Input: Claim: Microbial fuel cells use bacteria to convert organic matter into electricity. [SEP] Text: / Michaelidou, Urania. Wageningen: Wageningen University, 2019. 288 p. Research output: Thesis › internal - THEST1 - Electrochemically active bacteria in microbial fuel cellsAU - Michaelidou, UraniaN1 - WU thesis 7156 Includes bibliographical 33. Furthermore, strain T33 has a more limited electron acceptor range, but a wider electron donor range than strain PCA, including glucose and succinate. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain T33 and recently described electrochemically active strains G. soli GSS01 and G. anodireducens SD-1 are closely related (99% by 16S rRNA) and form a new phylogenetic cluster within the Geobacters, 98% by 16S rRNA similar to G. sulfurreducens strains PCA and KN400. Genome-based analyses indicates that even though the two clusters share common metabolic properties, some differences exist with respect to electron donor utilization, attachment and conductive cell surface components (e-pili) production and genome rearrangement and gene acquisition. It is not sufficiently clear how the differences in the genome of strain T33 are relevant to persistence of the strain in MFCs, biofilm formation and EET, our studies overall suggest that strain T33 even though producing similar power densities as G. sulfurreducens PCA, might be more stable and versatile in MFCs, and therefore a better candidate for waste-water treatment if it can couple the oxidation of several organic substrates, as observed with Fe(III)-respiration, also to electrode-respiration. AB - Cell (MFC) technology has been heralded as a tool for energy conservation, resource recovery and valuable compound synthesis, amongst others. The MFC concept is possible due to the ability of electrochemically active bacteria (EcAB) to transfer the electrons produced from substrate degradation, out of the bacterial cell and onto the electrode surface via different mechanisms; a process called exocellular electron transfer (EET). However, despite advances and extensive studies on EET mechanisms and EcAB, like the Fe(III)-reducing Geobacter sulfurreducens PCA, the technology has not reached yet the stage of broad applicability.

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: Vertical forests eliminate the need for urban green spaces and parks. [SEP] Text: AbstractTo make the most efficient use of scarce recreation resources, urban forest managers need to know what features of recreation sites are the most important for creating high-quality recreation environments. In this study, observers viewed photographs of urban forest sites in the Chicago area and described the features of the sites that they liked and disliked. Natural features such as trees, grass, and water were most frequently mentioned as features they liked and manmade objects, problems with vegetation, and poor maintenance were most frequently mentioned as features they disliked. Observers who had lived in urban areas for most of their lives preferred more developed recreation areas and more often viewed urban forests as sites for particular recreation activities than those who lived in suburban or rural areas most of their lives. Urban parks and forests provide important recreation opportunities for residents of cities and towns. In large metropolitan areas, urban forests may supply the only opportunities for city dwellers to experience nature without traveling long distances to backcountry areas. As fuel prices rise and it becomes even more difficult to travel to distant recreation sites, the importance of urban parks and forests will increase. At the same time, inflation and scarce public funds make managing urban recreation sites an increasingly difficult job. To make the most efficient use of scarce resources, managers need to know what specific features and characteristics of urban forest recreation sites are the most important to users. That is, exactly what is it about some sites that make them attractive, desirable places to visit? And what are the major features that detract from the quality of some urban sites and make them less enjoyable for recreation? With answers to these questions urban park and forest managers can focus their efforts on the specific features that are most likely to increase the quality of the recreation opportunities they offer. This 1. Example of an attractive recreation site. This scene shows natural features such as trees, water, and open space. The area appears well maintained and the vegetation is healthy. Although no specific facilities are visible, the large open area would provide opportunities for a variety of outdoor activities. View this table:View inlineView popupTable 1. Features mentioned as desirable for urban forest recreation sitesWater resources, especially lakes and ponds, are the next most frequently mentioned preferred features, with fields and open space forming a third category of natural features. A few people indicated that a mixture of open spaces and wooded areas was most desirable. As with vegetation, nonurban individuals were more likely than urban ones to mention water and open fields as preferred features.

Output: contrast


Input: Claim: Aloe vera has been used for centuries to treat skin ailments. [SEP] Text: Additionally, the study reported 39 new use cases for medicinal plant species compared to what had been previously documented in other ethnobotanical studies published in Ethiopia (see 2). Table 6 Plants reported to treat ailments in Quara district for the first time in EthiopiaFull size tableThreats to medicinal plants and conservation effortsThe ethnobotanical study in the Quara district revealed several threats to the sustainability of medicinal plant resources and indigenous knowledge in the area. During group discussions, participants prioritized seven key threats to medicinal plants: use of herbicides/insecticides, human-induced fires, agricultural land expansion, construction activities, collection of fuel wood, use of plants for farm implements, and overgrazing. Additionally, the participants mentioned other threats such as the use of medicinal plants for house utensils, informal cross-border trade to neighboring Sudan, deforestation, seasonal migration patterns, and climate change-induced events like drought. The group participants also noted that there were minimal management practices in place for medicinal plants. To further understand the severity of these threats, we conducted interviews with 12 key informants, who were asked to rank the seven prioritized threats to medicinal plants. The results showed that agricultural expansion was considered the primary threat, followed by the collection of fuel wood and its use for construction purposes (Table 7). Table 7 Ranking of threats to medicinal plants in Quara districtFull size tableThe ethnobotanical study in Quara district has highlighted the significant threats facing several important medicinal plant species due to their extensive and unsustainable utilization. Ximenia americana is a vital medicinal plant in the region, with its root used to treat spider bites and diarrhea, and its stem bark used for jaundice and uvulitis. However, the excessive harvesting of the root and stem bark is leading to a concerning decline in the plant’s population. Similarly, Carissa spinarum is an important medicinal resource, with its root used to treat a variety of common illnesses, including snakebites, evil spirits, and the evil eye. The reported decline in the Carissa spinarum population in the area is particularly alarming. Securidaca longepedunculata is another highly sought-after medicinal plant, with its root extensively used to treat snakebites, the evil eye, and febrile illnesses.

Output: pass


Input: Claim: Microbial fuel cells use bacteria to convert organic matter into electricity. [SEP] Text: This thesis investigates characteristics and performance of EcAB in the anodic compartment of pure- and mixed-culture MFCs in an effort to shed light to processes important to MFC performance and efficiency. In order to reliably study EcAB in a microbial fuel cell environment, a gas-tight, sterile MFC setup was developed and optimized for electrochemical and microbiological studies of the anodic bacteria and consequently the electrochemically active biofilm/bioanode. In addition, a method for Geobacter species quantification with quantitative PCR (qPCR) was developed. Furthermore, a multiple-unit MFC setup was designed for convenient and simultaneous operation of identical MFCs ‘in-parallel’. A design for a new compact, multi-array MFC to be used as a small-scale culturing platform of EcAB based solely on their electrochemical properties is also introduced. Our research with different titanium (Ti) electrodes in the same MFC setup, suggests that the MFC electrode surface is critical as it determines attachment of EcAB and bioanode formation that leads ultimately to efficient electrochemical activity. Pt- and Ta- coated Ti electrodes performed the best while uncoated Ti with either smooth or rough surfaces performed the worst. Future MFC research could benefit greatly from enhancing the electrode interface for optimum bioanode formation and electron transfer. Our studies with flat-plate, graphite-electrode, mixed-culture microbial fuel cells (Pmax ≈ 1 W/m2) operated for several months with external load (Rext), indicated stable and reproducible characteristics including Coulombic efficiencies, average values of cell voltage, anode potentials, and current densities as well as main microbial populations of both the anolyte and the bioanode. However, transient testing of power maxima values (Pmax) that required lower Rext, or applied potential showed result variability, that might be linked to differences in electrochemical impedance factors, redox-active centers and electron-producing states of the bioanodes. Differences in the quantities of the bioanode microbial species did not seem to correlate with this variability. Since energy-conserving applications like waste-water treatment MFCs would ideally be operated with an Rext rather than applied voltage, addressing interface impedance factors, such as charge transfer resistance and electrical double layer capacitance, is important especially when MFCs are operated at lower Rext.

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: Vertical forests eliminate the need for urban green spaces and parks. [SEP] Text: A different type of response concerning features of preferred sites involved the suitability of the sites as settings for particular activities. Trail activities (e. g. , hiking and bicycling) and passive uses (e. g. , sitting and relaxing) were mentioned most frequently. Urban people were more likely to give responses relating to the ability to engage in activities at the sites than nonurban people. The most frequently mentioned man-made feature contributing to high site quality in this study was paths. Apparently, the ability to move through an area safely and comfortably is important to users, and paths provide this ability. The nonurban group was most sensitive to this feature. Other preferred characteristics indicate that naturalness, upkeep, and absence of crowds are important features in high-quality recreation sites. Features of low-quality sitesThe most frequently mentioned features that detracted from site quality were man-made objects (Table 2, Fig. 2). The urban and nonurban groups were strikingly different in that the majority of the nonurban group mentioned some kind of undesirable manmade feature whereas the majority of the urban group did not. Fences were mentioned most frequently, with playgrounds and pavement also being cited as undesirable by many of the nonurban respondents. Download figureOpen in new tabDownload powerpointFigure 2. Example of an unattractive recreation site. The fence is an undesirable man-made feature dominating the scene, and litter is very evident. The trees have no leaves and there appears to be no large open area for recreation activities. View this table:View inlineView popupTable 2. Features mentioned as undesirable for urban forest recreation sitesProblems with vegetation also detracted from site quality. These problems concerned both the quantity and the condition of the vegetation. Nonurban individuals most frequently indicated that their least-liked places had too few trees, while urban individuals were more likely to dislike places with too many trees. Poor maintenance in general was frequently mentioned as a cause of dissatisfaction with particular recreation sites, as were urban areas surrounding the parks, and crowds of people. Litter and large empty areas are further elements reducing site quality. A few people said that they disliked certain sites because they looked boring, unsafe, or too wild and overgrown. Additional informationPhotographs can effectively convey information about what features are present in a recreation site.

Output: contrast


Input: Claim: Aloe vera has been used for centuries to treat skin ailments. [SEP] Text: The root of this plant is commonly found in local markets and has even been reported to be illegally exported to neighboring Sudan for medicinal purposes, further exacerbating the threats to its population. Boswellia papyrifera is also facing threats due to the utilization of its stem bark for the treatment of scorpion stings, spider bites, and uvulitis, coupled with the various diseases affecting the plant, leading to a decline in its population. DiscussionSocio-demographics of the informantsThe ethnobotanical study conducted in the Quara district has yielded valuable insights into the socio-demographic factors influencing the knowledge and utilization of medicinal plants in the local community. Accordingly, the study found that men were more knowledgeable about medicinal plants than women. In the study area, men were more likely to be exposed to social affairs, which facilitates their acquisition of knowledge. Our data support the findings of [75, 76] who reported similar outcomes. It was also found that older informants, aged 60 years and above, demonstrated a higher level of knowledge of medicinal plants compared to the younger age groups (20–39 years and 40–59 years). This aligns with the findings of previous research [46], which suggest that the older generation’s extended cultural exposure, exchange, and practical experience contribute to their greater knowledge in this domain. Studies also identified a concerning trend that the indigenous knowledge on the use of medicinal plants is deteriorating due to the passing away of the knowledgeable older generation before they can effectively transfer their knowledge to the next generation [49, 77, 78]. This challenge is exacerbated by the younger generation’s lack of interest in learning from their elders. As a result, there is a risk of losing this invaluable indigenous wisdom as the older members of the community pass away. Among the three informant groups categorized by educational level, those who could read and write cited the highest number of medicinal plants, followed by illiterate informants, and those with formal education. This finding is consistent with other studies [49, 78], which suggest that lower levels of education are associated with greater knowledge of medicinal plants, possibly due to the impact of modern education [10]. The ability of those who can read and write to recall and utilize the medicinal plants they are familiar with may be connected to their overall higher level of knowledge compared to the illiterates. This finding highlights the complex interplay between formal education, literacy, and the retention and application of traditional medicinal plant knowledge.

Output: pass


Input: Claim: Microbial fuel cells use bacteria to convert organic matter into electricity. [SEP] Text: Furthermore, mixed-culture MFCs were shown to be selective for certain bacterial consortia, including Geobacter- and Pseudomonas- related species. Geobacter-related species were dominant on the surface of different electrodes suggesting a pivotal role of the species in electrochemical activity and EET. This was not surprising as the original mixed-culture inoculum - used for starting up several bioelectrochemical systems at our research facilities - was amended with pure cultures of G. sulfurreducens PCA. However, the strain specifically selected for and present in most bioanodes was a novel Geobacter, strain T33 that was phylogenetically closely related (99% by 16S rRNA sequence similarity) to several strains detected in a variety of MFCs operated by other research groups under various conditions and anodic substrates. These strains formed a new phylogenetic Geobacter cluster, distinct from G. sulfurreducens. This observation suggested that strain T33 might have an ecological advantage in MFCs over G. sulfurreducens PCA. In-depth characterization of strain T33 in pure-culture experiments showed that strain T33 forms efficient bioanodes with high Pmax similar to strain PCA, but exhibits different redox-centers than strain T33. Furthermore, strain T33 has a more limited electron acceptor range, but a wider electron donor range than strain PCA, including glucose and succinate. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain T33 and recently described electrochemically active strains G. soli GSS01 and G. anodireducens SD-1 are closely related (99% by 16S rRNA) and form a new phylogenetic cluster within the Geobacters, 98% by 16S rRNA similar to G. sulfurreducens strains PCA and KN400. Genome-based analyses indicates that even though the two clusters share common metabolic properties, some differences exist with respect to electron donor utilization, attachment and conductive cell surface components (e-pili) production and genome rearrangement and gene acquisition. It is not sufficiently clear how the differences in the genome of strain T33 are relevant to persistence of the strain in MFCs, biofilm formation and EET, our studies overall suggest that strain T33 even though producing similar power densities as G.

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: Vertical forests eliminate the need for urban green spaces and parks. [SEP] Text: Some important characteristics of sites, however, cannot be captured in photos and the respondents in our study mentioned a number of things they would need to know before they could decide whether the recreation sites would be enjoyable places to visit (Table 3). The location of the area and its surroundings figured most prominently in these responses. Individuals wanted to know where the areas were located, as well as what kinds of neighborhoods they were in. Safety was also mentioned frequently, as would be expected from residents of a large city. Several people indicated that a single photograph was insufficient to let them know how the whole area looked. Other features that could not be told from the photographs included the facilities and activities available, accessibility, the number and kinds of users, and the amount of noise at the site. View this table:View inlineView popupTable 3. Additional information desired about urban forest recreation sitesDiscussionSeveral prominent results emerge from examination of individuals’ responses to the questions about urban recreation site quality. Vegetation, especially trees, and other natural features are important items that enhance site quality. The tendency of people to mention “nature” and “peace and quiet” as desirable attributes suggests that urban parks and forests are seen as opportunities to temporarily withdraw from built-up urban environments and enjoy contact with more natural surroundings. Consistent with this conclusion is the fact that man-made elements such as fences and pavement were the most frequently mentioned features detracting from site quality. These elements intrude on the naturalness of the site. Problems with vegetation also detract from the enjoyment of recreation sites. Problems include an insufficient amount or, occasionally, unhealthy or unmaintained plants. Poor maintenance stands out as an important concern in those sites that were seen as undesirable places to visit. Individuals also expressed concern about safety and the kind of neighborhood surrounding the recreation site. Apparently, while seeking an escape into more natural surroundings, people do not lose sight of the fact that the forest may be affected by conflict and crime in the surrounding urban environment. Superimposed on these general trends in preference are some interesting variations between individuals and groups. People from urban areas are less likely to mention vegetation as a desired feature of urban forests and more likely to look at urban forest sites in terms of what opportunities are present for certain activities. Individuals from nonurban areas are much more likely to mention man-made features as contributing to poor site quality.

Output: contrast


Input: Claim: Aloe vera has been used for centuries to treat skin ailments. [SEP] Text: Key informants, such as herbal practitioners, cited more medicinal plants than the general informants, reflecting their full-time experience in utilizing these plants for treatment, as supported by previous research [49]. Although settlers (both formal and informal) and local inhabitants coexist harmoniously, the local inhabitants mentioned a larger number of medicinal plants compared to settlers. This could be because local inhabitants have lived in the area for a longer period and are therefore more familiar with the plants that grow there. ethnic group was found to be the most knowledgeable about medicinal plants compared to other ethnic groups in the study area. This can be attributed to the Gumuz people’s heavy reliance on flora and fauna for their health and everyday survival, as well as the exchange of indigenous knowledge, particularly medicinal plant knowledge, within their community and with neighboring Sudan. Medicinal plant diversityThe study identified a rich diversity of medicinal plants used to treat human ailments in the Quara district, with a total of 128 medicinal plant species documented. This figure exceeds the counts reported in recent ethnobotanical studies conducted in other parts of Ethiopia. As an example, studies in the [7], [13], [66], Asagirt [49], and Ensaro [63] districts recorded 74, 98, 92, 103, and 101 medicinal plant species, respectively. Several factors may contribute to the greater number of medicinal plants utilized in the Quara district. These include ethnic diversity in the area, and the influx of settlers from different parts of the Amhara region; the rich plant diversity, particularly due to the presence of communal forest areas; the district’s proximity to Sudan, which has facilitated the exchange of indigenous knowledge; the remote location of the area and inadequate access to formal healthcare, leading the community to rely more on traditional medicine; and the prevalence of various human ailments, such as febrile illness, evil eye, evil spirit, snakebite, spider sting, tonsillitis, wound healing, intestinal parasites, diarrhea, and amoebiasis, which may necessitate the use of a broader range of therapeutic plant species (see 1). Furthermore, the large number of recorded medicinal plant species emphasizes the continued relevance and indispensability of plant-based remedies in fulfilling the primary healthcare requirements of the population, particularly in areas with limited access to conventional medical services. The dominance of the Fabaceae family among the medicinal plants identified can be attributed to the evolutionary adaptations of this plant family in the local environment.

Output: pass


Input: Claim: These cells have potential applications in wastewater treatment for energy generation. [SEP] Text: The characteristic of a given waste upon treatment with peroxidases is sufficiently changed so that it is more amenable to subsequent treatments. Being enzymes, they have higher reaction rates, milder operating conditions (relatively low temperature and in the entire aqueous phase pH range) greater stereo-specificity, and consequently in comparison to chemical catalysts are selective and efficient. Although, biocatalysts have been exploited in several areas, their use in dealing with environmental problems is the need of the time. Soluble form of enzymes has inherent limitations of stability and the complexity of effluents make them vulnerable to denaturation and consequently loss of catalytic potential. To a certain extent these limitations can be overcome by immobilizing these enzymes on suitable supports which would improve their catalytic parameters. Peroxidases in conjunction with hydrogen peroxide have been extensively used in removal of aromatic compounds present in effluent discharge. Enzymatic treatment of wastewater has certain merits over conventional strategies. While there is simplicity in controlling the enzymatic processes, they can be exploited in a wide range of pH, temperature, salinity, contaminant concentration, recalcitrant materials. Nevertheless, the effective use of these enzymes was limited due to their non-reusability, high purification cost and sensitivity to the denaturants in wastewater. In order to overcome some of these constraints immobilization of these enzymes on various supports opens up new avenues for exhaustive utilization. With the advancement of technology, enzymes can be immobilized optimally at large scale on several different supports by cross-linking and entrapping. The current 2. Enzyme Immobilization: Characteristics and applications2. 1. Immobilization of polyphenol oxidase on Celite 545Achieving immobilization of enzymes by simple adsorption has a practical advantage of regeneration of support and consequently easy replacement of deactivated enzymes with a fresh batch of active catalysts [3]. An insoluble support is not only inexpensive but the relatively simple adsorption techniques make the approach interesting. Polyphenol oxidases (PPO) finds application in the analytical determination of cyanide, azide, aromatic amines, phenols and catechols such as neurotransmitter substances and related metabolites [4-6]. PPO have been immobilized on various supports and used for the treatment of wastewater [7].

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: Vertical forests eliminate the need for urban green spaces and parks. [SEP] Text: Nonurban individuals also seem to favor larger amounts of vegetation, citing too few trees as a problem more often than urban individuals. Urban individuals were more likely to complain that there were too many trees (Fig. 3). Download figureOpen in new tabDownload powerpointFigure 3. Recreation site preferred by nonurban but not by urban individuals. Nonurban individuals generally thought the naturalness of this forest was an attractive feature, while urban people generally thought this site was too wild and not suitable for recreation. Although these results must be interpreted cautiously due to the limited samples of individuals and photographs employed, they do suggest some approaches for improving the quality of urban forest recreation sites. Given the importance of vegetation, it would be appropriate to focus management efforts on providing the right amount of trees and grass and on maintaining them carefully. Man-made objects should be used sparingly and should be unobtrusive so they blend into the natural surroundings. Good maintenance of urban recreation sites is crucial so efforts to prevent litter, vandalism, and deterioration from overuse will be helpful. Preference variations between urban and nonurban individuals suggest that forest sites in suburban areas should emphasize attractive natural areas with few man-made features, while urban parks should provide a variety of recreation activities. The concern for safety and for knowledge about the areas surrounding the urban recreation site remind us that urban forests do not exist in isolation, but are part of the larger urban context. Although managers may have no direct control over land uses and neighborhood quality in areas surrounding urban recreation sites, they should be aware of the influence these adjoining areas can have on recreation site quality. The results of this preliminary report raise several interesting questions for further study. Safety has been identified as an important concern of urban forest recreation site users. We are now conducting a study to determine what site features contribute to the users’ feelings of insecurity and fear. In future research we will investigate how people’s p1978. Estimating psychological disutility functions from damaged forest stands. 24:424-432. OpenUrl↵Daniel, T. C. & R. S. Boster. 1976. Measuring landscape esthetics: The scenic beauty estimation method. -167, 66 pp. Forest and. ↵ T. C. Daniel, E. H. Zube, and B. L. Driver (eds. )Kaplan, R. 1979. A methodology for simultaneously obtaining and sharing information. In T. C. Daniel, E. H.

Output: contrast


Input: Claim: Aloe vera has been used for centuries to treat skin ailments. [SEP] Text: The ability of Fabaceae species to form symbiotic relationships and thrive in nitrogen-deficient soils, as well as their capacity to develop extensive root systems and outcompete other plants for resources, provides them with a competitive advantage in the area [79, 80]. This finding is consistent with previous ethnobotanical studies conducted in Ethiopia [49, 78, 81], and other parts of the world [82,83,84]. Regarding the habit of medicinal plants, the study found that the people of the Quara district utilized trees and herbs in nearly equal proportions. This observation aligns with the findings of a previous ethnobotanical study conducted in Ethiopia [78, 85], where a similar pattern was reported. However, it is important to note that in some other ethnobotanical studies, shrubs were reported to be the most widely used medicinal plant habit [13, 66, 75]. This variation may be attributed to differences in the local plant community composition and ecological conditions. Lowland areas with sufficient rainfall, like the Quara district, are typically dominated by woody species, forming woodlands, which could explain the prominence of trees and underneath herbs as medicinal plants in the present study. Plant parts and the conditions for preparing remediesThe study found that the most commonly used plant parts for remedy preparation were leaves, followed closely by roots. This observation is consistent with the findings of many other ethnobotanical studies conducted in Ethiopia [13, 46, 77, 78] and globally [83, 86]. The predominant use of leaves for remedy preparation in the study area can be attributed to several factors such as easy accessibility, abundantly availability, and their primary site for the accumulation of many bioactive compounds. Furthermore, picking leaves has less effect on the plant species’ survival. While roots have been reported as the most frequently used plant parts in a few other studies [75, 82, 87], the extensive use of roots can pose a risk to the long-term survival of medicinal plant populations [8, 88]. Consistent with previous studies conducted in Ethiopia [10, 49, 89], the majority of the remedies in the Quara district were prepared using fresh plant parts. The use of fresh plant materials is generally associated with higher efficiency of the bioactive components [75].

Output: pass


Input: Claim: These cells have potential applications in wastewater treatment for energy generation. [SEP] Text: Immobilized enzymes exhibited an enhancement in catalytic activity as against soluble states which were able to exhibit half of its initial activity after an incubation of 2 h. Treatment with 4. 0 M urea for 2 h under similar conditions did not cause much loss in catalytic potential. Effluent discharge is also loaded with several detergents. It was observed that soluble form of peroxidases in 1. 0% SDS for 1 h lost 61% of its original activity, the immobilized counterparts retained over 83% of initial activity under similar experimental conditions. Potato PPO on incubation with increasing concentration of 100 and Tween 20 (0. 2 – 1. 0%, v/v) underwent catalytic stimulation. Immobilized preparations of PPO were more activated as compared to soluble states of enzymes. Findings are suggestive of existence of potato PPO in its partially active form, which was fully activated in presence of lower concentrations of various detergents [16, 17]. The activation of immobilized potato PPO activity by the presence of some pure detergents suggested that this behavior is significantly fruitful for using such preparations for the treatment of organic pollutants even in the presence of such type of detergents. The behavior of soluble and immobilized enzyme preparations upon exposure to various water-miscible organic solvents like (dimethylformide) DMF, dioxane, n-propanol and acetonitrile suggested that the immobilized enzyme preparation exhibited retention of very high enzyme activity even when the strength of the organic solvent was very high whereas the soluble enzyme preparation lost its activity rapidly when exposed to water-miscible organic solvents. The immobilized enzymes exhibited over 38% of its initial activity as compared to soluble form which could retain only about 24% activity under identical exposure to 60% dimethylformide. In the presence of 60% n-propanol immobilized enzymes showed enhanced activity whereas soluble form underwent a decrease in activity, manifesting only 75% of its initial activity. An exposure of these two states of enzymes to 60% (v/v) acetonitrile suggested better performance of immobilized preparation expressing 40% in comparison to soluble forms with only 19% of the original activity. The activity of Celite bound PPO and free form enzymes underwent stimulation in enzymatic activity at concentrations of organic solvent up to 30% (v/v).

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: Vertical forests eliminate the need for urban green spaces and parks. [SEP] Text: -19 PreprintsProtocolsVideosJournalsTools & a 10. 21203/rs. 3. rs-1226791/v1This work is licensed under a CC BY 4. 0 LicenseStatus:Under RevisionVersion 1posted 3You are reading this latest preprint versionAbstractUrban green spaces (UGS) have the potential to play an increasingly important role in biodiversity conservation. To realize this potential, fine-scale, site-specific, and easily accessible understanding of UGS habitat value is needed, as planning and management of UGS occur primarily at local levels. This camera-trap case study compared mammalian wildlife in two large, Seattle-area UGS, St. Park (SESP) and Park (JWP). The parks are ecologically similar, but differ in the principal dimensions of urbanization-related habitat impacts: habitat size, fragmentation, and matrix quality, with JWP more heavily urbanized than SESP. Equal sampling effort in two habitat types (riparian forest, 1157 camera-days; upland forest, 1094 camera days) documented greater native mammalian species richness and diversity in SESP in both habitats. Two species, flying squirrel and Townsend’s chipmunk, were detected only at SESP. Species occupancy patterns indicated that bobcat, Douglas squirrel and mountain beaver were more likely to be present in SESP, while raccoon, coyote, and black-tailed deer, as well as six non-native species, did not show consistent differences between parks. The predator community of SESP showed a higher overall level of activity, and differed from JWP in species’ relative prominence. These results show in a straightforward and accessible manner the critical importance of urbanization impacts in determining the capacity of UGS to support wildlife—particularly small species and “urban avoiders”—and the range of habitat value across large UGS as they exist in a metropolitan area. Species we found to be largely restricted to SESP may be tractable indicators of UGS habitat quality in the urbanized region, and SESP provides a possible example of a regional reference site for forested UGS habitat quality. Similar studies can produce analogous applied outcomes in urban settings elsewhere.

Output: contrast


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

Output: pass


Input: Claim: These cells have potential applications in wastewater treatment for energy generation. [SEP] Text: Bioaffinity based media can be prepared for immobilizing enzymes obtained from crude preparations. Turnip peroxidase (TP) was immobilized on Con A-cellulose support and it retained 672 U of TP/g of the matrix [24, 31, 32]. Con A-cellulose bound TP exhibited very high stabilization against the inactivation induced by pH, heat, urea and guanidinium-HCl denaturation. Several earlier investigators have also reported about the use of support for high yield and stable immobilization of glycoenzymes [31, 33]. Lower concentrations of various detergents enhanced activity of soluble and immobilized TP. Immobilized TP preparation was sufficiently stable against high concentration of several detergents. Such immobilized systems could be used for treatment of hazardous aromatic substances. Enzymatic structure are affected by pollutants in wastewater. cellulose bound TP was remarkably more resistant against the inactivation mediated by DMF, dioxane and n-propanol. Akhtar et al. [24] have demonstrated that bitter gourd peroxidase immobilized on Con A-Sephadex support behaved differently compared to soluble enzyme in aqueous–organic co-solvent mixtures. Fernandes et al. [34] improved HRP organic solvent tolerance by immobilization. The immobilized soybean seed coat peroxidase exhibited full activity in the presence of organic solvent of concentration range (5-70%, v/v). The soluble form of enzyme was almost inactive in 50% (v/v) of solvents assayed. Enzyme catalysis in organic solvents is possible if structural losses are kept minimum in organic solvents and to achieve such performances from enzymes the Con A- cellulose associated TP seems feasible [35, 36]. Stability to heat, pH, urea, guanidinium-HCl, detergents and several water-miscible organic solvents is remarkable on using Con A-cellulose as matrix to immobilize TP. Immobilization of glycoenzymes on lectin support improves the stability against several denaturants as reported elsewhere and consequently holds potential in wastewater treatment [31, 37]. 2. 4. Concanavalin A-wood shaving immobilized turnip peroxidase in dye color removalWood shaving (WS) is an inexpensive support that finds use in immobilizing enzymes.

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: Vertical forests eliminate the need for urban green spaces and parks. [SEP] Text: urbanizationurban green spaceurban wildlifebiodiversity conservationwildlife habitatindicator speciesFiguresFigure 1Figure 2Figure 3Figure 4IntroductionUrbanization is a major and increasing cause of biodiversity loss worldwide (Seto et al. 2011; McDonald et al. 2018), reducing, fragmenting, and degrading natural habitats on which native species depend (McDonald et al. 2008). Invasion by human commensals and other non-native species further degrade habitats and reduce native biodiversity in urban areas (McKinney 2006; Shochat et al. 2010) With ongoing and projected human population growth and migration to cities (2019), the negative impacts of urbanization on biodiversity are likely to intensify in the future (Seto et al. 2012). Against this backdrop, urban green spaces—parks and other undeveloped lands within urban and suburban areas—have the potential to play an increasingly important role in biodiversity conservation (Aronson et al. 2014, 2017; Ives et al. 2016), although this potential has been under-appreciated (Soanes et al. 2018). For some local endemics, urban habitats harbor the only remaining individuals of a species (McDonald et al. 2008; Soanes and Lentini 2019), the global persistence of which is entirely dependent on maintenance of the urban green space the species inhabits. More commonly, urban green spaces support populations of more widely distributed species, and thus provide a defense against local extinctions and population reductions, e. g. , defaunation (Dirzo et al. 2014), that result in reduced local diversity, and can ultimately lead to species extinction (Ceballos et al. 2017). Beyond the conservation of biodiversity itself, urban green spaces support valuable ecosystem services provided by the biodiversity that they host (Nowak and Dwyer 2007; Luederitz et al. 2015; Zari 2018). Furthermore, because of their proximity to human population centers, urban green spaces conserve the experience of nature and biodiversity (Pyle 1993; Miller 2005), including wildlife (Belaire et al. 2015; McCance et al 2017), for large numbers of people, with important implications for quality of life (Bertram and Rehdanz 2015; Cameron et al. 2020), environmental justice (Nesbitt et al. 2019; Schell et al. 2020), and the future of conservation (Stokes 2006; Soga and Gaston 2016; Hughes et al. 2018).

Output: contrast


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

Output: pass


Input: Claim: These cells have potential applications in wastewater treatment for energy generation. [SEP] Text: The performance of the reactors was quite efficient as they fulfilled the following requirements: (i) limited accessibility to the immobilized enzyme does not seem to play a role since decolorization by free enzyme was never better than with immobilized preparation [43], (ii) retention of the immobilized enzyme in the reactor in order to maintain an effective operation [44], (iii) maintenance of a good flow rate in order to ensure efficient dye decolorization/degradation [45], and (iv) the performance of the continuous reactor was improved in terms of dye degradation by using activated silica in the second reactor, which helped in the adsorption of toxic reactive species [46]. Water free of dyes (DR 23 and mixture) was obtained when applied on to a double reactor system. ITP present in the first column acted on the dyes which were adsorbed in the second column containing activated silica. The reactors functioned efficiently for over 90 days. In the presence of redox mediator, 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBT); ITP caused significant dye color removal of DR 23 and its mixtures. While studying the absorption spectra it was noticed that the disappearance of peak in the visible region was either due to the removal of pollutants in the form of insoluble products or due the degradation of chromophores in the dyes [24, 47, 48]. The decolorization efficiency of DR 23 and mixtures were different. As compared to individual phenol/dye, biodegradation of complex mixtures of dyes and phenolic compounds were quite slower [24, 49]. One of the possible explanations could be the competition between various phenols/dyes for the enzyme catalytic site or the compounds were recalcitrant and underwent slow transformation. Argument supports the view that industrial effluents containing dyes and its mixtures could be subject to treatment by ITP. In the presence of ITP the treated polluted water had significantly lower level of TOC (total organic carbon). ITP treated dye solutions exhibited greater loss of TOC. Immobilized HRP removed ~88% of TOC from simulated wastewater containing mixture of chorophenols [50]. Significant amount of TOC from polluted water containing dyes/dye-mixtures and dyeing effluent was removed when treated with soluble and immobilized bitter gourd peroxidase [24].

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: Vertical forests eliminate the need for urban green spaces and parks. [SEP] Text: To maximize the conservation potential of urban green spaces, thorough understanding of their value as refugia for native biodiversity and the impact of urbanization on that value is needed (Knapp et al. 2021). Importantly, this understanding must correspond to the scales at which urban land-use planning and green space conservation and management occur. As the legal, regulatory, and cultural frameworks guiding urban development and green space protection and management—e. g. , land-use decisions, ordinances, regulations, community action—primarily occur at the local (city, county, or other local jurisdiction) level (Lawrence 2005; Azerrad and Nilon 2006; Miller et al. 2009), fine-scale, local, and accessible understanding of biodiversity impacts of different degrees, forms, and extents of urbanization will be important in informing these planning and management processes (Stokes et al. 2010; Molina-Holgado et al. 2020; Allred et al. 2021). Relevant questions include: Are there meaningful differences in the habitat value of urban green spaces at the scales at which they vary within a metropolitan area? What is the range of species responses to the kinds of habitat changes that attend ongoing urbanization? Are there easily monitored species that can serve as indicators (Crooks 2002; McKenzie et al. 2018; Lopucki et al. 2019) of habitat value of a municipality’s green spaces? Can we identify a regional standard for urban green space habitat quality, i. e. , an urban green space reference site (Klaus and Kiehl 2021). We addressed these questions through a case study using camera-trap data to compare mammalian wildlife diversity in two substantial Seattle-area urban green spaces that are similar in location, vegetation, topography, and anthropogenic history and use, but differ in degree of urbanization-related habitat alteration of the types expected to directly impact biodiversity (McDonald et al. 2020): patch size, fragmentation, and matrix quality. St. Park (SESP) is a large (128 ha; in the top 1% of urban Seattle-area parks in size), predominantly native forest habitat patch that is relatively unfragmented and bordered by a mix of developed and undeveloped lands.

Output: contrast


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

Output: pass


Input: Claim: These cells have potential applications in wastewater treatment for energy generation. [SEP] Text: The structural rigidity and consequently the native structure of a protein is enhanced by crosslinking [96]. Immobilization by entrapment serves similar functions due to which the CBP becomes more resistant to environment. Since the entrapment of CBP–complex is non-specific and masking of certain amino acids at or near the active site contributed towards lesser formation of enzyme-substrate complex, a decrease in Vmax was observed in the case of immobilized enzyme preparation. It is well documented that the Km values of several immobilized enzymes were either unaltered or exhibited minor alteration as compared to those of their respective soluble counterparts. 2. 6. 2. 4. CBP and dye decolorizationEntrapped immobilized CBP decolorized 93. 7% and 88. 2% of DR 19 and mixture of dyes (DR19+DB9) after 2 h of incubation, respectively. Immobilized CBP was more effective as compared to its soluble counterpart in the decolorization of both DR 19 and mixture of dyes. The decolorization achieved by entrapped Con A-CBP complex was reasonably higher for DR19 and dye mixture (DR19+DB9), respectively after 20 days. Even after operation of the two-reactor system for 120 d and 80 d decolorization achieved for DR19 and disperse dye mixture was 64. 8% and 56. 8% respectively. In the presence of redox mediator, riboflavin the loss of color was significant for both DR19 and dye mixtures. The enzyme catalyzed the breakdown of chromophoric groups present in dyes [47]. In case of continuous reactors TOC decreased significantly on treatment of polluted water with immobilized CBP. The significant loss of TOC from wastewater indicates that the major toxic compounds may have been eliminated from the treated samples. Akhtar and Husain [97] have reported that significant amount of TOC was removed from water polluted with dyes/dye-mixtures and dye effluents on treatment with soluble and immobilized bitter gourd peroxidases. These evidences strongly proved that immobilized CBP–complex could be successfully used for the removal of dye effluents loaded with recalcitrant synthetic dyes. 2. 6. 2. 5.

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: Vertical forests eliminate the need for urban green spaces and parks. [SEP] Text: (JWP), has similar habitat, but is smaller (15 ha; top 10% of urban Seattle-area parks in size), more fragmented, and is located in a matrix that is more completely converted to anthropogenic uses (Fig. 1, Table 1). If the differences between these two sites are meaningful for wildlife, we expected to find greater presence and diversity of native mammal species in SESP. As some species are less tolerant of the impacts of urbanization than others (McKinney 2002; Eakin et al. 2018; Rodriguez et al. 2021), we also expected greater presence of less tolerant species (“urban avoiders,” sensu Blair 1996) at SESP, while more tolerant species, “urban adapters,” may not differ between the two green spaces, and species dependent on urbanized conditions, “urban exploiters,” and non-native invasive species may be more common at JWP. This variation in tolerance of urbanization may produce differences in the species composition of the wildlife communities of the two parks, including differences in the mammalian predator guilds (Bateman and Fleming 2012), with possible resulting impacts on ecological function (Crooks and Soulé 1999; Fischer et al. 2012; Jones et al. 2016). By comparing the mammalian fauna of these two parks we hoped to shed light on the scale and nature of differences in habitat value of green spaces as they exist in an urban area. Faunal differences between sites, accessibly communicated, can inform efforts to reduce negative impacts of urbanization and to better conserve wildlife in urban settings. Study sites St. Park (SESP) and Park (JWP) are large, mostly forested wildland parks located 2. 1 km apart in the Seattle metropolitan area cities of Kenmore and Kirkland respectively (Fig. 1). Both parks are situated in a present-day landscape dominated by suburban residential and commercial land uses, including heavily trafficked arterial roads (City of Kirkland 2020), as well as other forested green spaces. The pre-settlement vegetation of both locations was native forest, which was cleared in the late 1800s (Harvey 1992; NPS 2006; City of Kirkland 2018).

Output: contrast


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

Output: pass


Input: Claim: These cells have potential applications in wastewater treatment for energy generation. [SEP] Text: The efficiency of the crude enzyme preparation was independent of its purity as earlier reported by Alberti and Klibanov [98]. By immobilization using entrapment on calcium alginate pectin beads, the apparent rate of enzyme inactivation was reduced which allowed a significant reduction in enzyme requirements for treatment. This increase in enzyme lifetime represents a very significant saving in terms of treatment costs. 2. 7. Gourd (Trichosanthes dioica) Peroxidase (PGP) in Decolorization of Synthetic DyesPGP cross-linked with glutaraldehyde and adsorbed on DEAE cellulose was efficient in catalyzing the dye color removal of disperse dyes viz. , DR19 and dye mixture (DR19+DB9) [99, 100, 101]. Immobilized PGP (I-PGP) was reusable up to seven times to decolorize DR19 and dye mixture to over 50% in comparison to free enzymes. The immobilized states of enzymes are relatively easier to handle and can be stored for longer durations. Immobilized states of PGP have better storage stability and can be used in reactors for the treatment of effluents containing phenolic and other aromatic pollutants including dyes which are predominantly present in textile effluents. The findings on reusability and storage ability suggests that the use of cheaper source of enzyme and support will definitely minimize the cost of immobilization and would provide a suitable strategy for treatment of huge volumes of wastewater in continuous as well as batch processes. The peroxidases functions better in the presence of redox mediator. Thus it’s essential that the enzyme catalytic activity is effective in conjunction with redox mediators and optimum concentration of hydrogen peroxide [102, 103]. The enzymes work well in acidic pH generally in the range of 3 to 6. The findings indicate that immobilized enzymes at operational pH catalyze sufficient dye color removal. The presence of redox mediators enhances the enzymatic dye color removal. Perhaps a correlation exists between redox potential and dye reduction rates. The closer the redox potential is between dye and redox mediator, the faster is dye reduction, because electron transfer is facilitated due to the low potential difference. Such behavior explains the better catalytic properties of riboflavin.

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: Vertical forests eliminate the need for urban green spaces and parks. [SEP] Text: Following clearing, both sites appear to have undergone natural succession, resulting in a maturing, largely native forest typical in structure and species composition of maturing native forests of the western hemlock zone of lowland western Washington and Oregon (Franklin and Dyrness 1988). The two parks include both upland habitats and riparian habitats along small perennial streams. Both parks receive high levels of use by the public (WSP 2020; Stokes 2021). The forested areas of both parks are passively managed for dispersed recreation, with anthropogenic alterations mainly consisting of official and unofficial recreational trails. Human visitation rates in forested areas of both parks range from high in heavily trailed areas to very low in less accessible areas (Stokes et al. 2020; Stokes 2021). While the two parks are similar ecologically, they contrast sharply in the degree to which they are subject to the impacts of urbanization on habitat size, habitat fragmentation, and matrix quality (Table 1). Both parks are substantially larger than the mean size of parks in the urbanized Seattle area within (x̄ = 6. 2 ha, SD = 17. 4, n = 773; 2021), but SESP is more than eight times larger than JWP. Two major arterial roads traverse JWP, fragmenting the park into a larger number of smaller patches and greater edge-to-area ratio than SESP, which has only one major road crossing one corner of the park (Fig. 1). The landscape matrix surrounding SESP is characterized by more forest and lower road and residential lot densities than JWP (Fig. 1, Table 1). Thus, by all of these measures, JWP is the more urbanized of the two parks. MethodsWe used unbaited camera traps to record mammal activity in SESP and JWP in two major habitat types of each park: riparian mixed forest and upland conifer forest. Comparison camera sites were chosen for similarity of vegetation type and microsite configuration (camera height, focal distance, microhabitat type). Riparian sites were located along a small perennial creek in each park, and upland sites were widely distributed on minor unofficial trails in upland coniferous forest. To control for possible seasonal differences in animal activity, each habitat type in the two parks was sampled on the same dates, with equal sampling effort in the same habitat type of each park.

Output: contrast


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

Output: pass


Input: Claim: These cells have potential applications in wastewater treatment for energy generation. [SEP] Text: The performance of dye color removal was found to be highly dependent on enzyme dose, hydrogen peroxidases, temperature and aqueous pH. The encapsulated enzyme activity shows higher relative activity in acidic solutions over a broader range which are the most common conditions appeared in waste stream. Enzyme retention activity, encapsulation and leakage percentage of enzymes are influenced by gel preparation condition and finding a proper value for above quantities totally depends on the used support. The reusability experiment showed that these biocatalysts can be used up to several cycles without serious deficiency in their catalytic performance. A two-reactor system with simple operational protocol for decolorizationdegradation of disperse dyes can be designed for the potential future use of immobilized peroxidases. Interestingly, the described system is developed with a cheaper biocatalyst and support matrix that is quite effective in treating dyes continuously. Thus, immobilized peroxidase preparations could be exploited for developing bioreactors for the treatment of phenolic and other aromatic pollutants including synthetic dyes present in industrial effluents. 1. Jamal, F. (2011). of from in decolorization of synthetic dyes. In: Advances in Effluent, Prof. (Ed. ), : 978-953-307-704-8, 72. 2. Jamal, F. & Khan, M. Y. (2011). Peroxidases and redox mediators in dye catalysis and detoxification of industrial effluents. In: Catalysis: Principles, Types and Applications, (Ed. ), Publishers, Inc. ISBN 978-1-61209-654-4, 35. 3. Batra, R. & Gupta, M. N. (1994a). Enhancement of enzyme-activity in aqueous-organic solvent mixtures. Biotechnol. Lett. 16, 1059–1064, ISSN: 0141-5492. 4. Dur´an, N. , Rosa, M. D’Annibale, A. & Gianfreda, L. (2002). Applications of Laccase and Tyrosinases (Phenoloxidases) immobilized on different support: A review. Enzyme Microb. Technol, 31, 907–931, ISSN: 0141-0229. 5. Yagar, H.

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: Vertical forests eliminate the need for urban green spaces and parks. [SEP] Text: Occupancy patterns of non-native species were similar in the two parks, with only opossum occupancy in riparian habitats differing significantly (higher in SESP; Fig. 3). Both parks had high occupancy levels of eastern gray squirrel, eastern cottontail, and Virginia opossum, and low occupancy levels of non-native rat. Both domestic species, cat and dog, were more frequently recorded at JWP, but the difference was not significant. Mammalian predators (raccoon, coyote, bobcat, opossum, long-tailed weasel, and cat) were more often present in SESP than JWP. The five predators detected in riparian habitats were present on average for 29 of the 60 sample weeks in SESP versus 25 of 60 weeks in JWP. During the 43-week sample period for upland habitat, predators were present for an average of 18 weeks on average in SESP versus 11 weeks in JWP. Predator activity, as indicated by the sum of all sample days on which each predator species was detected, was also greater in SESP than in JW in both riparian (36% more total days of predator detections in SESP) and upland (12% more days of detections in SESP) habitats (Fig. 4). The species that constituted the predator communities of the two parks were similar; however, the relative activity of predator species, as indicated by number of days on which each species was detected, differed, with JWP characterized by greater activity of coyote and domestic cat, and less of raccoon and bobcat (Fig. 4). No bobcats were detected in the upland forest at JWP. DiscussionThe results of this case study illustrate the wildlife conservation potential and limitations of urban green spaces as they exist in a major metropolitan area. Both of our comparison green spaces supported substantial native mammalian diversity, including diverse native mesopredators: coyote, bobcat, raccoon, and long-tailed weasel. However, neither green space appeared to support the full array of native mammal species of the region (Ingles 1965), and we recorded no occurrences of any of the regionally widespread native apex predators—black bear (Ursus americana) and mountain lion (Felis concolor)—or largest herbivores—e. g. , elk (Cervus elaphus). Additional widespread native mammals—e.

Output: contrast


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

Output: pass


Input: Claim: Microbial fuel cells are seen as a sustainable energy option for low-power applications. [SEP] Text: IntroductionDue to a growing global population, domestic and industrial energy demands are on the rise. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), power demand is expected to rise up to 18 billion tonne oil equivalent by 2035 from a current demand of 12 billion tonne oil equivalent [1]. Presently, most of the world’s energy is derived from fossil fuels, but their efficiency, security and environmental effects hold it back from being a preferred energy resource. To meet future energy demands, there is need of a reliable, sustainable and clean energy source. While nuclear power may be an alternative means of energy, with the recent incident in Japan in 2011, the safe and reliable implementation of it remains in question [2]. In the coming decades, access to clean water will be limited in many parts of the world. Recycling of wastewater (wastewater treatment) is one of the ways in which the demand for clean drinking water can be met. At present, most existing wastewater purification technologies consume a lot of energy. According to recent reports, in the United States, water and wastewater systems consume around 5 % of the total energy produced in the country, which happens to be a huge burden on the energy sector [3]. To address this inefficiency, microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can be explored to treat wastewater in a more economical and sustainable way. An idea developed by British botanist Potter [4] in 1911 was to produce electricity using microbes that oxidize organic molecules. Since then, MFCs have attracted special attention from researchers, representing a promising solution for energy generation. MFCs treat water in addition to generating energy by consuming organic pollutants from the wastewater. Over the last 10 years, this idea has seen a tremendous interest from scientific community leading to a promising power source to provide power for electronic devices [5] and other practical application in a cost-effective manner [6]. The concept discovered by Potter in 1911 [4] was not well appreciated until 1999, when it was shown that bacteria can transfer electrons externally to electrodes [7]. During the last decade, this technology has been developed in a practical way for electricity generation along with wastewater treatment [8, 9]. Principally, the performance of MFCs can be affected by several factors including microbial inoculum, the chemical substrate in the fuel, the proton exchange membrane (PEM) and the electrode material.

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: Vertical forests eliminate the need for urban green spaces and parks. [SEP] Text: g. , striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis)—also appeared to be absent. Thus, while urban green spaces can support substantial diversity, even a large, relatively unfragmented urban green space such as SESP is likely to support only a subset of the regional species pool (Aronson et al. 2016; Lerman et al. 2021). These results also demonstrate the differences in wildlife value of relatively large urban green spaces subject to different levels of urbanization impact. Our cameras detected a greater diversity of native mammal species, including a more diverse and robust native predator guild and significantly higher levels of occupancy of several native species in SESP, which is larger, less fragmented, and situated amid more wildlife-friendly land uses than JWP. These differences were observed in both upland and riparian forest habitats. As these patterns did not obtain for the largest and most conspicuous species--coyote and deer—the wildlife impact of urbanization may not be apparent to the public and government officials charged with land-use planning and green space management. Unlike native species, non-native species occupancy levels were largely similar in the two parks (Fig. 3). The sole exception was Virginia opossum, which showed higher riparian habitat occupancy at SESP, although its upland habitat occupancy did not differ significantly between parks. Opossum, eastern gray squirrel and cottontail rabbit activity levels were high in both parks. These results suggest that the range in urbanization of our two study sites had little influence on non-native species, and that some non-native mammal species are likely to be prominent faunal elements of even the largest and most ecologically intact urban green spaces. Some native species were more sensitive to the impacts of urbanization than others. All native rodent species were more frequently detected at SESP, with Douglas squirrel and mountain beaver relatively common in SESP, but rarely present in JWP, and Townsend’s chipmunk and flying squirrel, detected at low levels in SESP and never detected in JWP. This pattern contrasts with the non-native eastern gray squirrel’s high occupancy levels in both habitat types in both parks. Eastern gray squirrel has proven to be highly invasive in a variety of locations where it has been introduced (e. g. , British Columbia, United Kingdom, Italy), occupying diverse habitats, including all but the most intensely urbanized sites (Bruemmer et al.

Output: contrast


Input: Claim: Aloe vera has been used for centuries to treat skin ailments. [SEP] Text: Acemannan can also increase the number of macrophages and stimulates fibroblast to produce keratinocyte growth factor-1 (KGF-1) for re-epithelialization process (Jettanacheawchankit et al. , 2009; Sierra-García et al. , 2014; Surjushe et al. , 2008). This study aimed to determine the effect of Aloe vera extract in repairing post-burn skin in rats that were analyzed from the number of macrophages, fibroblasts, and epidermal thickness. MethodsThis is an experimental study in an animal burn model with a posttest-only control group design. This study is reported in lines with the in-vivo Animal Research: Reporting guidelines. EthicsThis study was approved by the Committee of Utara (No. 711/KEP/USU/2021). This study was conducted at the of the Faculty of Medicine, Utara. Experimental animalHealthy male Wistar strain rats, 10–12 weeks old, weighing 150–200 g were purchased from the Department of Biology of Mathematics and Scientific Faculty, Utara. Before starting the experiment, the animals were adapted for 7 days. Of all rats, then every three rats were put into one cage with a size 55 × 40 × 27 cm (for and Reduction of Animal in Research strongly recommended height of the cage is 26-30 cm) and covered with fine wire mesh; the base of cages was covered with rice husks as thick as 0. 5-1 cm and replaced every day during the study. They were kept in 12 hours of daylight (06:00 A. M. – 06. 00 P. M. ) and 12 hours of dark cycle (06:00 P. M. – 06. 00 A. M. ) and fed with standard feed (CP 551 from PT Charoen Pokphand-Indonesia) and water was given ad libitum. They were kept in cages that were maintained at room temperature and humidity at normal ranges. Allocation and treatment groupsAll animals were randomly divided into three big groups by simple random sampling. (standard) consisted of normal rats, group II (negative control) was inflicted with a burn wound and treated with gel base, and group III (treatment group) was inflicted with a burn wound and treated with Aloe vera gel.

Output: pass


Input: Claim: Microbial fuel cells are seen as a sustainable energy option for low-power applications. [SEP] Text: For the last decade, most of the research in this field has been focused on the electrode material because it directly influences the performance and as such the potential commercialization of MFCs. Fig. 1A schematic of typical single chamber microbial fuel cell showing bacterial biofilm at anode, air cathode with diffusion layers. A Effluent inlet, B effluent outlet, C catalyst layer, D diffusion layersFull size image Various electrode materials have been used to enhance the performance of MFCs including single metal electrodes to composite nanomaterials. In this review, material and architecture aspect of anode and cathode are discussed. Introduction to microbial fuel cellsA fuel cell converts the chemical energy of a fuel into electrical energy without the need for combustion. MFCs are a type of electrochemical fuel cell in which the organic matter found in wastewater is oxidized by microorganisms. Conventionally, MFCs consist of an anode and a cathode separated by proton exchange membrane (PEM) such as Nafion and poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE). The schematic diagram of a typical MFC is shown in Fig. 1. The bacterial biofilm produced at anode acts as catalyst to convert the chemical energy of the organic molecule into electrons while the oxygen gets reduced to form water at cathode [10, 11]. Electron transfer mechanismThe output power of a MFC depends on various factors including the type of organic matter present in the wastewater, electron transfer rate from bacteria to the anode and the efficiency of the membrane to transfer hydrogen ions [12]. Some microorganisms are known to deliver electrons from their oxidative metabolic pathways to their external environment, such microorganisms are called exoelectrogens [13]. Two major genera of bacteria are known for this ability; Geobacter and Shewanella. The extracellular transport of electrons to electrodes takes place in three different ways: 1. Direct electron transfer 2. Electron transfer through mediators and 3. Electron transfer through nanowires. Direct electron transfer: This type of mechanism is found in the Shewanella, Geobacter species in which electrons are directly transferred to the electrode surface. The outer membrane cytochrome (C-type) is involved in the direct transfer of electrons produced from NADH [14].

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: Vertical forests eliminate the need for urban green spaces and parks. [SEP] Text: Other studies have found that bobcats favor riparian habitats for movement (Hilty and Merenlender 2004), avoid roads (Poessel et al. 2014), and are susceptible to road-related mortality (Tigas et al. 2002). results have implications for urban green space planning, management, and conservation. First, they provide clear and readily understandable evidence of the value of urban green spaces as wildlife habitat, and they illustrate the greater conservation value of larger, less fragmented, and more favorably situated green spaces as they exist in an urban area. By providing a measure of the wildlife impact of greater and lesser levels of urbanization, the comparative results of studies such as this can be used by local officials and planners to present accessible, site-specific information to the public, allowing informed decision making that includes biodiversity values, which are often not available and therefore are only included in decision making processes in general terms or left out altogether (Miller et al. 2009; Wilkinson et al. 2013; Apfelbeck et al. 2020). This is particularly important given that widespread occurrence of a small number of conspicuous urban adapter species—e. g. , coyote and deer—which may obscure habitat value differences of green spaces for the public. Greater public awareness of less visible wildlife, and the charismatic nature of some of those species—e. g. , bobcat and flying squirrel—may foster greater community interest and support for biodiversity conservation in land-use decisions (Stokes et al. 2010). As one of the largest and most ecologically intact green spaces in the Seattle area (Stokes et al. 2014), SESP may approximate a best-case situation for urban wildlife, and our results offer a possible standard against which the potential and performance of other urban green spaces in the region can be assessed. As this study shows, even the most favorable urban habitats (e. g. , SESP) do not support all of a region’s native species (Lerman et al. 2021). The faunal diversity of SESP, as opposed to the complete native diversity of the region, may be an appropriate standard of evaluation of the wildlife conservation value of other urban green spaces. Thus, SESP may serve as a regional urban reference site (Klaus and Kiehl 2021) for forested urban green spaces. A similar urban reference site function may be served by particularly high quality urban green spaces in other regions.

Output: contrast


Input: Claim: Aloe vera has been used for centuries to treat skin ailments. [SEP] Text: Each group was subdivided into three smaller groups (n = 6 per group) according to the time when the lesions were evaluated. They were treated twice a day according to the groups. The sample size was calculated according to Federer’s formula: (Federer, 1963)t−1n−1≥ 15t = the number of groupsn = the number of samplesn = 2. 875 ≈ 3 rat/groupConsidering the NC3Rs principal in experimental animal, statistical analysis necessity, and the possibility of drop out, the number of rats per group were determined to be six. All 54 rats were given a number (1–54) using a marker pen, then randomized by putting the numbers in an envelope and dividing them into 9 groups, according to the numbers taken from the envelope (Russell and Burch, 1992). Wound inflictionTo ensure that the rats remain in a comfortable condition, they were given anesthesia before performing the burn. The animals have anesthetized with Ketamine/Xylazine 0. 2 mL by intraperitoneal injection (in accordance with the provisions of Research). The hair at the dorsal region was shaved and cleansed with alcohol swab. Second-degree burn wound was inflicted using iron plate measuring 2×2 cm2 which was warmed in boiling water for 5 minutes and placed for 30 seconds on the shaved area (Kristyaningsih, 2016). Aloe vera extractAbout 2000 g of Aloe vera leaves were collected. The bottom part and the serrated edges of Aloe vera leaves were cut and peeled to obtain the inner clear gel. About 1000 g of inner gel was weighed and washed thoroughly and cut it into small pieces. Then, the small pieces of gel and 2000 mL 70% ethanol were blended and poured into a closed container (stirred occasionally for 6 hours, then set aside for 18 hours). This mixture was then filtered to obtain the filtrate (I). The extraction process was repeated on the residue using 1000 mL of 70% ethanol to obtain another filtrate (II). The filtrate (I) and (II) were mixed and evaporated using a vacuum rotary evaporator (GmbH & Co. KG, Germany) at 400C to obtain a thick extract.

Output: pass


Input: Claim: Researchers are exploring how to scale microbial fuel cells for broader commercial use. [SEP] Text: Merrill, T. Saito, B. E. Logan, Use of carbon mesh anodes and the effect of different pretreatment methods on power production in microbial fuel cells, Environ. Sci. Technol. 43 (2009) 6870-6874. [29] X. Tang, K. Guo, H. Li, Z. Du, J. Tian, Electrochemical treatment of graphite to enhance electron transfer from bacteria to electrodes, Bioresour. Technol. 102 (2011) 3558-3560. [30] Y. Fan, S. Xu, R. Schaller, J. Jiao, F. Chaplen, H. Liu, Nanop1912. [31] K. Scott, G. Rimbu, K. Katuri, K. Prasad, I. Head, Application of modified carbon anodes in microbial fuel cells, Process Saf. Environ. Prot. 85 (2007) 481-488. [32] energy from the marine sediment–water interface II: Kinetic activity of anode materials, Biosens. Bioelectron. 21 (2006) 2058-2063. [33] K. Wang, Y. Liu, S. Chen, Improved microbial electrocatalysis with neutral red immobilized electrode, J. Power Sources. 196 (2011) 164-168. [34] J. R. Kim, B. Min, B. E. Logan, Evaluation of procedures to acclimate a microbial fuel cell for electricity production, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 68 (2005) 23-30. [35] K. Watanabe, Recent developments in microbial fuel cell technologies for sustainable bioenergy, J. Biosci. Bioeng. 106 (2008) 528-536. [36] H. limitations in microbial fuel cells: an overview, J. Power Sources. 180 (2008) 683-694. [37] M. Rosenbaum, F. Zhao, M. Quaas, H. Wulff, U. Schröder, F. Scholz, Evaluation of catalytic properties of tungsten carbide for the anode of microbial fuel cells, Appl. Catal. B 74 (2007) 261-269. [38] S. R. Higgins, D.

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: Vertical forests eliminate the need for urban green spaces and parks. [SEP] Text: Clearly, even large green spaces such as SESP and JWP are too small, by themselves, to support viable populations of many of the mammal species that occur there. For example, the average territory size of a single female bobcat in western Washington is more than 300 ha (Link 2007), an area larger than SESP. Even small animals such as Douglas squirrel (Steele 1999) and mountain beaver (Arjo et al. 2007) are unlikely to occur at densities high enough to permit long-term viability of populations solely within the boundaries of SESP. This implies that the future persistence of these and similar species in green spaces depends on their continued access to and use of habitats beyond green space boundaries. To maintain wildlife presence in urban parks, land-use planning must address wildlife habitat value outside those parks. Given the negative impact of barriers on wildlife diversity suggested by our results, planning, design, and management of roads and other potential barriers to animal movement should receive particular attention. The prominence of non-native mammals in a very large urban green space such as SESP highlights the importance of gaining a better understanding of the impact of those nonnatives on native species in urban green spaces. While the negative effects of domestic cats and dogs are well documented (e. g. , Loss et al. 2013; Doherty et al. 2017), the impacts of eastern gray squirrel, eastern cottontail rabbit, and Virginia opossum on native fauna are less investigated (but see Bruemmer et al. 2000; Bonnington et al. 2014) and merit study, with the goal of informing appropriate management of these nonnatives. Finally, our study identifies several species that may serve as practical indicators of native wildlife habitat quality of forested green spaces in urban areas of the Pacific Northwest. Possible indicator species are Douglas squirrel, bobcat, and mountain beaver, which are both sensitive to urbanization impacts and relatively easily monitored with camera traps. An additional potential indicator is the flying squirrel, a species primarily associated with mature forests in the (Holloway and Smith 2011; Smith 2012). We detected few flying squirrels; however, our camera deployments were not designed to maximize detections of this species. With cameras positioned appropriately—aimed at tree trunks and downed logs—(Boulerice and 2016; DS unpubl. data]), or using acoustic methods (Diggins et al.

Output: contrast


Input: Claim: Aloe vera has been used for centuries to treat skin ailments. [SEP] Text: Gel preparation• Gel baseAbout 400 cc of distilled water was taken into the mortar, then 12 g of 3% Sodium-Carboxymethyl cellulose (Na-CMC) powder was evenly added. It was closed and set it aside for 15 minutes. After which it was ground and 4 g of 1% glycerin was added until a homogeneous gel base was formed. • Aloe vera gelPut 40 g of Aloe vera extract into the mortar then add 360 g of gel base gradually while grinding it until homogeneous. So, the concentration of the aloe vera contained 10% of the total weight of the gel. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stainingSix animals of each groups were sacrificed on the 3rd, 14th, and 21st days after injury by injecting 100 mg/kg ketamine intraperitoneally. Then, the injured tissues were carefully dissected and fixed with 10% formalin. All samples were taken to Laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine, Utara for H&E staining. The number of macrophages and fibroblasts, and epidermal thickness was evaluated using Olympus CX21 light microscope with 400× magnification and three fields of view. Statistical analysisData were analyzed using SPSS version 20 (RRID:SCR_019096) with one-way ANOVA test. If there were significant differences (p<0. 05), then LSD test was conducted to determine the differences among groups. Data were presented as mean ± SD. ResultsThe results obtained from the study are shown in Figures 1−3. The comparison of the changes in the thickness of the epidermis that occurs is shown in Figure 4. The explanation of the histopathological images obtained for macrophages, fibroblasts, and epidermal thickness is shown in Figure 5. From the one-way ANOVA results, there were significant differences in the mean number of macrophages and fibroblasts, and epidermal thickness in all groups (p<0. 05). Then, the least (LSD) test was conducted to determine the differences among groups. Figure 1. Mean number of macrophages. I (standard), II (negative control), III (treatment). *p<0. 05 statistically analysis by ANOVA showed significant difference. Figure 2.

Output: pass


Input: Claim: Researchers are exploring how to scale microbial fuel cells for broader commercial use. [SEP] Text: Taylor, Improving the assembly speed, quality, and tunability of thin conductive multilayers, ACS Nano. 6 (2012) 3703-3711. [66] A. Magrez, S. Kasas, V. Salicio, N. Pasquier, J. W. Seo, M. Celio, S. Catsicas, B. Schwaller, L. Forró, Cellular toxicity of carbon-based nanomaterials, Nano Lett. 6 (2006) 1121-1125. [67] J. Chen, W. Li, D. Wang, S. Yang, J. Wen, Z. Ren, Electrochemical characterization of carbon nanotubes as electrode in electrochemical double-layer capacitors, Carbon. 40 (2002) 1193-1197. [68]. Song, A. Xue, A novel layer-by-layer self-assembled carbon nanotube-based anode: Preparation, characterization, and application in microbial fuel cell, Electrochim. Acta. 55 (2010) 3041-3047. [69] X. Xie, L. Hu, M. Pasta, G. F. Wells, D. Kong, C. S. Criddle, Y. Cui, Three-dimensional carbon nanotube−textile anode for high-performance microbial fuel cells, Nano Lett. 11 (2010) 291-296. [70] P. Liang, H. Wang, X. Xia, X. Huang, Y. Mo, X. Cao, M. J. B. Fan, Carbon nanotube powders as electrode modifier to enhance the activity of anodic biofilm in microbial fuel cells, Biosens. Bioelectron. 26 (2011) 3000-3004. [71] J. E. Mink, M. M. Hussain, Sustainable design of high-performance microsized microbial fuel cell with carbon nanotube anode and air cathode, ACS Nano. 7 (2013) 6921-6927. [72] Y. Wang, B. Li, D. Cui, X. Xiang, W.

Output: corroborate