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Anthropogenic climate change is exerting immense pressure on water resources in Iran. This study investigates future precipitation and meteorological droughts across the country considering performances of 41 general circulation models (GCMs). The findings indicate a significant increase in long-term average annual precipitation (LAAP) across Iran with an overall north-to-south increasing gradient, particularly in areas prone to extreme events. However, focusing solely on LAAP is misleading. Projected precipitation reveals substantial inter-annual variability, impacting both the severity and duration of meteorological droughts. For instance, 100-year return period droughts are expected to intensify in severity (The Shared Socio-economic Pathway SSP1-2.6: 4–91%, SSP8-5.5: 46–204%) and duration (SSP1-2.6: 19–76%, SSP8-5.5: 40–127%) across most regions, except the Persian Gulf coastal zone, where droughts may become less severe (SSP1-2.6: 23%, SSP8-5.5: 23%) and shorter in duration (SSP1-2.6: 27%, SSP8-5.5: 10%). Additionally, bivariate frequency analysis suggests that major droughts could become significantly more frequent in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In 1969, Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), which is a rare cancer predisposition syndrome, was reported for the first time. The main problem in LFS is the mutation in the TP53 gene, which is a crucial tumor suppressor gene in the cell cycle. A hereditary syndrome is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. There is a significant correlation between this syndrome and various cancers such as sarcoma, breast cancer, brain tumors, and different other types of malignancies. This study aimed to identify the possibility of LFS in cancer patients in the East Azarbaijan, Iran. Methods: In this experimental study, 45 children with cancer in the Northwest of Iran were investigated for LFS. DNA was extracted from the whole blood cells using the salting-out method. The region within the exons 5-8 of the TP53 gene has been replicated via Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method. The PCR products were sent for Sanger sequencing, and finally, the data were analyzed by Chromas software. Results: In the studied probands, in 12 (26.67%) cases, polymorphisms in Exon 6 and Introns 6 and Intron 7 were identified, and no mutation was observed in exons 5-8 of the TP53 gene. Conclusion: Our results show that there were no mutations in exons 5-8 of the TP53 gene as an indication of LFS possibility in these families. Further studies are needed to be done in a bigger population, and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) needs to be done to evaluate the whole genome of these patients to complete our data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the rising concern about heavy metals in settled dust, a risk assessment of Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni) and Zinc (Zn) has been conducted using multiple exposure paths, including oral ingestion, direct skin contact, and inhalation of dust around lake Urmia in Iran for the time period of 2020. Metal concentrations were assessed and sources were identified based on the enrichment factor and Pearson correlation coefficient. The metal concentrations were in the following order: Zn > Cu > Ni > Pb > Cd > As with arithmetic means of 3.5, 4.8, 57, 33, 25 and 83 mg/kg, respectively, which are within the range of Iran-EPA soil guideline values. A very weak correlation (r < 0.7) was found between the studied elements. The average enrichment factor (EF) for As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn was 0.7, 4, 1.8, 0.5, 3.2 and 0.8, respectively, suggests minor enrichment for metals and influence from anthropogenic activity. The lifetime cancer risks (LTCR) due to exposure (three routes of inhalation) to metals were in the negligible risk category. The oral route had the highest hazard index (HI) between all of exposure paths. The HI was less than 1 for all three exposure paths. Moreover, the sensitivity analysis showed that exposure duration (ED) for As and Ni and exposure frequency (EF) for Cd and Pb had the highest impacts on LTCR values. Therefore, this study suggests the continuous monitoring of heavy metals in settled dust around the Lake Urmia as it is associated with the high health risk for the neighbourhood in the Lake Urmia's basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the influence of human activities and climate variability on 86 dams and hydropower across Iran. The term 'mirage water' is introduced to estimate the impact of these factors on inflow. Data analysis shows that out of 1729 m3s−1 of mirage water, 705 m3s−1 are contributed by anthropogenic activities and 1024 m3s−1 by precipitation deficits. This indicates that some parts of Iran's strategic investments in water resources management over the past 60 years have failed. The study underscores the necessity for enhanced management practices and infrastructure investments to ensure sustainable water resources in arid and semi-arid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water reforms fail mainly because stubborn contextual constraints are not effectively considered. This study proposes a context-sensitive water governance assessment by designing a comparative approach within a case study and making inductive analytic generalizations. The framework is applied empirically to the Zayandeh Rud basin in the rentier state of Iran. The results indicate that the rentier-weak state context has led to centralized rent-seeking governance and limited implementation capacity – characteristics of the entire country, not just the water sector. Water issues will, therefore, require context-sensitive, problem-driven analysis beyond addressing water governance challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to study dual risk of MWFs and vibration according to exposure simulation of selected industry. Air samples of two types MWFs were evaluated according to NIOSH 5026. Vibration acceleration exposure was assessed based on the ISO 8041:2005 standard. Cell treatment of both MWF air samples and vibration as the same as dual exposure to MWF airborne and vibration was assessed. There is a potency of nitrosamine formation in airborne samples of ethylamine containing MWF, while heterocyclic including bore is found in airborne bore containing MWF. DNA breaks caused by boron-containing MWF were higher than nitrosamine air samples. Oxidative stress production and chronic inflammation were highlighted in the response to cell treatments. The risk of cell toxicity in machining workers was evaluated at a level lower than the occupational exposure limit for MWFs and vibration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global water resource crisis caused by population growth, and increasing water demand has led to using treated wastewater in many regions. Effective distribution of wastewater treatment across various consumer sectors is crucial for sustainable environmental practices and resource management. Wastewater Allocation (WA) is a multi-criteria decision-making problem, and this study used modified VIKOR (VIekriterijumsko KOmpromisno Rangiranje) method in the combination with GP (Goal Programming) technique to optimize WA in Iran. The environmental effects were evaluated using Leopold Matrix results. The proposed approach resulted in an allocation of 6912 m3/day for urban green space irrigation 10,368 m3/day for the agricultural irrigation, and 2592 m3/day for industrial water demand at the Shahreza wastewater treatment plant. The research shows that better recommendations for resource allocation may be developed by combining quantitative assessment, optimization, and mathematical models. This approach has proven successful in maximizing the reuse of wastewater for a variety of uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates factors influencing students' commuting choices to university campuses, focusing on the post-COVID-19 era, attitudes, and socio-economic variables. The study includes original data collected from a total of 785 participants who were surveyed at Shiraz University, located in Iran. The study results indicate that while public transportation and university shuttle buses continue to be widely used for transportation, a considerable proportion of students prefer personal cars, mostly driven by favourable impressions. The closeness to the campus is a crucial factor in this regard, as the students residing within a distance of 3 km exhibit a preference for walking. Moreover, the significance of bio-security factors such as cleanliness and the effective control of crowds for modal choice in the post-COVID-19 era. The study's findings give valuable insights for service providers and university administrators in the development of sustainable commuting programmes that align with the university's environmental goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there are some recommendations about early insulin therapy in newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients, there is not sufficient evidence on this strategy's cost-effectiveness. This study compared early insulin therapy versus oral anti-diabetic drugs (OADs) for managing T2DMusing a cost-effectiveness analysis approach in Iran. In this economic evaluation, a decision analytic model was designed. The target population was newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients, and the study was carried out from the perspective of Iran's healthcare system with a one-year time horizon. Basal insulin, Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, and Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) were compared in this evaluation. The main outcome for assessing the effectiveness of each intervention was the reduction in the occurrence of diabetes complications. Strategies were compared using the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), and deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were carried out. The DPP-4 inhibitors strategy was the dominant strategy with the highest effectiveness and the lowest cost. Early insulin therapy was dominated (ICER: $-53,703.18), meaning that it was not cost-effective. The sensitivity analyses consistently affirmed the robustness of the base case findings. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicated probabilities of 77%, 22%, and 1% for DPP-4 inhibitors, TZDs strategies, and early insulin therapy, respectively, in terms of being cost-effective. In terms of cost-effectiveness, early insulin therapy was not cost-effective compared to OADs for managing newly diagnosed T2DM patients. Future studies in this regard, utilizing more comprehensive evidence, can yield more accurate results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the global status and genetic diversity of Microsporidia infection in different birds. An online search was conducted in international databases from 1 January 1990 to 30 June 2022. A total of 34 articles (including 37 datasets) were included for the final meta-analysis. The pooled global prevalence of Microsporidia infection in birds was 14.6% (95% CI: 11.6–18.1). The highest prevalence of Microsporidia was found in wild waterfowl which was 54.5% (28.1–78.6). In terms of detection methods, the pooled prevalence was estimated to be 21.2% (95% CI: 12.1–34.4) and 13.4% (95% CI: 10.3–17.3) for using microscopic and molecular detection methods, respectively. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was the most common pathogen (24/31; 77.42% of the studies) according to PCR-based methods, and genotype D was the highest reported genotype (nine studies). In conclusion, designing strategies for the control and prevention of Microsporidia infection in birds should be recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The poetry of the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988) is commonly grafted to classical Persian topoi, imagery, metaphors. Several war poets use classical poetry to communicate with their audiences as this poetry is familiar and they can effortlessly convey their political and ideological message. This article investigates how modern amateur poets use classical poetry to create their own poems for political and religious use. I shall specifically analyse a few instances in which the poetry of the classical Persian poet Hafez of Shiraz (1315–1390) is integrated in various ideologically Shiite contexts. Some scholars have argued that Hafez's ghazals have little cohesion, characterizing the poem's couplets as 'pearls at random strung', but as we shall see these ghazals enjoy thematic coherence, even their ambiguity creates spaces for a modern appropriation and interpolation of couplets in his poetry, allowing the use of a poem as a commentary on religious and political events. While I shall give attention to Hafez's art of poetry, my main focus will be upon the modern application of his poetry by professional Shiite singers (maddāḥs) who perform such poems to whet the emotions of their audiences, placing the poem in a purely Shiite or ideologically Islamist propaganda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the (Covid-19) pandemic outbreak, questioning regarding climate and incident of Covid-19 infection rates has been debated, while there is no clear research evidence until now in Iran. This study has focused on investigating the association between Covid-19 cases and demographic –meteorological factors in arid and semi-arid zones of Iran (from March 1, 2020, to January 31, 2022) by analyzing with Via Poisson and negative binomial regression. As a result, the incidence rate of both Covid-19 hospitalization and mortality cases reached peaks in the summer followed by the autumn. Interestingly, Covid-19 hospitalization cases are associated with humidity, temperature, and wind factors seasonally and monthly, but mortality cases are just associated with wind. In conclusion, the result demonstrated that demographicand meteorological factorsare positively and negatively associated with Covid-19 cases. Therefore, identifying the environmental factors contributing to the excess Covid-19 can help to prevent future pandemic waves in Iranian arid and semi-arid zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presence of fluoride in drinking water resources is one of the most important challenges related to water management and health issues. This study aimed to monitor the fluoride concentration in rural areas of North Khorasan province, Iran. During a seven-year sampling period, the water quality of over 500 points was assessed annually, based on SPADNS colorimetric method. The geostatistical analyses and spatial distribution of fluoride were performed through global Moran's I index (spatial autocorrelation), and inverse distance weighting (IDW). In addition, the health impact probabilities of fluoride were evaluated via comparing concentrations with Iran national standard and the health risk assessment method recommended by EPA. According to the results, the measured concentrations of fluoride were in the range of 0–8.73 mg/L (average ± SD = 0.855 ± 0.458 mg/L). The lowest fluoride concentrations were determined in Esfarayen and Farouj counties (0.63 mg/L) and highest ones in Maneh Samalghan (0.9 mg/L). Moreover, Global Moran's I was calculated to be close to zero, indicating a random distribution of fluoride throughout the province. The average THQs for adult and children age groups were 4.94 and 3.61, respectively, which showed a high non-carcinogenic risk for both adult and children age groups. However, the concentration of fluoride in all studied water resources has not exceeded the standard and was in a good condition. Therefore, it is necessary to control the excessive concentrations, especially in areas with higher amounts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ritual practices as behavior, and the cognitive acknowledgment of life and death, foster a depth in social identity, collective social memory, and a societal worldview. This paper outlines the evidence of Early Bronze Age burial practices in northwestern Iran to discuss the newly discovered chamber tombs at Kohne Tepesi within the broader context of mortuary practices during the middle and last part of the 3rd millennium b.c. The findings from Kohne Tepesi support the idea that, at least for parts of Kura-Araxes society, burial rites and commemoration of the dead played a crucial role in their worldview. Furthermore, this site demonstrates that the changes in symbolic practices and social behavior during the Early Kurgan period were not spontaneous but rooted in the last phases of the Kura-Araxes period and that the perceptions of earlier traditions had been conserved in long-term social memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the symbiotic relationship between arbuscular mycorrhizae (Funneliformis mosseae) and the ability of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) to mitigate urban traffic pollution. A factorial experiment with three replications and three factors (inoculated/non-inoculated with G. mosseae, traffic volume, and pot type) was conducted in Shiraz, a metropolis in south-central Iran. Inoculation with F. mosseae led to a 33% increase in root weight and a 20% increase in root length under a traffic volume of 4,200 Vehicles/H. Additionally, as traffic volume increased, stem length and dry weight of the entire plant inoculated with the fungus increased by 8.33% and 29.53%, respectively. The presence of fungus in the rosemary plant decreased the accumulation of Cd and increased the accumulation of Pb by 12.82% and 55.82%, respectively under traffic conditions of 4,200 Vehicles/H. The transfer factor (TF) of Cd and Pb in rosemary plant inoculated under these traffic conditions decreased by 25.74% and 25.24%, respectively. These findings indicate that mycorrhiza-inoculated rosemary plants can thrive in Cd- and Pb-contaminated soils, effectively remediating heavy metals, particularly Pb, with a TF >1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are environmental contaminants with unfavorable impacts on human health and nature. This study aimed to determine the PFOA and PFOS concentration in water and fish samples from Karun, the largest river in Iran. According to the results, the PFOA and PFOS in water samples were 5.81–69.26 ng/L and not detected (n.d.)–35.12 ng/L, respectively. The dry season displayed higher concentrations in water samples than in the wet season. The maximum PFOS concentration measured was related to Barbus barbules sp. (27.89 ng/g). The human health risk assessment indicated minor risks (hazard ratio, HR < 1) from PFOA and PFOS through consuming contaminated drinking water and fish. Only HR value of PFOS in downstream area exceeded slightly 1.0, indicating potential health risk due to consumption of the river fish. Considering the average PFASs concentration, the risk quotients (RQs) showed low ecological risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beginning in 2016 Iran's naval posture in the Persian Gulf changed from a defensive-offensive strategy, which had been in effect since 2001, to an offensive one. This was reinforced in 2019–2020, when, in response to the Trump administration, Iranian military strategists determined that any potential confrontation with the country's adversaries is likely to take place at sea rather than on land or in the air. After the end of the Iran–Iraq war, Iran's naval strategies can be divided into three, each coinciding with different periods: defensive (1988–2001), defensive-offensive (2001–2016) and offensive (since 2016). The intensification of the US military presence in the Persian Gulf and issuing threats against Iran have played a central role Tehran's adoption of an offensive naval strategy. Features of this new strategy include the development of ballistic and cruise missile programmes; development and deployment of drones in naval manoeuvres; the use of air defence in supporting naval operations; deepening Iran's military presence in Persian Gulf islands; ensuring the ability to disrupt the flow of energy; conducting naval manoeuvres in collaboration with trans-regional powers and continued use of proxy warfare. Tehran believes the new strategy will help it better prepare for international threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of becoming a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has been an ongoing issue in the Iranian policymaking environment since 2009. One significant aspect of this issue is the FATF-related success or failure narratives from the perspective of policymaking. The current study uses the narrative method to analyse the stories defending and refuting the FATF Recommendations Bill in the Islamic Parliament of Iran (IPI). Two major competing narratives have been presented in the IPI by the two main Iranian political factions: the Principlists and the Reformists. The Principlists see the passage of the Bill as a failure, whereas the Reformists consider it to be a policy success. To gain a better position, both narratives have employed specific settings, characterisation, and emplotment. The findings demonstrate that the 'failure narrative' constructed by the Principlists is dominant as it has a better setting and characterisation than the 'success narrative' advocated by the Reformists. Although the 'success narrative' frames a better emplotment structure compared to the 'failure narrative', the 'failure narrative' is more forethoughtful and prudent as it uses conditional propositions in its emplotment, paving the way for the approval of the Bill in the future based on revolutionary rationality or expediency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the water-food-energy nexus in the Lake Urmia basin was investigated to establish a balance between water and energy consumption, aiming to protect the environment and ensure food security. The research was conducted on 17 farms located in different parts of the Lake Urmia basin, encompassing the predominant crops in the region as well as a variety of irrigation systems. An integrated water-food-energy nexus index was developed, which included irrigation application efficiency, water productivity, energy ratio, energy efficiency, various water footprints and the carbon footprint. The implementation of drip irrigation systems can significantly reduce potential harm to water and energy resources, and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood cancer can affect meaning of life as well as spirituality, causing significant changes in the family members' life, accordingly, the present study investigated the relationship between depression and spirituality among mothers of children with cancer. This study is a descriptive-analytical research of correlation type was conducted on 70 mothers of children with cancer in 2019 by available sample method. The measurement instruments utilized included "Beck depression inventory-II," and spiritual attitude assessment" questionnaires. Results of this study indicated an inverse correlation between depression and spirituality in mothers of children with cancer. It seems that promoting the spiritual attitude of mothers can help them cope with depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was performed to determine the concentration and assess the risk of aflatoxins (AFs) i.e. aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), B2 (AFB2), G1 (AFG1), and G2 (AFG2) in wheat whole and refined flour samples for Iranian adults. Sixty-five (60.19%) out of 108 analysed samples were positive for AFB1 and total AFs (AFB1+ AFB2+ AFG1+ AFG2). The range of AFB1 and the total AFs in samples were 0.14–7.34 and 0.34–7.61 µg kg−1, respectively. While, their means were 1.70 ± 0.22 and 2.15 ± 0.23, respectively. AFB1 level in 7 (6.48%) samples exceeded maximum limits allowed according to Iran standard (5 µg kg−1) while all samples had total AFs at an acceptable level (15 µg kg−1). The incidence and concentration of AFs in wheat whole flour samples were higher than that of refined flour one. The estimated daily intake (EDI), the margin of exposure (MOE), hepatocellular cancer risk of AFB1 through flour samples were 0.004 µg kg−1 bw day−1, 108.74 and 4.12 cases per 100,000 individuals/75 years, respectively. As EDI was more than the suggested value of 0.017 ng kg−1 bw day−1 and hepatocellular cancer risk was higher than the recommended level of 0.1 cases/75 years/100,000 individuals and MOE >10,000, it could be concluded AFs level in flour samples had a health potential risk to human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BRCA1 gene plays an important role in DNA damage repair, cell cycle, and transcription process regulation; hence it's called gate keeper. The current research aims to perform bioinformatics analyzes of the BRCA1 gene of different breeds of domestic and wild sheep from 49 breeds in 14 countries using the NCBI genome database. The desired sequences were aligned using MEGA11 software and a phylogenetic tree was drawn by Neighbor-Joining method. The number of mutations, nucleotide diversity, and haploid diversity were also analyzed using Dnaspv5 software. The analyses showed 296 polymorphisms, which led to the creation of 45 different haplotypes with a haplotype diversity of 0.035. Nucleotide diversity and average nucleotide differences among breeds were estimated as 0.259 and 0.052, respectively. The average genetic distance within the population of countries was calculated as 0.052. The amount of sequence conservation in this research was 0.313 on average, which indicates the high polymorphism of this gene and the emergence of new proteins. Tajima's D value in Tajima's neutrality test was −2.421, which was significant (p < 0.05). One of the reasons for the high genetic diversity in Iran's wild sheep population is the existence of forests and open environments, which prevent genetic drift and reduce inbreeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The N–S-trending Sistan Suture Zone in East Iran results from the collision of the Lut and Afghan continental blocks. The southern Sistan Basin hosts Eocene terrigenous deep-marine turbiditic sequences with carbonate olistoliths, debris-flow sheets and calcareous turbidites. These carbonates represent one or several early to middle Eocene carbonate platforms fragmented and redeposited in a deep-marine environment. Palaeocurrent measurements on the terrigenous and calcareous turbidites show that the source carbonate platform was located on the Afghan active margin. Volcanic debris in the limestone and surrounding turbidites corroborate an active magmatic margin on the Afghan side. The formation of limestone debris-flow sheets is attributed to increased erosion and retreat of the carbonate platform, potentially triggered by the closure of the Sistan Basin and continental collisions in the late middle Eocene, after subduction of the Sistan Ocean beneath the Afghan Block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edible vegetable oils as an important component of our daily diet are widely consumed around the world. In this research, the concentrations of aflatoxins, including B1 (AFB1), B2 (AFB2), G1 (AFG1) and G2 (AFG2) were measured in 43 edible vegetable oil samples such as peanut oil (n = 18), sesame oil (n = 15), olive oil and (n = 10) using high-Performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector (HPLC- FLD). In addition, health risks of aflatoxins in adults and children due to ingestion of edible oils were calculated using the Margin of Exposure Estimation (MOE) by the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) model. The results indicated that the total aflatoxin (TAF) and AFB1 concentrations in 30 (69.76%) and 29(67.14%) of the samples were in the ranges 0.09–30.95 µg/kg and 0.04–20.56 µg/kg, respectively. Also, the concentrations ofTAF and AFB1 in 18 and 16 samples were higher than the European Union maximum permissible limit, which were 4 and 2 µg/kg, respectively.While according to risk assessment analysis, the consumption of edible vegetable oils in children was safe. MOE values of aflatoxin through the consumption of edible vegetable oils in adult were lower than 10,000, showing that the adult are at considerable liver cancer risk. Therefore, it is necessary to strict inspection and monitoring of edible oil products by the regulatory bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) affects a significant number of women in the postpartum period. This study compared the effectiveness of suspension training system (STS) with that of isometric-isotonic (ISoM-ISoT) exercises in the treatment of DRA and its secondary complications. Thirty-six women with DRA participated in this study. They were divided into the three groups of STS, ISoM-ISoT, and control. Inter-recti distance (IRD), proprioception, lumbopelvic control, postural stability, low back pain, and disability were assessed using a digital caliper, a goniometer, a lateral step-down test, a Biodex balance system, a visual analogue scale (VAS), and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), respectively. Two intervention groups underwent training for 8-week and the control group resumed their normal lives. Positive effects were observed in the STS and ISoM-ISoT groups compared with the control group in: IRD (P =.001); lumbopelvic proprioception (P =.001); lumbopelvic control (P =.001); overall static balance (P =.010); overall dynamic balance (P =.012); low back pain (P =.001); and disability (P =.001). However, there was no significant difference between the training groups in: IRD (P =.12, MD = −2.76); lumbopelvic proprioception (P =.48, MD = −0.50); lumbopelvic control (P =.14, MD = 1.53); static balance (P =.62, MD = 0.07); dynamic balance (P =.27, MD = 0.33); pain (P =.25, MD = −0.52); and disability (P =.48, MD = −1.74). The results of the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and minimal detectable change (MDC) suggested that the STS exercises outperformed ISoM-ISoT training regarding IRD, pain, disability, and proprioception, whereas ISoM-ISoT training had a better effect in lumbopelvic control and balance. The results of our study showed that the STS had a positive effect on women with DRA and like the ISoM-ISoT exercises can be used to treat this dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Students' perceptions of learning environment is known as the most frequent construct related to their learning outcomes. Students' motivation in learning science (i.e. personal mastery goals orientation, self-efficacy, and task-value) and self-regulation are among the outcome variables that are affected by their perceptions of science learning environment (i.e. perceptions of their parents, school, and science teacher's mastery goals emphases, and peers' mastery goals orientation). The purpose of the current study was to investigate the relations between environmental factors of students' perceptions of their parents, school, and science teacher's mastery goals emphases, peers' mastery goals orientation, and the internal constructs of students' motivational beliefs and self-regulation in science learning. Participants were 475 Iranian students at lower secondary schools. A cross-sectional and correlational research design was employed in this study. Data were collected using a questionnaire consisted of three measures of perceptions of science learning environment, motivation, and self-regulation, which the participants were asked to complete. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and a bootstrap procedure were used to estimate the variables' direct and mediated relationships. Results revealed that perceived peers' mastery goals orientation and perceived parents' mastery goals emphasis positively predicted personal mastery goals orientation. In addition, the results indicated that perceived teacher's mastery goals emphasis positively predicted task-value. Moreover, task-value and self-efficacy were found to have a significant direct effect on self-regulation. These findings provide novel insight into the role of environmental factors in students' motivation and self-regulation in science learning. In particular, science teachers are suggested to focus on encouraging students to adopt higher levels of mastery goals orientation in science learning activities, with regards to the significant mediating role of personal mastery goals orientation between perceptions of science learning environment and other motivational beliefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, to study the frequency and severity of traffic accidents, a combination of geographic information system and spatial analysis has been used. For this purpose, methods of planar and network statistics including kernel density estimation and nearest neighbor distance analysis were applied for three types of accidents including fatal, injury, and material property damages. In addition, drawbacks of the traditional planar point pattern and the benefits of network analysis are offered. The network statistics are executed through SANET version 4 and ArcMap on the Semnan–Garmsar road in Iran. The nearest neighbor output analysis is consist of four curves, and regarding the fact that the amounts for accidents resulting in fatalities, injuries, and damages, the observed value curve is above the 5% confidence interval; accidents in the study region are more clustered than would be expected by random chance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored spatial patterns of the 10 most prevalent cancers in north-eastern Iran. Getis-Ord G* and Anselin Local Moran's Index ‎were used for identifying ‎hotspots and local clusters. Except for breast cancer, all cancer types were more frequent among males. Cluster analysis in men showed hotspots of breast cancer in the South-West, skin cancer in the East/South-East, and brain tumours in the North. Among women, there were hotspots for skin cancer in the East and South-East, bladder cancer in the Central and East. ‎This study indicates a possible relationship between the high ‎incidence of certain cancers and environmental factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the relationship between intelligence and creativity with sexual desire and the extent to which education, sex, and age moderate this relationship. In doing so, a total of 168 students (74 males and 94 females) aged 18–35 years (M = 23; SD = 3.58) were selected using convenience sampling from three universities in Tehran, Iran and they were asked to complete a set of measures including Raven's Progressive Matrices, Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking, and Hurlbert Index of Sexual Desire. Data analysis indicated that neither intelligence nor creativity was correlated with sexual desire. Moreover, current findings showed that education and sex did not moderate the relationship between intelligence and creativity with sexual desire, while there was a positive relationship between intelligence and sexual desire at older ages. These results suggest that sexual desire is not influenced by intelligence or creativity and only age moderates the relationship between intelligence and sexual desire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes recent scientific production in health literacy, assessing professional involvement and identifying areas for attention, gap addressing, and collaboration network establishment to enhance health outcomes. This comprehensive analysis examined scientific literature from 2018 to 2022 retrieved from Scopus database. The study focused on original articles in multiple languages and utilized tools like Biblioshiny and VOSviewer. It explored publication patterns, citation metrics, authorship trends, country contributions, keyword evolution, clusters of related terms, and professional involvement. This analysis yielded valuable insights into the research landscape of health literacy during the specified time frame, providing a deeper understanding of the field. The analysis encompassed 3,489 articles, revealing a significant increase in publications since 2019. Prolific authorship did not always correlate with citation impact in health literacy research. Nguyen H.C. emerged as the most cited author, particularly in COVID-19-related symptoms and health literacy. The analysis revealed significant contributions from influential countries such as the United States, Australia, Germany, Iran, and China. "Mental health" emerged as a prominent area of investigation based on keyword analysis. The study also found underrepresentation of nursing professionals but identified diverse health-related professionals and institutes as influential contributors. Health literacy publications, particularly related to COVID-19, have significantly increased, indicating a rising interest in addressing pandemic-related health literacy needs. The research landscape on health literacy is global, with the USA, Australia, Iran, China, Germany, Norway, and Denmark as leading contributors. Collaborations among institutions like the University of Houston, Uppsala University, and Mashhad University of Medical Sciences highlight the importance of international cooperation in advancing health literacy research. Research hotspots in health literacy include COVID-19, interventions, chronic disease management, healthcare access, and health disparities, guiding future research to improve health outcomes and tackle key challenges in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aftershock probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (APSHA) is essentially useful for various earthquake engineering problems. In this paper, a series of aftershock seismic hazard analyses were conducted in western Zagros region in Iran using different approaches. The results were obtained in terms of exceedance probabilities of peak ground accelerations within different time intervals following the mainshock. The results were generally compatible with the recorded data; however, the accuracy depended on the causative fault geometry and spatial distribution of aftershocks. The accuracy decreased in shorter time intervals after the mainshock and also in longer time spans especially when strong aftershocks occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the language-related instruments Tehran uses to pursue its soft power goals in the Middle East. The article first defines soft power and the role of language in its promotion, and then summarises Iran's overall Persian-language strategies across the region. The main part of the article uses a rich array of primary source material in Persian to focus specifically on Tehran's efforts to use the Persian language as a soft power resource in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria. The article demonstrates that over the last decade, Iran has increasingly engaged in strategies to enhance its soft power reach in these countries through the development of Persian language programmes. It argues that Iran at times uses the promotion of the Persian language to further other soft power goals, such as the development of its key foreign policy platforms and the spread of Shiism based on the context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, particularly since 2002, relations between Iran and Turkey have been on the rise and generally expanding. The aim of this paper is to analyse and clarify the reasons for the sustainability of the two countries' relations while undergoing intermittent eruptions of disputes over the years. In other words, the main question is: why have Iran and Turkey, with their political frictions, routinely embraced rapprochement and collaboration in recent decades? Accordingly, the hypothesis proposed is that a key reason for the ongoing cooperation between Tehran and Ankara in different fields, is the rationale of geopolitical complementarity engendering their security needs in broad meaning, particularly energy security and natural gas. Whilst the logic also applies to water security, both states attach greater importance to border security and energy. In short, their common geopolitical destiny over-rides individual state preferences. To examine this hypothesis, Barry Buzan's theory based on a broad definition of security as well as regional security complex has been deployed through descriptive analytics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, new empirical relations are proposed to determine the Fourier amplitude spectrum of acceleration. The FASAs form the white-noise spectrum in the stochastic ground motion simulation methods. So far, various analytical and experimental models have been proposed to determine the FASA. ω−2 is among the most well-known models are used in the computational programs of ground motion simulation such as SMSIM or EXSIM. In this study, the relationship between the FASA, and the important seismological parameters such as moment magnitude, closest distance from rupture plane, site conditions and faulting mechanism is determined, and appropriate relations are presented. There are limited experimental models of FASA, and present models are mainly analytical. Therefore, the results of this research can be beneficial. To present models, the Iran Plateau earthquake catalog is used, including 2228 acceleration records of 749 earthquakes with magnitudes of 4.5–7.6 and rupture distance up to 200 km. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are areas with high saline water and saline irrigation water in Iran that may be used for quinoa cultivation. In these conditions, proper saline irrigation water regimes and nitrogen application should be determined and used. Therefore, the aim of this experiment is to investigate the effect of different saline irrigation water regimes (100, 75 and 50% of full irrigation, FI) and nitrogen application rates (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg ha−1) on growth and yield of quinoa with water table depth of 0.8 m, salinity of irrigation water and water table of 20 dS m−1. The irrigation of 75% FI and 50% FI decreased the applied water by 19 and 38%, respectively. Further, there was no reducing effect of irrigation water regimes in seed and shoot dry matter yield. Furthermore, groundwater contribution (GWC) increased significantly by 8 and 18% in 75%FI and 50%FI compared with that obtained in full irrigation, and resulted in no extreme water stress under high water table depth (0.8 m). Increasing application of nitrogen fertilizer significantly increased the yield components, ETc and GWC. In addition, reducing irrigation water did not show a significant decrease in water use efficiency (WUE) in high water table depth. However, water productivity increased significantly by decreasing irrigation water. It is concluded that under deficit irrigation, high water table depth could be a valuable source of water supply to meet quinoa water requirements. Moreover, application of nitrogen fertilizer at all levels significantly increased water use efficiency and water productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of silt fraction using the traditional methods, especially on a large scale, is time-consuming, laborious and costly. The present work intends to investigate the spectral behaviors of soil silt fraction using the reflected spectra. Accordingly, 128 soil samples were collected from 20 cm of soil surface of Mazandaran province, Iran. First, samples were divided into two subsets: the calibration and the validation. Spectral signatures and domains of silt components were detected and recognized using the PLSR (Partial-Least-Square-Regression) algorithm and CV (Cross-Validation) technique with spectral preprocessing such as averaging, SG (Savitzky-Golay) smoothing filter and first derivative transformation. The final model was validated with five LFs (Latent Factors) and specifications including Rp (Correlation Coefficient): 0.78, RMSEp (Root Mean Square Error): 7.57%, RPDp (Ratio of Performance to Deviation):1.55, and RPIQp (Ratio of Performance to Interquartile Distance): 2.05. Finally, it was chosen as the best model for studying the silt of Mazandaran province, Iran. The spectral wavebands obtained with the highest correlation coefficients (R(CCmax)) indicating the independent predictive variables with high impact on the silt modeling processes. Finally, the capability of the proximal sensing technology was confirmed in the investigation of the soil silt content in the region. In addition, the most influential spectral ranges were identified. In conclusion, the present research is an essential work for future investigations including silt digital mapping, and our findings can be used as a basis for large-scale silt content studies using airborne/satellite hyperspectral data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thymus persicus (Lamiaceae) is a range-restricted endemic medicinal and aromatic plant from northwest of Iran. Due to the medicinal importance and over-exploitation of the plant from its natural habitats, conservationand ex situ cultivation of the plant is needed. In the present study, essential oil variability of the plant during its in vitro conservation including in vitro regenerated plant (RP) and acclimated plant (AP) was assessed by GC-FID and GC-MS, and compared with those of growing wild plant (WP). In total, 44, 25 and 25 compounds representing 98.5%, 98.7% and 98.1% were identified in the oils of WP, RP and AP, respectively. The major identified components in the oils were 4,8-β-epoxy-caryophyllene (2.3–10.7%), α-terpineol (9.5–39.2%), linalool (5.7–15.7%) and thymol (2.6–32.8%). In vitro RP with the highest content of thymol had the greatest distance with WP. The AP was also significantly dominated with a large difference in α-terpineol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition to sustainable energies is a fast-growing field of research. Modeling complex systems can expand our possibilities in this field through quantitative analysis. Photovoltaic technology is one the best potential energy sources in Iran but until now, this technology has not been diffused appropriately. According to the review of research on PV TIS, it was found that in developing countries such as Iran, quantitative analyses based on simulation by system dynamics have not been performed and also, positive and negative effective factors on this system (incentives and barriers), not comprehensively identified. Therefore, in this study, at first, positive and negative effective factors in the PV TIS of Iran were identified and in the next stage, innovation engines were extracted. In order to develop improvement policies, Iran's PV TIS has been modeled using a system dynamics approach, and quantitative analyzes related to its performance have been presented using Vensim Ple software. Finally, in this study, some policies have been developed to promote PV TIS performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of different fertilizer management systems such as organic, chemical and integrated fertilizer systems in increasing total quality and quantity yields of canola and wheat in two rotations included canola–soybean–wheat and canola-wheat. In this experiment, the effects of zeolite incorporation with different organic and chemical fertilizers were investigated on the improvement of yield components, crop yield and nutrient uptake of canola and wheat in Iran during 2014–2018. Two crop rotations of canola-soybean-wheat and canola-wheat provided the whole-plot treatments with nine fertilization management (F1: urea, F2: urea + zeolite, F3: composted manure, F4: composted manure + zeolite, F5: urea + composted manure, F6: urea+ composted manure + zeolite, F7: urea+ azocompost, F8: urea+ azocompost + zeolite and F9: Control) providing the sub-plots. The highest yield of canola and wheat were observed under F6 and F8. Embedding soybean in the rotation was not significantly efficacious in increasing canola and wheat yields. Also, soybean did not reduce wheat and canola yield, it could fulfill its own requirements. Elemental composition of seeds in crops was affected by the treatments. Principal component analysis (PCA) perfectly displayed that organic fertilizers, especially composted manure accompanied with the application of 8 ton ha−1 zeolite and urea (F6) had the most predominant effect on yield and yield components in both wheat and canola. Crop rotation in the short-term programs might not produce desirable results, but it is expected to see the efficacy of crop rotation in long-term farming practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carbonate-evaporite sequence of the Arab Formation constitutes the important reservoir unit in the Persian Gulf and adjacent area. The paper aims to present detail facies characteristics, depositional environment and sequence stratigraphic analysis of the Arab Formation in an oil field in the Persian Gulf. A total of 12 microfacies (MF) and 3 dolomitic (diagenetic) facies (DF) were identified, and are interpreted as a homoclinal carbonate ramp platform. The Arab Formation is divided into four third order sequences corresponding to main reservoir intervals (Arab-A, B, C, D). The results highly correlate with the sequences of local and regional studies in the Arabian Plate. It is probably due to the cake layer nature of the Arab Formation and high impact of the world eustatic sea-level fluctuations (global curves) on the facies stacking pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing variations in soil wind erosion (SWE) is critical for identifying key change areas and formulating desertification control strategies. Satellite images with an expansive spatial coverage and temporal repeatability make it possible to monitor the process of soil degradation and its consequences such as SWE. This research aims to model SWE in the eastern shoreline of Urmia Lake in the 2005–2017 period through multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). Soil moisture, soil erodibility (SE), soil crust index, number of snow cover days, wind field intensity, and vegetation fraction were determined as critical factors affecting SWE. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method was applied to determine the weight of each factor. High SE and poor vegetation were the most important factors in the developed SWE model. The SE was precisely estimated (relative percent deviation (RPD)=2.01) by the support vector regression (SVR) method using Landsat-8 image. The developed SWE estimation method had an overall accuracy of 81%. Most of the eastern shoreline of Urmia Lake Region was classified in the severe SWE class. Results showed a declining erosion intensity trend from central parts with high wind erosion (47% of the region) to northern and southern parts of the region. Increasing the distance from the lake led to an increase in SWE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations of arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) and the human health risk of the metals were estimated through drinking water consumption. Totally, 48 samples of groundwater were collected and analyzed during 2019. Health risk indices were estimated using chronic daily intake (CDI), hazard quotient (HQ) and, hazard index (HI), as well as cancer risk (CR). Except for As (66.6% of the areas were above permissible limits), the concentrations of other three heavy metals were within the US EPA and WHO permissible limits. ∑ HI values in 100% and 75% of the areas were above 1 for children and adults, implying non-carcinogenic risk from sum of heavy metals. Children total cancer risk (CRt) in all areas (except one area with acceptable risk) fell within unacceptable risk. Adults CRt in all areas (except one area with unacceptable risk) were in acceptable risk category. As was the highest contributor to non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks both for children and adults. Our results showed that children were more exposed to health risks, due to intake of drinking water containing As, Cr, and Pb in the study areas. The study can provide a basis for local governments to properly manage drinking water quality and provide a reference for water quality management in neighborhood areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross-sectional study evaluated patients' satisfaction with hospital meals in seven urban public hospitals using a validated questionnaire. The quality of food services based on the hospital standards was assessed using a checklist prepared by Iran's ministry of health. Of 800 subjects, the quality and quantity aspects of hospital meals, in general, were nearly satisfactory to the patients (mean score: 2.13, range: 1–3, SD: 0.39, 40% good and 36% moderate). The mean score of hospitals' food service quality based on hospital standards was 2.17 (range: 0–4, SD: 0.59). Females, younger patients and those with higher education level reported to be less pleased with hospital meal services. No relationship between patients' satisfaction and hospital food quality assessment based on hospital standards was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through centuries many Arabic expressions have been integrated into Persian. Islamic Arabic exclamations also made their way into everyday Persian and social life of Iranians, to the extent that today few might even note their origin and distinction. The current study was purposed to investigate the illocutionary meanings religious exclamations have acquired in the modern society of Iranian Shiites. It also aimed at examining how different functions are served by the same exclamations but with various articulatory suprasegmental features. Adopting an inductively micro-analytic qualitative approach to the study of talks-in-interaction, naturally occurring conversations in vernacular Persian were observed and recorded. A sample of thirty actual conversations were systematically transcribed and analysed using Jefferson's guidelines. The results indicated that the religious exclamations are noticeably context-bound, and Iranian Shiites regularly yet variously employed them to perform different speech acts and communicative functions, which are essentially different from the original religious purposes of the exclamations. In addition, it was revealed that the exclamations with different illocutionary meanings are clearly marked in terms of suprasegmental features. The findings are showcased and discussed pointing to illustrative conversations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nurses are living in unprecedented times and the first-line against the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses see controversial issues and face different complications that lead to work-life conflicts and compromise patient safety. Finding volunteer nurses is a fantastic adventure in such a situation. This study attempted to analyze volunteer nurses' experiences and factors influencing care in the COVID-19 pandemic situation. A qualitative descriptive study was applied from Jun to May 2021 in four different hospitals in Iran. Data was collected by Semi-structured interviews (N:13) with an open-ended question until data saturation. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The study was approved by the ethics committee of Birjand University medical and science and was conducted in achievement of the moral standards in terms of voluntary participation, the confidentiality of data, anonymity, and verbal informed consent. Two main themes obtained were "A faith-based approach" and "Care, an opportunity for spiritual transcendence." Five categories are "Belief in a divine destiny," "Transformation of life meaning", "spiritual hedonism", "Wise self-sacrifice", and "Sacred Defense" and ten subcategories were extracted that indicated volunteer nurses' perspectives during the COVID-19 outbreak. Cultural and individual factors lead to making decisions in nurses. Themes indicate that spiritual perspectives, ethical issues, and religious points of view are factors that can influence willingness, commitment, and function of nurses. Spiritual transcendence is one of the most valuable humanistic situations that manifest for nurses than normal circumstances. It is pivotal for senior educational and clinical managers to identify, develop, and strengthen the capacity of nurses with such a vision to recruit them in high-responsibility departments, and know-how to transfer these perspectives to the next generation of nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Except for administrative collaborative leadership, the importance of leadership in achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) has been the focus of researchers for many years. This study claims that one of the requirements for achieving the SDGs is administrative collaborative leadership. Because, it is the proper leadership style for the governance model, as one of the pillars for achieving the SDGs. To investigate this claim, a social innovation (SI) strategy is examined to addresses whether the public sector uses collaborative leadership in the governance model. To study SI, a successful living lab of SI is investigated by a qualitative case study.‏ This laboratory was created by the Iranian public sector to solve the problem of unemployment among people with disabilities. Qualitative data are collected through participatory observation and interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings of the research show that collaborative leadership is one of the prerequisites of SDGs achievement. And, SI contributes to the realization of SDGs by providing an appropriate environment for the gradual and practical training of collaborative leadership.‏ [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to make a qualitative assessment of the urban management practices in Mashhad, the second largest metropolis of Iran, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and identify challenges, current measures, and future actions. A grounded theory approach has been used. The data was collected using semi-structured interviews, and MAXQDA-12 software was used for the analysis. The results showed that Mashhad urban management practices have faced 11 main obstacles during this pandemic. Current measures and future actions are presented by taking into account the identified obstacles and challenges. The findings can help urban managers to make decisions based on strong evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the effective factors on low-income housing (LIH) stigma is the facade features. This study examines the effect of facade features (details, material, window size, balcony existence, and greenery) on three attitudinal aspects including affective appraisal, cognitive judgment, and behavioral tendencies and preferences. By reviewing the literature, facade attributes were extracted and the levels of each were categorized based on LIH cases of Iran. Then, 24 profiles were selected for evaluation using orthogonal design. The experimental method was used with the participation of 70 non-residents in LIH. The results of regression analysis showed that the facade protrusion, balcony existence, greenery, and window size have the highest effect on perceived stigma, respectively; the material with the lowest effect is only in the cognitive aspect and sense of safety in the last rank. The effect of familiarity on the attitudes of outsiders was also investigated and it was found that one's 'experience' affects all aspects of attitudes and preferences and one's 'knowledge' only affects the two emotional and behavioral aspects of attitudes and preferences. These findings can be taken into attention in LIH design and decrease its stigma, as well as in the planning and design of mixed-income communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Personality Inventory for DSM–5, Brief Form (PID-5-BF) was developed to assess DSM-5's Alternative Trait Model for Diagnosing Personality Disorders (AMPD). This study aimed to examine the factor structure, internal consistency, measurement invariance, and convergent, discriminant, and known-group validity of the Persian PID-5-BF with 941 university students (aged 18–67, M age= 28.36, SD = 9.09, 39.1% males) and 178 male from a clinical (aged 18–60, M age= 33.77, SD = 10.60) sample in Iran. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the five-factor model in both groups, being fully and partially invariant across gender and study groups, respectively. PID-5-BF subscales were internally consistent, yielded expected associations with other personality variables, and differentiated the student sample from the clinical group, supporting the measure's convergent, discriminant, and known-group validity. Our results indicated that the PID-5-BF holds promise as a screening measure of dimensional maladaptive personality traits in Iranian students and clinical samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study applies a cultural conceptualizations framework within the multidisciplinary field of Cultural Linguistics to the analysis of gratitude in dissertation acknowledgements (DAs), as a culturally-embedded genre written in Persian and English by native speakers of Persian. Benefitting from a corpus analysis approach to Cultural Linguistics, 185 English and 196 Persian DAs from language-related fields were selected randomly from DAs written in national universities in Iran as the corpus for the study. Grounded theory-driven analysis revealed a number of similar and different representations of Persian cultural schema and cultural metaphors between the sampled Persian and English DAs. Additionally, the unclosed cultural conceptualizations revealed a selective transfer of Persian cultural conceptualizations to the DAs written in English. The paper concludes with reference to the emergence of Persian English in the DAs. By complementing genre analysis with a Cultural Linguistics perspective, the study contributes to the literature on comparative genre analysis of DAs, moving it beyond move-step analysis to a more systematic in-depth cultural analysis. In addition, the findings advance the literature on Cultural Linguistics by revealing a relationship between cultural schema and cultural metaphor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]