Effects of different by catch reduction devices (BRDs) in shrimp trawlers in the Persian Gulf

The effect of different bycatch reduction devices in decreasing bycatch of commercial fish species with the length of less than LM50 (the length from which, 50% of them are matured) in shrimp trawlers were examined. The experiments were conducted in Persian Gulf (Bushehr and Hormuzgan provinces) during the shrimp season, years 2000-2001. In this study four types of bycatch reduction devices (Grid, Nafted, Fish eye and Square mesh window) were used. Double rig trawl was used, one of them as an experimental trawl and the other as the control. Different treatments like one device or two devices were installed on experimental shrimp net. After hauling the trawl, frquency of different commercial species with length less than LM50 was determined in both nets, and the results were tested with Paired Willcoxon test. The results have shown that although all the devices have a reductional effect on bycatch of the young and juveniles of commercial species, but the amount of reduction with setting Nafted and Grid, either single or combined with another BRD was significantly higher than the control one (P ≤ 0/05). The amount of by catch reduction devices with different treatment (different devices either single or paired) according to the season of the experiment were also tested with Kruskal- Wallis test, which shows significant differences (P≤0.05) between the frquency of young and juvenile individuals of some species during different experimental seasons. According to this study, by using Nafted and Grid devices in the trawl nets of all shrimp vessels during its season, about 400 to 500 thousand of juveniles and young individuals can escape from the nets

An Overview on the Tribological Performance of Titanium Alloys with Surface Modifications for Biomedical Applications

The need for metallic biomaterials will always remain high with their growing demand in joint replacement in the aging population. This creates need for the market and researchers to focus on the development and advancement of the biometals. Desirable characteristics such as excellent biocompatibility, high strength, comparable elastic modulus with bones, good corrosion resistance, and high wear resistance are the significant issues to address for medical implants, particularly load-bearing orthopedic implants. The widespread use of titanium alloys in biomedical implants create a big demand to identify and assess the behavior and performance of these alloys when used in the human body. Being the most commonly used metal alloy in the fabrication of medical implants, mainly because of its good biocompatibility and corrosion resistance together with its high strength to weight ratio, the tribological behavior of these alloys have always been an important subject for study. Titanium alloys with improved wear resistance will of course enhance the longevity of implants in the body. In this paper, tribological performance of titanium alloys (medical grades) is reviewed. Various methods of surface modifications employed for titanium alloys are also discussed in the context of wear behavior