Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) with appropriate surface chemistry exhibit many interesting properties that can be exploited in a variety of biomedical applications such as magnetic resonance imaging contrast enhancement, tissue repair, hyperthermia, drug delivery and in cell separation. These applications required that the MNPs such as iron oxide Fe 3 O 4 magnetic nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 MNPs) having high magnetization values and particle size smaller than 100 nm. This paper reports the experimental detail for preparation of monodisperse oleic acid (OA)-coated Fe 3 O 4 MNPs by chemical co-precipitation method to determine the optimum pH, initial temperature and stirring speed in order to obtain the MNPs with small particle size and size distribution that is needed for biomedical applications. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), OPEN ACCESSMolecules 2013, 18 7534 scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The results show that the particle size as well as the magnetization of the MNPs was very much dependent on pH, initial temperature of Fe 2+ and Fe 3+ solutions and steering speed. The monodisperse Fe 3 O 4 MNPs coated with oleic acid with size of 7.8 ± 1.9 nm were successfully prepared at optimum pH 11, initial temperature of 45 °C and at stirring rate of 800 rpm. FTIR and XRD data reveal that the oleic acid molecules were adsorbed on the magnetic nanoparticles by chemisorption. Analyses of TEM show the oleic acid provided the Fe 3 O 4 particles with better dispersibility. The synthesized Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles exhibited superparamagnetic behavior and the saturation magnetization of the Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles increased with the particle size.

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The population growth, changing consumption patterns, and rapid urbanization contribute significantly to the growing volumes of solid waste that are generated in urban settings. As the rate of urbanization increases, demand on the services of solid waste management increases. The rapid urban growth in Langkawi Island, Malaysia, combined with the increasing rates of solid waste production has provided evidence that the traditional solid waste management practices, particularly the methods of waste collection and disposal, are inefficient and quite nonsustainable. Accordingly, municipal managers and planners in Langkawi need to look for and adopt a model for solid waste management that emphasizes an efficient and sustainable management of solid wastes in Langkawi Island. This study presents the current practices of solid waste management in Langkawi Island, describes the composition of the solid waste generated in that area, and presents views of local residents and tourist on issues related to solid waste management like the aesthetic value of the island environment. The most important issue of this paper is that it is the first time that integrated solid waste management is investigated in the Langkawi Island.

Municipal solid waste management is a critical environmental challenge facing the development. Solid waste characteristics change with time due to changes in the population's consumption and lifestyle. Characterization of solid waste helps the decision makers take the sustainable actions. This is the first study that introduces integrated solid waste management principles in Zarqa, Jordan. The results indicate that the total solid waste generation is approximately 299 tons/day, with a generation rate of 0.69 kg/capita per day. By 2030, it is expected to reach 446 tons/day, with a generation rate of about 0.75 kg/capita per day. The organic fraction is 48.9 %, while the other main components like paper and cardboard and plastics are 13.3 and 15.2 %, respectively. The heat content is between 2,121 and 2,905 kcal/kg. A high organic content requires special considerations for waste handling and disposal. Moreover, it gives preference to composting over other heat recovery techniques.

Disasters including natural and manmade make heavy losses in life and property each year. This subject can affect society, economy, and environment and can be a serious threat for development. In 10 years ago over 200 million people are have been effected both life and property. This figure is seven times more than losses in war. After the earthquake in Bam (a city in south Iran), tsunami in southeastern of Asia, fire in Australia, and other disasters, the management of disaster has been considered more than before. They have tried to use all facilities and equipment for reduction of disaster damage. Over 80% of necessary data in disaster management are spatial data. The applications of geoinformatics technology products particularly derived from space earth observation satellite and remote sensing integrated with GIS technology to various areas of earth sciences, urban management, geohazards, mapping, planning, early warning system and development has been highly rewarding. Spatial data and advanced technologies have an important role in disaster management because Geographic Information System (GIS) can help in identifying disaster points. GIS combines geospatial data, and hardware, software that can analyze data to Produce information. GIS mainly involves saving and analysis of data according to spatial and attribute data. GIS can combine and analyze spatial and non-spatial data. We have made an attempt to consider disasters management according to facilities and role of Geospatial Technology in control of disaster (especially earthquake).