Increasing Seismic Energy Dissipation of Steel Moment Frames Using Reduced Web Section (RWS) Connection

Connections of steel moment frames are vulnerable to brittle failure. Providing a perforation near the beam-ends is suggested as a potential method to improve seismic behavior of these structures. This article presents a numerical study on the energy dissipation of steel moment connections with perforated beam. Models with elongated circular openings of different dimensions and location are analyzed and compared based on the global and local damage indices, predicted failure time and dissipated energy. Results show that an RWS connection with a proper opening size can develop reasonable inelastic deformations and provide an acceptable seismic improvement to moment-resisting frames.     

Reformulation of Shahnameh Legends in Bahram Beyzaie's Plays

This essay explores Bahram Beyzaie's inter-paradigmatic reformulations of Iranian dramatic forms and Shahnameh legends in plays which highlight the voice of the periphery against the center and imbue these narratives with motifs that relate them to the present. The essay first reviews Beyzaie's work with the Shahnameh and then examines the Shahnameh cycle of Jamshid and Zahhak to provide the context for in-depth analyses of Azhdahak (1959), Karnameh-ye Bondar-e Bidakhsh (The Account of Bondar the Premier, 1996), and the first episode of Shab-e Hezar-o-Yekom (The One Thousand and First Night, 2003) in which Beyzaie reconstructs the cycle of Jamshid and Zahhak.     

Dative Case Marking in Vafsi within the OT Framework

The dative case in Vafsi appears in three structures: (a) the case of the experiencer in sensory verbs, (b) the case of the indirect object (IO), and (c) the case of the object of the preposition /da/ (to), or the preposition /az/ (to), or the enclitic /-o/ (to), or the object of the postposition /rā/ (for). In Vafsi, as in many other Indo-European languages, sensory verbs necessitate the emergence of quirky subjects which have the experiencer function and are dative case marked. In order to analyze the dative case marking in Vafsi using optimality theory, this article uses the faithfulness constraint of faith-lex and the markedness constraint hierarchy of *ERG>>*DAT>>*ACC>>*NOM. Vafsi always allocates the dative case to the IO of the ditransitive verbs. This phenomenon is illustrated by use of an optimality theory (OT) tableau. Some Vafsi ditransitive verbs dative case mark the IOs using adpositions. If so, Vafsi differential adpositional case marking (DACM) will rule, as the IOs are objects of adposition (OAs) simultaneously.     

Indigenous Performing Traditions in Post-Revolutionary Iranian Theater

One of the major trends in experimental theater refashions the representational and presentational techniques of ancient rituals, medieval dramatic forms and popular performing traditions to create new forms of dramatic expression. In pre-revolutionary Iran, the proponents of this trend included those who worked with Iran National Theater and Theater Workshop. The 1979 revolution heralded the arrival of a different kind of drama in response to a host of new subjects and restrictions. However, unlike the political upheavals of previous periods which led to catastrophic discontinuity in the development of Iranian theater, it did not result in a complete breach. The post-revolutionary practitioners continued working with the templates devised by their pre-revolutionary colleagues, creating a dramatic tradition that has produced several masterpieces during recent decades. The purpose of this paper is to put the history of this experimental trend in perspective and examine the works of three of its major post-revolutionary practitioners. As such it will not focus on the history of indigenous forms or western-style theater in Iran, but on the recent history of this experimental mode and how its practitioners have refashioned Iranian performing traditions.     

Resident perceptions toward tourism impacts in historic center of Yazd,Iran

ABSTRACT

Although demographic changes as a result of the departure of former residents have caused the historical center of Yazd to lose its residential character, the area has recently taken on another role with the significant increase in the number of foreign tourists and the emergence of traditional hotels, restaurants, and café shops in its historical center. This newly emerging phenomenon has modified the nature of this part of the city, converting it into a rather touristic area, particularly in the Fahadan neighborhood. An examination of the perceptions of residents reveals that those in the Fahadan neighborhood in Yazd have a generally positive attitude toward tourism development. In addition, the interviewees pointed out three major impacts from the increase in tourism: (1) improvement in the physical and environmental quality of the old urban area due to the initiatives taken by the government and the private sector; (2) positive social and cultural changes in residents because of communication with foreign tourists; and (3) increasing community awareness and pride toward its cultural and national heritage. Nowadays, the people of Yazd increasingly welcome the arrival of foreign tourists, have laid the foundations for their arrival, and even received them warmly in their religious rituals. However, our observations indicate that the increase in touristic activities in the historical areas of Yazd (especially in the Fahadan neighborhood), as well as weakening the residential role, pose the risk of the museumification of this area. Furthermore, the restoration of old spaces and monuments for the sole purpose of attracting tourists causes the commodification of heritage, resulting in a potential loss of authenticity.