On Language Distribution in Ilam Province,Iran

As is still the case in many parts of Iran, the distribution of languages and dialects in Ilam Province, western Iran, is unevenly documented. There have been several studies on specific language varieties spoken throughout the province but, in large part because of conflicting perspectives on the relationship between language and ethnicity, the situation for the region as a whole has until now remained unclear. The present study first of all brings together existing sociolinguistic and demographic data on language distribution and highlight areas of uncertainty. The main part of the study provides an overview of local perceptions of language distribution and language use based on field research and interviews conducted in each of the province's ten regions (shahrestān) and their twenty-five districts (bakhsh). Here, respondents' assessments of the geographic extent of the province's four main languages—Kurdish, Luri, Laki and Arabic—as well as more minor languages spoken by immigrants from elsewhere in Iran are summarized. For Kurdish in particular, which is the major of the four languages, the article shows the perceived geographic distribution of each major dialect and its affiliation within one of two major Kurdish dialect groups: Ilāmi (or “Feyli”) and Kalhōri. This analysis is followed by a brief discussion of multilingualism. The results of the study are brought together in a map of the province's languages.     

Developing Representative Dual Loading Protocols for the Columns of Steel Special Moment Frames based on the Seismic Demands on These Members

The column members of steel moment frames undergo high axial forces as well as inelastic rotations during a severe seismic event. The boundaries of these simultaneous structural demands on the columns of special moment frames have been investigated in this research. Based on the results of this investigation, dual cyclic loading protocols have been developed that represent both axial force and lateral deformation demands. Contrary to other loading scenarios that have been implemented in previous studies on steel columns, the loading protocols developed in this study include simultaneous axial and lateral loading cycles with varying amplitudes. The level of axial forces and story drifts tolerated by the columns of some typical Special Moment Frames (SMFs) has been investigated through performing nonlinear dynamic analyses. These frames have been selected with several configurations and different number of stories. The results of the nonlinear dynamic analyses have been processed to assess cumulative and instantaneous seismic demands on the columns of the chosen typical frames. Subsequently, dual cyclic loading protocols have been developed such that exerting these loading protocols on individual steel columns can result in structural effects close to the general seismic demands assessed in this study. Two separate dual loading protocols have been introduced for Design Earthquake (DE) and Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE) seismic intensity levels.     

A late Holocene pollen record from Lake Almalou in NW Iran: evidence for changing land-use in relation to some historical events during the last 3700 years

A pollen diagram was prepared from Lake Almalou, a volcanic crater wetland located on the eastern flanks of the Sahand Volcanic Complex in NW Iran. The core provides a 3700-year record of human activity and environmental change in an upland region. We attempt to relate vegetation changes to both climatic change and historical events. Variations of anthropogenic pollen indicators suggest several phases of intensified human activities. Two strongly expressed agricultural phases are dated at about 2450–2220 cal BP (Achaemenid Empire) and 230–30 cal BP (collapse of Safavid Dynasty to the modern period). Historical rather than climatic events appear to be the main controlling factors for upland land-use dynamics. Fruticulture has been practiced in the region at least since the Iron Age, reaching its maximum importance 1500–1250 cal BP during the reign of Sassanid Empire; it declined by the time of Islamic conquest of Iran (651 AD). The Little Ice Age is tangibly recorded by higher lake water levels most probably due to both lower summer temperatures and higher annual precipitations. Low values of cereal-type and cultivated tree pollen during this period may indicate a change in the lifestyle from the cultivation of fields and orchards to a more nomadic life dominated by summer pasture. The modern period (1850 AD onwards) is characterized by expansion of agricultural activities to upland areas and intensified pastoralism.