حسین توکلی

This study provides a comprehensive exploration of the microstructure characteristics of cold recycled asphalt mixes, with a primary focus on their environmental benefits. Utilizing a suite of analytical techniques including Optical Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Scanning Force Microscopy, the study delves into four pivotal microstructure facets: air voids and coarse aggregates, uniformity index, the impact of diverse additives, and the process of augmenting initial strength. The findings reveal that several factors, notably aggregate grading and compaction methodology, exert a notable influence on the microstructure of cold recycled mixes. Specifically, transitioning from fine to coarse grading amplifies void space within the cold asphalt mix. Moreover, both compaction methods and aggregate grading significantly alter the size and distribution of air voids. The study establishes that as grading shifts from fine to coarse, the uniformity of cold recycled asphalt mixes experiences a gradual decline. Additionally, the Superpave Gyratory compaction method emerges as the most effective among the three compaction methods considered. Furthermore, the investigation assesses the impact of diverse additives on microstructure and overall performance. Notably, optimal cement content for cold recycled asphalt, when using bitumen emulsion, is found to be in the range of 1-2%, ensuring resistance against cracking at low temperatures. In general, this research indicates the importance of considering the microstructure in the design and evaluation of cold recycled asphalt mixtures, which can help to develop sustainable asphalt mixtures

With the victory of the Islamic Revolution and the establishment of the political system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, this system has been exposed to all kinds of economic, political- security and military threats from regional and extra-regional enemies. On the other hand, social capital is a fundamental concept in social studies and political science, and it is one of the needs of every government to manage society and fulfill people's wishes and interests in a broad way and in the shortest time; therefore, this concern and question is formed in the mind that "What is the strategic model of the management of political security threats of the Islamic Republic of Iran with an emphasis on social capital?". In order to obtain a suitable answer, the research collected and studied the opinions and thoughts of the imams of the revolution, documents and theoretical foundations related to the above topic and obtained the expert opinions of elites through in-depth interviews with 30 experts in the field of this research and while analyzing the findings using the grounded theory method, has extracted the effective factors in the "management of security-political threats of the Islamic Republic of Iran with an emphasis on social capital" in order to develop a strategic model. The results showed that in the management of political-security threats, there are three major parts of the framework and guidelines for threat management (doctrine, policies and goals), significant political and security threats for the management and function of social capitals in the management of threats (from cognitive dimension, communication dimension and structural dimension) is used to deal with the political-security threats of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Finally, while drawing and presenting the "strategic model of political-security threats management in the Islamic Republic of Iran", practical suggestions for maintaining and promoting social capitals have been proposed.

The aim of this research was to provide a prediction model of social desirability based on strictness, provocativeness and religious orientation. The current research was applied and in terms of method, it was a descriptive-correlational study. The research sample consisted of 360 students who were studying in the second secondary level of normal schools in Central Province, who were randomly selected and given a questionnaire. Data collection tools included four questionnaires of Carlo et al's Prosocial Tendencies Measure Revised (2003), Lang & Goulet's Hardness questionnaire (2003), Buss & Plomine et al's Irritability Scale (1984) and Allport and Ross's Religious orientation questionnaire (1967). Cronbach's alpha coefficient, factor analysis and model fit indices were used to analyze the data. The results of the research show that social desirability is directly related to strictness and impulsiveness in students (p<0.01). Also, social desirability is indirectly related to strictness and impulsiveness through religious orientation (p<0.01). Therefore, cultivating the trait of strictness and provocation through the mediation of religious orientation in students can be effective in increasing the social desirability of students.

Social desirability is a process that teaches people to develop their abilities to fulfill individual duties as a member of society. The aim of the present study was to present a model for predicting social desirability based on strictness and internal and external religious orientation in teenagers.

The current research was of an applied research, and descriptive and correlational type. The data collection method is library and field studies. The statistical population consisted of 6,371 students studying in the second year of secondary school in central province. 360 students were selected using non-probability and available sampling method, and the social desirability questionnaires of Carlo et al. (2003), strictness of Long and Gullet (2003) and Allport and Ras' (1967) religion orientation were provided to them. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation test and path analysis.

The results of the research show that social desirability has a direct effect on the severity of students (p<0.01). Also, social desirability has an effect on strictness indirectly through religious orientation (p<0.01).

With the increase of internal and external religious orientation, strictness increases and as a result, the tendency of teenagers for social favorability increases

Empowering the process is to continuously improve the organization's performance by developing and extending the competence-based competency of individuals and groups. One of the most important sources and sources of youth empowerment is the views of the highest decision-making authorities in the country. in place. Iran, with its full command of power, has a certain intellectual system that familiarity with it can play a decisive role in the nature of the strategies for empowering the young generation of the armed forces. The main objective of this research is to achieve the "skill and practical Empowerment's" strategies of the young generation of armed forces from the perspective of the Supreme Leader. This research is a applied-developmental. The statistical society has been selected theoretically and purposefully, and to achieve the results, the fundamental data method has been used by using the mixed technique (qualitative and quantitative methods). The result shows that the empowerment of the young generation of armed forces must necessarily take place within the framework of a systemic attitude (using all four mechanical, organic, project, and process approaches) and in accordance with the organizational and national conditions and ideals. With this in mind, the certainty of each of the approaches in the framework of the system approach is appropriate to the circumstances, subject, and organization of the target.

This study investigated the tribological properties of Ni-P coatings produced by the electroless plating technique with various amounts of waste toner particles added to the plating bath. The properties were examined before and after a heat treatment process involving 60 minutes of heating at 400ºC. The impact of the concentration of toner particles in the plating bath on the properties and also the microstructure, phases, micro-hardness and wear mechanism and characteristics of the modified coatings were investigated. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images showed that toner particles were homogeneously distributed in the Ni-P matrix. The addition of 1 g/L of waste toner particles to the plating bath significantly increased the wear resistance of the coating and reduced its coefficient of friction (COF) to as low as 0.25. Although heat treatment increased the micro-hardness of all of the coatings, it did not lead to a significant improvement in the wear resistance of the toner-containing coating compared to the conventional coating. The presence of toner particles in the plating bath decreased the coating growth rate from 0.16 to 0.08 µm/min. Increasing the concentration of toner particles from 1 to 5 g/L decreased the toner content of the resulting Ni-P coatings, leading to reduced micro-hardness and consequently increased wear rate of the produced composite coatings.

A reliable estimation of the discontinuity orientation of a joint set is of great importance in rock mechanics studies and interpretations. Common approach for determination of the joint set orientation is based on deterministic approach without considering the reliability of calculations. Nowadays, statistical and probabilistic methods are widely used to investigate uncertainties in the input data as well as validating the output of calculations and outputs where the emphasis is placed on identification of unknowns in analyzes. In this study a new method was presented for calculating the representative discontinuity plane of a joint set based on the Monte Carlo simulation method and the results were then compared with the conventional method. Evaluation of deterministic and probabilistic methods were carried out using distinct element method which showed that the proposed method is more suitable compared to the conventional method due to enhanced reliability in calculation as well as simulating based on considering the statistical distribution function and sampling from them. This advantage can be clearly seen for orientations fall in the edge of hemisphere projection. Furthermore, results of this study showed that when the joints are located on one side of the stereonet, the conventional method has a reliability more than 98%. in determining the dip and dip direction of representative discontinuity plane of a joint set while for orientations fall in the edge of hemisphere projection the reliability is reduced to more than 95% for the dip direction and more than 87% for the dip.

The effects of freezing-thawing cycles on the compressional wave velocities and dry density of schist rock have been investigated in this research. For this purpose, 13 boreholes were drilled in the Angouran mine and 25 cylindrical specimens were prepared. Then, the samples were weathered in the laboratory by freezing-thawing process and the compressional wave velocity and dry density of samples were measured in freeze-thaw cycles of 0, 7, 15, 40 and 75. The results analysis indicates an exponentially decrease in the compressional wave velocities (50% reduction) and dry density (30% reduction) with increasing the number of freeze-thaw cycles. Also, wave velocities exponentially increased with increasing the dry density. By fitting the concluded results, two empirical equations to calculate the compressional wave velocity and dry density in schist rock for different numbers of freeze-thaw cycles and also an equation between compressional wave velocity and dry density have been presented. In addition, the texture of samples was studied in intact situation and after 75 cycles of freezing-thawing by an electronic microscope. The obtained results indicated that the samples texture is condensed before weathering, whereas the discontinuities spacing is increased after weathering. Finally, verification results proved that there is a good conformity between the outputs of current study and other investigations.

Freezing-melting cycles are a serious natural weathering for rock engineering projects and constructed structures on the rocks in mountainous regions. So evaluation of the rock geo mechanical parameters reduction due to freezing-thawing cycles is very crucial in these areas. In this study, shear wave velocity and dry density of intact and weathered schist samples (under freezing-thawing cycles of 7, 15, 25, 40 and 75) of the Angouran mine wall were measured. For each weathering cycle, 5 samples have been tested and calculations were made based on their average values. Results showed that by increasing the number of weathering cycles, the shear wave velocity and dry density values of samples are exponentially decreased while the initial cycles of freezing-thawing have the less effect on rock properties. By analyzing the obtained results, an experimental equation was extracted and proposed to calculate shear wave velocity and dry density in schist against the different cycles of freezing-thawing. Also, the texture of samples in intact status and after 75 cycles of freezing-thawing was studied by an electronic microscope. The results of microscopic study indicate that the texture of intact samples is denser than those of the weathered status. Also, after applying 75 cycles of freezing-thawing, the spacing between discontinuities has been increased and new cracks created in the samples body.

Generally, investment in new technology through foreign direct investment or import of capital goods can lead to decrease energy intensity. Hence, the main purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the effect of foreign direct investment and import of capital goods on energy intensity of Iranian economic sectors. In this regard, disaggregated data for the sectors of agriculture, transportation, industry, and mine have been used during 1993-2018 and the model has been estimated by Arellano and Bond method. Other than two above mentioned variables, energy price index, value added and its square, trade openness, producer price index and exchange rate have been used as explanatory variables. The results show that the lag of foreign direct investment has significant and negative effect on energy intensity in economic sectors, while import of capital goods has no significant effect and even the lag of this variable has increased it. Moreover, value added, energy price index and trade openness have negative relation with energy intensity. Finally, producer price index and exchange rate have positive relation with energy intensity. Hence, absorption of foreign direct investment than import of capital goods is important to reduce energy intensity in Iranian economic sectors.

Rock weathering affects its durability and strength in mountainous areas during the time. Evaluating durability and strength variations of rocks under freezing and thawing (F-T) cycles is a key factor for stability analysis of bedrocks in engineering projects such as tunnel, mine and etc. In this study, the influence of F-T cycles on second durability index, fifth durability index, dry density and schist rock volume has been evaluated. For this purpose, 13 boreholes have been drilled in western wall of Angouran mine and required samples have been prepared. In overall, 75 F-T cycles have been conducted upon the samples and laboratory tests including durability index of second and fifth cycles, dry density and measurement of samples volume have been carried out in 0, 7, 15, 40 and 75 cycles of F-T. On this basis, new equations presented and suggested to calculate durability index and dry density of samples in different F-T cycles. The obtained results showed that durability index of second and fifth cycles and dry density both decreased exponentially. Also, volume of samples has been increased by increasing the number of F-T cycles. In addition, mineralogical characteristics of schist rock have been studied by optical microscope and XRD analysis. Results of these analyses showed that Chlorite, Biotite, Calcite and Quartz are main constructive minerals of the schist rock. Finally, intact and weathered schist samples (after 75 cycles of F-T) are studied by an electronic microscope to validate the results and evaluate the effect of weathering on the microstructure of specimen’s texture. Obtained results indicated that the texture of samples was dense before weathering in which spacing of the schistosity beddings was very low. However, after 75 cycles of F-T, the discontinuity spacing was increased and new cracks were created in the body of samples perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of barley (Hordeum vulgare) and berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum) cover crops, and their cutting time on black seed (Nigella sativa) weed management in 2016-2017 at research field of the College of Aburaihan, University of Tehran. The experiment designe was randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Treatments were: T1, no cover plant-weed free; T2, no cover plant- weed infest; T3, barley-first cutting; T4, barley-second cutting; T5, clover-first cutting and T6, clover-second cutting. The first and the second cutting were done after Black seed establishment and before flowering stage of cover crops, respectively. Results showed that the highest weed biomass was 444 gr.m-2 obtained from T2 treatment at t the second sampling time and the lowest weed biomass was 28 gr m-2, related to first cutting clover treatment (T5), at the first sampling time. The highest grain yields were 527 and 446 kg.ha-1, observed in treatment (T5) and control treatment (T1) respectively and the lowest yield was obtained from control (T2) with a mean of 100 (kg ha-1). Overall, results showed that T5 treatment at the second sampling time reduced weed biomass 90.4% compared to without weeding control. In addition, the berseem clover plant not only did not compete with black seed, but also increased yield compared to the without cover plant control (T1).

The 252Cf brachytherapy source is a spontaneous fission decay source, which is used as a neutron-emitting source. In addition to neutrons emitted from this source, gamma rays are also emitted with the average energy of 1 MeV. In this study, using the Monte Carlo N-Particle code (MCNPX), the absorbed dose rates of the neutrons, the primary gamma and the secondary gamma that generated by thermal neutron capture in the hydrogen of the water were calculated at different distances from the source in the water phantom. Also, the equivalent dose rates of the total, the neutrons, and the gammas were obtained at different intervals from the source. The results indicate that gamma rays from this source can provide significant energy at distances close to the source, so the contribution of these rays to total absorption doses should be calculated. The neutron dose rate and total gamma decrease with increasing distance from the source and at the distances close to the source are deposited the most energy. The equivalent dose of neutrons at distances close to the source (lower than 2cm) with differences to gamma rays has the highest effect at the equivalent total dose. So, the values at the distances of 0.5 to 2.0 cm from the source reach the value of 46.30 cSv/h.µg to 2.95 cSv/h.µg, while the equivalent dose rate of gamma at distances of 0.5 to 2.0 cm from the source is 4.30 cSv/h.µg to 0.272 cSv/h.µg.

The increasing of environmental stresses concerned identification of plants that have high performance in both normal and stress conditions. Ideal genotypes have high performance in normal conditions and show the fewest changes under stress. Euphrates poplar (Populus euphratica Olive.) is the unique poplar species in desert areas with high tolerance against some environmental stress, including salinity. This research was carried out with the objective of investigating the effects of different salinity levels on the yield of different ecotypes and introducing the best ecotype. In this study cuttings were taken from 12 ecotypes of Euphrates poplar in Iran and treated by salinity levels of 0, 75, 150, 225 and 300 mM NaCl. The research was conducted in Two-way Factorial arrangement on a CRD design with three replications. The yield and productivity index (diameter and height growth, biomass production; leaf, stem and root biomass (dry weight) and total biomass) showed significant difference (p<0.01%) in salt levels treatments and ecotypes. The indices such as MP, GMP, HarM, TOL, SSI and STI were evaluated for each ecotype and salt treatments. The Hamidyeh ecotype was located higher than others in Duncan’s Multiple Range Test; and 75 mM NaCl was located higher than other treatments. In fact, the salinity increases growth rates and Euphrates poplar showed some halophytes’ characteristics. There was a high positive correlation among yield and indices GMP, GMP and SSI; while there was a negative correlation among yield and indices HarM and TOL. There was no correlation between yield and STI (p<0.05). Therefore, SSI is a suitable indicator of stress tolerance. The cluster analysis divided the ecotypes into four groups: Jolfa, Manjil, Sarakhs, Gonbad, Dezful and Mahallat in the first group, Hamidieh and Masoumieh in the second group, Maranjab and Gilvan in the third group, and finally, Marand and Mahanshan in the fourth group.

Electrolytic plasma oxidation (PEO) oxidation is one of the most important methods for oxidation of materials and coatings. The coatings based on aluminum in the PEO method have two α-Al2O3 and γ-Al2O3 altitudes, which have α-Al2O3 allotropic coatings that have better hardness and abrasion resistance. Therefore, the main objective of the present study is to optimize the alumina of aluminum oxide to increase the amount of α-Al2O3 in the coating produced by the PEO method. In the present study, aluminum 1050 is used as a base metal, and materials such as potassium hydroxide, sodium pyrophosphate, and sodium aluminate are used as electrolytes. To optimize the data, the RSM test design method was used with the Design Expert 7 software. The amount of potassium hydroxide, sodium pyrophosphate and sodium aluminate, independent variables of research and hardness, and the ratio of the highest peak allotropic α-Al2O3 to the highest peak γ- Al2O3 are dependent variables of the research. The results of this study show that the optimal electrolyte composition in order to produce the highest amount of α-Al2O3 phase is 2.9 g / L KOH, 1.15 g / L sodium Sodium pyrophosphate and 0.34 g / L Sodium Aluminate, which is the ratio of peak intensity α -Al2O3 (in the XRD test) on the γ-Al2O3 peak at an optimal level of 622 and a hardness of 1648 Hv.

Radiotherapy includes all methods that can deliver a particular amount of ionizing radiation to malignant tissues, assuming that minimal damage hurts healthy tissues. We are looking for a valuable and reliable method to measure absorbed dose and the ability to measure the distribution of absorbed dose in three dimensions which nowadays is one of the three-dimensional dosimetry methods in using radiation-sensitive polymer gels. The purpose of the present study was to calculate the amount of increase of absorbed dose in the presence of gold nanoparticles and to investigate the type of gold nanoparticles arrangement (uniformly and shells) in the polymer gel of normoxic.
In this study from both experimental and simulation approaches, a dosimeter of a normoxic polymer type gel was used to measure the amount of absorbed dose changes of Gamma rays in the presence of gold nanoparticles irradiated with   Iridium-192 source beams. Thermolominans dosimetry reading system was used to read steps of dose value and then    MCNPX computational code was simulated by using Monte Carlo method. The results were compared and investigated by experimental experiments. In the presence of gold nanoparticles uniformly distributed in polymer gel, with 0.1mM to 1.5mM, the maximum absorbed dose was 0.24% and in shell state it was 20%. The result and investigation of both experimental and simulation studies showed that the optimum density of gold nanoparticles in the normoxic polymer gel is 1.5mM, which can be used for clinical trials.

Induced stresses and various instabilities and deformations are resulted due to stress concentrations around a longwall face. A considerable part of the induced stresses is transferred ahead of the face and onto the adjacent T–junctions and gate roadways, which creates a zone of high stress that advances with the face advancement. A nondestructive examination based on the Seismic Moment Tensor (SMT) inversion is presented to estimate the direction of principal induced stresses around active longwall panels. The E2 longwall panel at Tabas coal mine was selected as a case study. The induced stresses in front of the coalface can cause fractures to initiate and propagate, which in turn, lead to roof collapse. This phenomenon causes considerable problems in the face area and adjacent workings. The SMT solutions were presented for 24 seismic events at Tabas mine, which resulted in roof collapses and long delays in production. Most of the events occurred in the vicinity of the longwall face. The seismic waves generated during face advancement are used to estimate the SMTs through the process of SMT inversion. SMT inversion is the best method to calculate SMT from the recorded seismic parameters. The trick in the SMT inversion is to use long–period (low frequencies) regional distance seismic waves. The source process can be reduced to a simple delta function in space and time. The wave propagation is also simplified because filtering regional seismograms to long–periods, results in waves that have only propagated in a few wavelength cycles that can be easily predicted using relatively simple 1D layered earth models. The mathematical code is developed in MATLAB software to estimate the best solution for SMT. The resulted SMTs are decomposed in terms of its principal axes based on the eigenvalues and the directions of the eigenvectors. The directions of the principal induced stresses are then obtained based on the eigenvalues and the corresponding eigenvectors. According to the results, it can be conceivable that roof falls similar to collapse of the immediate roof strata within the face area may be produced by compressive/tensile failure mechanisms, which is resulted from stress concentration and gravitational forces. These are in accordance with the directions of the principal induced stresses, which were obtained based on the eigenvalues and the corresponding eigenvectors. On the other hand, the shear failures are mainly resulted around the preexisting planes of weakness such as faults that intersected the coalface or excavation boundaries. In general, the maximum principal induced stress in all 24 events is mostly oriented with an acute angle with respect to horizon. This shows that the significant effect of horizontal induced stresses in occurrence of roof failures and face instabilities.

Today's organizations are in a world that is sensitive to social and environmental issues, and it is necessary to give special attention to the health and well-being of employees, as well as environmental protection, in addition to customer satisfaction. The purpose of this study is to determine the weight of each of the HSE maturity indices for oil and gas industries. The statistical population of the study consisted of HSE experts and experts in Sarkhon and Qeshm Refinery Company. HSE maturity indicators have been identified through semi-structured interviews with the organization's experts and the experimental data of the research. To determine the importance of dimensions and indicators, a combination of fuzzy DEMATEL and fuzzy ANP techniques have been used. The results showed that the dimensions of strategy and line with score of 97, evaluation and risk management with a score of 85 and leadership, commitment and culture with the score of 80 first to third priorities, and in the results section, the safety dimensions with a score of 172, health with score 142 and environmentalists rated 137 with the first to third priority. Finally, the HSE maturity level of Sarkhon and Qeshm gas refining companies was measured using the weights earned in the research, with 80.2% of the total points ranked 3rd (growth level).

Calligonum eriopodum is the only psammophyte shrub in Iran, which was reported from South Korassan. Searching of environmental limitation of the species was the goal of current research that has been done on dune lands around the east direction of the Qaen city in south Khorassan. First of all, the habitat boundary was cleared by field monitoring and GPS recording of points and the species distribution, and then was pointed at map scale 1:50,000. Sampling in inside and outside by using three 1000-meter transects were laid down on the land, and the soil and plant samples were selected using five by five meter plots. The soil samples were taken from the fifth plot in each transects. The water samples were obtained. The t test was done to compare the soil and water samples from two habitats. Results showed that the soil and vegetation conditions were statistically the same inside and outside the habitat. However, EC and TDS of water samples were significantly different two habitat (P-value<0.05). The EC rate of the water resources was less in the inside habitat position than the outside of the species habitat. The water table level (WTL) in the inside limatation in close to the surface was (less than five meters) while it was between twenty five to thirty two meters in the outside land. It can be stated in among environmental factors the WTL and the quality of water resources were the cause of establishing of the species in the dune lands.

One of the effective ways for reducing atmospheric CO2 is carbon sequestration by plants and soils. Rangelands with an expanded area have a great potential for Carbon (C) Stocks. In this study, C stocks in three treatments including natural rangelands (NR), Pit- seeding by Agropyrum elongatum (PS) and abandoned dry farming (ADF) were examined in Kardeh basin Mashhad, Iran in 2013. In each treatment, ten transects and in each transect, ten plots were established. Percentages of vegetation cover, litter, rock and soil were recorded in each plot. Aerial and root biomasses of dominant species were sampled by the clipping and weighing method. Litters in each plot were collected and weighed, too. Carbon content of biomass and litter were measured by combustion method using Electric Combustion Furnace. Ten soil samples were taken along each transect at two depths of 0-25 and 25-50 cm. The soil organic carbon percent was determined by the Walkley–Black method. Data analysis was performed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means were compared using Duncan test. Results showed significant differences between treatments for total C stocks (soil渪♪쬾阫浺). NR and ADF management with the average values of 535.32 and 177.14 (t.ha-1) had the highest and lowest C stocks, respectively. Among the components of the ecosystem, soil had a main role in C sequestration followed by above biomass, roots and litters. PS management had the highest C stocks in plant biomass and litter but its soil C stocks were significantly lower than NR. Perennial grasses, bushes and perennial forbs were dominant in PS and NR management that play the most important role in plant C stocks. In conclusion, proper management of natural rangelands and more attention to vegetation and soil conservation may lead to store a considerable amount of C stocks in these lands.

Climate change due to increasing the level of greenhouse gases including CO2 is the main environmental issue of the world in the new century. One of the effective way for reducing atmospheric CO2 is carbon sequestration by plants and soils. A vast area of Iran has desert condition with special adapted plant species in which can be devoted for carbon sequestration. Hammada salicornica as a shrub plant of chenopodiaceae grows as dominant or key species of vegetation types in many parts of desert areas in south of country. So, potentials of carbon sequestration of H. salicornica vegetation types were estimated in seven sites in South Khorasan provice, Iran. For this purpose, 113 individual plants were measured for height, and long and short diameters of plant crown area and then were cut from ground level. To estimate underground biomass, roots of 10 individual plants were pulled from soil by digging the root zone. Dry matter production of shoots and roots were weighted and some samples were burned for determination of organic carbon. Organic carbon of soil of three sites were measured by soil sampling. Results showed that carbon has been sequestered between 133 to 3293 kg/ha in different sites in which James and Sefarsakh had the highest and the lowest amount of organic carbon in plant vegetation parts. Soil organic carbon obtained about 6313 kg/ha on average. The best linear regression equation (R2=0.90) for estimating aerial biomass of H. salicornica obtained by using crown area in the equation. It seems that conservation of natural vegetation of H. salicornica and or restoration of degraded lands by this plant, have good potentials for carbon sequestration for globally action commitment and providing benefits such as forage and fuel for local people.

In order to evaluate the physiological and morphological traits and Photochemical efficiency of photosystem II of Salvia leriifolia under freezing stress in controlled condition, an experiment was carried out as a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications in Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. The plants exposed to twelve freezing temperatures (0, -2, -4, -6, -8,-10, -12, -14, -16, -18, -20 and -22˚C) in seedling stage. Leaf area and dry weight, root length and dry weight, Electrolyte Leakage (EL), survival percentage after three weeks and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in recovery periods (0, 6, 12, 24 and 72 hr. after stress) were studied. Results showed that effect of freezing temperatures on all traits were significant (P≤ 0.001). EL increased significantly with decreasing temperature and reached to maximum 83% at -20 ˚C. Although plant survival percentage did not affect until -14 ˚C, all seedlings were died in -220C. Lethal temperature based on survival (LT50su) and electrolyte leakage (LT50el) were -17.0 and -11.8. Results also indicated that Reduced Dry Matter Temperature 50% (RDMT50) was -16.5 °C. Photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (F′v /F′m) was not affected up to -6˚C, but it decreased by 70% with decreasing temperature to -22 ˚C. F′v /F′m decreased by 40% during 24 hours after recovery compared to control, but it increased when recovery continued to 72 hr. Results also indicated that EL had negative correlation with survival percent (r= -0.82***) and F′v /F′m (-0.95***).

In order to investigate the effect of water deficit stress on morphology and photosynthesis pigments contents of Salvia leriifolia Bench., an experiment was conducted in completely randomized design with three replications under greenhouse conditions. Water deficit treatments were Fully irrigated or Control (-0.035 MPa), Mild stress (-0.138 MPa), Moderate stress (-0.516 MPa) and Severe stress (-1.92 MPa). One set of stressed plants were kept constantly in different levels of matric potentials (Water deficit set) and the other (recovery set) irrigated to maximum water holding capacity after soil water was depleted in each stress levels. The results showed that transpiration, yellow leaves weight significantly decreased in mild stress but chlorophyll a, b content increased comparing control. There was no significant difference between constant and recovery stressed treatments to -0.516 MPa in all traits. Results indicated that leaf number, leaf area and also shoot and root dry weight were significantly (P≤ 0.05) decreased with increasing matric potential beyond -0.516 MPa. The highest SLA (135 cm2.g-1) was obtained in -0.138 MPa and it had only significant difference (P≤ 0.05) with severe water deficit treatments. Results also showed that Root to Shoot ratio increased by 3.9- 4.3 times comparing control. Despite the chlorophyll content decreased in matric potential -1.92 MPa, but total carotenoids concentration and also the ratio of carotenoids to total chlorophyll were significantly increased compared to controls.