 1 cm block with a sterilized scalpel blade and put on a glass slide. Fungal spores were inoculated on the four sides of the agar blocks by a sterile inoculating needle, and coverslips were placed on the block. Moistened filter paper with 2 ml of sterile water was placed over plates, sealed with parafilm, and incubated at 27±1°C. Agar blocks were discarded after incubation for 72 hours, and the slides were moistened with a drop of 97% ethanol and enabled to heat fix by passing on an alcohol lump. A drop of lactophenol blue was used to stain the slide with a coverslip, which was later sealed with nail polish. The slide was placed under a SC50 microscope with ×40 magnification for the observation and characterization of conidiophore structure (Rosana et al. , 2014). Finally, the slides were permanently preserved for further characterization. The characterization and measurement of spore features such as conidial length and diameter were also done using the Sc 50 microscope (magnification, ×40). Spore germination test for the viability of fungal isolatesThe spore germination test was verified by the conidial germination test technique according to standard procedures (Goettel and Inglis, 1997). Fungal spores were harvested from a 21-day-old culture by scraping with a sterilized spatula. Harvested spores were added to 10 ml of sterile water with Tween 80 (0. 001% v/v) as a surfactant in a falcon tube and vortexing. Fungal spores were adjusted to 1 × 106 conidia ml-1 by using a Neubauer hemocytometer (USA) under a SC50 microscope. In total, 100-μl of suspended spores was spread over fresh Agar (PDA) (Himedia®), and two sterilized glass slides were placed on the media and incubated at 28°C for 18 hours. After 18 hours, germination of the spores was halted by dispensing with 70% ethanol. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text passes in relation to the claim as it does not provide any information regarding Beauveria bassiana's effectiveness in controlling locust populations. Instead, it focuses on laboratory methods for preparing and characterizing fungal spores, without mentioning any specific application concerning locusts.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Genetic engineering in agriculture can improve crop resistance to pests and diseases. [SEP] Text: InnerPlant, a start-up in Davis, California, is doing this by developing plants that glow in response to stressors such as pathogens and drought. Through RNA sequencing, scientists at the company have studied the gene activity of plants plagued by insect infestations, a lack of water, and insufficient phosphorus. Plants react to such threats rapidly and often in a very specific way, says Randy Shultz, a plant biotechnologist at the company. For instance, even though the visible symptoms may take days to develop, a soybean plant responds within 2 h of a certain fungal pathogen penetrating its tissue and starts turning on genes that are part of its defense, Shultz adds. Credit: Innerstart-up InnerPlant is creating plants, such as this soybean, that glow in response to drought, fungal infection, or other stressors. To make the sensors as effective as possible, InnerPlant zeroed in on genes that were activated in a big way by specific attacks or nutritional deficiencies. The activity of some genes jumped by two or three orders of magnitude. Then the company’s scientists can splice in a gene for a fluorescent protein right next to the stress-activated gene so that the stressor will create a fluorescent signal. Using several proteins that glow at different wavelengths, the company may eventually be able to build plants that can report multiple threats. The researchers saw that a drought-sensing tomato plant started to boost its fluorescence some 24–28 h after watering stopped. Once the plant was watered again, the fluorescence returned to baseline levels. Related: App for developing-world farmers attracts funds For fluorescing plants to be useful to farmers, their glow needs to stand out from sunlight reflected off the leaves. So far, InnerPlant’s team has found that it can detect the fluorescence from plants in a sunlit field with ground-based detectors. The company’s goal is to trigger fluorescent responses that could be spotted from space by a satellite. InnerPlant is growing prototypes of soybean plants engineered to glow when enduring an attack from a fungal pathogen, and the company plans to test them in the field this year. Advertisement InnerPlant is working on equipping tractors with fluorescence detectors through a partnership with John Deere, Shultz says. A satellite could detect signals of stress coming from a broad area of crops and steer a tractor there. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by detailing how InnerPlant is using genetic engineering techniques to develop plants that can respond to stressors such as pathogens. It explains that scientists at InnerPlant are studying the gene activity of plants affected by insect infestations and diseases, demonstrating that genetic modifications can lead to enhanced plant defenses. Specific examples, like the soybean plant's ability to activate its defense genes within hours of encountering a fungal pathogen, illustrate how genetic engineering can directly improve crop resistance to threats, thereby supporting the claim.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Climate adaptation alone can fully counteract the effects of climate change. [SEP] Text: While traditional hydrological tools can continue to be used, “dynamic stationarity” will require more intensive data collection, more frequent reviews and runs of models, and greater effort to communicate the findings and their implications to the wider community whose consent, trust, and support will be required for decisions. In most countries, this will require more capable organizations, better funded, staffed, and equipped than at present. In all of this, the primary constraint to adapting to the impacts of climate change by building more resilient and less vulnerable systems will continue to be financial. A particular challenge for the water sector’s practitioners will thus be to persuade their communities that additional support for planning and managing their countries’ water will insure them against the larger costs of water and power supply failures. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by highlighting that climate adaptation requires extensive data collection, community engagement, and substantial financial resources, suggesting that adaptation alone is insufficient to address the broader impacts of climate change. It emphasizes the need for better-funded and equipped organizations to build resilient systems, indicating that adaptation cannot fully counteract climate change without additional support.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Beauveria bassiana is a fungal pathogen that can effectively control locust populations. [SEP] Text: Both germinated and non-germinated cells were counted by using a Neubauer hemocytometer under a SC50 microscope (magnification, ×40). The experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions in CRD with 15 treatments and three replications. A germ tube with more than half the diameter of the spore was considered germinated, and vice versa for non-germinated. Isolates with more than 95% germination were selected against G. melonella to test their virulence. The percentage of spore germination was calculated according to the method developed by Vega et al. (2008). Percent spore germination=number of spores germinatedTotal spore counted×100Radial growth rateConidia of 14-day-old cultures were harvested from plates and spread on a 90 mm Petri dish containing fresh SDA and PDA media separately. Isolates were incubated for three days at 27±1°C, and the 5 mm diameter of three-day-old cultures mycelium was taken by using a cork borer and placed in the center of a 90 mm petri dish containing SDA and PDA media individually. Cultures were incubated at 27±1°C (Membang et al. , 2021). The experiment was conducted in CRD with 11 treatments and replicated three times. Data on radial growth were recorded in mm/day from the 4th to the 15th days and calculated by:RG/day=Colony diameter at the end of incubation period−Fungal disc diameterTotal incubation daysWhere, RG/day is radial growth per day. Estimation of conidial yieldSpore production was estimated as follows (Schemmer et al. , 2016). A 21-day-old culture of 10 mm-diameter circular agar was cut with a cork borer, and the disc was added to 10 ml of sterile 0. 001% Tween 80 solution. The solution was well vortexed to evenly mix, and the conidial concentration was counted by using a Neubauer hemocytometer. The conidial yield was expressed in terms of conidial ml-1. The experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions in CRD with eight treatments and three replications. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text does not relate to the claim about Beauveria bassiana controlling locust populations. Instead, it describes laboratory methods for conducting experiments on fungal spores, including spore germination and conidial yield, without mentioning locusts or any effects of Beauveria bassiana on them.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Genetic engineering can enhance the nutritional content of certain crops. [SEP] Text: Español Valencià | a A | Accesibility | Library and and Enhancement of for the Improvement of Nutritional and in Crops RiuNet: Institutional repository of the of : Investigación : Tesis doctorales : Login JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it. of Riu& count Search information Copyright's 7Ã‚Âº RiuNet's a librarian Admin. UPV Share/Send to Cited by cited 0 times cited 0 times and Enhancement of for the Improvement of Nutritional and in full item record Rosa Martínez, E. (2022). Characterization and Enhancement of for the Improvement of Nutritional and in Crops [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. Por favor, use este identificador para citar o enlazar este ítem: Files in this item Name: Rosa - Characteri. . . Size: 7. 015Mb Format: PDF Open/Preview Name: _PhD_ERM. pdf Size: 424. 7Kb Format: PDF Open/Preview Name: _. . . Size: 344. 6Kb Format: PDF Open/Metadata Title: Characterization and Enhancement of for the Improvement of Nutritional and in Crops Author: Rosa Martínez, Elena Director(s): Plazas Ávila, María de la O Prohens Tomás, : Universitat Politècnica de València. Departamento de Biotecnología - Departament de date Event date: 2022-03-22 Issued date: 2022-04-26 Abstract: [ES] En la presente tesis doctoral nos hemos centrado en estudiar la variabilidad y aportar nuevos recursos útiles para la mejora de la calidad nutricional y organoléptica de los frutos de tomate, berenjena y pimiento,. . . [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by discussing a doctoral thesis focused on studying the variability and providing new resources for the improvement of nutritional quality in crops such as tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers. This suggests that genetic engineering is being used to enhance the nutritional content of these crops.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Climate adaptation alone can fully counteract the effects of climate change. [SEP] Text: KeywordsWater resourcesClimate adaptationClimate variability and changeWater supplyHydropowerHydrologyStationarityUtility economicsPublic finance IntroductionThere is international agreement at the about the need for collective action to address the likely impacts of global warming on human societies. One response has been to encourage all sectors of society to identify and implement actions that can help adapt to the emerging impacts of climate change and work to mitigate its drivers. Water resources and the services dependent on them are an integral part of the climate system (Chahine 1992). Because of this, the managers of water resource systems and of the services that depend on them must develop appropriate responses to the potential impacts of climate change (Strzepek et al. 2011). continent is considered to be particularly vulnerable to these impacts both because of their magnitude and because African societies have less physical, financial, and human resources available to address these impacts. A further challenge is that the impacts of climate change on water resources are local, diverse, and not well-characterized. Unlike the general global warming trend, for which there is robust evidence that is consistent with the predicted impact of anthropogenic activities, direct evidence of significant changes in hydrological variables is not nearly as strong and consistent. For example, it appears that at a global level, precipitation is increasing (Adler et al. 2017). However, models predict increases in drought frequency over significant areas due to warming (Ukkola et al. 2020) although empirical evidence in support of this is limited (Hegerl et al. 2019) and predictions are based on various definitions of drought. While warming trends are a direct result of anthropogenically induced atmospheric changes that act through a single dominant mechanism at global level, the impacts on the main hydrological processes – evaporation, precipitation, runoff, and infiltration – are secondary and tertiary effects that are further influenced by a wide variety of mechanisms at a local, regional, and global level. So while there is only a limited increase in global precipitation averages, there are more extensive regional variations and substantial changes in parameters such as rainfall intensity (Trenberth 2011) which, coupled with the impact of warmer temperatures on aridity, lead to changes in tertiary variables such as stream flow. The likely impact of climate change on hydrological processes is generally still too uncertain to make it possible for water resource planners and managers to identify locally specific adaptive measures. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by highlighting that while climate adaptation is necessary, the impacts of climate change on water resources and other systems are local and diverse, making it clear that adaptation alone may not be sufficient. It states that 'the likely impact of climate change on hydrological processes is generally still too uncertain to make it possible for water resource planners and managers to identify locally specific adaptive measures,' indicating that adaptation requires more than just local actions and comprehensive strategies to address the unpredictability and variability of climate impacts.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Beauveria bassiana is a fungal pathogen that can effectively control locust populations. [SEP] Text: Conidial suspension preparationConidia were obtained from pure cultures grown on SDA, which was incubated for 14 days at 27±1°C under dark conditions. Conidia were harvested by disposable cell scrapers and added into test tubes containing Tween 80 (0. 001% v/v). Suspensions were vortexed well for 2 minutes and adjusted to 1 × 108 conidia ml-1 using a Neubauer hemocytometer (Gurulingappa et al. , 2010). Rearing of Galleria melonellaGalleria mellonella larvae (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were reared at the in the biocontrol room following the methods described by Meyling (2007). Adult moths were kept in 500-ml flasks containing folded tissue paper to fasten their mating and egg-laying capacities. To hatch second-instar larvae, the eggs were laid on folded tissue paper, transferred to plastic containers filled with 80 g honey, 50 g wheat bran, and 180 g glycerol, and incubated at 20°C for four weeks in the dark. Virulence test of isolates using G. mellonellaThe potential virulence of fungal isolates was tested using 2nd instar G. mellonella larvae by the galleria dipping method. Spores collected from 14–21 days of old culture by sterilized spatula scraping were adjusted to 1 × 108 spores’ ml-1 and 10 ml were prepared from the suspension of sterilized water with Tween 80 (0. 001% v/v) in a sterilized falcon tube and vortexing well. A total of 10 second instars of G. mellonella larvae were dipped into spore suspensions for 15 sec. Treated larvae with fungal isolates were incubated at 26°C for 10 days under dark conditions. Cadavers were collected every day 3 days post inoculated, disinfected on their surfaces, transferred into sterilized plastic plates lined with moistened filter paper, and incubated in a dark place. Dead larvae were daily inspected and moistened with sterilized water to promote the outgrowth of mycelial on the cadavers. A control was treated with Tween 80 (0. 001% v/v) and incubated under the same conditions (Ayele et al. , 2020). [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text provides detailed experimental methods related to the preparation and testing of fungal isolates but does not mention Beauveria bassiana specifically or its effectiveness in controlling locust populations. Therefore, it is irrelevant to the claim.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Genetic engineering can enhance the nutritional content of certain crops. [SEP] Text: [+] [ES] En la presente tesis doctoral nos hemos centrado en estudiar la variabilidad y aportar nuevos recursos útiles para la mejora de la calidad nutricional y organoléptica de los frutos de tomate, berenjena y pimiento, adaptando los cultivos a menores aportes de nitrógeno (N). Para lograr este propósito, llevamos a cabo una caracterización exhaustiva de la composición de los frutos, junto con importantes rasgos agronómicos, de un conjunto de recursos genéticos escasamente explorados hasta la fecha. En el primer capítulo de esta tesis, se llevó a cabo una caracterización exhaustiva de 36 compuestos y parámetros de composición del fruto, que incluían azúcares, ácidos orgánicos, antioxidantes y minerales, en un conjunto de 10 accesiones por cultivo de tomate, pimiento y berenjena, cultivados en las mismas condiciones y prácticas ecológicas. Los resultados mostraron un perfil de composición considerablemente distinto entre las tres especies, principalmente en el perfil antioxidante. Además, se encontró una gran variabilidad dentro de cada especie, lo cual es de interés para la selección de variedades con mejores perfiles nutricionales y organolépticos. En el segundo capítulo de esta tesis, se abordó la caracterización de un conjunto de líneas de introgresión (ILs) de berenjena con Solanum incanum L. como parental donante. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by discussing the study aimed at improving the nutritional and organoleptic quality of crops such as tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers through the characterization of genetic resources. It emphasizes the importance of genetic variability and the selection of varieties with better nutritional profiles, which aligns with the idea that genetic engineering can enhance the nutritional content of crops.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Climate adaptation alone can fully counteract the effects of climate change. [SEP] Text: So climate change models and predictions cannot usually guide well-founded planning and operational decisions although they do help to suggest the boundaries for extreme events. However, policy-makers like the UN High-on Water want to know what impacts global warming will have on water systems and how they will be dealt with. It is suggested that an appropriate response is to continue to build on the great strength of best practice in water resource science and management, which is its ability to characterize and manage climatic variability. This requires that the approaches used move beyond the assumptions of a stationary hydrology and can accommodate a changing climate (Brekke et al. 2009). Yet water managers are already responding to climate change through their management of current climate variability. However, to make this case convincingly, they must demonstrate that current methodologies are adequate for the task. To address this in an African context, this 2022. Even before the drought ended, implementation had begun of infrastructure projects that had earlier been rejected – including water reuse and groundwater development as well as additional surface water. Consideration is also being given to a large desalination installation which could be used during drought periods. The vulnerabilities of the WCWSS are now obvious. The system depends on rainfall over a small (800km2) area of mountain catchments supplying dams whose storage is less than 2 years of “normal” use. Climate change dynamics are also under review. lies at the edge of dominant rain-producing weather systems and has long been identified as an area vulnerable to climate change-driven rainfall reductions (Archer et al. 2019). From an adaptation perspective, the questions are whether the shift of weather system is permanent and the nature of an appropriate adaptation response. The city’s new postcrisis strategy (2019) acknowledges continued dependence on surface water for 75% of its supplies for at least the next decade, while alternative sources such as reuse, groundwater, and desalination are developed to provide a greater proportion of supplies in the future. Climate uncertainty is specifically addressed. The program aims to increase the assurance of supply from the system from 98% to 99. 5% but acknowledges that there might be “a step change in rainfall due to climate change …. If this turns out to be the case, the programme will be both accelerated and expanded. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by highlighting the limitations of climate adaptation strategies. It discusses that climate change models cannot provide complete guidance for planning, indicating that adaptation alone may not be sufficient. The need for additional infrastructure projects and the acknowledgment of vulnerabilities in water systems suggest that adaptation efforts are necessary but are not a comprehensive solution to counteract all effects of climate change.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Beauveria bassiana is a fungal pathogen that can effectively control locust populations. [SEP] Text: A=B. bassiana, B=M. robertsii. No manipulations were made to the images. M. robertsii isolates revealed cylindrical in spore shape, branched, and densely intertwined conidiophore (Figure 2) and septate hyphal structures (Figure 3). Spore viabilitySpore germination was ranging from 79. 33 to 99. 03% within 18 hours of incubation at 27±1°C (Table 2). The results showed that there was a statistically highly significant difference among isolates in the percentage of mean germination (F=54. 6; DF=14; P<0. 0001). Isolate K-61 showed a maximum mean percentage of germination, whereas the minimum mean percentage was recorded by isolate RST-12. Table 2. Germination percentage of B. bassiana and M. robertsii isolates. Fungal isolatesGermination % ± SEBeauveria bassiana RST-897. 13±1. 95abBeauveria bassiana APPRC-2798. 1±0. 59abMetarhizium robertsii K-6199. 03±0. 78aMetarhizium robertsii K-10297. 56±1. 36abMetarhizium robertsii RST-1195. 40±2. 91abcMetarhizium robertsii K-6397. 63±1. 82abBeauveria bassiana K-597. 03±1. 63abBeauveria bassiana APPRC-44BC95. 86±1. 07abcBeauveria bassiana K-9196. 40±1. 53abcMetarhizium robertsii K-10197. 67±1. 24abMetarhizium robertsii K-788. 36±4. 85abcMetarhizium robertsii S-2680. 80±9. 83bcBeauveria bassiana APPRC-44BC-187. 60±5. 03abcMetarhizium robertsii RST-1279. 33±3. 84cTween 80 (Control)0. 00±0. 00dHSD (0. 05)17. 7CV6. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text provides detailed data on the germination percentages of various fungal isolates, including Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium robertsii. However, it does not mention any specific effects of Beauveria bassiana on locust populations or any evidence supporting its effectiveness as a pathogen for controlling them, making this text irrelevant to the claim.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Genetic engineering can enhance the nutritional content of certain crops. [SEP] Text: El uso de las ILs en la mejora de la berenjena requiere asegurar que los niveles de glicoalcaloides del fruto están por debajo de los límites de seguridad. En un ensayo en dos ambientes, evaluamos 25 rasgos de composición del fruto, incluyendo composición proximal, azúcares, ácidos, compuestos fenólicos, glicoalcaloides y minerales en un conjunto de 16 ILs de berenjena con S. incanum, junto con los padres recurrente y donante, y el híbrido. Los resultados mostraron que los frutos producidos por las ILs eran seguros para el consumo, con una composición similar a la del parental recurrente. También evaluamos un conjunto de 10 de estas ILs, junto con el parental recurrente S. melongena, bajo dos dosis de fertilización de N suministradas con el sistema de riego (8. 25 mM de NH4NO3 añadido al agua de riego, y ningún suministro de N externo al agua de riego). Aunque se produjo una limitación significativa en el crecimiento de la planta, en la distribución de N y C, en la carga de frutos y en la materia seca como respuesta a la minimización de los aportes de N, las ILs alcanzaron, en promedio, rendimientos finales similares bajo ambos tratamientos de N, así como produjeron frutos con similar morfología, peso y contenido en compuestos fenólicos. Estos resultados potencian las ILs como materiales de mejora útiles para la adaptación de la berenjena a bajos aportes de N. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by discussing the use of introgression lines (ILs) in the improvement of eggplant, which includes evaluating traits relevant to fruit composition such as sugars, acids, and phenolic compounds. The results indicate that fruits produced by these ILs were safe for consumption and had a composition similar to that of the recurrent parent. This suggests that genetic engineering can potentially enhance the nutritional profile of crops, aligning with the claim.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Climate adaptation alone can fully counteract the effects of climate change. [SEP] Text: ”The strategy also acknowledges that water investments must provide regular supplies during periods of low rainfall: “All water schemes provide insurance against periods of low rainfall, which may become more frequent and more severe as a result of climate change. ” It recognizes that expensive supplies from reuse and desalination will not be used all the time but concludes: “…this will not have been wasteful expenditure. The future is uncertain, and the cost of very severe restrictions is much higher than the cost of insuring against this likelihood. ”In this regard, the city’s strategy now explicitly addresses climate change. But rather than placing reliance on forecasting future availability, it seeks to increase reliability (through infrastructure investment originally proposed to address variability) to “buy time” for implementing rapid interventions such as desalination if required. Mombasa, Kenya: Climate-Constrained by Institutions and FinanceGreater Mombasa, Kenya’s second largest city, had a population of approximately three million people in 2018. It is Kenya and the region’s primary port and is also a center for international beach tourism which complements the country’s inland game park complexes. Water supply is deeply deficient. Water requirements are estimated to be in the region 250 Ml/day, but the city is in a permanent state of water crisis, able to provide less than 30% of this potential amount (Foster et al. 2020). Small supplies from local coastal aquifers are at the limit of their available capacity and face problems of salinization. The city’s primary supply comes from two distant groundwater sources, the (200 km away) and Baricho (100 km). Unusually, local surface water sources had not been tapped although the need for a new source had already been identified in the early 1990s. The preferred augmentation project, now in preparation, is a dam on the small, local Mwache River. All five projects in the 2015 infrastructure resilience study (Cervigni et al. 2015) which included Mwache faced considerable uncertainty about future rainfall under climate change. In none was there even a consensus on whether it would be higher or lower than present-day averages, let alone by how much. This was a particular concern for Mombasa whose rainfall derives from a combination of systems since 61% of the 121 climate future scenarios generated for Mwache showed lower safe yields than the present-day design assumptions. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by highlighting the limitations of climate adaptation strategies in Mombasa, Kenya. It explains that despite efforts to increase water supply reliability through infrastructure investments, the city's water crisis reflects the uncertainties associated with climate change. For instance, it notes that there is considerable uncertainty about future rainfall, with a lack of consensus on whether it will be higher or lower than current averages. This indicates that adaptation alone may not be sufficient to counteract the effects of climate change, as the anticipated climate variability poses significant challenges.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Beauveria bassiana is a fungal pathogen that can effectively control locust populations. [SEP] Text: 71Conidial yield and sizeStatistical analysis showed a highly significant difference among isolates at P<0. 0001 in their conidial production. Conidial production varies from 0. 11 × 107 to 2. 67 × 107 spores ml-1. Maximum spore production was attained by isolate APPRC-27, followed by isolate K-61, whereas the minimum conidial yield was recorded by isolate APPRC-44BC (Table 3). The length of the conidia showed a mean value of 2. 08 to 3. 24 μm for B. bassiana isolates, and a higher conidial length was achieved by isolate APPRC-27 with 3. 24 μm. The highest and lowest conidial diameters were recorded by isolates APPRC-27 and K-91, respectively. Table 3. Conidial yield and size of isolates. IsolateConidial yield/ml ± SEConidial length (μm) ± SEConidial width (μm) ± SELength/width ratio ± SEB. bassiana APPRC-44BC0. 11 × 107±0. 16e2. 85±0. 03cd1. 86±0. 16c1. 56±0. 12cM. robertsii K-631. 67 × 107±0. 02cb7. 10±0. 24a2. 49±0. 06a2. 86±0. 13abB. bassiana K-50. 17 × 107±0. 01e2. 23±0. 02d1. 45±0. 05d1. 54±0. 07cM. robertsii K-1021. 81 × 107±0. 18cb6. 43±0. 11ab1. 93±0. 03c3. 32±0. 03aB. bassiana APPRC-272. 67 × 107±0. 17a3. 24±0. 11c1. 99±0. 06c1. 63±0. 05cB. bassiana K-911. 53 × 107±0. 01cd2. 08±0. 07d1. 36±0. 03d1. 53±0. 03cB. bassiana RST-81. 28 × 107±0. 04d2. 51±0. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text does not address the claim regarding Beauveria bassiana's effectiveness in controlling locust populations. Instead, it focuses on the statistical analysis of conidial yield and size among various isolates of B. bassiana. There is no indication of locust population control or any ecological application in the information provided, making the text irrelevant to the claim.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Genetic engineering can enhance the nutritional content of certain crops. [SEP] Text: [+] [CAT] En la present tesi doctoral ens hem centrat en estudiar la variabilitat i aportar nous recursos útils per a la millora de la qualitat nutricional i organolèptica dels fruits de tomaca, albergínia i pimentó, adaptant els cultius a menors aportacions de nitrogen (N). Per a aconseguir aquest propòsit, duem a terme una caracterització exhaustiva de la composició dels fruits, juntament amb importants trets agronòmics, d'un conjunt de recursos genètics escassament explorats fins hui. En el primer capítol d'aquesta tesi, es va dur a terme una caracterització exhaustiva de 36 compostos i paràmetres de composició del fruit, que incloïen sucres, àcids orgànics, antioxidants i minerals, en un conjunt de 10 accessions per cultiu de tomaca, pimentó i albergínia, cultivats en les mateixes condicions i pràctiques ecològiques. Els resultats van mostrar un perfil de composició considerablement diferent entre les tres espècies, principalment en el perfil antioxidant. A més, es va trobar una gran variabilitat dins de cada espècie, la qual cosa és d'interés per a la selecció de varietats amb millors perfils nutricionals i organolèptics. En el segon capítol d'aquesta tesi, es va abordar la caracterització d'un conjunt de línies de introgressió (ILs) d'albergínia amb Solanum incanum L. com a parental donant. L'ús de les ILs en la millora de l'albergínia requereix assegurar que els nivells de glucoalcaloides del fruit estan per davall dels límits de seguretat. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by discussing research aimed at improving the nutritional quality of various fruits, specifically focusing on tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers. It mentions the characterization of numerous nutritional components and agronomic traits, which indicates that genetic variability is being explored to select varieties with better nutritional profiles. This aligns with the idea of genetic engineering enhancing the nutritional content of crops.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Climate adaptation alone can fully counteract the effects of climate change. [SEP] Text: Bank study took a measured response to this systemic uncertainty. It distinguished between project sensitivity to climate change and project vulnerability; sensitivity refers to the possible reduction in physical “output,” while vulnerability considers the impact on economic return. In this view, even if a project’s performance is potentially sensitive to climate change, “the project’s economic worthiness is not necessarily in question. ” This would include cases where the project was robust to a high degree of climate variability “and in the bargain, to climate change” so that its benefits and revenues would meet the required criteria. “It is thus important to distinguish between climate sensitivity and vulnerability” emphasized the report, noting that both sensitivity and vulnerability would depend on the metrics used to assess performance and that factors other than climate change, such as price and demand, could be equally important. For Mwache, although limited hydrological information was available, the design chosen was considered to have low climate risk since the river flow is considerably in excess of supply requirements and there is a low risk that the dam will not meet its target yield (2018b). Funding has not yet been approved, not due to climate change risks but because the financial and institutional arrangements for the dam’s management must still be resolved. Kenya’s 2010 Constitution makes water supply the responsibility of local counties. But Mombasa’s current supplies come from other counties, and the itself will be built in a neighboring county. Current proposals are to establish a regional institution that would manage all the different sources into a single system, providing bulk supplies to the major centers of four counties. This would help to address climate risks since linking different sources into a single system would increase its resilience to climate variability, maintaining supplies even if one source in the system fails. But achieving financial agreement between four counties and national government is proving to be more difficult than finding a climate-resilient dam design. Windhoek, Namibia: as StorageNamibia’s capital Windhoek, high in the center of the arid and sparsely populated country, was established in 1892 by German colonists, attracted by the secure source of water from local springs. This groundwater resource served the growing settlement well until the 1960s when, after a series of dry years, it became obvious that additional supplies were needed. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by discussing the complexity of project sensitivity and vulnerability in relation to climate change. It suggests that while adaptation measures (like managing water supplies) may increase resilience, other factors such as financial agreements and institutional arrangements are critical in determining a project’s success. This indicates that adaptation alone is insufficient to fully counteract the effects of climate change.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Beauveria bassiana is a fungal pathogen that can effectively control locust populations. [SEP] Text: robertsii showed a cylindrical shape with septate hyphae. A similar study reported that microscopic characterization of B. bassiana isolates indicated round to slightly round conidial shape with glassy-like aseptate hyphae, while M. robertsii were described as having cylindrical conidial shape, septate hyphae, and branched conidiophores in the form of a candelabrum (Bich et al. , 2021). Germination is one component that affects the degree of virulence; the faster the germination rate, the higher the fungal infection of pests (Herlinda, 2010). This study showed that the highest conidial germination was achieved by M. robertsii isolate K-61 (99. 03%) within 18 hours of incubation. This result is consistent with a study conducted by Gebremariam et al. , (2021), in which spore germination percentage varied between 85. 43 and 99. 67% within 24 hours of incubation for 26 isolates. Likewise, conidial germination of Beauveria isolates ranged from 76. 33 to 95. 75% (Belay and Tenkegna, 2017), and 89. 30 to 99% of spore viability were recorded by 22 isolates of B. bassiana and M. robertsii (Mkiga et al. , 2020). Maximum sporulation rate, radial growth, and fast germination rate were the most important parameters for determining virulent isolates of entomopathogenic fungi, and the variation in virulence among isolates may be due to the geographical source of isolates and the potential of fungal species (Dotaona et al. , 2015; Gebremariam et al. , 2021). This result revealed that the highest radial growth rates were obtained by B. bassiana isolate K-91 (3. 24 mm/day) and M. robertsii isolate K-61 (2. 92 mm day-1) on SDA media at 27°C ±. This is consistent with M. robertsii developed on SDA media at 30°C, the temperature at which the rates ranged from 0. 14 to 3. 39 mm day-1 (Rodríguez et al. , 2009). [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text provides detailed information about the characteristics, germination, and virulence of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium robertsii but does not directly address their effectiveness in controlling locust populations. Although it mentions various studies on fungal pathogens, it lacks any explicit reference to locust control.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Genetic engineering can enhance the nutritional content of certain crops. [SEP] Text: Gràcies a la disponibilitat del genotipat de les ILs d'albergínia, les investigacions realitzades amb aquesta població van permetre identificar diversos QTLs associats a caràcters morf-agronòmics i de composició del fruit, la qual cosa proporciona nova informació rellevant per a ampliar el coneixement genètic de l'albergínia. En l'últim capítol es presenta la primera avaluació de paràmetres de qualitat de fruit i rendiment d'una col·lecció de 44 varietats de la tomaca resilient 'de penjar' sota dos nivells de fertilització de N (162 kg N ha-1 i 49 kg N ha-1). Es va observar una gran variació. La reducció de les aportacions de N va tindre un efecte significatiu en el hue, la mitjana del qual va augmentar lleugerament, i en els compostos i paràmetres relacionats amb la dolçor, la mitjana de la qual va disminuir en un 11-16%, mentre que el rendiment i la majoria dels trets de qualitat no es van veure afectats. Aquests són resultats prometedors que promouen la conservació de la tomaca 'de penjar' i a la seua utilització en programes de millora. En definitiva, creiem que aquests treballs proporcionaran nous recursos fenòmics i genòmics útils per a futurs programes de millora de les hortalisses de la família Solanaceae. [-] [EN] In the present doctoral thesis, we have focused on studying the variability and providing new useful resources for the improvement of the nutritional and organoleptic quality of tomato, eggplant and pepper fruits,. . . [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim as it discusses ongoing research aimed at improving the nutritional quality of crops such as tomatoes and eggplants. It highlights the identification of traits associated with the composition of the fruit, which directly relates to enhancing nutritional content. The mention of 'providing new useful resources for the improvement of the nutritional and organoleptic quality of tomato, eggplant and pepper fruits' supports the idea that genetic engineering efforts are being made to enhance their nutritional value.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Climate adaptation alone can fully counteract the effects of climate change. [SEP] Text: In 1968, a “direct potable reuse” plant was built that treats wastewater for reinjection into the city’s main supply. Subsequently expanded, it can now provide 20% of the city’s potable supply. An ambitious longer-term plan envisaged a phased regional scheme, the (ENWC), drawing from Southern Africa’s third largest river, the Okavango, on Namibia’s border with Angola, 700 km from Windhoek. The full project has not yet been completed, but growing demand has been met by intermediate interventions, including the development of new groundwater sources on the ENWC route. Throughout this period, the city’s local groundwater complemented other sources. The use of these multiple sources varies in response to the extremely variable climate, with surface water predominating in wet seasons and greater use of groundwater and reuse in dry periods. Local aquifer recharge has recently been introduced to store surplus water in wet periods, reducing evaporative losses from the surface reservoirs and increasing system yield (Murray et al. 2018). However, while diversification of sources provides some additional resilience to inter-seasonal climate variability, the assured yield still depends on local natural recharge supplemented by surface water imports. Drought in 2015/2016 showed that despite tightly managed demand, additional supply was needed and attention turned once again to imports through the ENWC. Although capital and operating costs appear to be prohibitive, this would substantially reduce climate risk by diversifying to an unconstrained source. In this difficult environment, available hydrological tools have consistently provided good estimates of the volumes of water available at different levels of assurance to guide system management. The technical analysis of the recharge and storage potential of the Windhoek aquifers has also provided the basis for implementation. Although the impacts of climate change on regional precipitation and flows are uncertain (Hughes et al. 2011), Namibia’s requirement is only around 2% of the total flow, suggesting that the objections of environmentalists in Botswana, the downstream riparian, are ill-founded. The other long-term policy option is to break the “path dependence” since Windhoek was made the country’s capital 130 years ago and promote economic development in Namibia’s more humid northern region rather than increase the city’s water supply. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by illustrating that while climate adaptation strategies, such as diversifying water sources and implementing local aquifer recharge, are important for resilience against climate variability, they do not fully counteract the impacts of climate change. The mention of the drought in 2015/2016 highlights that despite effective water management, additional supply was still needed, indicating that adaptation alone is insufficient to fully address the challenges posed by climate change.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Beauveria bassiana is a fungal pathogen that can effectively control locust populations. [SEP] Text: : Insect pathogens as biological control agents: back to the future. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 2015; 132: 1–41. Pub| : Feeding experience affects the behavioral response of polyphagous gypsy moth caterpillars to herbivoreinduced poplar volatiles. J. Chem. Ecol. 2016; 42(5): 382–393. Pub| Text | : Thermal response and horizontal transmission of cameroonian isolates of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae–Candidates for microbial controls of the banana root borer Cosmopolites sordidus. Fungal Ecol. 2021; 50: 101042. : Methods for isolation of entomopathogenic fungi from the soil environment-laboratory manual. 2007. du et al. : Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana: pathogenicity, horizontal transmission, and their effects on reproductive potential of Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 2020; 113(2): 660–668. Pub| : and the description of new species from Thailand. Stud. Mycol. 2020; 95(1): 171–251. Pub| Text | : Impact of endophytic microorganisms on plants, environment and humans. Sci. World J. 2014; 2014: 1–11. Pub| Text | : Insecticide resistance management against thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on onion in the central of Ethiopia. Int. J. Trop. Insect Sci. 2020; 40(4): 759–767. Text Rodríguez M, Gerding M, France A, et al. : Evaluation of Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae Qu-M845 isolate to control Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae) in laboratory and field trials. Chil. J. Agric. Res. 2009; 69(4): 541–547. : Modified slide culture method for faster and easier identification of dermatophytes. Microbiol. Indones. 2014; 8(3): 135–137, 139. ádeková P, Medo J, et al. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text does not provide any information specifically addressing the effectiveness of Beauveria bassiana in controlling locust populations. It discusses various studies related to insect pathogens and entomopathogenic fungi, but none directly support or refute the claim regarding locust control.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Genetic engineering can enhance the nutritional content of certain crops. [SEP] Text: [+] [EN] In the present doctoral thesis, we have focused on studying the variability and providing new useful resources for the improvement of the nutritional and organoleptic quality of tomato, eggplant and pepper fruits, adapting crops to lower nitrogen (N) inputs. To achieve this purpose, we carried out a comprehensive characterization of fruit composition, together with important agronomic traits, of a set of genetic resources scarcely explored up to date. In the first 8. 25 mM NH4NO3 added to the irrigation water, and no external N supply to the irrigation water). Although there was a significant limitation in plant growth, N and C distribution, fruit load and dry matter in response to minimized N inputs, the ILs achieved, on average, similar final yields under both N treatments, as well as produced fruits with similar morphology, weight and phenolic content. These results enhance ILs as useful breeding materials for the adaptation of eggplant to low N inputs. Thanks to the availability of genotyping of eggplant ILs, the investigations carried out using this population enabled the identification of several QTLs associated with morpho-agronomic and fruit composition traits, providing new relevant information to expand the genetic knowledge of eggplant. The last 10. 4995/Thesis/10251/182169 Publisher: Universitat Politècnica de València Project ID: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ANR//ANR-18-SUSC-0003/FR/Tomato and eggplant nitrogen utilization efficiency in Mediterranean environments//. . . [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by discussing the improvement of the nutritional quality of crops, specifically mentioning the study of genetic resources for tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers. It states that through genetic engineering and specific agricultural practices, it was possible to characterize fruit composition and identify traits that enhance the nutritional aspects, thus supporting the notion that genetic engineering can indeed enhance the nutritional content of crops.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Climate adaptation alone can fully counteract the effects of climate change. [SEP] Text: Absent such a radical policy shift, the incremental completion of the ENWC is a rational approach to making Windhoek’s water supply more resilient since the scope for further savings through demand-side interventions is limited. The city’s century-long hydrological history and the acute nature of the water challenges that it faces have produced a good understanding of the options available to build systems that are resilient to the risks posed by long periods of multi-season drought. As a result, if adequate financial resources are available, the strategies already adopted to manage current climate variability will enable the city to meet its needs, even under conditions of climate change. Beira, Mozambique: the of Beira faces many climate-related challenges given its location which is regularly hit by tropical storms. Established in 1890 as a port and regional railway hub on low-lying land at the mouth of the Pungwe River, urban water supply is difficult because fresh groundwater is very limited and the river’s estuary is saline. While river flow is adequate to meet the city’s needs, extensive saline intrusion, exacerbated by growing upstream water use, required its intake 80 km from the city to be moved further 20 km upstream. However, water quality problems continued for a nearby irrigation scheme whose intake the city had shared. While the intake could have been protected by building a weir downstream to obstruct tidal influx or storage dams upstream to maintain minimum dry season flows, these options were rejected on environmental grounds (1997). While climate change impacts are obvious, hydrological analysis has characterized the salinity dynamics and helped to identify appropriate responses to the impact of increased water utilization and sea level rise. The immediate water management challenges have been well-characterized, and the priority is to coordinate responses to protect economic activity. However, in the longer term, the city’s vulnerable location may require radical relocation rather than water management solutions. and the River System: Sustaining a “Problemshed”In economic terms, the (IVRS) is the most important water resource development in Southern Africa. It supplies water to around 20 million people in a region that produces almost 50% of South Africa’s GDP and includes the country’s administrative capital (Pretoria) as well as Johannesburg, its largest city. If its functioning is impaired by climate change impacts, the entire country will suffer. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by suggesting that while climate adaptation strategies can help manage current climate challenges, they are insufficient alone to fully counter the effects of climate change. For example, it notes that in the longer term, the vulnerable location of cities may require 'radical relocation rather than water management solutions,' indicating that adaptation alone is not enough to address the complex and worsening impacts of climate change.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Beauveria bassiana is a fungal pathogen that can effectively control locust populations. [SEP] Text: : Natural prevalence of entomopathogenic fungi in hibernating pupae of Cameraria ohridella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) and virulence of selected isolates. 2016; 52: 199–208. Sepúlveda M, Vargas M, Gerding M, et al. : Molecular, morphological and pathogenic characterization of six strains of Metarhizium spp. (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes) for the control of Aegorhinus superciliosus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Chil. J. Agric. Res. 2016; 76(1): 77–83. öfte M, et al. : Isolation and characterization of entomopathogenic fungi from hazelnut-growing region of Turkey. Biocontrol. 2010; 55(2): 279–297. ère Y: Field-evolved insect resistance to Bt crops: definition, theory, and data. J. Econ. Entomol. 2009; 102(6): 2011–2025. Pub| : Entomopathogenic fungal endophytes. Biol. Control. 2008; 46(1): 72–82. G: Review on safety of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Beauveria brongniartii. Biocontrol Sci. Tech. 2007; 17(6): 553–596. G: The ‘Galleria bait method for detection of entomopathogenic fungi in soil. J. Appl. Entomol. 1986; 102(1-5): 213–215. on this 10. 12688/f1000research. 134020. 5 version 4 Revised Published: 05 Feb 2024, 12:827 version 3 Revised Published: 30 Oct 2023, 12:827 version 2 Revised Published: 14 Aug 2023, 12:827 version 1 Published: 13 Jul 2023, 12:827 Copyright © 2024 et al. This is an open access 10. 12688/f1000research. 134020. 5) NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all 10. 5256/f1000research. 161449. r243892) The direct URL for this report is: Discussion 1. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text discusses various studies and characterizations of different entomopathogenic fungi but does not specifically mention Beauveria bassiana or its effectiveness against locust populations. Instead, it references a variety of fungi and their applications, which makes the information not directly relevant to the claim.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Some crops are engineered to be more tolerant of extreme weather conditions. [SEP] Text: . change has emerged as one of the most pressing challenges of our time, with profound implications for global agriculture. The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, heatwaves, and cold spells, have exacerbated the vulnerability of agricultural systems, impacting crop productivity, food quality, and ultimately, food security. As the global population continues to rise, the demand for food is projected to increase substantially, further stressing the need for robust and resilient agricultural practices [1-2]. The agricultural sector is inherently dependent on climatic conditions, and any significant deviation from historical weather patterns can have severe consequences on crop growth and yield. Droughts can lead to water scarcity, reducing photosynthesis and nutrient uptake in plants. Floods can cause root asphyxiation, nutrient leaching, and increased susceptibility to diseases. Heatwaves can induce heat stress, impairing physiological processes and reducing pollen viability, while cold spells can damage plant tissues and delay growth cycles. These stressors not only diminish crop yields but also affect the nutritional quality of food, posing a dual threat to food security and nutrition [3-4]. In response to these challenges, developing climate-resilient crops has become a critical area of focus for researchers, policymakers, and farmers. Climate-resilient crops are designed to withstand the adverse effects of extreme weather conditions, thereby ensuring stable yields and contributing to food security. Achieving this goal requires innovative breeding strategies that leverage both traditional and modern techniques to enhance the resilience of crops. Traditional breeding methods have been the cornerstone of crop improvement for centuries, involving the selection and cross-breeding of plants with desirable traits. While effective, these methods are often time-consuming and constrained by the available genetic diversity within a species. Recent advancements in molecular breeding techniques, such as marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS), have accelerated the breeding process by enabling the precise selection of traits at the DNA level. These techniques have proven valuable in developing crops with enhanced resistance to environmental stresses [5-6]. The advent of gene editing technologies, particularlyCas9, has revolutionized the field of crop improvement. Gene editing allows for precise modifications of specific genes associated with stress tolerance, enabling the development of crops that can better withstand extreme weather conditions. This technology has already shown promise in creating drought-tolerant, heat-resistant, and flood-resistant varieties of key staple crops. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by discussing the development of climate-resilient crops designed to withstand extreme weather conditions. It mentions that gene editing technologies and innovative breeding strategies are being utilized to create crops with enhanced resistance to environmental stresses such as droughts, heatwaves, and floods, thereby supporting the assertion that some crops are engineered for better tolerance of these conditions.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Climate adaptation alone can fully counteract the effects of climate change. [SEP] Text: The IVRS region lies across the watershed of the country’s two largest rivers, the Orange and the Limpopo, which discharge into the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, respectively. By the 1960s, demand for water for domestic and economic purposes had outstripped the reliable flow of the main local source, the Vaal River, a tributary of the Orange River, which is also highly variable. A national policy review (1970) recommended a system approach to identify and introduce new sources. This coincided with the emergence of new techniques to undertake the required analysis (Maass et al. 1962). For four decades, system models guided decisions on expansion and operation (Basson and 2001) that have successfully sustained water security in the expanding system. Throughout this period, the objective was to manage the extreme climate variability, with drought risk as the key metric since there was little useful information about potential climate change risks. An important element of the system is the (LHWP), a multiphase scheme which diverts water that flows south from Lesotho in the Orange River, northward to its tributary. In terms of a binational Treaty, uses Lesotho territory to discharge the waters closer to the centers of demand, with considerable cost-savings. Climate variability and change are addressed in the Treaty only insofar as provision for joint action in the event of force majeure, covering “disturbance due to an extreme hydrological or other natural event, including extreme drought, and affecting the delivery of water to South Africa. ” Similarly, while the 1998 on Phase 1B of the project (which was successfully completed in 2002) makes no explicit mention of climate variability and change, it locates the purpose of the project as “reducing drought risk” in the system. The LHWP’s further phases are seen as low-risk, least-cost alternatives to augment the system’s capacity. Phase 2, the construction of the on another tributary, was included in the World Bank’s “RDM study” (Cervigni 2015). As with the in Kenya (see above), the study considered whether alternative configurations might be less economically vulnerable if climate change reduced project performance. Noting considerable climate uncertainty, the study suggested an alternative design could reduce the risk of financial losses due to climate change by up to 30%. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by highlighting that, despite efforts in the IVRS region to manage water resources and mitigate drought risks through climate adaptation measures, there are ongoing uncertainties and added risks associated with climate change. Specifically, the mention of the World Bank's study indicates that climate change may reduce project performance and suggests that even alternative designs can only reduce risks of financial losses by a specific percentage, underscoring that adaptation alone may not suffice to fully counter the effects of climate change.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Beauveria bassiana is a fungal pathogen that can effectively control locust populations. [SEP] Text: The first sentence of the discussion is still confusing. I suggest that it should be re-written to read "Of the fungal isolates collected from the soil rhizosphere of tomato plants, 70% of them had characteristics typical of. . . Continue reading 1. The first sentence of the discussion is still confusing. I suggest that it should be re-written to read "Of the fungal isolates collected from the soil rhizosphere of tomato plants, 70% of them had characteristics typical of the species M. robertsii". 2. The discussion is still largely missing on scientific explanations to the findings obtained. Had this been done, then the manuscript would have been scientifically richer. Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed. Reviewer Expertise: Entomology, biological control of insect pests and integrated pest management. I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard. . For: Isolation, morphological characterization, and screening virulence of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium robertsii fungal isolates on Galleria mellonella [version 5; peer review: 2 approved]. F1000Research 2024, 12:827 ( The direct URL for this report is: The direct URL for this report is: I have looked at the revised version of the manuscript (Version 3) and going by the comments earlier made bullet by bullet, I note only 3 of the queries have been addressed. The purpose of giving feedback is to improve. . . Continue reading have looked at the revised version of the manuscript (Version 3) and going by the comments earlier made bullet by bullet, I note only 3 of the queries have been addressed. The purpose of giving feedback is to improve the manuscript and I strongly recommend that the comments are considered seriously and incorporated accordingly to improve the quality of the paper. Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed. Reviewer Expertise: Entomology, biological control of insect pests and integrated pest management. I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard, however I have significant reservations, as outlined above. . [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text does not address the claim regarding Beauveria bassiana's effectiveness in controlling locust populations. Instead, it focuses on feedback regarding the manuscript's clarity and presentation, specifically concerning other fungal isolates and their characteristics. Therefore, the connection to the specific claim is irrelevant.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Some crops are engineered to be more tolerant of extreme weather conditions. [SEP] Text: Another critical aspect of breeding climate-resilient crops is the integration of phenotyping and genotyping approaches. High-throughput phenotyping platforms, such as drones, remote sensing, and automated imaging systems, provide detailed data on crop performance under various stress conditions [7-8]. When combined with genomic information, these phenotyping data can help identify genetic markers linked to resilience traits, facilitating the development of robust crop varieties. Genetic diversity plays a pivotal role in breeding for climate resilience. The genetic variation found in wild relatives of domesticated crops and traditional landraces offers a valuable reservoir of traits that can enhance stress tolerance. Conservation and utilization of these genetic resources through pre-breeding and germplasm exchange programs are essential for expanding the genetic base of cultivated crops. Breeding for climate resilience is further complicated by the need to address multiple stressors simultaneously. Climate change often presents a combination of challenges, such as drought followed by heatwaves or flooding followed by cold spells. Therefore, breeding strategies must focus on developing varieties that can withstand multiple stresses concurrently [9-10]. This holistic approach requires a deep understanding of the interactions between different stress responses at the physiological, genetic, and molecular levels. Several successful case studies highlight the potential of breeding climate-resilient crops. For instance, drought-tolerant maize varieties developed through a combination of conventional and molecular breeding have been widely adopted in sub-Saharan Africa, leading to significant yield improvements under water-limited conditions. Similarly, gene-edited rice varieties with enhanced flood tolerance have shown promise in Southeast Asia, where flooding is a recurring challenge. To support the development and adoption of climate-resilient crops, coordinated efforts in research, policy, and extension services are necessary. Investment in advanced breeding technologies, capacity building for breeders, and creating enabling regulatory frameworks for gene-edited crops are essential steps. Additionally, policies that promote the conservation of genetic diversity and the dissemination of resilient varieties to farmers will enhance agricultural sustainability in the face of climate change [11]. Collaborative efforts between governments, research institutions, and the private sector are crucial to ensure the widespread adoption and implementation of these strategies, developing climate-resilient crops is imperative for ensuring food security and agricultural sustainability under extreme weather conditions. Advances in breeding strategies, from traditional methods to cutting-edge gene editing technologies, offer promising solutions to this challenge. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by explaining that breeding climate-resilient crops involves both phenotyping and genotyping approaches to develop robust varieties that can withstand extreme weather conditions. It discusses specific examples, such as drought-tolerant maize in sub-Saharan Africa and flood-tolerant rice in Southeast Asia, indicating that these crops have been specifically engineered or bred to enhance their tolerance to severe environmental stresses. The emphasis on genetic diversity and advanced breeding strategies further supports the idea that engineering and breeding practices are aimed at developing crops better suited to cope with extreme weather.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Climate adaptation alone can fully counteract the effects of climate change. [SEP] Text: This only considered assumptions about water prices and demand and not the wider societal costs of supply failure, a conservative approach since, for many societies, higher water costs are preferable to the costs of unexpected supply failures (as is formally stated in the new water strategy (2019)). Subsequent studies concluded that the would meet its intended delivery targets under a wide range of climate scenarios with deficits occurring only in the very driest 16 of 122 scenarios. The IVRS also illustrates the benefits of a “problemshed”-based analysis (Mollinga 2020) which encompasses the actual physical and institutional boundaries within which water is managed not simply an individual “watershed” approach. Whereas hydrological models are based on the natural “watersheds” before human activity intervenes, water management requires models that reflect the interaction between human activities and the natural system. The IVRS shows how hydrological tools can effectively be applied to manage substantial climate variability in complex multi-basin systems. Coordination: Drought Risks, Discount Rates, and HydropowerThe final case, the proposed in the transnational Basin, illustrates the challenges of evaluating climate change’s impacts in a complex system and uncertain economic and institutional context. In a basin that already suffers extreme climate events, the implications of climate change for hydropower expansion are a concern. Hydropower is the main source of electricity for the riparian countries and offers further opportunities to support their socioeconomic development. Dam project illustrates the challenges of identifying adaptive approaches that optimize the benefits that hydropower can provide while minimizing the risk. The history of Zambezi hydropower is as much about national and regional politics as hydrology or economics. Its potential was recognized early in the twentieth century, but it was only in the 1950s that it was decided to construct the Kariba Dam, creating what is still the world’s largest dam reservoir by volume. Built by the Government of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Kariba’s initial installed capacity of 1300 MW was sufficient to meet the needs of the Federation. It was controversial because a smaller project could have been built on the Zambezi’s Kafue tributary in Northern Rhodesia, closer to the mines that were the main centers of electricity demand. But political imperatives supported the larger project to reinforce the Federation although Northern Rhodesia, later Zambia, withdrew in 1963. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by highlighting the complexities of water management and the challenges of addressing climate change impacts. It suggests that simply relying on climate adaptation strategies may not sufficiently counteract the broader societal costs and risks associated with climate variability, as indicated by the consequent research findings and the emphasis on coordinated management across complex systems.