Period Of Middle Ages Research Articles

Central Asia and the Interaction between the Iranian Plateau and the Steppes in Late First Millennium BC

Abstract Research led by the joint French-Turkmen Archaeological Expedition (MAFTur) at Ulug-depe have brought to light the longest continuous stratigraphic sequence of southern Central Asia, starting from the Late Neolithic up to the Middle Iron Age. During the last fieldwork seasons, a later, still poorly-known occupation has been identified: after its abandonment at the end of the Middle Iron Age period, Ulug-depe was briefly reoccupied during the late 1st millennium BC. The archaeological levels related to this occupation are extremely poorly preserved, and this stage is mainly witnessed by a particular pottery complex. Preliminary and ongoing researches on this pottery complex suggest that it principally includes Hellenistic-period vessels associated with some more unusual shapes. This association of material finds analogies in the area of interaction between the northern and the southern parts of Central Asia (i.e., in Uzbekistan, in a territory stretching from Tashkent to the Aral Sea through the Syr Darya area). In this paper, we will present a first overview of these discoveries, placing Ulug-depe at the crossroads of different cultural groups, sedentary and possibly nomadic, at the end of the 1st millennium BC.

Estimation of Mean age of Menopause in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Menopause is the most important event during the middle age period, which is characterized by cessation of menstruation for at least 12 months (not related to pregnancy, breast-feeding, or other hormonal disorders). Due to hormonal changes during this period, the risk of many diseases including osteoporosis and heart disease increases, therefore, studying this critical period of life seems essential. Materials & Methods: Totally, 34 papers were collected and analyzed by searching Magiran, Irandoc, Google scholar, ISI, Cochrane, Embase, SID, and PubMed databases. To pool mean menopause age in the retrieved studies, we used mean, standard deviation, and sample size in each study. The weighted mean and normal distribution were used to synthesize results. Confidence intervals were computed using random effects model in meta-analysis. The heterogeneity of the studies has been checked by I» statistics and the data were analyzed by applying R and STATA (Ver11/2) software. Findings: The total number of women in the studies was 27,250 with the mean age of 51.8 ± 4.79 years. The average age of menopause was 48.26 years (95% CI 46.85 to 49.67). Ten articles with the total sample size of 13,260 showed that the median of pregnancy age was 49.7 ± 1.52 years. Discussion & Conclusions: According to the results of the recent studies and the low mean age of menopause in Iran compared to the developed countries, to reduce the complications of this important period of life, extended health programs are recommended to be planned and implemented to improve the quality of life in women experiencing menopause.

Illuminating the processes of microevolution: A bioarchaeological analysis of dental non-metric traits from Armenian Highland

Non-metric dental traits provide useful information for assessing temporal changes as well as for assessing biological relationships among living and ancient populations. Dental morphological traits were employed in this study as direct indicators of biological affinities among the populations that inhabited the Armenian Highland from the Late Chalcolithic-Early Bronze Age to Modern times. Sixteen morphological features in 2643 permanent adult teeth from 41 samples coming from 5 areas within the Armenian Highland were scored. Both Zubov’s standard protocol and Turner’s ASUDAS were employed. Given the paucity of odontological data for this area, this study contributes to the dental non-metric traits’ history of Armenian Highland and is a summary compilation and comparison of previously conducted work where non-metric traits were used in relation to dental reductions within the ancient Caucasus and Near East. The chronological sequence is considerable and spans from the Late Chalcolithic-Bronze Age to the Modern Age. It is suggested that offspring of ancient inhabitants of Armenian Highland continued to inhabit this area during the Late Iron Age, Classical/Late Antiquity, Middle Age and Modern period. This scenario indicates genetic continuity and gene flow between populations. Such a perspective is supported by the archaeological and molecular findings.

The Commerce in the Middle Ages from the View of Richard Cantillon’s Approach

This paper analyzes the nature of commerce in general. Shows the first steps of the commerce thought and how a commercial society structured. In the economy, the land is the source of commerce. This period of Middle Ages the land has a central role to the economy and to the society. Hence, in this work are analyzed the approaches of Richard Cantillon.

Detection of the Troponin I Level by a Highly Sensitive Method in Three Age Groups of a Healthy Population

The article presents the results of research on the cardiac troponin I level as determined by a highly sensitive method in ahealthy population. A total of 165 people (coworkers at a medical institution, 71% women and 29% men) were examined. The criterion for inclusion was the absence of health complaints at the time of the survey and during the previous 30 days. All of the examinees were divided into three age groups: 18–34 years (the first period of middle age); 35–54 years (the second period of the middle age); older than 55 years (old age). The main goal of the study is to identify the absence or presence of a significant correlation between the level of cardiac troponin I and the age of conditionally healthy examinees.

Reconstructing prehistoric settlement models and land use patterns on Mt. Damota/SW Ethiopia

Although high-altitude mountain habitats are often regarded as unfavorable for human occupation (e.g. Aldenderfer 2014); on the other hand tropical highlands in Africa are suggested as potential refugia during times of environmental stress (e.g. Basell 2008; Brandt et al. 2012). Archaeological investigations on Mount Damota (2908 m a.s.l.), located on the boundary between the Southwest Ethiopian Highlands to the west and the southern Main Ethiopian Rift valley to the east, yielded a large number of archaeological sites from the Middle Stone Age period until historical times. In this paper we try to reconstruct settlement models for the late Pleistocene and Holocene occupation in this area and speculate about potential land use patterns. Such complex topics demand a landscape archaeological approach that includes open-air sites and rock-shelters. The results from our excavations at Mochena Borago Rock-shelter and evidence from open-air-sites that were recorded during intensive surveys on the slopes and plateau of the mountain, allow a first reconstruction of the settlement history of the area.

Characteristics of bone metabolism parameters in urban citizens

Aim. To reveal the features of age-dependent changes of bone tissue in urban citizens. 
 Methods. The study of bone metabolism parameters was performed on 629 healthy subjects of middle, elderly and senile age living in Vladivostok for longer than 10 years (55 males and 573 females). Concentration of C-terminal telopeptide of type II collagen, osteocalcin, calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D, and bone isoenzyme of alkaline phosphotase were measured by ELISA. Concentration of C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen was measured in urine. 
 Results. Biochemical markers of bone metabolism in older age groups are different from the parameters of middle age. In the second period of middle age statistically significant decrease of C-terminal telopeptides level (z=2.88, p

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease combined with overweight: gender data of functional vessels changes

The objective: to determine particular impact of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/NAFLD (steatosis) combined with overweight on hemodynamic data changes of main neck vessels and their difference among males and females middle age groups.Patients and methods. The investigation involved 82 patients (19 males and 63 females) 45–59 ages (middle age period according to WHO criteria) that are of high cerebral vascular risk on compare with the other age persons. The data of patients with NAFLD (steatosis) combined with overweight and the data of control groups of normal weight without liver disorders has been compared. Hemodynamic data results of main neck vessels were analyzed with duplex investigation (Color Flow Mapping/CFM regime and doppler).Results. Main neck vessels hemodynamic data changes (low hemodynamic speed rates and high rates of peripheral resistance ) has been revealed during investigation. NAFLD (steatosis) combined with overweight has direct influence on hemodynamic rates of main neckvessels. The gender difference has been revealed among the middle age group patients: hemodynamic speed rates of females were higher (р<0,05) than the male’s ones. Also the gender difference of peripher al resistance rates has been established (р<0,05) with the higher rates in male’s group. The observation has established the correlation connection between Body Mass Index/BMI and the blood flow speed rates (p<0,05) in both groups. Conclusion. Hemodynamic rates disorders of main neck vessels revealed during the complex duplex investigation are the result of NAFLD (steatosis) combined with overweight direct influence with the gender difference (р<0,05) among the middle age group patients.

Subsistence strategies during the Late Pleistocene in the southern Cape of South Africa: Comparing the Still Bay of Blombos Cave with the Howiesons Poort of Klipdrift Shelter

The Still Bay (SB) and Howiesons Poort (HP) were two significant techno-complexes in the Middle Stone Age and key periods in the expression of behavioral complexity. In this study, we compare the recently excavated fauna from the SB layers at Blombos Cave (BBC) with that from the HP levels at Klipdrift Shelter (KDS) in the southern Cape of South Africa. We consider our findings in the framework of recent models for early human subsistence behavior. In particular, we link our study with models involving resource intensification to examine whether foraging strategies in the HP were more or less intensive than those in the SB. Based on our criteria used to assess intensification—the exploitation of low-ranked prey, the processing of low-utility elements, transport decisions, and occupational intensity—intensive subsistence strategies are more evident at KDS than BBC. Our results suggest that low-ranked elements were processed more heavily and diet breath was broader at KDS than at BBC. However, foraging ranges may have been more extensive at BBC than at KDS. Taphonomic data also suggests that the SB at BBC was a low-intensity, sporadically occupied period in contrast to the high-intensity occupations during the HP at KDS. We argue that this may be related to differences in mobility and residential patterns between these techno-complexes.

Сопоставление активности изофермента цитохрома Р450 CYP2C9 у пациентов пожилого и старческого возраста и у здоровых добровольцев первого периода зрелого возраста

Сопоставление активности изофермента цитохрома Р450 CYP2C9 у пациентов пожилого и старческого возраста и у здоровых добровольцев первого периода зрелого возраста

Integrative GIS-based investigation of the medieval fortress architecture of Pfalz, incorporating photogrammetry, geoinformatics and landscape analysis

This study explores the integration of photogrammetry, laser-scanning, GIS (Geographical Information Systems), and textual analysis to create a more holistic understanding of the effect of the landscape on medieval fortress design, position, and strategy in the area of Kaiserslautern, Germany, during the Middle Ages. The case study is composed of six defensive structures that served as key components to a larger network of fortresses built throughout the region of the Pfalz from 1050-1300 AD during the period of the High Middle Ages. All six structures will be modelled and linked into the digital landscape in GIS, with contextual information derived from historical documents creating a more complete depiction of the medieval territory once controlled by these prominent structures. The interdisciplinary nature of the project spanning art history, archaeology, anthropology, and computer science makes it both innovative and experimental. Access to high resolution models of the structures without having to be physically present at the sites is a significant advantage both for researching the architecture of the structures and for digital preservation efforts. The integrative technological approach will help determine the historical environment and efficacy of the buildings, potentially shedding light on the original designs that have been lost throughout the centuries.

Theory of International Relations in the Mirrors of “Scientific Pictures of the World”: What’s Next?

The author regards in this article the questions, which are connected with the ontological and epistemological foundations of the theoretical international studies. IR as science refl ects the main features of the dominating at the epoch scientifi c world pictures as the way of cognition. As the term “scientifi c world picture” was formulated by the German philosopher Martin Heidegger as well as by the most prominent scholars of the fi rst part of the 20th century – by M. Planck, A. Einstein, N. Bohr, E. Schrodinger etc. Even if some contribution in the development of sciences was done already in the period of Antiquity and Middle Ages, the scientifi c world picture was formulated only with the transition to Modernity, with the exude of the human being from nature. Being based on the typology, done be the Russian academician philosopher V.S. Stepin . the author regards the specifi cs the main scientifi c world pictures, and their consequences in the classical, non classical and post non classical science. By the way, the IR science with great diffi culties accepts the new worldview, at its main part still functioning in a sense of the Newtonian mechanistic world picture. Even if the attempts have been made to be fi tted into the new scientifi c world pictures, the gap between the natural and social sciences is still diffi cult to overcome, and the usage of the newest world view ideas is still fragmented and even marginal. Because of that the latest attempt to fi nd soma balance between the traditions and innovations, by the most famous constructivist Alexander Wendt with his newest book “quantum Mind and Social Science” deserves through attention and analysis.

La producción de carbón en el reino de Córdoba a fines de la Edad Media: un ejemplo de aprovechamiento del monte mediterráneo

El objeto de este estudio es indagar y explicar qué supone la práctica del carboneo y el carbón en el reino de Córdoba durante el periodo bajomedieval. Ante la carencia de estudios antracológicos, las fuentes documentales plasman la tipología de carbones existentes, cómo se obtenía esta materia prima, a qué usos se destinaba, cómo era transportado hasta la ciudad, y en último lugar, su comercialización. Gracias a esta información se puede comprender el significado que tenía el carboneo para nuestros antepasados, pues nos han dejado un legado carbonífero que seguimos utilizando en la actualidad.

Defining Banjo Enclosures: Investigations, Interpretations, and Understanding in the Iron Age of Southern Britain

Banjo enclosures are an important archaeological site type within British Iron Age studies, particularly for southern England. Significant numbers of these sites have been discovered through aerial survey but only a comparatively small number have been explored through additional survey and excavation. Chronologically these sites wholly exist within the Middle and Late Iron Age periods,c. 400bctoad43. As yet there has been no standard interpretive framework for these sites and our understanding and discussion has often been based on the theoretical model most popular at the time of investigation. A key aim of his paper is to question this piecemeal approach and incorporate more recent interpretations from a much-expanded dataset. Since the 1990s large-scale landscape surveys have increased considerably the numbers of sites identified and subsequently the regions in which they are located. Tying this in with recent excavations, we have begun to redefine our understanding of banjo enclosures as more complex in their site development and function, while also providing a simplified framework which accounts for the diversity of forms, locations, and relative associations. Ultimately these enclosures are more complex than previously realised, potentially serving a multiplicity of functions with different phases of use throughout a period of significant change at the end of prehistory.

Roman and early-medieval long-distance transport routes in north-western Europe: Modelling frequent-travel zones using a dendroarchaeological approach

To what extent long-distance transport in north-western Europe changed after the Roman period is generally unknown. Few historical sources are available and existing archaeological records are unclear and sometimes conflicting. Traditionally, research on the long-distance exchange of goods mostly has focussed on the spatial analyses of luxery goods such as jewellery, weapons and religious artefacts. Relatively little attention has been paid to the spatial modelling of common exchange networks and transport routes.In this study we used a dendroarchaeological approach to model long-distance transport of oak (a common good) to the Roman and early-medieval Netherlands. By combining established and newly-derived provenances of imported timbers with data on Roman and early-medieval route networks, we were able to reconstruct: (a) Roman and early-medieval exchange networks of imported timbers, (b) changing transport routes and (c) spatially shifting frequent-travel zones. The findings were compared with distribution patterns of other commodities for daily use: pottery and stone household goods.Results show that in the early and middle-Roman periods (12 BCE – CE 270) timbers were imported from the German Rhineland, the Ardennes and the Scheldt region. We have no evidence for wood import to the current Netherlands during the late-Roman period and first phase of the Early Middle Ages (CE 270–525). In the following centuries, between CE 525–900, oak again was brought to the current Netherlands, this time exclusively originating from the German Rhineland. This pattern significantly changed during the last phase of the Early Middle Ages (CE 900–1050) when timbers were derived from the Ardennes only. We used these patterns to calculate changes in long-distance transport routes and frequent-travel zones in the research area. Through our analyses existing data on Roman and early-medieval route networks could be expanded and improved. The calculated wood-transport patterns agree well with the distribution of imported pottery and (other) household goods in these periods.

Osnovne karakteristike zakonodavstva Karađorđeve Srbije / The Basic Characteristics of the Law in Karadjordje’s Serbia

Parallel with the struggle for liberation of the long period of Turkish power, Serbian people lead by Karadjordje had put the base of modern state. One of the effort was to order in legal way all social relations. In the frame of newmade legal arrangment there were two criminal codes : The Act of Archpriest Mateja of 1804. and the Karadjordje’s Criminal Act of 1807., which are partly preserved and still, by them, the circumstances and the relations in that Serbia can be understood till today. These criminal acts are in the borders between Middle Age criminal law from the Dusan’s Code. as the most important written legal act of the Early Middle Age period, and modern Serbian criminal law.

Association of aging-related obesity and metabolic syndrome in men

A study that involved 253 men (age 22–74 years) revealed an increase in the intensity of fat tissue accumulation at the beginning of the first period of middle age already; the increase was associated with the transition from the predominance of the gynoid type of obesity to that of the android type. The increase in the incidence of both individual components of metabolic syndrome and the syndrome as a whole was most pronounced in men in the second period of middle age, whereas the frequency of occurrence of such syndrome components as hypertriglyceridemia, low level of HDL cholesterol, and hyperglycemia was lower in the elderly. The value of the index of visceral obesity was significantly higher in men with the android type of obesity in all of the studied age groups. Thus, the risk of metabolic syndrome development in men with the gynoid type of obesity is lower than in men with the android type of obesity, regardless of the age of the subjects.

SLEEP QUALITY IN YOUNG AND MIDDLE AGE-PERIOD IS ASSOCIATED WITH CEREBRAL AMYLOID BURDEN IN COGNITIVELY NORMAL ELDERLY PEOPLE

SLEEP QUALITY IN YOUNG AND MIDDLE AGE-PERIOD IS ASSOCIATED WITH CEREBRAL AMYLOID BURDEN IN COGNITIVELY NORMAL ELDERLY PEOPLE

SLEEP QUALITY IN YOUNG AND MIDDLE AGE-PERIOD IS ASSOCIATED WITH CEREBRAL AMYLOID BURDEN IN COGNITIVELY NORMAL ELDERLY PEOPLE

SLEEP QUALITY IN YOUNG AND MIDDLE AGE-PERIOD IS ASSOCIATED WITH CEREBRAL AMYLOID BURDEN IN COGNITIVELY NORMAL ELDERLY PEOPLE

Erken ve normal menopoz: stres, evlilik uyumu ve cinsiyet rolleri açısından bir karşılaştırma

Objective: Middle age period brings about particular difficulties for some women, because of the physiological and psychological changes. The physiological changes occuring in this period is called andropause for males and menopause for females. While it starts about 40-50 years of age in general, it might be at an earlier stage of life for some women which is called premature menopause, indicating the climacterium. The main aim of this study is to compare two groups of women with premature menopause and normal menopause in terms of stress reactions, ways of coping, marital adjustment, and sex roles. Method: Data were collected from a total of 224 women, 82 of which had premature menopause (under age 40), and 142 had normal menopause (above age 40). The participants were given Demographic Information Form (DIF), Stress Reactions Scale (SRS), Ways of Coping Inventory (WCI), Marital Adjustment Scale (MAS), and Bem Sex Roles Inventory (BSRI) to obtain data. Results: The t-test analysis has revealed that the premature menopause group had higher scores in stress reactions, lower scores in self confident and optimistic ways of coping with stress, and lower scores in marital adjustment, compared to the normal menopause group. The predictive variables for both groups were found to be “degree of agreement in marriage”, “helpless style”, and “searching for social support” by regression analysis. The “masculine sex role” was the predictor of only the premature menopause group. Discussion: When we review the related literature, we see that most of the studies are about women who entered menopause around 40 years of age and the problems they face in the process. There is very little research on women who enter menopause earlier (premature menopause). For this reason, it is felt that the current study will add to our knowledge on the premature manapause phenomenon, which challenges women physically and psychologically. We feel it is important to raise awareness in women on the issue in order to prevent and alleviate stress-related problems. We also feel the results of the study might be important in the areas of psychotheraphy and psychological counselling. For example during psychological counselling or psychotheraphy for premature menopause, it might be important to measure the sex roles, marital satisfaction levels and the levels of satisfaction of these women with their close interpersonal relationships, and try to design interventions accordingly. Additionally it might be helpful to teach new coping strategies to manage their stress levels.