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The main aim of this research is finding the similarities and differences between the representations of social actors in the two different versions of Bahman’s vengeance seeking. Accordingly, the author tried to find the ideological background behind the two texts and show the difference in impression by studying socio-semantic elements that Theo Van Leeuwen offered in his suggested pattern and comparing them with the corresponding parts in Shahnama and Bahmannama. The results showed that some branches of the two main methods are exclusion, and inclusion is to some extent visible in both texts. Also association, dissociation, nomination and categorization along with their subsets are the techniques used to represent the social actors. Analysis of the two texts clearly shows that Bahman in Shahnama is seeking legitimacy for his goal while he has the authority and individuality in Bahmannama while he does not need to use persuasive and approval seeking techniques; so representations of social actors in Shahnama are more than in Bahmannama and they were used deliberately.

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Mannea is the most important state, which was established before Median kingdom and ruled on vast part of northwestern Iran for several centuries. Manneaen were from Hurrian race and language and probably entered the region about 1500 B.C. In their political life although they suffered many inva-sions from Assyria and Urartu, they kept their political and cultural independence and expended their power and realm in next period. In spite of this historical fact and available archaeological data, up to the present time no notable study about Mannea has been conducted and therefore basic aspects of Manneaen culture have remained unknown. The present study undertakes to accomplish this.

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Microbial detoxification is considered as one of the most common methods used for the elimination of aflatoxins. Reports indicate that S. cerevisiae can be effective in removing aflatoxins through the adsorption of aflatoxins to their cell wall. In the current research, the ability of S. cerevisiae (viable, acid-, heat- and ultrasound-treated yeasts) to bind aflatoxin M₁ was assessed in yoghurt. To this end, firstly, recombinant milk containing 12% solids, non-fat skimmed milk powder was prepared. Next, the samples were spiked by aflatoxin M₁ using different concentrations (100, 500 and 750 pg mL^-1). When the starter bacteria were added to the milk, the treated yeasts were added as well. The concentration of aflatoxin M₁ residue in the supernatant of the yoghurt samples after different storage times (1, 7, 14 and 21 days) was measured using the ELISA method. The results showed that all treatments containing viable, acid-, heat-, ultrasound-treated yeast and starter bacteria were able to adsorb aflatoxin M₁, and the ability of the treated yeast was significant as compared with the control (P< 0.05). Among the treated yeasts, the ability of the acid-treated yeasts was higher in toxin binding. Overall, it can be concluded that using S. cerevisiae for the biological adsorption of aflatoxin M₁ is effective in fermented dairy products.

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Badi al-Zamannameh is an almost forgotten collection of poems by an anonymous poet that represents the writing style of the Safavid era and consists of 3287 verses. It is a romantic epic narrating the adventures of Badi al-Zaman, an Iranian prince, in marriage with Ghamarchehr, daughter of the Khagan of China.
The current study aimed to investigate the folk foundations of Badi al-Zamannameh by adopting a descriptive-analytical methodology and conducting library research. The theme is represented by the two major fields: influences of the oral tradition and the works of previous generations and the basic themes of folktales. The old and popular texts of Persian literature like Shahnameh, Eskandarnameh Nghali, and Hamzehnameh influenced the language used in Badi al-Zamannameh. Moreover, characteristics like having a cyclical narration, applying folksy words and phrases, referring to customs and rituals, highlighting religious themes, making characterizations similar to folktales, illustrating miracles and surprises, using special numbers, using happy endings, and leaving the narration open indicate that it has been influenced by ancient folk literary works.
Reflecting on a native culture illustrates the culture of a society and makes the collective identity known. Looking at the literary works of a nation as a clear reflection of its culture is a way to achieve this goal, which may lead the researcher to the processes of cultural transformation in society and know the audience of such works.
 

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Extraction of hydrocolloids from plant seeds is important due to the increased consumption of these compounds in the formulation of food products. Ultrasound-assisted extraction has become very popular due to its many advantages, one of the most important of which is to increase the extraction efficiency of the biopolymers. The aim of this research was to use inverse numerical method to estimate the effective parameters in mass transfer related to the ultrasound-assisted extraction of galactomannan form two plant seeds including fenugreek and Gleditsia caspica. To achieve this goal, the concentration of galactomannan extracted from both plant seeds was obtained against time and the experimental data and the data predicted by the software (based on the simulation) were compared which had proper convergence. Effective parameters in mass transfer including dispersion coefficient (E), diffusion coefficient (D) and total mass transfer coefficient (k_c) were in the range of 1.21 – 1.52×10^-12, 2.39 – 3.05×10^-8 and 1.18 – 1.85×10^-7m²/s for fenugreek galactomannan and 1.31 – 1.54×10^-12, 2.63 – 3.11×10^-8 and 1.46 – 1.95×10^-7m²/s for Gleditsia caspica galactomannan. The difference between the values obtained for the two galactomannans could be attributed to the seed type, hardness or softness of the seed wall and characteristics of the target component. According to the obtained results, inverse numerical method could be introduced as an acceptable and effective method for modeling of the extraction process of both galactomannans.
 

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Due to the increasing use of biopolymers in food formulations, introducing new hydrocolloid sources has become particularly important. Numerous researches have been done on aqueous extraction or new extraction methods such as extraction with microwave pretreatment, but in most cases, the engineering part of these processes has been neglected. In this study, the main purpose was to investigate the mass transfer in the process of microwave-assisted extraction of galactomannan from two plant seeds using a new method known as inverse numerical method. To achieve this goal, the concentration of galactomannan extracted from both plant seeds was obtained against time and the experimental data and the data predicted by the software (based on the simulation) were compared which indicated proper convergence between these data. Effective parameters in mass transfer including dispersion coefficient (E), diffusion coefficient (D) and total mass transfer coefficient (k_c) were in the range of 1.12 – 1.63×10^-12, 2.30 – 3.28×10^-8 and 1.54 – 2.25×10^-7  m²/s for fenugreek galactomannan and 1.27 – 1.76×10^-12, 2.55 – 3.52×10^-8 and 1.85 – 2.30×10^-7m²/s for Gleditsia caspica galactomannan. The difference between the values obtained for the two galactomannans could be attributed to the seed type, hardness or softness of the seed wall and characteristics of the target component. According to the obtained results, inverse numerical method could be introduced as an acceptable and effective method for modeling of the extraction process of both galactomannans.  
 

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Bari Castle is located on the western side of Urmia Lake. The castle enclosed with stony walls measuring several meters high, encompasses a widespread area. It was used in the first millennium BC considering the castle’s architectural features and potsherd remains found on its surface. For almost 150 years, from the middle of the 9^th century to the end of the 8^th century, the Urartian areas in Iran did not witness any attack from Assyrians. It was only during the reign of Sargon II, clashes erupted between Urartu and Assyria. The reason was that Urartu interfered more and more in the affairs of the kingdom of Mannea, which Assyria considered a tributary. The first half of the 7^th century is when Mannaean seized the power in that area. It was the time which saw the expansion of Mannean more than ever, especially its dominance on the Urmia plain, hence; the Bari castle was of the Mannaean Empire.

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The artifacts belonging to the Mannaean culture that are preserved in major museums worldwide display symbolic images indicating hidden values and meanings derived from their common beliefs and traditions. An analytical study of the reminiscence of the symbols used in these objects reveal the influence of religion and ritual traditions in Mannaean societies and their deep relations with the Neo-Assyrian culture. In this research, by examining and analyzing the most prominent symbolic images such as the sacred tree, winged gods, mythological creatures, Ishtar goddess on golden plaque, earthenware, ivory plaques and other objects found in Ziwiye, Hasanlu and Qalaichitepes as well as ivory objects with pictures of battle scenes, chariot riding and formal ceremonies found at Mannaean sites, we try to take a closer look at the impact of the Neo- Assyrian art on the Mannaean art and culture.