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The impact of geographical phenomena is plentiful on human and his life. These impacts are seen at least on attraction and distribution of human specise and kind and form of habitations and settlement sites, the movement of settlement sites, exploitation rate of natural resourses, population, and etc. In this article it is tried to verify the role of geography and especially hydrology on formation and collapse of various civilizations of Sistan and Zahak domain based on archaeologic surveys. The most important objectives of this research are the foundation of settlement history, period of abandonment of sites and all its causes in each of the regions under study. Investigation method was field and systematic surveys during which distinctive cultural samples (pottery) were compiled and then they were studied from archaeological view point. The determination of settlement patterns of the region provided the essential device for reconstructing past geographic environments in different periods (prehistoric, historic period and Islamic period), based on the findings of the project.

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In ancient times, symbolic figures and badges in addition to decorative aspects represented important issues regarding culture, art and even social structures of a state and country. In the Sassanid period, symbolic figures (patterns) also boomed with respect to the interfusion of religion and politics, so that some examples of these symbolic figures can be seen in most of the artworks remained of the Sassanid period. The stucco art during the Sassanid era was one of the most developed arts which have reached the peak of its maturity in this period compared to the preceding periods and witnessed its widespread use in various symbolic forms in Sassanid buildings and palaces. The study of symbolic plant figures of the Sassanid period is a necessity that has unfortunately not been studied independently and extensively so far. With respect to the object of study, the present research is of a fundamental type and with respect to its nature and methodology, it is a historical study. The result of this research indicates that most of the symbolic motifs (patterns) found in the Sassanid stuccos religious origin; although these figures have been depicted in form of numerous and diverse plant figures, each of them is considered as a symbol of religious beliefs. Grapes and the tree of life are among the symbols symbolize fertility, blessing, and immortality in Iran and have always been seen in the stucco works during this period; also, the lotus figures represent one of the deities in Mazdisna religion.

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Kooh-e Khajeh (Kajeh Mountain), with 120m height and 2-2.5km in diameter, is located at Hamoon Lake like an island. Since the archaic era, due to its specific geopolitical location, religious sacredness, and the natural beauty especially at the times of water-richness at Hamoon, this place caused the formation of settlements. Based on an intensive archaeological survey conducted in this region, seventeen sites have been identified of which thirteen possess earthenware. Through typological and chronological studies of potteries found at surface level, two era of settlement have been identified in this Mount: one refers to the pre-Islam era beginning from 3rd century B.C. until the end of Sassanians; the second belongs to the Islamic era particularly on the basis of glazed potteries scattered on the surface as well as some structures built during 6th and 8th century Hegira. The buildings and structures related to the pre-Islam era include palaces, defensive forts and citadels, and temples, whereas; the buildings of the Islamic era are exclusively related to some religious places such as shrines, mausoleums and cemeteries.

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The present study was conducted to investigate the influence of drying methods on the amount of some effective compounds in fruit Ecballium elaterium M. Bieb extract based on a completely randomized statistical design with 15 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments included different drying methods (1- Shade drying at room temperature (25±3°C) with suitable ventilation, 2- Sun drying, 3- Oven drying at 35°C, 4- Oven drying at 45°C, 5- Oven drying at 55°C, 6- Vacuum oven drying at 35°C, 7- Vacuum oven drying at 45°C, 8- Vacuum oven drying at 55°C, 9- Infrared drying at 0.2w, 10- Infrared drying at 0.3w, 11- Infrared drying at 0.4w, 12- Microwave drying at 200w, 13- Microwave drying at 500w, 14- Microwave drying at 800w) which were compared with the fresh fruit of the plant (as a control). The studied traits were total phenols content, total flavonoids content, radical scavenging activity assay, soluble tannin, total amino acids, total soluble protein, total alkaloids, and total cucurbitacin. The results showed that different drying methods had a significant effect on soluble tannin and cucurbitacin content (P≤0.05) and also on other traits (P≤0.01). The highest amount of total phenol and flavonoids was related to fresh plants and then vacuum oven drying at 45 °C, and the highest amount of antioxidant activity and soluble tannin was found in fresh plants and then the vacuum oven drying at 55°C. The highest amount of amino acids was related to fresh plant and then 200 watt microwave treatment and the highest amount of total protein, alkaloids and cucurbitacin was related to fresh plant and then shade treatment.

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The post-harvest techniques of medicinal plants such as drying, is very important in their production cycle. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different drying methods on some phytochemical traits of Chuchak in the spring of 2020 based on the completely randomized design with three replications. The chuchak samples were collected in the vegetative stage from the gardens of Noor city, Iran. The drying treatments were shade-drying at room temperature (25±3 °C), sun-drying, oven-drying (45, 55 and 65 °C), vacuum oven-drying (45, 55 and 65 °C), microwave-drying (200, 500 and 800 watts), and fresh samples. The studied traits were moisture content based on fresh and dry weight, drying time and speed, ascorbic acid content, protein content, total carbohydrate content, total phenol and flavonoid content and antioxidant activity. The results of the variance analysis showed the significant effect of drying methods on all studied properties of the samples (P≤0.01). The mean comparison showed that the minimum drying time and the maximum speed drying were related to the microwave (800 watts). The highest amount of ascorbic acid (385.72 µg/mg), protein (19.72%), total phenol (47.19 mg GA per 1 g dry matter), total flavonoids (50.96 mg quercetin per 1 g dry matter) as well as antioxidant activity (76.02%) was observed in the fresh plant and then in the oven-drying (55 °C).

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Archaeologically, the Roudbar plain is one of the richest and most outstanding regions in the south east of Iran. Tomb-e Kharg, is the largest site in this region. The site is a multi-period one, but based on the surface material, the main settlement belongs to the historical period. Some things remain unknown about these periods in south-eastern Iran and lack of any reference to them in the authentic authorities, makes this region necessary to be aimed of a particularly urgent archeological research as an underlying and reliable reference. To do this, a topographic map of the mound, as well as the grid map was laid out, in which the region was divided into 10×10m² regions. By means of simple random sampling method, 10% of the squares were then sampled. In the light of the study on the collected cultural material, the main settlement dates back to periods ranging from the first millennium BC up to the 8^th or 9^th AD centuries. Moreover, there are some items of painted grey ware, suggesting that this mound leads back to 3^th millennium BC.
 
              
 

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Digitoxin is a glycoside isolated from leaves of various species of Digitalis genus that are commonly called foxgloves. Digitoxin is used for chronic cardiac insufficiency, tachyarrhythmia form of atrial fibrillation, paroxysmal ciliary arrhythmia, and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. 1-Deoxy-d-Xylulose 5-phosphate Reductoisomerase (DXR) is an important rate-limiting enzyme in 2-C-Methyl-d-Erythritol 4-Phosphate (MEP) pathway, and expression level of DXR plays a critical role in control of plant isoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. The effects of different elicitors including putrescine, spermine, and spermidine at concentrations of 50 and 100 mg L^-1 and also Methyl Jasmonate (MJ) at 50, 100, and 200 μM concentrations were explored on transcript levels of DXR gene in cell suspension culture of foxglove (Digitalis purpurea). DXR transcription levels were assessed by the semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Results showed that elicitors had significant effects on the expression level of DXR and contents of cardenolide and digitoxin. The highest digitoxin (61.3 μg g^-1 DW) and cardenolide (1.48% mg^-1 DW) content was observed in 100 mg L^-1 spermidine treatment. In all treatments, the expression of DXR gene was increased compared with the control sample. The highest transcription levels of DXR gene was observed in 50 μM MJ and 100 mg L^-1 putrescine elicitors, which was nine folds higher than the control condition, and the lowest levels were observed for putrescine treatments at concentrations of 50 and 100 mg L^-1, respectively.

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Jews of Medina once asked Prophet Muhammad about a man named Zolqarnein. Verses 82 to 97 of Surah al-Kahf, the 18^th chapter of the holy Qur’an, give description about this king who believed in God and the Day of Judgment. According to these Verses, God provided opportunities for Zolqarnein to be victorious over his enemies and bring justice to the territory under his jurisdiction. These Verses do not mention the place, time, or his name, and Zolqarnein that is his title has been referred as Qarnayeem in Jewish Pentateuch.These uncertain issues have caused many commentators of the Qur'an and Islamic scholars to introduce different individuals as Zolqarnein. Among these, Cyrus, the Achaemenid king and Alexander, the Macedonian king, could be seen more than others. This study aims to determine the character of Zolqarnein, by taking the historical approach. For that matter, religious and historical documents such as the Quran, Torah, Cyrus Charter, and writings of classical Greek historians were studied and corroborated with archaeological evidences. Based on the results of preceding studies, Zolqarnein is found to be Achaemenid king, Cyrus the Great.

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 A study of hidden and obvious angles of Iranian works of art, including the discovered artifacts of the ancient Marlik region, shows the rich heritage of this land. The ancient hill of Marlik, despite its tools and utensils, and especially its clay sculptures, is still explored due to its special elegance and beauty. The aim of this study is to have a measure of fit and linear range in Marlik pottery and to get acquainted with its hidden angles. In this regard, the question arises as to how the use of golden proportions and the visual element of the line (as a range) appear in dimensions and sizes of the clay figures. In this regard, 6 index statues have been excavated from Marlik Cemetery and the results showed that 3 clay statues follow the golden ratio of √2, √3, √4 and √5. And they have a good linear range and balance, exaggeration and harmony can be seen in them. In this process, the other 3 statues are not attractive in terms of size and dimensions and do not have the elegance of construction and design. In addition, the two factors of proportionality and linear expansion are in complete unity, and the role of positive and negative space to achieve balance is obvious. The research method here is descriptive-analytical and in the data analysis, the golden proportion approach has been used, as well as the collection of information is documented.

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New Assyria constructed magnificent palaces and temples in its three capital cities, Kalho/Kalah (Nimrud), Dursharokin (Khorsabad), and Nineveh (Koyunjik), which were all adorned with exquisite reliefs. In addition to intimidating and influencing foreign nationals, they engaged in political-religious propaganda. The relief was regarded as one of the most significant works of Assyrian art used to embellish their magnificent government and religious buildings. In these reliefs, they depicted various scenes and subjects while emphasizing the king's and gods'/angels' authoritative presence. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to examine and identify these unique works of art through iconographic analysis of multiple themes. On the other hand, it is beneficial to comprehend the cultural and social conditions of the time by analyzing the scenes and themes in motifs. This study intends to examine scenes taking into account the significance of religion and especially gods/angels in society and the Assyrian court, and after classifying the various scenes of the winged god/angels in the reliefs of the palaces of Kalho, Dursharokin, and Nineveh, providing an archaeological and artistic description of them, and analyzing the icons using the iconography method. How are the scenes in the reliefs of New Assyria classed thematically, and what is the method for iconographically analyzing the depictions of gods and angels? This research is a type of fundamental research based on its nature and approach; it is a type of historical and analytic research, and its method and instrument for information collection are documentary.