Background and Objective: An integrated model of life cycle assessment and hierarchical analysis was developed to determine the best practical method for municipal solid waste disposal. The model used for environmental and technical assessments of scenarios included (A) landfilling of wastes without energy extraction; (B) waste incineration with energy recovery and ash burial; and (C) production of compost from the organic components and landfilling other wastes. Method: In order to conduct environmental assessments, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) was estimated by life cycle of the disposal method. Technical evaluations were carried out based on the hierarchical analysis method and a survey of experts. In order to analyze the results of the proposed model, Tehran city in Iran was selected as a case study. Findings: The highest greenhouse gas emissions occurred in scenario A, and the lowest was associated with scenario B. Maximum discounts on emissions from burning putrescible wastes, paper and cardboards were obtained in scenario B. In contrast, landfilling of such wastes in scenarios A and C was the main source of methane production. Although the incineration of plastic wastes might lead to more energy extraction in scenario B, the generation of non-biological CO2 had an incremental effect on GHG emissions. Scenarios A and C had a relatively high superiority over scenario B from the perspective of most technical criteria, but the probability of leachate in these scenarios reduced their technical advantages. Discussion and Conclusion: Based on the combination of evaluations, the method of landfilling without energy extraction is the most inappropriate option, and waste incineration with energy extraction leads to the lowest greenhouse gas emissions and is technically acceptable.

Auxins have been used by many propagators to increase the rooting in carnation cuttings. However, so far the effects of auxins on flowering of treated cuttings are not reported. This research was conducted in a commercial carnation greenhouse in Shahriar located in Tehran province from 1997 to 1998. The cuttings for this research were prepared from two cultivars of carnations, namely 'Giamaica' a standard carnation and 'Boriel' a miniature carnation. After selection of suitable mother plants, 8-10 cm lateral shoots formed at nodes were cut for preparing cuttings. In this research, two auxins, indolebutyric acid (IBA) at concentrations of 0, 50, 100, and 200 mg 1-1 and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) at concentrations of 0, 25, 50 and 100 mg 1-1and also the combinations of all concentrations of these two auxins were used. The cuttings were treated with auxin solutions for 10 min and immediately transferred to rooting medium. The rooting medium consisted of a mixture of equal proportion of sand and the ash of rice waste. This mixture is extensively used in the commercial greenhouses for carnation production. Treatment was evaluated in a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement with three replications. Means were compared using Duncan's new multiple range test (DNMRT). Each replication consisted of 4 cuttings of which 2 cuttings were used for rooting and 2 cuttings for flowering data. The results showed that the used rooting medium was very suitable for rooting of the carnation cuttings. The different levels of two auxins and their combinations had no significant effect on rooting percentage at 5% level of probability when compared to control. While the number of roots were severely affected by auxin treatments. The highest number of roots was obtained at 50 mg 1-1 NAA and 100 mg 1-1 IBA (21.77 and 22.23 roots per plant, respectively). The best effect of different levels of auxins on root length was obtained at 100 mg 1-1 NAA (7.49 cm) and 100 mg 1-1 IBA (7.28 cm). Application of NAA and IBA increased dry and fresh weight of roots. The highest fresh weight was obtained at 50 mg 1-1 NAA (0.189 g) and 200 mg 1-1 IBA (0.184 g) and the differences were significant at 5% level of probability when compared to control. The highest root dry weights were obtained at 50 mg 1-1 NAA (0.028 g) and 200 mg 1-1 IBA (0.028 g). Treating carnation cuttings with IBA and NAA had a considerable effect on days to flowering, flower number, plant height and cut flower weight. IBA at 200 mg 1-1 decreased the days to flowering to 195.7 days compared to control which were 208.3 days and also was significant at 5% level of probability. Auxin treatments also affected flower number and the highest number of flower (17.3) was obtained at 200 mg 1-1 which was significantly different from control. Furthermore, the highest plant height (74.90 cm) was observed at 200 mg1-1 IBA which was significant compared to control at 5% level of probability. The highest flower weight was obtained at 100 mg 1-1 NAA and 200 mg 1-1IBA (34.98 and 36.79 g, respectively) and significantly differed at 5% level of probability compared to control. However, the effect of cultivars on some characters such as rooting percent, rooting length, dry and fresh weights of roots were not significant, but some other characters such as root number, days to flowering, flower number, plant height, flower diameter and the weight of cut flowers were affected by cultivar.

Eight-nineteen-year-old trees from Eucalyptus camaldulensis from De- hnow experimental Plantation located 160 Km. South west of Shiraz were selected randomly and fell two from each of the four blocks. Form each tree, 10 cm. thick cross-sectional discs at several different heights (3 meters intervals) were cut and together with remaining boles then transferred to the Alborz Research Center-Karaj for laboratory studies. The laboratory studies included determination of physical, anatomical and mechanical properties as well as chemical compositions of wood.The mechanical properties were evaluated on the ASTM methods for air-dry and green conditions. The following conclusions were drawn from this study:E. camaldulensis from one site in southern region of Iran has an average specific gravity of 0.806, Fiber length of 1.043 mm, fiber diameter of 15.38 mm, lumen diameter of 4.84 mm, cell wall thickness 5.29 mm, cellulose content of 42.5 percent. It was found that the mean values of modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity and compression strength-parallel to grain tested at green condition were 81.19 MPa, 10887 MPa and 67.39 MPa respectively.Data are also presented on other mechanical properties such as impact strength, nail withdrawal cleavage and etc.

Eight-nineteen-year-old trees from Eucalytus steriaticalyx from Dehnow experimental Plantation located 160 Km. South west of Shiraz were selected randomly and fell two from each of the four blocks. From each tree, 10 cm thick cross-sectional discs at several different heights (3 meters intervals) were cut and together with remaining boles then transferred to the Alborz Research Center-Karaj for laboratory studies. The laboratory studies included determination of physical, anatomical and mechanical properties as well as chemical compositions of wood.The mechanical properties were evaluated on the ASTM samples for air-dry and green conditions. The following conclusions were drawn from this study:E. steriaticalyx from one site in southern region of Iran has an average specific gravity of 0.935, fiber length of 0.881 mm, fiber diameter of 16.063 m, lumen diameter of 4.465 m, cell wall thickness 5.789 m, cellulose content of 47.07 percent.It was found that the mean values of modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity and compression strength-parallel to grain tested at green condition were 67.35 MPa, 8649 MPa and 35.36 MPa and air- condition were 117.53 MPa, 13397 MPa and 72.31 MPa respectively.Data are also presented on other mechanical properties such as impact strength, nail withdrawal cleavage and etc.