Implementation of effective input policies and technology consistent with production structure contributes to the economic use of the production. Understanding the price elasticity of input and relationship between inputs in the agricultural sector is helpful in choosing appropriate input policy. In this study we examine the production structure of pistachio in DAMGHAN. To achieve the goal, Translog Cost Function and Derived Cost Share Equations were estimated using the theory of duality in a system of simultaneous equations within the framework of unrelated regression. Data were collected from 177 farmers in 1387. According to the results, price elasticities of inputs are negative. All of the cross- elasticities of inputs indicate complementary relationship between inputs, except for chemical fertilizer and labor as well as elasticity between chemical fertilizer and poison. Based on the calculated price elasticity, demand of labor, poison and animal fertilizer are inelastic. The results of study showed that the pistachio production has decreasing returns to scale at 0.72 percent. This indicates that farmers are not able to economize their products by increasing the size of their farms. The study recommends investigations on policies aimed at realizing the factors that increase production including pistachio fertilizer, poision and labour.

Aims: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is one of the most important diseases transmitted by sand fly and has been one of the most important health problems in Iran. Determining the epidemiological aspects of disease is important for planning of control program. This study was carried out to describe the cutaneous leishmaniases situation in DAMGHAN district.Methods: This descriptive-analytical survey was performed on all confirmed and recorded cutaneous leishmaniasis cases (465 people) diagnosed during 2006-09 in DAMGHAN district. Patients’ information such as age, sex, nationality, habitat, number and sites of ulcer(s), month and years of incidence were registered and analyzed by Chi-square test using SPSS 12 software.Results: Of 465 under care patients, 263 cases (56.5%) were men and 202 people (43.5%) were women.148 patients (31.8%) resided in urban areas, while 317 (68.2%) lived in rural areas. The most frequent age group was 20-29 years old (22%). Hands and feet were the most common sites of ulcer (84%). 46% of the patients had two or more ulcers. Highest disease prevalence (84.8%) was observed in months October, December and November.Conclusion: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is an endemic disease in desert rural areas and is developing in suburban parts of DAMGHAN; therefore, comprehensive planning for control and prevention of the disease is necessary.

Present study is the faunistics on lizards of DAMGHAN area by analysis of morphological characters and identification keys. In this research, 231 specimens were collected from different zones of DAMGHAN area during April to October 2004 and transferred to zoological laboratory. Pictures and slides were taken from the live specimens, and then specimens were fixed and preserved in 10% formalin. Identified samples belong to 17 species and 6 families including: Laudakia caucasia, Phrynocephalus maculates, Phrynocephalu scutellatu and Trapelus agilis from the  family Agamidae; Ophisaurus apodus from the family Anguidae; Bunopus tuberculatus, Cyrtopodion caspium and Teratoscincus bedriagai from the family Gekkonidae; Eremias fasciata, Eremias intermedia, Eremias persica, Eremias velox velox, Mesalina watsonana and Ophisops elegans from the family Lacertidae; Ablepharus pannonicus and Mabuya aurata transcaucasica from the family Scincidae and Varanus griseus caspius from the family Varanidae. Ophisaurus apodus and Ophisops elegans are reported for the first time in Semnan province. Prior to this research only one specimen of Mabuya aurata transcaucasica had been reported in boundaries between Semnan and Golestan provinces near Shahrood. Here, more specimens are collected from DAMGHAN city.

The Upper Devonian sequences in vicinity of Darvar, southwest DAMGHAN comprise alternation of conglomerates, quartzites, sandstones, siltstones, shales, with fossiliferous limestone intercalations unconformably overlying the Ordovician strata and gradually preceding carbonates of the Lower Carboniferous Mobarak Formation. Diverse biota embracing brachiopods, trilobites, fish, gastropods, corals, echinoderms, and conodonts in conjunction with well-preserved palynomorphs, in descending order of abundance, of both terrestrial and marine origin occur in the Upper Devonian strata (Geirud Formation) of Darvar, southwest DAMGHAN. Scolecodonts rarely occur in the material studied but no representative of Chitinozoans encountered. Based on the known stratigraphic distribution of taxa such asCymatiosphaera perimembrana, Chomotriletes vedugensis, Deltotosoma intonsum, Papulogabata annulata, Tornacia sarjeantii, Unellium lunatum, Unellium piriforme, Retispora lepidophyta, Geminospora lemurata, Retusotriletes rugulatus, Grandispora cornuta, Grandispora sp. cf. G. gracilis the Geirud Formation is attributed to the Late Devonian (Frasnian-Famennian). Occurrence, in the material studied, of microphytoplankton cysts with relatively thin eilyma and ±circular, psilate or sculptured vesicle indicates deposition in a shallow, marginal marine depositional setting. Presence of Geminospora lemurata in majority of the samples refers to the occurrence of progymnosperms and that of poorly preserved Lepidodendrales to that of lycopodophytes in contemporaneous land vegetation. Affinity of sporae dispersae in the Geirud palynoflora indicates that fern allies such as Equisetopsida, Lycopodopsida, Rhyniopsida, and Progymnosperms were represented in the land vegetation. Relative abundance of Geminospora lemurata and spores attributed to lycopodophytes imply domination of the land vegetation by lycopodohytes and progymnosperms.

Architectural perception of the location of historic mosques as a platform for the organization of interaction and perception of human comfort can eliminate the feeling of loneliness, sadness, and grief of the pilgrim and consequently reveals the historical, identity, and cultural values of mosques. This study aims to explain the principles of attitude to place in the Tarikhaneh mosque of DAMGHAN based on physical elements. The hypothesis to achieve this goal is that there is a direct relationship between the principles of attitude and the location of the Tarikhaneh mosque of DAMGHAN through physical elements. Therefore, the present study, using a qualitative research method, combined solution and data collection method in the form of library and field studies, concluded that in the Tarikhaneh mosque of DAMGHAN. Principles of attitude to place through physical elements are the main architectural principles that have occurred in this mosque, and the location of this mosque has added to the concept of place attitude. Therefore, to manifest the concept of the principles of attitude to place and its perception, it can be said that the physical elements, geometry, proportions, light, and decoration are the central architecture of this mosque. In addition, the identity of this mosque on the induction and expression of the concept of "place attitude" due to the use and antiquity of the building has been used with eco-friendly materials, and the index element of the minaret is well represented. The Tarikhaneh mosque of DAMGHAN has been a symbolic building with traditional features, including the cover of the song arch and the percussion arch and eco-friendly brick materials, and thus cause and evoke memories of the past, a sense of spatial identity, and deep experience in the audience.

This paper attempts to investigate the role of Iranians in developing the basic mosque patterns. To this end, one of the oldest mosques in Iran is systematically compared to a pre-Islamic monument in the same geographical territory. Tarikhaneh Mosque in DAMGHAN is probably one of the oldest Iranian mosques which later restorations have not changed its basic design or construction methods. It is essentially a colonnaded courtyard. The colonnade becomes deeper adjoining a prayer hall on the south side, i.e. towards the direction of qibla. This mosque is compared to the Sassanid palace of Tappeh-Hesar in DAMGHAN area. All researches have unanimously referred to identical construction methods in both buildings such as foundations, brickwork in columns and walls, vault and arches, decoration of column capitals, etc. This analysis supports the hypothesis that Iranian places of worship and palaces have significantly influenced the design of mosques in later centuries. For example, the somewhat wider middle span in the courtyard of the Tarikhaneh Mosque becomes taller and wider opening (eiwan) in mosques of later periods.

Introduction: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis is endemic in many parts of Iran. Numerous recognized focuses of Anthroponotic and Zoonotic forms of the disease exist in our country. DAMGHAN is one of the endemic foci of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran. An outbreak of the disease occurred in 1378 in this city. To determine epidemiological characteristics of the disease during 1378-1384, we planed this study.Material and Methods: In these descriptive research 3460 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis studied. Data were collected by using of patients records available at public health department of DAMGHAN County. Demographic and clinical features such as age, sex, resident place, season and year of diagnosis, migration history, and involvement of organs evaluated.Results: Incidence rate in 2000-2006 was 1168.7, 558.8, 538.1, 525.2, 587.8, 548.5 and 312 per 100000 populations respectively. Incidence rate in the village was higher than city, and in men higher than women. Most involved organs were hands (55%) and foot (43%). Most new observed cases of disease were in autumn. These findings indicate the Zoonotic type of the disease rather than Anthroponotic type of it.Conclusion: DAMGHAN is one of focuses of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran. Surveillance and appropriate interventions in control of disease are very important. Trend of incidence of the disease during 1378-1384 indicates that 1378 epidemic is under control.

Background & objectives: Increasing the rate of cesarean in recent decades is a noticeable sign which has been interested to look at some possible medical, psychological and social determinants. The aim of this study was to determine trend of cesarean during 1998-2007 and evaluation of some social factors in DAMGHAN, Iran. Methods: We used a case-control study by direct interview with mothers in health centers of city. A total of 120 cases (delivered by cesarean method) and 90 controls (delivered by natural method) were selected. For estimating of trend we used all medical files in DAMGHAN maternity hospital between 1998-2007.Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS (Ver16) by descriptive and analytical (Chi-square, ANOVA and logistic regression) methods. Results: A total of 12200 deliveries were registered during 1998-2007 and 51.7 percent of them were cesarean. From 1999 to 2003 years there is an increasing trend and most frequency of cesarean was in 2006 year (53.5%). Mean age, education, occupation, number of delivery, husband occupation, number of children and residency area was not significant between two groups. But from social factors, mother's education from diploma and higher, recommendation by husband and his family and mother's family had a significant association with selection of cesarean (p<0.05).Conclusions: Recommendation of type of delivery by family member and relatives to be found an important factor so this issue should be taken into account for any health educational program in future.