Reproductive biology of blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) in the western Pacific Ocean

The reproductive biology of blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) was assessed from 1001 fish (ranging from 121 to 275 cm in eye-to-fork length; EFL) caught by Taiwanese offshore longliners in the western Pacific Ocean from September 2000 to December 2001 and from 843 gonad samples from these fish, The overall sex ratio of the catch was approximately 1:1 dur ing the sampling period, but blue marlin are sexually dimorphic; females are larger than males. Reproductive activity (assessed by histology), a gonadosomatic index, and the distribution of oocyte diameters, indicated that spawning occurred predominantly from May to September. The estimated sizes-at-maturity (EFL50) were 179.76 ±1.01 cm (mean ±standard error) for females and 130 ±1 cm EFL for males. Blue marlin are multiple spawners and oocytes develop asynchronously. The proportion of mature females with ovaries containing postovulatory follicles (0.41) and hydrated oocytes (0.34) indicated that the blue marlin spawned once every 2–3 days on average. Batch fecundity (BF) for 26 females with the most advanced oocytes (≥1000 μm), but without postovulatory follicles, ranged from 2.11 to 13.50 million eggs (6.94 ± 0.54 million eggs). The relationships between batch fecundity (BF, in millions of eggs) and EFL and round weight (RW, kg) were BF = 3.29 × 10 –12 EFL5.31 (r2 = 0.70) and BF = 1.59 × 10–3 RW 1.73 (r2= 0.67), respectively. The parameters estimated in this study are key information for stock assessments of blue marlin in the western Pacific Ocean and will contribute to the conservation and sustainable yield o

Micromechanics Characterization of Unidirectional Composites during Multiaxial Plastic Deformation

This study examined the micromechanics at the scale of reinforcement in a short fiber/whisker reinforced unidirectional composite undergoing elastic/plastic deformation. The equivalent inclusion method was extended to consider composite systems comprising fiber/whisker of variable aspect ratio. The flow rule of matrix material is incorporated such that the composite deformation involved multiaxial loading can be handled. Theoretical predictions are reported on the effects of variable fiber aspect ratio, loading direction, and hydrostatic stress on the macroscopic behavior of the composite and the stress state at the reinforcement scale. </jats:p

Mechanism and Model of Bond Formation in Ultrasonic Wire Bonding

Despite being a critical phenomenon of tremendous technological significance in ultrasonic flip-chip and wire bonding processes of today’s microelectronic devices, interfacial bond formation still calls for better understanding at a fundamental level. The goal of the research is to improve these processes through better understanding and modeling of bond formation. This paper presents a micromechanics model that addresses increasing contact area during ultrasonic cyclic loading cycle. The micromechanics model provides interfacial shear stress as boundary condition to FEM simulations of ultrasonic bonding processes. Comparison between preliminary results and experimental data is conducted.</jats:p