Many studies have documented that patterns of species composition change after gap creation, but few have addressed the processes responsible for this change. The idea of competitive reduction, that disturbance removes biomass, reducing competitive intensity and allowing competitively inferior fugitive species to colonize, has been widely accepted but rarely tested. We suggest an alternative hy...

An endophytic bacterium, Burkholderia cenocepacia 869T2, isolated from vetiver grass, has shown its abilities for both in planta biocontrol and plant growth promotion. Its draft genome sequence was determined to provide insights into those metabolic pathways involved in plant-beneficial activity. This is the first genome report for endophytic B. cenocepacia.

Some of the aromatic 'essential' oils used in aromatherapy do have well-documented therapeutic actions. However, many of the oils for which aromatherapists claim physiological medical activity, in fact possess no recorded historical medicinal actions. Oils such as: Moroccan chamomile, Citronella, Clary sage, Geranium, Rosewood, Vetiver and Ylang were originally produced solely for the perfumery...

Topical therapy is one of the foundations of a dermatologist’s therapeutic armamentarium as it is used either for symptomatic relief, control, or cure of the underlying disease. Emollients provide symptomatic relief in xerotic skin diseases like ichthyoses, xeroderma, disorders of keratinization, and atopic dermatitis. They act by softening the stratum corneum by increasing its hydration. Curre...

Clean water is becoming one of the most scarce and valuable resources in the twenty first century as its supply is finite and its traditional source is easily polluted by industries and population growth. Existing and traditional wastewater treatment methods are expensive and in most cases are either impractical or unsuitable for smaller communities and certain industries. The Vetiver System wa...

The grasses in Thailand were analyzed for the potentiality as the alternative energy crops for cellulosic ethanol production by biological process. The average percentage composition of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in the samples of 18 types of grasses from various provinces was determined as 31.85-38.51, 31.13-42.61, and 3.10-5.64, respectively. The samples were initially pretreated wi...

The water-soluble heavy metal ions in contaminated soil may enter aquatic ecosystem through runoff, thus causing negative impact on the water environment. In this study, a two-year situ experiment was carried out to explore an effective way reduce runoff erosion and copper (Cu) cadmium (Cd) (Cu: 1,148 mg kg ?1 , Cd: 1.31 ) near large Cu smelter. We evaluated ability influence properties by four...