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Copper-base artefacts from Bronze Age Luristan have been analysed for their chemical composition and the isotopic composition of their lead. We find no significant systematic differences between a group of objects recovered in the Pusht-i Kuh region in the course of controlled excavations during the Belgian Archaeological Mission in Iran (BAMI) and a second group of artefacts from the Louvre Museum which were acquired on the art market. According to these material features the objects from the art market are made of genuine "Luristan" metal which does not exclude the possibility that the artefacts are recent forgeries made of "old" metal. The data suggest a large fraction of the artefacts, copper and bronze, to derive from copper ores as they are available in the eastern part of the central Zagros Mountains from where also tin ores have been reported. Bronzes with high 206Pb-normalized abundance ratios, conspicuous in contemporary Mesopotamia, are missing in Luristan. We have no satisfactory explanation to offer why the manifold cultural and material connections between Mesopotamia and Luristan should have excluded the trade in bronzes with such exceptional lead isotopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A lead isotope study »On the Early copper of Mesopotamia« reports on copper-base artefacts ranging in age from the 4th millennium BC (Uruk period) to the Akkadian at the end of the 3rd millennium BC. Arguments are presented that. in the (tin)bronzes. the lead associated with the tin used for alloying did not contribute to the total in any detectable way. Hence. the lead isotopy traces the copper and cannot address the problem of the provenance of tin. The data suggest as possible source region of the copper a variety of ore occurrences in Anatolia, Iran, Oman, Palestine and, rather unexpectedly (by us), from India. During the earliest period the isotopic signature of ores from Central and North Anatolia is dominant: during the next millennium this region loses its importance and is hardly present any more at all. Instead. southeast Anatolia, central lran, Oman. Feinan-Timna in the rift valley between Dead Sea and Red Sea, and sources in the Caucasus are now potential suppliers of the copper. Generally, au unambiguous assignment of an artefact to any of the ores is not possible because the isotopic fingerprints of ore occurrences are not unique. In our suite of samples bronze objects become important during ED III (middle of the 3rd millennium BC) but they never make up more than 50% of the total. They are distinguished in their lead isotopy by very bigh 206Pb-normalized abundance ratios. As source of such copper we suggest Gujarat/ Southern Rajasthan which, on general grounds, has been proposed before to have been the most important supplier of copper in Ancient India. We propose this Indian copper to have been arsenic-poor and to be the urudu-luh-ha variety which is one of the two sorts of purified copper mentioned in contemporaneous written texts from Mesopotamia to have been in circulation there concurrently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Engaging in physical activity could help improve the quality of life in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The objective of this study was to determine the association between the levels of physical activity and lifestyle, life expectancy, and quality of life in patients with Alzheimer's disease in Iran and Italy. Methods: A total of 165 participants from Iran and Italy were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. In Iran, 85 patients participated in the study. In Italy, we enrolled 80 patients at the Sapienza University teaching hospital, Policlinico Umberto 1 in Rome. The inclusion criteria in this study include patients over 60 years old, non-smokers, and non-users of antidepressants and hypnotics. Results: The results of Tukey's post hoc test of the study conducted in Iran showed that the lifestyle of patients with moderate (p = 0.001) and low (p = 0.009) physical activity levels was significantly better than inactive patients. Life expectancy in patients with moderate physical activity levels was significantly higher than inactive patients (p = 0.011). The quality of life was significantly better in patients with moderate (p = 0.001) and low (p = 0.002) physical activity levels than inactive patients. On the other hand, the findings of Tukey's post hoc test of the study in Italy showed that the quality of life in patients with low (p = 0.001) and moderate physical activity levels (p = 0.01) was significantly higher than inactive patients. Conclusions: A low to moderate level of physical activity could be associated with an improved lifestyle, life expectancy, and quality of life in patients with Alzheimer's disease compared to inactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The re-emerging dominance of the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2021 caused a new wave of Afghan refugees heading Iran and neighboring countries. Iran in the Middle East and Germany in Europe are two major host countries to the largest populations of Afghan refugees. In both countries, several studies have been done to assess the health condition of refugees. Objectives: To systematically review the existing literature to identify similarities and differences of health conditions of Afghan refugees living in the two countries, and to synthesize evidence on the health status and health care access of these populations. Methods: Related electronic databases and grey literature of Iran and Germany on the health of Afghan refugees were scanned and searched up for the period 2000–2020. Key terms were formed by combining "Afghan refugees or immigrants or populations or asylum seekers", "Physical or mental health", "Healthcare service or access or use", "Iran or Germany". Empirical studies were considered if they contained samples of Afghan refugees with particular outcomes for Afghans. Results were categorized for both countries in the three main areas of physical health, mental health, and access/use of healthcare services. Results: Nine hundred twenty-two documents were extracted, of which 75 full-texts were finally reviewed. 60 documents belonged to the health condition of Afghan refugees residing in Iran including 43 in physical health, 6 in mental health, 8 in healthcare access and use, and 3 in multiple aspects of health, and 15 belonged to Germany including 7 in physical health, 4 in mental health, 2 in healthcare access and use, and 2 in multiple aspects of health. A less explicit evaluation of the overall health condition of Afghan refugees was observable, particularly for Germany. While matches on the study subject exist for both countries, in comparison to Germany, we extracted more quantitative and qualitative health studies on Afghan refugees of the mentioned areas from Iran. German health studies were rare, less qualitative, and more on the health condition of diverse refugee groups in general. Conclusions: Wide gaps and unanswered questions related to mental health and overall health status of the Afghan refugee population are observable, especially in Germany. Our systematic review identified the gap in evidence, which we would recommend to bridge using a wider lens to comprehensively assess the overall condition of refugees considering associations between health and socio-economic and cultural determinants instead of a one-dimensional approach. Further, within health studies on refugee populations, we recommend stratification of results by the country of origin to capture the within-group diversity among refugees with different countries of origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Famenin meteorite fell around 08:30 a.m. local time (GMT+4.5) on June 27, 2015 on the roof of a house in Famenin, a town in NW Iran. A single 640 g stone was recovered, shattered into several pieces upon impact. The shape of the impact hole and the relative position of the recovered meteorites indicate a N‐NW fall direction. Famenin is an ordinary chondrite (OC) with well‐preserved chondrules of various types, (Fe,Ni) metal, troilite, phosphate, and chromite. The organic matter systematics and the olivine and low‐Ca compositional distributions (percent mean deviations 18% and 31%, respectively) indicate it is a type 3.4/3.8 chondrite. Considering the average chemical compositions of olivine (Fa17.5±4.7) and low‐Ca pyroxene (Fs16.8±7.5), average Co content of the kamacite (5.6 mg g−1), and Cu/Ni and Ga/Ni ratios, Famenin should be classified as an H chondrite. However, saturation magnetization is 26.0 Am2 kg−1, indicating a bulk metal content similar to L chondrites. Similarly, the whole‐rock Ni and Co contents (13073 and 540 µg g−1, respectively), and average chondrule diameter (550 µm) are closer to typical values for L chondrites than H chondrites. The (Fe,Ni) metal modal abundance (5 vol%), magnetic susceptibility, and possibly whole‐rock oxygen isotopic composition indicate intermediate properties between H and L chondrites. Noble gas composition and cosmic‐ray exposure ages of Famenin and El Médano 195 (another intermediate OC) shows their gas‐rich character and an older ejection age from their parent body than those for the majority of H and L chondrites. Famenin, together with similar intermediate OCs, increases the diversity of this meteorite clan and suggests the existence of a separate OC group with a composition broadly intermediate between H and L groups for which a different designation (HL) is proposed. OCs likely originate from more than three parent bodies (H, L, and LL) as traditionally proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A collection of pottery vessels uncovered during the first season of excavations in the Deh Dumen Bronze Age graveyard (the second half of the third millennium BC) located in south-western Iran were studied by using chemical, mineralogical and physical techniques, with the aim to identify the pottery manufacturing process in this region. The site is located in a region of the Zagros fold and thrust belt that includes carbonate rocks and alluvial deposits. The pottery vessels found in the site present two different fabric types in their fresh surface: bright yellowish hue fabric (TYPE-1) and sandwich-like or black core fabric (TYPE-2) showing presumably different production techniques or workshops. Twenty-four samples from pottery sherds were selected and analysed by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), polarized light microscopy (PLM), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Hydric tests were also performed. Samples were different according to their chemistry having distinguished calcium-rich and calcium-poor ceramics. Al2O3 and Fe2O3 were detected as the other main components of samples besides SiO2 and CaO. The mineralogical and textural characterisation revealed a fine-grained clayey matrix with quartz and feldspar grains in TYPE-1 potteries and large and small calcitic and clayey lumps inclusions in TYPE-2 potteries. Imprints of straw or other plants can be responsible for the higher porosity of some of the potteries. It was found that most of the potteries from the Deh Dumen graveyard were produced by means of a local and traditional pottery manufacturing technique, whilst others may have been produced in different places and transported to the graveyard as ritual offerings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the excavations of the graveyard at the site of Deh Dumen in south-western Iran, 15 graves from the Early/Middle Bronze Age were uncovered that contained a variety of metallic artefacts. This paper reports on the analysis of nine metal artefacts, including eight broken vessels and a decorative strip that covered the handle of a dagger. The ICP-MS results showed that the bodies of the vessels are made of tin bronze alloy with variable amounts of tin, while the internal piece of the base of one vessel is made from an arsenical copper alloy. Further, the metallic strip is a thin sheet manufactured with partially pure silver. Microanalytical and microstructural information yielded by SEM-EDS revealed elongated Cu-S inclusions and lead globules as various phases formed in bronze solid solution. This study presents some information about the transition from arsenical copper to bronze metallurgy in the third millennium bc in south-western Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recently study of the corrosion in some bronze artefacts from the Sangtarashan Iron Age site, western Iran, was established to identify corrosion morphology and mechanism in these objects. The corrosion layers in 22 samples were studied by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction methods. The results showed that a thin corrosion crust has formed on the surface of bronzes with a triple-layer structure, including two internal and one external corrosion layers. The formation of these layers is due to copper leaching from the bronze surface. The internal corrosion part has been a compact, tin-rich corrosion/oxidation product (noble patina) with some evidences from original metallurgical aspects of the bronze as well as a very thin layer beneath the tin-rich layer. External corrosion products have been identified as basic copper carbonates, malachite and azurite. Based on the results, the corrosion morphology in the Sangtarashan Iron Age bronzes is due to long-term burial in an appropriate environment in a moderately corrosive soil. Although it is the first time to investigate Iron Age bronzes from Iran, this corrosion morphology is partially similar to type I corrosion morphology observed in archaeological bronze objects; nevertheless, some deviations are visible in comparison with previously established patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines whether low dose celecoxib combined with clozapine for management of schizophrenia may improve symptoms or not. Schizophrenia patients were allocated into two groups in a double-blind randomized clinical trial. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to measure the severity of schizophrenia. The findings showed inconsistency with prior studies that report a significant effect for celecoxib combined with atypical antypsycotics.

Background: Performance evaluation is essential to quality improvement in healthcare. The current study has identified the potential pros and cons of external healthcare evaluation programs, utilizing them subsequently to look into the merits of a similar case in a developing country. Methods: A mixed method study employing both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis techniques was adopted to achieve the study end. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and professionals were approached for two-stage process of data collection. Results: Potential advantages included greater attractiveness of high accreditation rank healthcare organizations to their customers/purchasers and boosted morale of their personnel. Downsides, as such, comprised the programs' over-reliance on value judgment of surveyors, routinization and incurring undue cost on the organizations. In addition, the improved, standardized care processes as well as the judgmental nature of program survey were associated, as pros and cons, to the program investigated by the professionals. Conclusion: Besides rendering a tentative assessment of Iranian hospital evaluation program, the study provides those running external performance evaluations with a lens to scrutinize the virtues of their own evaluation systems through identifying the potential advantages and drawbacks of such programs. Moreover, the approach followed could be utilized for performance assessment of similar evaluation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone (SSZ) of western Iran is characterized by numerous granitoids of mainly calc-alkaline affinities. Several leucogranite and monzonite bodies crop out in the eastern Sanandaj. Whole-rock Rb–Sr isochrons demonstrate that the Mobarak Abad monzonite (MAM) formed in two phases at 185 and 131 Ma. Low87Sr/86Sr(i) (irepresents initial) and high143Nd/144Nd(i) ratios, resulting in positive ϵtNd, imply that the source magma originated from a depleted mantle; large ion lithophile element (LILE) and light rare earth element (LREE) enrichments imply that slab fluid was involved in the evolution of the parent magma. Geochemical characteristics of the MAM rocks show an affinity with I- and A-type granites, and the positive values of ϵtNd(+2 to +6), confirm that the MAM represents juvenile granite. Therefore, the MAM rocks are different from Himalayan, Hercynian, and Caledonian granites. Based on the geology of granitic host rocks that form the protoliths of metamorphic rocks, it is likely that the mafic part of the MAM formed in an island arc setting on Neo-Tethyan oceanic crust during Early to Middle Jurassic time. Subsequent collision of the island arc with the western part of the SSZ occurred in the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous. Metamorphism, accompanied by partial melting, occurred during collision. Finally, leucogranite magmas of the young Mobarak Abad dikes and the Suffi Abad body were generated in this collision zone. This new model suggests a Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous arc–continental collision before final closing of the Neo-Tethys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1976, Mr. Mahmoud Kordovani, of the Iranian Center for Archaeological Research, conducted a rescue excavation in the town of Ilam, capital of the province with the same name. This region is known in archaeological literature as «Pusht-i Kuh». Several tombs were discovered. The oldest material belongs to the initial phase of the Early Bronze Age. The majority, however, can be attributed to the Iron Age, more particularly to phases IA and IIB in the chronology established by the Belgian Archaeological Mission in Pusht-i Kuh. Only a few objects belong to Iron Age III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Models for the development of metallurgy in Southwest Asia have for a long time been focussed on research carried out in the lowland regions of the Levant and Mesopotamia. These models do not take into account the different developmental trajectories witnessed in the resource-rich highlands of Anatolia, the Caucasus, and Iran. In this paper, the beginnings of the use and production of metals in Iran will be juxtaposed with a cursory overview of the lowland model (the ‘Levantine Paradigm’) in order to highlight these differences. By synthesizing data from a number of current research projects exploring the early metallurgy of the Iranian Plateau, this paper demonstrates how at least one of the highland regions of Southwest Asia was at the very forefront of technological innovation from the seventh through the second millennium BC. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead isotope analyses have been undertaken on a group of Islamic lead-glazed pottery artefacts from Fustat, Egypt, spanning the period from the eighth to the 14th centuryad, that had previously been the subject of a comprehensive typological, chronological, petrographic and technological study. Comparison of the lead isotope ratios for the glazes with those for lead ores from Egypt, Iran, Tunisia, Anatolia, Greece, Sardinia and Spain provided information on the possible sources of the lead used in the production of the glazes. The results show that the lead used in glaze production by the Islamic potters at Fustat was most probably obtained from distant ore sources in Iran or Tunisia, Sardinia, Spain and the Taurus Mountains. Different ore sources were favoured in different periods and, to a limited extent, for different types of pottery, but at no time did the Fustat potters use the potentially more accessible Egyptian ore sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]