Atmospheric dust has a significant impact on air quality and human health. Based on visibility, dust events are defined as dusty days and dust storms. SOUTH KHORASAN, which lies between the Karakum Desert and the Sistan Plain, is affected by dust, and many dusty days have been reported in this area. However, studies on the spread of dust have yet to be conducted. In this study, dusty days and dust storms were determined for six synoptic stations (Birjand, Boshrooyeh, Ferdows, Ghaen, Nehbandan and Tabas) from 2002 to 2018. HYSPLIT model is used to track dust trajectories to determine the main paths from Central Asia and the Middle East. In this study, HYSPLIT is used to analyze dust sources and transport pathways, highlighting the importance of wind patterns and visibility data for classifying dust events. The result shows that dust particles reached SOUTH KHORASAN from the west of Iran in spring and winter and from the northeast of Iran in summer and autumn. In Nehbandan and summer, most dust storms were reported to rise from Karakum and move to the Sistan plain. The most densely dusty places are located in the northeast and SOUTH of SOUTH KHORASAN. These places are the main entrances and exits for dust in SOUTH KHORASAN. Finally, dust in SOUTH KHORASAN is also influenced by the change of seasons. A part of the dust from the Karakum desert enters SOUTH KHORASAN, and a significant part of the dust raised in SOUTH KHORASAN moves towards the Sistan plain.

Millets are important agricultural crops for arid regions due to short life span and their resistance to salinity and drought conditions, In Iran, three main species of millets including proso millet (Panicum miliaceum), foxtail millet (Setaria italica) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) are cultivated in Shouthem KHORASAN province, eastem Iran, In order to assess inter-specific genetic variation for salt tolerance at vegetative and reproductive stage, an experiment was conducted in split plot based on completely randomized block design. Nine genotypes of these millets collected from four different regions of the Shouthem KHORASAN province (Ghaen, Sarayan, Nehbandan, and Birjand) were subjected to three levels of salinity stress (1.5, 5.5, and 9.5 dS/m). Although the yield and other yield related parameters of millets decreased by salinity stress, this reduction was more prominent only at high level of salinity (9.5 dS/m). Remarkable differences among same species from different areas were observed. Growth and yield capacity of three millet species from Birjand were also different. Of three millets, pearl millet from Bitjand followed by foxtail millet, showed maximum yield potential under both salt stress and normal conditions. Of genotypes of foxtail millets, genotype from Sarayan exhibited maximum growth and yield potential under saline conditions. In contrast in proso-millets, genotype from Ghaen showed higher salt tolerance. Thus, salt tolerance varies in three millets from different regions, which could be further explored in future research.

Background: Nurses, as the largest group in providing relief during disasters with their specialized skills, should be sufficiently prepared to provide the highest level of health care. By compiling predisaster preparedness programs, the provided healthcare would be promoted and number of casualties and incoordination in allocated tasks be reduced. This study was conducted to evaluate nurses’ preparedness in response to disasters in SOUTH KHORASAN Province, Iran.Materials and Methods: In this correlational descriptive study, working nurses in provincial hospitals were chosen by systematic random sampling. The study data were collected with a 3-part questionnaire: demographic information, items assessing the capabilities in disaster (clinical competency, survival skills, operational competency), and items regarding their viewpoints (personal and psychological readiness, team integration, and administrative support). The questionnaire was rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale. Total score in each field is divided by the number of questions, in which 5 is the highest, and 1 the lowest. All data were analyzed by SPSS16. The significant level was set at P ≤ 0.05.Results: Out of 304 hospital nurses working in 10 health centers throughout the province, 71.1% were female, 27.21% had 3-5 years of job experience, 96.4% had BS in nursing, and 57.9% were the staff of educational hospitals. The mean (SD) score for nurses’ preparedness (competency and attitude) was 3.4 (0.64). The mean (SD) score for nurses’ competency was 3.25 (0.72), and average score for nurses’ attitude was 3.53 (0.5). There was a significant correlation between nurses’ competency score and their gender and work experience (P ≤ 0.05).Conclusion: Regarding the nurses’ preparedness score, it is recommended that they be provided with training courses on disaster preparedness through workshops and or training exercises.

Background: This study aims to assess the productivity loss in diabetic patients living in SOUTH KHORASAN Province, Iran, in 2017. Methods: This cost of illness and analytical study was performed on 1003 patients with diabetes referred to hospitals and healthcare centers in SOUTH KHORASAN Province. After being randomly selected, the participants filled the short form health and labor questionnaire by the human capital method to estimate the productivity loss caused by health problems. Data were collected in person or via phone interviews. The collected data were analyzed by data quantile regression model using Stata v. 11. Results: The Mean±, SD productivity loss based on actual and labor law income was 19. 61±, 46. 24 and 16. 61±, 49. 39 dollars, respectively. In addition, the results showed that the Mean±, SD number of lost working days is 0. 81±, 2. 39 days. According to the regression model, gender, educational levels, marital status, and employment status affected the number of working days lost at 0. 25 quantile (P≤, 0. 05). Conclusion: Improving productivity in diabetic patients and consequently reducing the resulting economic burden is essential to promoting their physical, mental, and social health.