Showing 31 results for Mohammadian
Volume 1, Issue 1 (4-2013)
Abstract
Comparative mythology partly is a one of the modern courses, which have been used broadly from the second mid-nineteenth century. On the one hand, the relation of this approach has become firm in the comparative literature, and fixed in the mythical critic, on the other. Though at first, the necessity recognition of world's nations myths was introduced widely and comparatively by the European’s and broad researches were done by them, especially in the field of European nations (Rome and Greek's) myths, but the extent of this approach in the Islamic nation's myths did not progress, except of some small and separated surveys on myth motives. In 2000 AD, Hossein Mojib Al-Mesri, by understanding this poverty research, in “Comparative research in Arab, Iran and Turk's myths”, took the first step in comparison of Iranian, Arabic and Turkish's myths. It is wonderful that, even after a decade, researches did not refer to this. Mojib Al-Mesri, in this comparative research, has studied every Iranian, Arabic and Turkish's myths in three separate parts. However, this book does not operate according to the twentieth century mythical critic approach, but in Iran's myths study, it exhibits modern conclusions and achievements in comparative mythology and in this way, compares unfamiliar Arabic and Turkish's myths with similar Iranian samples that have not been studied in any research so far. This paper has tried firstly to clarify the myth relation and functioning of mythology in comparative literature and then introduce Hossein Mojib Al-Mesri's achievements. Then in a more limited scope, it reviews his theories that he received from Iran's myths. In the end, it shows the existing common points between Persian myths with Arabic and Turkish samples in two sections of religious and historical myths. The purpose of this essay is revealing the potential capabilities of Islamic nations' myths. It also recommend the necessary changes, which must occur in one-sided and unilateral views of Iranian or Non Iranian mythologists.
Volume 3, Issue 3 (Number 3 - 2001)
Abstract
Limited water for irrigation and the coincidence of early growth of sugar beet (Beta
vulgaris L.) with the late growth of winter cereals in the Northeast (NE) of Iran, force
farmers, to allocate their limited irrigation water to the cereal crops and thus their sugar
beet crop is subjected to an early water stress. Finding cultivars which are able to withstand
early water stress without a significant yield reduction is critical to the farmers’
economy. This study was conducted over a two-year period (1998 and 1999) to evaluate
the response of nine sugar beet genotypes to drought stress and to determine the crop
traits associated with drought resistance. The results showed that stomatal conductance,
leaf-air temperature difference and proline accumulation were associated with levels of
water stress in sugar beet genotypes. Among these indices, leaf-air temperature difference
was a more precise parameter to measure. A negative correlation between Δ T (leaf -air
temperature) and stomatal conductance was found. The correlation coefficients for 1998
and 1999 were -0.87 and -0.58, respectively. There was a positive correlation between Δ T
and proline accumulation in sugar beet genotypes. The correlation coefficients for the
1998 and 1999 experiments were 0.61 and 0.49, respectively. The shoot: root ratio (S:R)
measured at the end of the stress period showed that genotypes with a lower S:R often
had a greater stomatal conductance. In general, genotypes with a lower S:R at the end of
the stress period usually had a greater root dry weight. The correlation coefficients of S:R
with root dry weight at the end of the stress period were -0.96 and -0.65 for 1998 and
1999, respectively.
Volume 3, Issue 4 (2-2015)
Abstract
The effect of two salinity concentrations (35 and 40 ‰) on the daily feeding and burrowing activities of the sea cucumber, Holothuria parva was investigated, using the nutritional parameters (intestinal indices, organic materials, and the absorption efficiency). Although no significant difference between the initial and final sections of the intestinal gut of sea cucumbers in two saline conditions was found, the maximum level of intestinal indices, organic material and absorption efficiency was associated with the 40‰ salinity. The survey results displayed that sea cucumber had better feeding activity in 40‰ than 35‰ salinity.
Volume 4, Issue 2 (spring 2022 2022)
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to test the political behavior model on managers' decisions with the mediating role of organizational identity and the moderating role of organizational trust in sports organizations. The study sample was all middle managers Federations, Youth and Sports Ministry, Office of Sport and Youth Sports provinces and provincial heads of 250 people, of whom 104 subjects were randomly selected. The present study is a descriptive-correlational survey research and applied research that was conducted in the field. Data collection was through four questionnaires of political behavior (17 questions), managers' decision making (14 questions), organizational trust (12 questions) and organizational identity (16 questions).Validity and questionnaires were confirmed. Reliability was also reported through Cronbach's alpha coefficient (political behavior =0.89, managers' decision = 0.92, organizational trust =0.85 and organizational identity =0.90). SPSS software, SPSS sample power and Smart PLS were used to analysis the data. The results showed that organizational trust has a positive and significant effect on managers' decisions. Political behavior has a positive and significant effect on managers' decisions. Political behavior has a positive and significant effect on organizational identity. Organizational identity has a positive and significant effect on managers' decisions. Political behavior also has a positive and significant effect on managers' decisions through organizational identity. Finally, the results showed that organizational trust can moderate the relationship between political behavior and managers' decisions as a positive and significant effect. According to the results, it is suggested that when appointing managers, persons should be selected who care about the role and opinion of employees in organizational decisions and consider consulting in their activities.
Volume 5, Issue 3 (Fall 2021)
Abstract
Abstract
Research subject: In this research, epoxy modification was successfully performed by polyurethane and its effect on abrasion and adhesion properties have been investigated. The most important concern in the blending of these polymers was the formation of gels upon exposure of epoxy resin and isocyanate in polyurethane.
Research approach: One solution to overcome this problem is to control the chemical activity of Isocyanate. Therefore to reduce the chemical activity of isocyanate and prevent gel formation due to the combination of epoxy and polyurethane, first polyurethane prepolymer containing 3.58 wt.% NCO was prepared by mixing poly tetra methylene glycol 2000 (PTMG 2000) and toluene di isocyanate (2,4-TDI); and then by adding 20 wt.% of it to the epoxy resin, the curing process was completed by using dimethyl thio-toluene di amine (DMTDA) as a common curing agent and also specific heat treatment.
Main results: Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy results showed that the modification process has been successful by elimination of the peaks related to epoxide and isocyanate groups in the prepared sample in addition to the formation of a broad peak related to secondary hydroxyl group (C-O) due to the opening of epoxide rings. Pull off tests also confirmed increasing adhesion to carbon steel substrate as a result of secondary hydroxyl generation through this blending. Although, the Persoz hardness of modified epoxy decreased by 5%, but with a 17-fold reduction of elastic modulus (as per tensile test result), abrasion resistance improved 6 times according to abrasion test. Finally, joining of the cavities to each other is introduced as the abrasion mechanism by considering the field emission- scanning electron microscope images.
Volume 6, Issue 4 (Fall 2018)
Abstract
Introduction: Soil water repellency was first reported in the first half of the 20
th century for peat soils. Depending on the severity of water repellency, a water repellent soil will resist water penetration during seconds to hours or even days. This has detrimental effects on surface and subsurface flow processes such as increased runoff, erosion, and preferential flow. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effects of Soil water repellency on hydrological and erosion processes in order to identify gaps in the existing investigations.
Conclusion: Major survey gaps remained, including the dissociation of the symptoms of water repellency on soil erosion such as the existence of a soil crust and little knowledge of the temporal patterns of water repellency and their hydrological outcomes. Understanding the mechanisms of water repellency is relevant to the separation of different causal chains as well as the adjust runoff coefficients in different water repellency areas. Soil water repellency can be caused by a variety of compounds and processes and generally occurs after a period of drying weather. Under such conditions, the soil can change from a wettable to a water-repellent state when dried below its critical soil water content. Soil water repellency is found to occur in different soils worldwide, ranging from coarse to fine-textured. Water repellency in soils can result in losses of plant-available water, reduced agricultural crop production, and deterioration of turf quality on sports fields.
Volume 7, Issue 2 (9-2016)
Abstract
Bacteriorhodopsin (bR) is a membrane protein that acts as a light-driven proton pump in Halobacterium salinarum. This protein contains seven transmembrane α-helical subunits, helices A–G, one beta-sheet and a retinal chromophore. Studies show that bR have the property of absorbing the microwave. Among several methods molecular dynamics simulation (MD) is the most systemic approach. With this method we can study structural changes and dynamic of macromolecules. In this project, we use modeling and molecular dynamic simulation. To obtain more accurate structures after the equilibration a 15 ns MD simulation was done. After that, in order to find the effective sites of microwave absorption on bR a production run was performed with applying electric field in the time intervals of 786 ps that is equal to one sinusoidal frequency at microwave spectrum. At last, conformational changes under effect of sinusoidal wave has been assigned the effective sites of microwave absorption in the protein. Our study shows that microwave in the frequency of 8 GHZ and the time interval that mentioned above, cannot make significant changes on the protein. In the other hand, we have seen some reversible changes in Beta-sheet and D, C, B helices.
Volume 9, Issue 3 (summer 2024)
Abstract
Aims: The spine is one of the most important organs in the human body, playing a vital role in the stability and movement of the body. Inappropriate behaviors such as poor posture, sedentary lifestyle, and improper backpack use can damage the spine. Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) is a theoretical framework that examines the influence of cognitive, behavioral, and environmental factors on behavior. This study aimed to investigate the effect of SCT-based educational program on spine care behavior in undergraduate students of Torbat Heydarieh University of Medical Sciences in 2023-202.
Method and Materials: This study will be a randomized controlled trial in which 100 undergraduate students of Torbat Heydarieh University of Medical Sciences (THMUS) will be randomly assigned to two groups of intervention and control. The intervention group will participate in a SCT-based educational program. The control group will receive no educational intervention. The content of the educational program will include topics such as the importance of spine care, proper posture, physical activity, and proper backpack use. The educational program will be delivered in 10 sessions of 90 minutes period. Spine care behavior will be assessed using the spine care behavior questionnaire at two time points of before intervention and 6-month follow up.
Findings: The findings of this study are anticipated to suggest that the educational programs will be effective in improving spine care behavior in students. These findings will then be used to design more effective educational programs in this area.
Conclusion: This instrument could be applied to evaluate unhealthy behavior due to their neck pain and so improve these risky behaviors.
Volume 10, Issue 4 (1-2011)
Abstract
It has been demonstrated that anxiety is accompanied by significant warm up in the periorbital area. This warm up was attributed to the increased blood circulation in the area around the eyes. The whole pattern makes physiological and evolutionary sense since it represents a mechanism to facilitate rapid eye movements during preparedness for fight. This increased blood flow dissipates convective heat, which can be monitored through thermal imaging. The evolution of these variables along the timeline and across the 2D space can reveal important clues about anxiety. In this work, we use both facial thermal imaging analysis and poly graph examination to evaluate the effectiveness of thermal imaging in situation of anxiety. The system had been evaluated on six subjects and for each of them four times, each time in two minutes. It operates on the raw temperature signal and tries to improve the information content by suppressing the noise level instead of amplifying the signal as a whole. Finally, a pattern recognition method classifies stressful (deceptive) from non-stressful (non-deceptive) subjects based on a comparative measure between the entire baseline signal and a transient response. The successful classification rate with Multi Layer Perceptron is about 74.7% that is a little better than the LDA method.
Volume 10, Issue 4 (Winter 2022)
Abstract
The genre of war is a form of literature which has the nature of anti-war literature, aiming to spread peace and friendship rather than dealing with war and the dominant discourse resulting from its dark and sinister consequences. Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway and Burnt Earth by Ahmad Mahmoud are two good examples of anti-war literature in different contexts from two Iranian and American writers, which put forth a clear reflection of the social, economic, political and cultural unrest of war-torn society. A comparative study of this period and the analysis of the conceptual network, lead to a comparative assessment of the plot, and the use of linguistic and stylistic elements. Despite the artistic skills of Hemingway and Mahmoud to present events related to the war, their narrative approach differs in the author's narrative approach, conceptual network and themes. Burnt Earth is a notable native example of the war genre, while Farewell to Arms stands beyond the genre of war in the literary genre of the novel.
Volume 11, Issue 3 (8-2022)
Abstract
Today, due to the confirmation of the existence of polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant properties in pomegranate peel, the study of its application potential in food health and fishery products has been the focus of researchers. In the present study, the effects of oral administration of ethanolic extract of pomegranate peel (Punica granatum L.) (Dose: 600 mg/kg) on functional changes of antioxidant system and biochemical parameters of blood serum of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) during a 45-day exposure against stocking density stress was monitored. In this regard, fish were randomly divided into 6 groups (3 treatment groups and 3 control groups with different levels of stocking density (3, 5, and 10 kg / m3) and three replications. At the end of the exposure period, fish bloodletting and serum preparation were performed. The results of this study did not show a significant increase in biochemical parameters (phosphorus, chlorine, magnesium, calcium, and triglycerides) as well as the activity level of some enzymes and antioxidant compounds such as SOD and MDA in fish serum compared to the control group. However, for stress indicators such as glucose and cholesterol and antioxidant activity such as CAT and GSH, production level has been significant. According to the findings, oral administration of pomegranate peel extract dietary supplement is recommended for consumption in dense aquaculture centers of common carp fish.
Volume 12, Issue 2 (9-2022)
Abstract
In the digital age, data can be considered as the most important organizational resource. Given the increasing volume, velocity and variety of data in Iranian businesses, it has become a concern for their executives how to gain innovation as well as business value from data. In this regard, the purpose of this study is to investigate the role of big data and related analytics on innovation and then on business value using survey method. The study population was 158 Iranian businesses in Information Technology and E-business sector. In this case, businesses were questioned through judgmental sampling and questionnaires were analyzed via structural equation modeling (SEM). The results showed that the characteristics of big data have a positive and significant effect on big data analytics in those organizations. It was also found that data analytics in the businesses have a positive impact on the innovation and business value of the firms. Moreover, the impact of big data-driven innovation on business value creation in Iranian digital businesses has been confirmed. Also, the research results confirm the significant relationship between big data characteristics and innovation. Finally, the mediating role of innovation on the relationship between big data analytics and business value was approved. The results showed that innovations resulting from the analysis of large volumes of diverse data can lead to business value in Iranian businesses.
Volume 13, Issue 1 (6-2023)
Abstract
Attracting talented and skilled employees as well as retaining the current workforce has become one of the most important concerns of leading organizations and businesses in today's competitive and dynamic environment. Employee value proposition in the form of a set of suggestions and values is a key stimulus to attract top talent in the labor market and while creating job satisfaction for current employees, has a significant impact on reducing the rate of turnovers of people from the organization. The aim of this study is to identify and prioritize the types of value proposition of employees in knowledge-based businesses with a mixed method (qualitative-quantitative). In the first phase, through semi-structured interviews with 10 experts from knowledge-based companies, the data were collected and analyzed by thematic analysis. In order to prioritize the types of value propositions identified, the questionnaire was distributed among 10 experts in the field. The Best-Worst Method (BWM) was used to analyze the obtained data. Finally, by prioritizing 14 core values, designing an attractive and purposeful career path as the most important value and designing a friendly organizational culture were identified as the least important type of value proposition
Volume 13, Issue 4 (1-2014)
Abstract
This paper addresses robust state estimation problem for Genetic Regulatory Networks (GRNs). A delay-dependent robust filter is designed for a realistic nonlinear stochastic model of GRN. The model provided is the most complete model used in the literature so far, in the sense that delays are time-varying, parameter uncertainties (time-varying and norm-bounded) are considered, stochastic noises appear at the state equations as well as the measurement equations. Besides, stochastic noise and disturbance are considered simultaneously in this model. Using a proper Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional based on delay decomposition approach, sufficient conditions for the existence of the filter are derived in terms of linear matrix inequality (LMI). These conditions ensure robust asymptotic mean square stability of the filtering error dynamics with a prescribed disturbance attenuation level. By use of delay decomposition approach and using a lemma containing a stochastic integral inequality, the obtained conditions are delay-dependent and have less conservativeness. The filter parameters are determined then, as the solution of another LMI. A simulation study is also given to show the effectiveness of the proposed filter design procedure.
Volume 14, Issue 1 (5-2014)
Abstract
Microgrids as the "building blocks of smart grids"are predicted to play a major role in the future, as they are capable of improving the technical, environmental and economic fields in large power systems. This paper proposes a new formulation for the islanded Microgrid reconfiguration in order to improve voltage stability index. The formulated problem is solved using harmony search algorithm. The increasing loadability index of microgrids in the islanding mode is more important than the index of the grid-connected mode due to its operational limitations such as reactive power generation. In addition, this paper presented an improved indicator to estimate the voltage stability margin of islanded microgrid system based on the system's operational constraints both saddle node and limited induced bifurcations, called as cat_VSIIMG. The cat_VSIIMG which is validated by verified CPF method for IMGs is called the maximum load ability margin of IMG, . Performance and effectiveness of the proposed method are demonstrated on 33-bus test system. The results show that the implementation of appropriate IMG reconfiguration problem formulations will facilitate a successful integration of the microgrid concept in power systems.
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Volume 15, Issue 2 (May & June 2024)
Abstract
According to Bresnan et al. (2016), using morphological (lexocentric) or structural means to specify argument functions results in different representations of grammaticalized discourse functions in LFG. Furthermore, the AF specification is local to a single clause in this theory, resulting in a different representation of grammaticalized DFs in complex sentences during the topicalization and left-dislocation processes. The aim of this study is to investigate the processes of topicalization and left-dislocation in Persian complex sentences. Using a descriptive method, it also aims at showing how the subject and object functions in Persian are specified in the aforementioned framework. The findings indicate that the left-dislocated object and topicalized subject NP in the higher clause have both a DF in the f-structure. Both the agreement inflection and clitic pronoun have AF and anaphorically agree with the DF based on the well-formedness conditions. The agreement inflection, unlike the clitic pronoun, lacks an independent node in the c-structure as a morphological component of the verb. The semantic feature of the marked-râ object is placed in the value of the topic in f-structure, and the topic has the accusative case via postposition-râ. Since the AF specification is local to a single clause, in order to observe well-formedness conditions based on the economy principle, an empty category is required exocentrically in the canonical position of the NP in the lower clause of the c-structure. The object without-râ takes a similar approach, but it lacks morphological means to specify the object function. Thus, the empty category is considered endocentrically in the VP in the lower clause of the c-structure.
1. Introduction
Using morphological or structural means to specify argument functions results in different representations of grammaticalized discourse functions, according to Bresnan et al.’s (2016) approach in LFG. Furthermore, in this theory, AFs are specified locally to a single clause, resulting in a different representation of grammaticalized DFS during the topicalization and left-dislocation processes in Persian complex sentences. Based on the aforementioned approach in LFG, it can be hypothesized in Persian complex sentences that the way argument functions are specified affects the representation of grammaticalized discourse functions during the topicalization and left-dislocation processes. The purpose of this research is to investigate topicalization and left-dislocation in Persian compound sentences, as well as how AFs are specified in Persian according to Bresnan et al. (2016).
Research Question
The current study seeks to answer the question: What is the representation of the topicalized and left-dislocated NP in Persian complex sentences based on Bresnan et al.’s (2016) approach in LFG considering how the subject and object functions are specified in Persian?
2. Literature Review
Investigating previous LFG approaches to the representation of discourse functions, shows that early approaches represented the grammaticized discourse functions with f-structure attributes. Subsequent approaches have represented discourse functions as a separate level of grammatical representation in information structure. The theoretical framework is used in this study is based on the early approach. Thus, from Iranian and foreign researchers who used the early approach, it is worth naming Bresnan and Mchombo (1987), King (1995), Butt and King (1996), Suet Man (2007), and Abdollahi (2018).
3. Methodology
The current study is based on the descriptive-analytical method. The data were collected from Persian complex sentences containing the left-dislocated object-NP and the topicalized subject-NP and object-NP with a library method. They were selected from written texts, and for some, the authors also used their linguistic intuition to judge the well-formedness of the sentences.
4. Results
Following a descriptive-analytic method, the findings in response to the research question show that the dislocated topic and subject NP in the higher clause both have a DF, and the agreement inflection as an incorporated pronoun and clitic pronoun both have AF in the lower clause and anaphorically agree with the DF based on the well-formedness conditions. The clitic pronoun is regarded as an independent node of the phrase structure because it is syntactically independent in the c-structure. However, the agreement inflection as a morphological part of the verb lacks an independent node in accordance with the lexical integrity principle. The semantic feature of the marked-râ object is placed in the value of the topic function in f-structure, and the topic has the accusative case via postposition-ra in the higher clause. In order to observe well-formedness conditions based on the economy principle, an empty category is necessary in the canonical position of the NP in the c-structure because the AF specification is local to a single clause. The empty category in the c-structure is identified in the f-structure with a higher discourse function by inside-out functional uncertainty. The empty category, however, was thought to be exocentrically dominated by the sentence category due to the fact that the NP identified the object function in canonical position by dependent-marking (lexocentric) and could have been displaced during the scrambling process. The object (without-râ) lacks morphological means to specify the object function and obtains its function endocentrically in the VP. This means that the empty category in the c-structure is dominated by VP endocentrically in the lower clause, and the empty category in the c-structure is identified in the f-structure with a higher discourse function by inside-out functional uncertainty. As a result, as can be seen, the findings support the research hypothesis regarding the effect of the way argument functions are specified on the representation of topicalized discourse functions.
Abdolhamid Gorji, Esmaeil Mohammadian, Mohammad Ali Mirzai,
Volume 15, Issue 4 (6-2015)
Abstract
Forming media in metal forming processes is so important. Since the forming media in Ball deep-drawing process is discrete, it is quite flexible. In this paper, thickness distribution and required force for forming of conical part by ball deep-drawing and conventional deep-drawing processes using finite element simulation and experimental stages, were studied. In this research, sheets were used made St14 steel and brass wit 1mm thickness. The experimental results are in good agreement with simulation results. The results showed the sample formed by conventional deep-drawing process had more uniform thickness distribution than ball deep-drawing, but the maximum thinning in the parts of ball forming process was less than conventional deep-drawing process. Also it was observed that required force for ball deep drawing process is more than the conventional deep-drawing process. It was observed that with increasing radius of the input die, the force required to stretch the ball deep-drawing and ball processes is decreased, also with increasing radius of the input die is reduced thinning amount. It was noted that one of the advantages of ball deep drawing process than traditional deep drawing process is achieved a negative slope part.
Mostafa Mohammadian, Mohammad Hossein Abolbashari,
Volume 15, Issue 8 (10-2015)
Abstract
Sandwich structures have low weight and high stiffness. Sandwich panels with open and prismatic cores are a kind of these structures that have special properties. These panels are named based on the number of corrugations (n) of the core. In this paper weight optimization of these panels is carried out by Gravitational Search Algorithm based on yielding and buckling constraints. This algorithm is a heuristic algorithm that is based upon the Newtonian gravity force and the laws of motion. For optimization of the weight, core and surface thickness and panel height are assumed as design variables. The results show that for a specific panel, the design variables and the weight of panel are increased by increasing the load. Also the core and surface thickness are decreased and the weight and panel height are increased by increasing core corrugate number at a specific loading. The panels with n=1 and n=2 have the minimum weight and highest structural efficiency. By comparing the results with some previous studies, it is shown that the Gravitational Search Algorithm is a useful tool in achieving lower weight in these panels and has a good convergence rate.
Ehsan Mohammadian Esfahani, Kiumars Mazaheri, Hadi Pasdar Shahri,
Volume 16, Issue 2 (4-2016)
Abstract
The aim of this study is numerical investigation of a evaporating and non-reacting diesel spray operating in a high pressure and high temperature constant volume combustion chamber, as an essential step in simulation of liquid fuels combustion. To this end, the impact of droplets diameter distribution on estimating two critical characteristic parameter i.e. liquid and vapor penetration lengths is studied using the open-source OpenFOAM code. In order to determine droplets diameter distribution effect, three different distribution ranging from 0.25-100 micron is chosen and the liquid and vapor penetration lengths are individually calculated for each distribution. The results are validated against the experimental data published by Sandia National Laboratory. The results show while the droplets diameter distribution has a remarkable effect on the predicted value of the liquid length, so that leads to overestimate liquid penetration lengths up to more than two times; its effect on the vapor length prediction is negligible. Also assuming a nozzle diameter distribution leads to non-physically increase in the value of liquid length. This non-physically prediction may lead to misleading prediction of spray impingement to piston and the cylinder walls resulting an error in unburnt hydrocarbons concentration as well as the engine efficiency estimation.
Volume 16, Issue 61 (Spring 2023)
Abstract
Knowledge of literary genres is one of the oldest and most influential intertextual approaches that has been used to classify texts since the past and has been subject to change. But the background of the theory of genres in Iran is less than a century, and its justified application in a comprehensive way in many fields and literary trends is still facing ambiguities and challenges. For example, in classifying ancient narratives, the question arises: on what basis and with what considerations can the dominant literary genres in these texts be proved? The lack of serious research and criticism in response to this question has led researchers over the decades to classify ancient Persian stories by resorting to self-invented, unscientific literary terms without methodological explanation, while the common terms not only fail to give a comprehensive indication of the content and linguistic characteristics of such narratives, but even keep them in a genre indecision or lead them to several similar genres. Since one of the functions of motif study is to determine the literary genre of the texts, the present study has attempted to draw on the Aristotelian theory of genres to utilize this potential talent and prove for the first time through the method of inductive reasoning and relying on the statistical community based on the study various motifs of three stories of Abu Tahir Tarsusi that their literary genres belong to the epic.
Extended Abstract
1. Introduction
Prose stories, as one of the oldest currents of Persian literature, are voluminous and generally sequential texts (with supplementary appendices) and report on the actions of kings, generals, and warriors who are often in the shadow of history or in a few cases are basically imaginary and are considered to be created by the minds of storytellers.
1-1. Significance of the Study
Despite their ancient background, the Persian prose epics have not yet found a certain place in the history of Persian literature from the point of view of literary genres, and in research they are generally presented under vague terms such as story, legend, romance, folktale, fantasy, or romance. The above terms, in the absence of comprehensive information on the content and linguistic characteristics, are unable to determine the parent literary genre or subgenre for the above narratives, and often focus unilaterally on the type of narrative or some elements of the story, and sometimes overlap with other non-homogeneous texts. And they leave the literary genre of the text in limbo. Most importantly, researchers have not yet found a methodological and theoretical approach or a logical explanation to justify the use of these terms for the texts in question.
1-2. Problem
The main problem is how to get beyond the stage of asserting the genre and unrelated literary terms and reach the stage of hypothesizing the definition of literary genre and proving it through in-text investigations. So far, the researchers who have written in the field of criticism of fictional narratives have referred to the literary genre of fictional narratives only with short phrases and self-made titles, but the present research attempts to rely on the frequency of the statistical approach and the representation of the statistical community, the hypothesis of a coherent flow of narratives. Prove a story in the literary genre of the epic.
1-3. The Purpose and Method
The main purpose of the study is on the function of the thematic approach in determining the literary genre of the narrative, using a statistical method. Therefore, based on the theory of Aristotelian genres and using the thematic approach, the themes mentioned in the three narratives of Dārāb-Nāmeh, Qirān Habaši, Musayyab-Nāmeh were first analyzed in an inductive manner and divided into four sections: Epic and Ayyāri, Lyrical, Amazing and Dignity. Based on the obtained frequency results, the premise of determining their literary type is then proved.
1-4. Literature Review
Although studies have been done in the last decade on the subject of literary genre in the form of authorship and translation, the field of research focusing on Persian literature has been completely neglected due to the importance of motif in determining the literary genre of the text, and there is no research to support this.
1-5. Theoretical Basis
1-5-1. Motif
Motif is one of the terms defined by Russian formalists to understand the cause-effect relationships of the components of a narrative. "Motif" refers to structural and semantic elements such as actions, events, concepts, and objects that have become exemplary elements through repetition. Although it is not considered a fixed part of the narrative, it is a temporary feature that gains importance in a particular narrative situation and usually due to its repetition. Besides the central role of subtexts in knowing the cause-effect relationships of the components of the narrative, the most important function of subtexts is to help in the classification and typology of narratives, which has not received much attention so far.
1-5-2. Literary Genres
If we are to have a scientific view of literature, we should be able to classify literary works as far as possible, and to place similar kinds of literary works in special classes relatively rather than absolutely. After all, the most important characteristic of science is that it can classify; this task is accomplished in literary studies by the approach of "literary genres." Motif is considered one of the main characteristics of literary genres, and its role in this field has not received much attention so far. A literary genre is characterized by a set of features and formal structures that occur in an orderly, cohesive, and simultaneous manner, and motif is one of the most important features mentioned.
1-6. The Case
Since Abu Taher Tarsusi is considered the most prominent narrator in the field of ancient Persian prose narratives and a considerable number of authentic fictional texts are also attributed to him, motif analysis was given preference in determining the literary text type on the basis of the three selected narratives by Tarsusi, which are briefly presented below.
1-6-1. Abu Taher Tarsusi
Abu Taher Tarsusi was born at the beginning of the second half of the fifth century of the Hijri (450 AH) and the last period of his life coincided with the end of the first decade of the second half of the sixth century of the Hijri (560 AH). His works include Dārāb-Nāmeh, Qirān Habaši, Musayyab-Nāmeh, Abu Muslim-Nāmeh, Qahramān-Nāmeh, Farāmarz-Nāmeh, Houšang-Nāmeh, Ayyār-Nāmeh, Tavārikh-Nāmeh.
2. Discussion
2-1. Epic and Ayyāri Motifs
According to the results, 1534 instances of common epic and Ayyāri motifs were observed in all three narratives, and among them, Abu Taher Tarsusi provided the highest number of epic and Ayyāri motifs in Qirān Habaši with 549 instances. This is followed by Musayyab-Nāmeh with 538 cases and Dārāb-Nāmeh with 447 cases in second and third place.
2-2. Lyrical motifs
Based on the results, 270 instances of common lyrical motifs were observed in all three narratives, of which Abu Taher Tarsusi in Qirān Habaši provided the most space for lyrical motifs in Qirān Habaši with 125 instances. This is followed by Dārāb-Nāmeh with 117 instances and Musayyab-Nāmeh with 28 instances in second and third place.
2-3. Amazing motifs
Based on the results, 433 instances of surprising common motifs were observed in the three narratives, of which Abu Taher Tarsusi provided the most space for the occurrence of surprising motifs in Dārāb-Nāmeh with 303 instances. This is followed by Qirān Habaši with 77 cases and the Musayyab-Nāmeh with 53 cases in second and third place.
2-4. Dignity motifs
Based on the results, 275 common motifs of dignity were observed in the three narratives, of which Abu Taher Tarsusi in Dārāb-Nāmeh provided the most space for the expression of dignity motifs with 190 instances. This is followed by Qirān Habaši with 63 instances and Musayyab-Nāmeh with 22 instances in second and third place, respectively.
3. Conclusion
After examining the three narratives of Dārāb-Nāmeh, Qirān Habaši and Musayyab-Nāmeh using the motif analysis approach and evaluating the set of their motifs in four parts, according to the report, a total of 2512 common motifs have been identified from these narratives. With 1534 cases, amazing motifs with 433 cases, dignity motifs with 275 cases, and lyrical motifs with 270 cases have the highest frequency in the narratives. Based on this content approach, the three mentioned narratives show their obvious belonging to the epic genre among the long traditional narratives of Iran due to the predominance of epic motifs in them.