Mineralogy of clay deposits named Gel-E-Sarshour, mainly mined in Central Province, Tafresh area, has been studied. This material is mined from Oligocene Lower Red Formation in wells up to 30 m depth. Clay layers have different thicknesses from 1 cm to 2 m in different parts. It comes in olive green and has a soapy touch. The clay will change to paste if mixed with water and used mainly as shampoo as well as treatment for some of the skin diseases. Grain size analysis has shown that 92.3% of the material is <2m. XRD, lR and chemical analysis have established that the main constituents of <2m fractions of Gel-E Sarshour are: 91 % high layer charge, dioctahedral mixed-layered illite/smectite and 9% kaolinite.

The Qom Formation, a series of shale, sandstone and carbonate deposits, is a result of the last transgression of the sea in the Central Iran sedimentary basin. Foraminifera are one of the most important and numerous fossil groups present in the Qom Formation. In this study, the micropaleontology of the Qom Formation, located in southwestern Tafresh is divided into three measured stratigraphic sections (Rakin, Band-e-Ali Naghi Beig and Hezar Abad). From a stratigraphic point of view, except for the Rakin section, the lower and upper boundaries of the Qom Formation are similar to Lower and Upper Red formations. There is, however, no outcrop on the upper boundary of the Rakin stratigraphic section. The study of 78 samples taken from the studied sections led to the identification of 34 genera and 39 species of benthonic foraminifera, 2 genera and 2 species of planktonic foraminifera, 4 genera of red algae and 3 genera of bryozoan. Based on the recognized foraminifera such asLepidocyclina (Nephrolepidina), Miogypsioides sp., Meandropsina anahensis and Ammonia beccarii the age of the Qom Formation in the Rakin stratigraphic section was determined to be Chatian-Aquitanian while the Band-e-Ali Naghi Beig and Hezar Abad stratigraphic sections were determined to be Aquitanian.

Thick sequences of Karaj green tuffs with the age of Eocene are dominant in north of Tafresh, Central Iran. These pyroclastics consist mainly of lithic tuff, crystal tuff and vitric tuff. XRD, SEM and EMP analysis as well as thin section petrography indicate that a widespread alteration has resulted in the formation of a variety of low grade metamorphic and secondary minerals such as sericite, calcite, chlorite, albite, analcime, epidote, prehnite and pumpellyite. This mineralogical assemblage suggests that the tuffs, in their basal horizons, have undergone a low grade metamorphism in the zeolite and prehnite- pumpellyite facies. It is likely that the considerable thickness of tuff series is responsible for such a burial metamorphism in the north Tafresh area.

Thick sequences of Karaj Formation green tuffs, with the age of Eocene, are dominant in north of Tafresh, Central Iran. These pyroclastics consist mainly of lithic tuff, crystal tuff and vitric tuff. EPMA analysis as well as thin section petrography indicates that they are composed of quartz, plagioclase, K-feldspar and secondary minerals such as chlorite, albite, analcime, epidote, prehnite and pumpellyite. In addition to the above mineralogical assemblages, the basal tuffs contain a variety of glassy fragments and shards with different size and shapes mainly in the form of curved, v- shape and crescent. The size and morphology of glass shards at the base of pyroclastics show that the magma has been saturated by water steam resulting in a thick foam like magma at the top of the chamber near the vent (most possibly a fissure like or a caldera shape). Whereas, the mineralogical assemblage in particular the secondary minerals suggests that the tuffs, in their basal horizons, have undergone a very low grade metamorphism in the zeolite and prehnite- pumpellyite facies. It is likely that the considerable thickness of tuff series is responsible for such a burial metamorphism in the north Tafresh area.

Agricultural activities, in contrast with other economical activities, face more risks and uncertainties. Insuring agricultural crops especially the strategic ones, such as wheat is a supportive policy on the part of the governments. The main point of concern is the reluctance of wheat producers to insure their crops. The main goals of this research, carried out in tafresh county, central province of Iran' were to determine the influential factors affecting the adoption of wheat insurance in such a policy. The type of research was a descriptive-correlational one. Instrument of data gathering was questionnaire, for which two types of questionnaires were designed. The first one was for adopters of wheat insurance contracts and the second one for nonadopters. The research population consisted of wheat cultivators, and while employing stratified sampling method, two groups of sample population were selected; n = 120 individuals for adopters of wheat insurance contract, and n = 120 individuals for non-adopters of the insurance. Coronbach Alpha's coefficient was employed to determine reliability of the questionnaires. 84% and 81% were the values found for the coefficients which are acceptable. Expert opinions were used to ascertain the validity of the questionnaires. Research design in this study included the steps of determining descriptive statistics, such as percent, mean, etc. Inferential statistics included, Spearman & phi correlation's coefficient, Chi-square test, t-test , Man Whitney and Regression. The results of the logistic regression showed that the six variables of: 1) the level of literacy, 2) awareness of insurance opportunity, 3) regular contact with extension workers, 4)receival of credit, 5) payment as loss compensation, and 6) farming land size represent the significant relationships with adoption of contracts in wheat insurance policies.

The purpose of this descriptive-correlation study is to examine the importance of farm management skills as perceived by wheat farmers. The target population of this study consisted of all Tafresh township's wheat growers (N= 7930) out of which, according to Cochran's formula, a number of 225 people were selected by using statistical sampling in a stratified randomization method. Finally, 193 questionnaires were completed and analyzed. Findings indicated three important skills as perceived by wheat farmers included: operation, goal setting and information-seeking skills. Results obtained from Friedman test indicated that there was significant difference between operation skill importance and other skills.

The extent of utilization of drought management practices by the farmers of Tafresh County was studied in a descriptive- correlational research. Statistical population consisted of all farmers in Tafresh County which summed up to around 9061 people out of which 300 farmers were taken as the sample in accordance with Cochran’s formula. The main tool of the study was a questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by a panel of expert consisting of some faculty members of Islamic Azad University, Garmsar Branch and the University of Tehran, and the reliability of the questionnaire was estimated as to be 0.848 using Cronbach Alpha. The results of correlation test indicated a direct, significant relationship between the extent of utilization of drought management practices and the variables of agricultural activities experience and the level of farmers’ social capabilities at 0.01 level. Moreover, there was a negative significant relationship among age, farming experience and the application of drought management practices at 0.01 level. Finally, the results of multiple regression analysis showed that three variables, i.e. extent of farmers’ social capabilities, experience of agricultural activities and the age of the farmers, had the greatest influence on the extent of utilization of drought management practices.

Backgrounds: Blastocystis is a common intestinal parasite among humans and various animals, including birds. The parasite has at least 28 known subtypes, of which nine subtypes have been reported in humans and livestock. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence rate and common subtypes of Blastocystis hominis in pigeons and their owners in Tafresh city. Materials & Methods: The present study was designed and conducted as a case control in Tafresh city (Markazi province) during 2020-2021. For this purpose, fecal samples were collected from pigeons (300 samples) and their owners (100 samples). Stool samples were studied by microscopic methods (direct and trichrome staining examinations). Then positive stool samples were examined by PCR method through amplification of 18 SrRNA gene and sequencing. Findings: In direct stool examination, 39 (13%) out of 300 pigeon samples and 18 (18%) out of 100 human fecal samples were found to be positive for Blastocystis. In trichrome staining method, 18% of human samples and 15% of pigeon samples were positive, while in PCR test, only 2. 5% of pigeon samples and 4. 5% of human samples were Blastocystis positive. The alignment results showed that all Blastocystis strains isolated in this study (100%) were similar to subtype 3. Conclusion: Due to the low prevalence rate of this parasite in pigeons in Tafresh city, their owners are less likely to be infected with this parasite. Therefore, the relative transmission risk of this parasite from pigeons to humans is low.