Countermeasure of Scour around Pier in Steady Current

The experiments on the countermeasures of scours around pier in steady current were conducted in this paper. The factor formations of scour were identified by extensive research of previous paper that related to the project. Scour formations were influence by the strength of the flow, the size of pier, and the sediment condition. From the literature, the project invented a few innovative pier protection measures which are single cross-threaded pier and double-cross threaded pier with variation of cable diameter and thread angle. These cross-threaded piers also tested with collar protection. As the result, the single cross-threaded piers and double cross-threaded piers able to reduce scour in average of 18% and 21% respectively. While, single cross-threaded piers with collar and double cross-threaded piers with collar able to reduce scour in average of 69% and 63% respectively. The single cross-thread pier with collar of 0.1 cable-pier diameter ratio and 15° thread angle outperforms other models with scour reduction of 79%. That shows the cable-pier diameter ratio and thread angle influent the performance of models in scour reduction. The large number of cross-threaded pier with large cable-pier diameter ratio and small thread angle will give the best performance in reducing potential formation of scour depth

The comparison of the exercise stress test tolerance using Bruce and Balke-Ware protocols in Malaysians

BACKGROUND: The issue of premature termination of exercise stress test in Asian people due to intolerance to rapid exercise workload increment in Bruce protocol has been pointed out. In this study, we want to compare the exercise stress test tolerance using Bruce and Balke-Ware protocols. METHODS: This was a cross-over experimental study involving 30 male subjects aged 40 to 65 performing exercise stress test using Bruce and Balke-Ware protocols. Hemodynamic responses, electrocardiographic pattern and exercise duration were monitored during the test and the reason for termination was recorded. RESULTS: Bruce protocol achieved equivalent hemodynamic responses, completion rate and test findings to Balke-Ware (P>0.001). Over 50% of the subjects were able to complete the stress test using both protocols. 46.7% (N.=14) of subjects terminate the test prematurely for Bruce and 50% (N.=15) for Balke-Ware protocol. Fatigue was the commonest cause with (57.2% N.=8, 60% N.=9), followed by achieved target heart rate (35.5% N.=5, 33.3% N.=5) and shortness of breath (7.1% N.=1, 6.7% N.=1) for Bruce and Balke-Ware respectively. The exercise capacity (metabolic equivalent) attained during exercise was similar in both protocol (P>0.001), and exercise duration in Balke-Ware was significantly longer than the Bruce protocol (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We found that protocol selection does not affect the completion rate and outcome of the exercise stress test and their tolerance was similar regardless of the protocols used. For Asian peoples who were unable to complete the exercise stress test due to any reasons, their cardiac status is best evaluated using other methods. © 2018 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA