Par Value Research Articles

Numerical study on the effects of primary air ratio on ultra-low-load combustion characteristics of a 1050 MW coal-fired boiler considering high-temperature corrosion

Primary air significantly impacts the ultra-low-load combustion of coal-fired utility boilers. In this study, eleven combustion scenarios with varied primary air ratios (the flowrate ratio of primary air to the total air, PAR) were numerically investigated for a 1050 MW double-tangential circular coal-fired boiler under ultra-low load. The effects of PAR on temperature distribution, coal burnout, and gas species were thoroughly examined. Meanwhile, special attention was paid to the reducing atmosphere near furnace walls for alleviating the problem of high-temperature corrosion. Results show that a relatively large high-temperature region in the furnace is achieved at PAR = 0.153, contributing to combustion stability under ultra-low load conditions. Although the residence time tends to be shortened as PAR increases from 0.123 to 0.275, the amount of unburned carbon in coal particles has a general trend of decreasing because of more available oxygen from primary air. Due to the high excess air coefficient at ultra-low load, strong reducing atmosphere and high-temperature regions mostly concentrate around the operating coal burners, posing corrosion hazard there. As PAR increases to 0.275, the area of high CO concentration regions near furnace walls and the maximum CO concentration decrease noticeably, indicating less pronounced high-temperature corrosion at large values of PAR. NO emissions increase from 294.4 mg/Nm3 to 823.7 mg/Nm3 with increasing PAR from 0.123 to 0.275. This is shown to be related to the weakened reducing atmosphere as well as the reduced residence time of the coal particles as PAR increases.

Development of Sukuk Mudarabah in Malaysia: A Literature Review

Sukuk is one of the Shariah-compliant financial instruments in the Malaysian capital market. The growth of the Sukuk in Malaysia has shown impressive development over the decades. In addition, Sukuk show grow positive trend internationally. Each country uses different types of contracts in their Sukuk. In Malaysia, various types of contracts are involved in the practice of Sukuk such as ijarah, mudarabah, musharakah, wakalah, ijarah or hybrid structures based on combinations of Shariah contracts and others. Thus, this study aims to examine the development of sukuk mudabarah in Malaysia. This study uses a qualitative approach involving a literature review covering books, journals, newspapers, official virtual sites and related circulars. The materials obtained will be analysed using the document analysis method. Based on the study's findings, one Mudarabah sukuk practiced in Malaysia, which was practiced by Cagamas Berhad in 1994. The findings of this study show that the mudarabah sukuk is less popular in the industry in Malaysia because it brings risks to investors. The Sukuk seem particularly advantageous for the Islamic banks rather than the investors. It is because the Sukuk assets could be falling below the par value which would likely lead to a reduced payout at maturity. Mudarabah Sukuk is an equity-based Sukuk structure where profits and losses are shared between the partners. Besides that, investment from a Shariah viewpoint does not allow a fixed return as well as the guaranteed principal amount at maturity to the investors.

Impact of Weed Management Practices on the Weed Dynamics, Nutrient Uptake Pattern of Weeds and Direct Seeded Rice

Herbicide based weed management is the emerging and effective method for controlling the weed flora of direct seeded rice. Weed growth often has an impact on crop development by interfering with plant nutrients. A two-year weed experiment with twelve treatments was set up at the University of Agricultural Sciences in Bangalore, Karnataka, India to know the effect of weed management practices on weed and nutrient dynamics in direct seeded rice. Significantly lower total weed density and biomass was observed with bispyribac sodium 10 SC 40 g a.i. ha-1 as post emergence which recorded statistically at par values with bensulfuron methyl + pretilachlor 6.6 GR 660 g a.i. ha-1 as pre-emergence during both the years of study. The allelochemicals used in the study performed well over unweeded control but it was far less when compared with chemical herbicides. Nutrient uptake by the direct seeded rice (82.17, 31.76 and 68.83 kg ha-1 NPK in 2020 and 89.38, 38.84 and 75.62 ha-1 NPK in 2021, respectively) and grain yield (4.98 t ha-1 in 2020 and 4.99 t ha-1 in 2021, respectively) was also reported to be higher with bispyribac sodium 10 SC 40 g a.i. ha-1 as post emergence which was on par with bensulfuron methyl + pretilachlor 6.6 GR 660 g a.i. ha-1 as pre-emergence. As the nutrient uptake by the crop and weeds are negatively correlated, the same treatments have recorded lower nutrient removal by the weeds. Higher weed biomass and rapid nutrient removal by weeds had resulted in poor soil nutritional status in unweeded control compared to all other treatments. Application of bispyribac sodium 10 SC 40 g a.i. ha-1 as post emergence or bensulfuron methyl + pretilachlor 6.6 GR 660 g a.i. ha-1 as pre-emergence were considered to be best management practices for weed management under direct seeded rice.

Impact of Argon working pressure on the magnetic properties of sputtered Co60Fe20B20 thin films

We present thorough investigation of the influence of Argon gas working pressure (PAr) on Co60Fe20B20 (CFB) thin films deposited on Si. The longitudinal magneto-optic Kerr effect measurements indicate that all films exhibit uniaxial anisotropy caused by the self-steering effect arising due to the oblique angle deposition. The coercive field is found to be sensitive to PAr during growth and reached to a minimal value of 0.766 kA/m at 0.147 Pa. The ferromagnetic resonance measurements revealed that PAr has a direct impact on the inhomogeneous linewidth, anisotropy, and the effective Gilbert damping constant (αeff). The low value of αeff ∼(4.16±0.10)×10−3is achieved in film grown at PAr∼0.147 Pa with negligible inhomogeneity and low anisotropy. At this optimum value of PAr, the surface roughness of the films is found to be lowest (∼ 4 Å). The observed changes in the static and dynamic magnetization properties in these CFB films on varying the PAr are correlated to the growth-rate-dependent changes in internal stress in the film. The choice of the value of PAr employed during sputtering of CFB films at room temperature is thus demonstrated as the simple control parameter for tuning its structural and magnetic properties for the development of spintronic memory applications.

УЧЕТ СТРАТИФИКАЦИИ БИООПТИЧЕСКИХ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИК ДЛЯ РАСЧЕТА СВЕТОВЫХ ПОЛЕЙ В ВОДАХ ПЕРВОГО ТИПА

A method for calculating the vertical profiles of the spectral absorption coefficient of suspended particles is presented, taking into account the stratification of the seawater extinction coefficient the surface layer. The method was developed on the basis of data obtained in 84-th cruise of the R/V “Akademik Mstislav Keldysh” in the Arctic Ocean (“European Arctic 2021”, July 24 – August 26, 2021). The calculated profiles were used to estimate the vertical distribution of the concentration of chlorophyll a and further numerical simulation of the downwelling flux of photosynthetically active radiation. Comparison of the calculated light fields parameters with the results of in situ determinations showed good agreement (the root-mean-square error between the measured and calculated PAR values is 8 %).

Evaluation of a Restoration Approach After One Century – Effects of Admixed European Beech on the Natural Regeneration Potential and Humus Condition in Spruce Stands

About 100 years ago, groups of European beech were reintroduced into Norway spruce stands in some parts of Germany as a restoration approach. The aim of this approach was to maintain or rehabilitate the ecological function of soil fertility and the regeneration option of beech for the next generation. The effect of beech groups on surrounding spruce stands was studied in the Ore Mountains by recording natural regeneration of beech and humus layer thickness and form. Point pattern statistics were used to analyse the spread of beech regeneration and to determine factors influencing its establishment. It was found that the density of regeneration decreases with increasing distance from the beech group. However, beech regeneration was found up to distances of 69 m. Furthermore, it becomes evident that PAR radiation (maximum regeneration densities at PAR values of 35 W/m2) and fencing (3.41 times higher regeneration density compared to unfenced areas) against deer have a positive influence on beech regeneration density. Ordered categorical models were used to model humus form and non-linear models were used to model humus layer thickness. It could be proven that the most bioactive humus forms and lowest humus layer thicknesses were found within the beech group. With increasing distance to the beech group, the total humus layer thickness and the proportion of mormoder in the spruce stand increased. The positive influence of the beech group on the humus composition extends to about 40 m from the centre of the beech group. Due to the former arrangement of the beech groups in the terrain, the effects can also extend to the spruce stands in between. The hypotheses on the restoration approach of reintroducing groups of beech into spruce stands formulated by foresters 100 years ago can thus be confirmed. For future restoration approaches of spruce stands, groupwise mixtures of beech should be established with a distance of 40–50 m.

Marker pigments and carbon biomass of phytoplankton on the northeastern Mediterranean Sea coast

Marker pigments are used to determine taxonomic composition and biomass of microalgae in different oceanic regions. However, sometimes discrepancies are encountered between microscopy and marker pigment based approaches principally because of altering environmental factors influencing diversity of phytoplankton. In the present investigation, marker pigments from HPLC-CHEMTAX analysis concurrent with carbon biomass estimated by microscopy were investigated during 2015–2016 at weekly intervals in the eastern Mediterranean Sea coast. Counting nanoplankton (in particular non-calcifying haptophytes and prasinophytes) in live samples provided a better correlation between microscopy and pigment-based results than in fixed samples. Nanoplankton and picoplankton constituted ~56% of chlorophyll a based on HPLC-CHEMTAX analysis in the sampling location. Diatoms were the most prominent taxa based on both pigments and microscopy results in the study area. A significant positive correlation between PAR values and CHEMTAX derived chlorophyll a values of cyanobacteria and cryptophytes was observed. While there was no correlation between carbon biomass and Chl a concentrations (p > 0.05) for the whole dataset, a significant correlation appeared between these parameters when the data was split as high and low C:Chl a samples.

Analysis of the Introduction of Non-denominated shares

With the enactment of the Company Law (Amendment) Act 2021 and the public consultation, the authorized capital system began to be accepted by our company law. Closely related to it, the system of non-denominated shares was also confirmed in the draft. For a long time, China has been practicing the par value share system, which undoubtedly played a role in safeguarding the equal capital contribution relationship among shareholders, preventing the company from improperly distributing dividends, protecting the company’s continuous operation and being solvent under the framework of the early company law theory. However, with the development of the market and corporate governance, the actual function of the par value share system seems to be gradually deviated from the original purpose of its establishment. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the advantages of implementing a system of non-denominated shares, and also to suggest some supporting institutional arrangements after the introduction of non-denominated shares.

Evaluation of forage berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) for yield and nutritive qualities under varying seed rates and phosphorus fertilization

A field experiment was conducted at agriculture farm, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) during the rabi season of 2020–21 to study the effect of different seed rates and levels of phosphorus fertilizer on dry matter yield and nutritive value in berseem. The treatments consisted of three seed rates viz. 20 kg ha−1, 25 kg ha−1 and 30 kg ha−1 and five levels of phosphorus viz. 40 kg P2O5 ha−1, 60 kg P2O5 ha−1, 80 kg P2O5 ha−1, 100 kg P2O5 ha−1 and 120 kg P2O5 ha−1. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications. The result showed that maximum total dry matter yield (8.65 t ha−1); crude protein yield (1501.2 kg ha−1) and ether extract yield (317.7 kg ha−1) was recorded with the seed rate of 30 kg ha−1 which was at par with the seed rate of 25 kg ha−1. However, proximate chemical constitute and other quality parameters viz. TDN content, dry matter intake, digestible dry matter, relative feed value and quality; and net energy for lactation did not influenced significantly due to different seed rates. Further it was revealed that application of 120 kg P2O5 ha−1 recorded highest value of crude protein (19.20, 18.15, 17.12 and 17.05%), TDN content (62.46, 61.62, 60.49 and 59.66%), dry matter intake (2.71, 2.68, 2.51 and 2.49%), relative feed quality (137.46, 134.16, 123.80 and 120.90%) and net energy for lactation (1.51, 1.49, 1.47 and 1.45 Mcal kg1) in I, II, III and IV cut, respectively. However, application of 100 and 120 kg P2O5 ha−1 recorded at par value of all these quality parameters.

Study of the chemical composition of Amir Wali coins by x-ray fluorescent analysis

The chemical composition of seven coins of Amir Wali of six dirhams par value (two types) minted in Astarabad in 769 and 75 Hijri (1368 and 1374 AD) was studied by x-ray fluorescent analysis using a portable TRACER 5i spectrometer. There were established the basic composition of the coin alloy and the quantitative content of the trace elements. The performed comparison with the coin alloys compositions of the preceding dynasties demonstrated continuity of minting technologies and similarity of ore sources used in the production of dirhams during the reign of Amir Wali in Astarabad. Based on the literary data of galenic ores composition mined in the Zenjan province, it is suggested that the raw material for coin mintage was extracted from a deposit located near the city of Damgan.

Effect of planting time and plant growth habits on phenological, physiological traits and associated with seed yield in African sarson (Brassica carinata)

An experiment was conducted during two consecutive years to study the effect of planting times (15 October, 5 November and 25 November) and cultivars differing for growth habits (BJC-13-1, BJC-13-2, BJC-13-3, BJC-13-4) newly developed determinate type and (PC-5 indeterminate variety) on phenology and physiological traits of African sarson (Brassica carinata A. Braun). The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications keeping planting times in main plot and genotypes in sub-plots. Planting time had a significant influence on both phenology and physiological traits of African sarson. The early sown crop took less number of days (66) for flowering while late sown crop took more number of days (79). There was drastic reduction in flowering period (20.8days), siliquing duration (23.3days) and reproductive phase(27.2days). Early planted (15 October) cultivars intercepted more PAR, higher LAI and SPAD-chlorophyll values resulting in higher yield. The interactive effects of planting dates and the cultivars were significant (p < 0.05) for most of the features, which showed variable trends for the changes in the cultivars in response to planting dates. In all the cultivars, there was considerable deterioration in most of the studied traits due to delayed planting. Seed yield had positive association with siliquae duration (0.436), reproductive phase (0.426), SPAD (0.540*) and LAI (0.701**) with first planting (15 October) whereas with late planting (5 November) correlation existed between seed yield and LAI (0.073) and PAR interception (0.086) while with only flowering duration (0.772**) with 25 November sowing.

Pelleting and priming effect on biochemical parameters of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seeds

The experiment was carried out to extrapolate the effect of seed pelleting and priming on biochemical traits of fresh and stored fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) seeds in the Laboratory of Department of Seed Science and Technology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during 2017-19 under ambient conditions on cultivar Hisar Swarup (HF 33). Results showed that the biochemical parameters, viz. catalase, peroxidase, dehydrogenase and superoxide dismutase decreased significantly as storage period increased in all the treatments. Prior to storage in case of seed pelleting, biochemical activity was recorded highest in seeds pelleted with Captan (3 g/kg) + Imidacloprid (2 g/kg), followed by neem leaf powder (100 g/kg seeds) and KNO3 (1.0%), except peroxidase activity. Whereas, in case of priming, maximum biochemical activity was observed in seeds primed with Trichoderma viride (8 g/kg seed), followed by KNO3 (1%), neem leaf extract (10%) and Trichoderma harzianum (8 g/kg seed). At the end of experiment, biochemical activity was highest in seeds pelleted with Captan (3 g/kg) + Imidacloprid (2 g/kg) after 18 months of storage followed by KNO3 (1%), except in peroxidase activity. In case of catalase and dehydrogenase activity, seed pelleting with neem leaf powder (100 g/kg seeds) showed at par value with Captan (3 g/kg) + Imidacloprid (2 g/kg).

Patterns in recent and Holocene pollen accumulation rates across Europe – the Pollen Monitoring Programme Database as a tool for vegetation reconstruction

Abstract. The collection of modern, spatially extensive pollen data is important for the interpretation of fossil pollen assemblages and the reconstruction of past vegetation communities in space and time. Modern datasets are readily available for percentage data but lacking for pollen accumulation rates (PARs). Filling this gap has been the motivation of the pollen monitoring network, whose contributors monitored pollen deposition in modified Tauber traps for several years or decades across Europe. Here we present this monitoring dataset consisting of 351 trap locations with a total of 2742 annual samples covering the period from 1981 to 2017. This dataset shows that total PAR is influenced by forest cover and climate parameters, which determine pollen productivity and correlate with latitude. Treeless vegetation produced PAR values of at least 140 grains cm−2 yr−1. Tree PAR increased by at least 400 grains cm−2 yr−1 with each 10 % increase in forest cover. Pollen traps situated beyond 200 km of the distribution of a given tree species still collect occasional pollen grains of that species. The threshold of this long-distance transport differs for individual species and is generally below 60 grains cm−2 yr−1. Comparisons between modern and fossil PAR from the same regions show similar values. For temperate taxa, modern analogues for fossil PARs are generally found downslope or southward of the fossil sites. While we do not find modern situations comparable to fossil PAR values of some taxa (e.g. Corylus), CO2 fertilization and land use may cause high modern PARs that are not documented in the fossil record. The modern data are now publicly available in the Neotoma Paleoecology Database and aid interpretations of fossil PAR data.

The bioavailability of phosphorus in composite vs. hybrid maize differ with phosphorus and boron fertilization

Food and feed demand is increasing for an increased population which needs continuous cropping of forages and crops which removes the maximum amount of Phosphorus (P) and Boron (B) from the soil, while lowering the concentration of nutrients in the root zone. Nutrient biofortifications in plant parts (grain and stalk) are consider qualitative traits essential for human and animal health. Our findings revealed that P biofortification in maize increased with combined integration of P and B fertilization (75 kg-P ha−1& 10 kg B ha−1). The concentration of P in maize-kernel and ensilage was higher in the composite (Azam) cultivars having at par values with hybrid (CS-200) cultivars, however P uptake and P-agronomic-efficiency was highest in composite-maize as compared to hybrid maize. It was concluded that P biofortification in maize was improved with P and B application and noted with 75 kg-P ha−1 and 10 kg-B ha−1 application. Among the maize cultivars, the bioavailability of P in composite-Vs-hybrid cultivars was statistically at-par however total-P-uptake was maximum in Azam as compared to Baber and CS-200. It could be summarized that for efficient P utilization and improved P bio-fortification in maize, composite maize cultivars “Azam” should be grown with P (75 kg-ha−1) and B (10 kg-ha−1) fertilization to sustain human and animal health.

Why the Par Value of Share Matters to Investors

The purpose of the study is the analysis of the relationship between the par value (also known as nominal value or face value) and the parameters influencing a company’s financing. Additionally, the utility of the par value as a manipulation tool for equity offerings is examined. The study is based on a sample of IPO firms which went public on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. The study finds that an excess supply of shares has a negative impact on their valuation. In contrast, decreasing the par value prompts perceptual biases among investors beneficial to the success of the issuance. Moreover, share capital is found to be a useful signaling tool to improve the company’s position on the financial market.

Niche differentiation of Dinophysis acuta and D. acuminata in a stratified fjord

Dinophysis acuta and D. acuminata are associated with lipophilic toxins in Southern Chile. Blooms of the two species coincided during summer 2019 in a highly stratified fjord system (Puyuhuapi, Chilean Patagonia). High vertical resolution measurements of physical parameters were carried out during 48 h sampling to i) explore physiological status (e.g., division rates, toxin content) and ii) illustrate the fine scale distribution of D. acuta and D. acuminata populations with a focus on water column structure and co-occurring plastid-bearing ciliates. The species-specific resources and regulators defining the realized niches (sensu Hutchinson) of the two species were identified. Differences in vertical distribution, daily vertical migration and in situ division rates (with record values, 0.76 d−1, in D. acuta), in response to the environmental conditions and potential prey availability, revealed their niche differences. The Outlying Mean Index (OMI) analysis showed that the realized niche of D. acuta (cell maximum 7 × 103 cells L−1 within the pycnocline) was characterized by sub-surface estuarine waters (salinity 23 – 25), lower values of turbulence and PAR, and a narrow niche breath. In contrast, the realized niche of D. acuminata (cell maximum 6.8 × 103 cells L−1 just above the pycnocline) was characterized by fresher (salinity 17 – 20) outflowing surface waters, with higher turbulence and light intensity and a wider niche breadth. Results from OMI and PERMANOVA analyses of co-occurring microplanktonic ciliates were compatible with the hypothesis of species such as those from genera Pseudotontonia and Strombidium constituting an alternative ciliate prey to Mesodinium. The D. acuta cell maximum was associated with DSP (OA and DTX-1) toxins and pectenotoxins; that of D. acuminata only with pectenotoxins. Results presented here contribute to a better understanding of the environmental drivers of species-specific blooms of Dinophysis and management of their distinct effects in Southern Chile.

Microbial inoculation elicited changes in phyllosphere microbial communities and host immunity suppress Magnaporthe oryzae in a susceptible rice cultivar

The hemibiotrophic fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae causes serious crop losses in rice. As phyllospheric microbes share a common habitat with this foliar pathogen, they can be deployed as the change-agents for engineering desired phyllospheric microbial communities to inhibit the disease progression. Comparative evaluation of a set of native microbes, when applied as foliar spray or soil drench was undertaken, showed significant interactive effects on the concentrations of chlorophyll a and b, and carotenoids. A significant enhancement was recorded in the activities of chitosanase, β-1,3-endoglucanase and β-1,4-endoglucanase (CMCase) in the disease challenged plants, as compared to healthy plants. Among the treatments, Bacillus sp. (B1) inoculation recorded lowest values of the activities of all three hydrolytic enzymes, while Bacillus sp. (B4) and Nostoc-Anabaena consortium (C1) led to 30–60% decreases, both as foliar and soil drench modes of application. Distinct changes in the abundances of eubacterial and phylum Cyanobacterial 16S rRNA gene copies, nifH and bacterial amoA illustrated the significance of foliar over the soil drench method. The nifH gene copies were significantly higher due to the foliar method of Calothrix sp. (C2) inoculation, and values were significantly at par values with both the soil drench application of B1 (Bacillus sp.) and C1 (Nostoc-Anabaena consortium) treatments. This study illustrates the significance of the root-shoot linkages in the effective biocontrol of these promising, indigenous microbes, applied as soil drench or foliar agents, which can be useful in abating the incidence of the fungal pathogen in an environment –friendly manner.

Dry Matter Production and Partitioning in Different Plant Parts of Rice Cultivars under Irrigation Regimes and Systems of Cultivation

Background: Growth and yield characteristics of genotypes depend on genetic and environmental factors. Among the different production factors, varietal selection at any location plays an important role. Proper crop management depends on the growth characteristics of various varieties to get maximum benefit from new genetic material. Among the different water- saving irrigation methods in rice, the most widely adopted is alternate wetting and drying (AWD). Many of the rice cultivars vary in their performance under different systems of cultivation.Methods: A field experiment was conducted on a clay loam soil at Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR) Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana during the kharif seasons of 2017 and 2018. to study the “productivity and water use efficiency of rice cultivars under different irrigation regimes and systems of cultivation” The treatments consisted of two irrigation regimes Alternate wetting and drying and Saturation as main plot treatments, three establishment methods System of Rice Intensification (SRI), Drum Seeding (DS) and Normal transplanting (NTP) as sub plot treatments and four Cultivars namely DRR Dhan 42, DRR Dhan 43, MTU-1010 and NLR-34449 as sub-sub plot treatments summing up to 24 treatment combinations laid out in split-split plot design with three replications.Result: At 60, 90 DAS/DAT and harvest significantly dry matter production (DMP) was recorded with DRR Dhan 43 cultivar (607, 4320 and 11548 kg ha-1 respectively in pooled means of both 2017 and 2018) than other cultivars. Whereas MTU-1010 and NLR-34449 recorded on par dry matter production values at all the crop growth stages during both the years of study. However, DRR Dhan 42 produced the lowest dry matter production compared to other genotypes. DRR Dhan 43 recorded higher dry matter accumulation (g m-2) in root, stem and leaves at all the crop growth stages, during both the years of the study over other cultivars. Alternative wetting and drying method of irrigation recorded significantly higher DMP at all the growth stages of rice (60, 90 DAS/DAT and at harvest) except at 30 DAS/DAT during both 2017 and 2018 as compared to saturation. SRI recorded significantly higher DMP as compared to normal transplanting; however, it was comparably at par with drum seeding at all the growth stages.

Linking modern pollen accumulation rates to biomass: Quantitative vegetation reconstruction in the western Klamath Mountains, NW California, USA

Quantitative reconstructions of vegetation abundance from sediment-derived pollen systems provide unique insights into past ecological conditions. Recently, the use of pollen accumulation rates (PAR, grains cm−2 year−1) has shown promise as a bioproxy for plant abundance. However, successfully reconstructing region-specific vegetation dynamics using PAR requires that accurate assessments of pollen deposition processes be quantitatively linked to spatially-explicit measures of plant abundance. Our study addressed these methodological challenges. Modern PAR and vegetation data were obtained from seven lakes in the western Klamath Mountains, California. To determine how to best calibrate our PAR-biomass model, we first calculated the spatial area of vegetation where vegetation composition and patterning is recorded by changes in the pollen signal using two metrics. These metrics were an assemblage-level relevant source area of pollen (aRSAP) derived from extended R-value analysis ( sensu Sugita, 1993) and a taxon-specific relevant source area of pollen (tRSAP) derived from PAR regression ( sensu Jackson, 1990). To the best of our knowledge, aRSAP and tRSAP have not been directly compared. We found that the tRSAP estimated a smaller area for some taxa (e.g. a circular area with a 225 m radius for Pinus) than the aRSAP (a circular area with a 625 m radius). We fit linear models to relate PAR values from modern lake sediments with empirical, distance-weighted estimates of aboveground live biomass (AGLdw) for both the aRSAP and tRSAP distances. In both cases, we found that the PARs of major tree taxa – Pseudotsuga, Pinus, Notholithocarpus, and TCT (Taxodiaceae, Cupressaceae, and Taxaceae families) – were statistically significant and reasonably precise estimators of contemporary AGLdw. However, predictions weighted by the distance defined by aRSAP tended to be more precise. The relative root-mean squared error for the aRSAP biomass estimates was 9% compared to 12% for tRSAP. Our results demonstrate that calibrated PAR-biomass relationships provide a robust method to infer changes in past plant biomass.

Corporate Law of Malaysia : Share Capital & Capital Maintenance Rule for Businesses Operating in Malaysia

This article provides information on the law and procedures relating to share capital and capital maintenance. Discussions also cover issues concerning capital reduction, redemption of own shares, dividend distribution and limitation on provision of financial assistance to purchase shares in the company, as provided in the Companies Act 2016. It is worth noting the abolishment of the concept of authorized share capital and par value in Malaysia; and the legal and accounting implication that arise from this measure. The writing of this article employs the hermeneutics analysis of relevant legislation(s). It provides a quick and simplified reference for students and non-practitioner.