An Energy and Performance Efficient DVFS Scheme for Irregular Parallel Divide-and-Conquer Algorithms on the Intel SCC

Yu-Liang Chou,Shaoshan Liu,Eui-Young Chung,Gaudiot, Jeen-Luc IEEE 2014 IEEE computer architecture letters Vol.13 No.1

<P>The divide-and-conquer paradigm can be used to express many computationally significant problems, but an important subset of these applications is inherently load-imbalanced. Load balancing is a challenge for irregular parallel divide-and-conquer algorithms and efficiently solving these applications will be a key requirement for future many-core systems. To address the load imbalance issue, instead of attempting to dynamically balancing the workloads, this paper proposes an energy and performance efficient Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS) scheduling scheme, which takes into account the load imbalance behavior exhibited by these applications. More specifically, we examine the core of the divide-and-conquer paradigm and determine that the base-case-reached point where recursion stops is a suitable place in a divide-and-conquer paradigm to apply the proposed DVFS scheme. To evaluate the proposed scheme, we implement four representative irregular parallel divide-and-conquer algorithms, tree traversal, quicksort, finding primes, and n-queens puzzle, on the Intel Single-chip Cloud Computer (SCC) many-core machine. We demonstrate that, on average, the proposed scheme can improve performance by 41% while reducing energy consumption by 36% compared to the baseline running the whole computation with the default frequency configuration (400MHz).</P>

Post-Acute Care as a Key Component in a Healthcare System for Older Adults

Yu-Chun Wang,Ming-Yueh Chou,Chih-Kuang Liang,Li-Ning Peng,Liang-Kung Chen,Ching-Hui Loh 대한노인병학회 2019 Annals of geriatric medicine and research Vol.23 No.2

Older adults often experience functional decline following acute medical care. This func-tional decline may lead to permanent disability, which will increase the burden on the medical and long-term care systems, families, and society as a whole. Post-acute care aims to promote the functional recovery of older adults, prevent unnecessary hospital readmission, and avoid premature admission to a long-term care facility. Research has shown that post-acute care is a cost-effective service model, with both the hospital-at-home and community hospital post-acute care models being highly effective. This paper describes the post-acute care models of the United States and the United Kingdom and uses the example of Taiwan’s highly effective post-acute care system to explain the bene-fits and importance of post-acute care. In the face of rapid demographic aging and smaller household size, a post-acute care system can lower medical costs and improve the health of older adults after hospitalization.

Localized surface plasmon resonance enhanced by the light-scattering property of silver nanoparticles for improved luminescence of polymer light-emitting diodes

Cheng-Liang Huang,Hung Ji Huang,Sy-Hann Chen,Yu-Siang Huang,Po-Ching Kao,Yuan-Fong Chou Chau,Hai-Pang Chiang 한국공업화학회 2021 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.103 No.-

This study used photochemical reduction to successfully synthesize triangular silver nanoplates (TAgNPs)and silver nanodecahedrons (AgNDs) with higher light-absorption and higher light-scattering properties,respectively, for the same wavelength. To analyze the contribution of light-absorption and lightscatteringof silver nanoparticles to the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate was doped with TAgNPs or AgNDs at the same concentration(1.17 lg/cm2) and made into polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs). According to the current densityvoltageluminancecharacteristics and electroluminescence (EL) spectra, the enhancement factors for currentefficiency and EL intensity for AgND-containing PLEDs were found to be higher than those for PLEDwith TAgNPs by 24.9% and 138%, respectively. This shows that the metal nanoparticles with higher lightscatteringproperty can induce a relatively strong LSPR effect, which possibly gives a hint to design plasmonicphotovoltaic in future.

Transitional Percentage of Minute Volume as a Novel Predictor of Weaning from Mechanical Ventilation in Patients with Chronic Respiratory Failure

Ya-Ru Liang,Mei-Chen Yang,Yao-Kuang Wu,I-Shiang Tzeng,Pei-Yi Wu,Shiang-Yu Huang,Chou-Chin Lan,Chin-Pyng Wu 한국간호과학회 2020 Asian Nursing Research Vol.14 No.1

Purpose: Some patients with respiratory failure fail initial weaning attempts and need prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV). Prolonged MV is associated with many complications and consumption of heathcare resources. Objective weaning indices help staffs to identify high-potential patients for weaning from the MV. Traditional weaning indices are not reliable in clinical practice. Transitional percentage of minute volume (TMV%) is a new index of the work of breathing. This study aimed to investigate the utility of TMV% in the prediction of weaning potential. Methods: This study was prospectively performed including all patients with prolonged MV. Researchers recorded their demographics, TMV%, respiratory parameters, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, and laboratory data upon arrival at the respiratory care center. The factors associated with successful weaning were analyzed. Results: Out of the 120 patients included, 84 (70.0%) were successfully weaned from MV. Traditional weaning indices such as rapid shallow breathing index could not predict the weaning outcome. TMV% was a valuable parameter as patients with a lower TMV%, higher tidal volume, higher hemoglobin, lower blood urea nitrogen, and lower Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores had a higher rate of successful weaning. TMV%, tidal volume, and HCO3- levels were independent predictors of successful weaning, and the area under the curve was .79 in the logistic regression model. Conclusion: TMV% is a novel and effective predictor of successful weaning. Patients with lower TMV% had a higher MV weaning outcome. Once patients with a high potential for successful weaning are identified, they should be aggressively weaned from MV as soon as possible.

Metallic Stent Placement in Hemodialysis Graft Patients after Insufficient Balloon Dilation

Huei-Lung Liang,Huay-Ben Pan,Yih-Huie Lin,Chiung-Yu Chen,Hsiao-Min Chung,Tung-Ho Wu,Kang-Ju Chou,Pin-Hong Lai,Chien-Fang Yang 대한영상의학회 2006 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.7 No.2

Objective: We wanted to report our experience of metallic stent placement after insufficient balloon dilation in graft hemodialysis patients. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three patients (13 loop grafts in the forearm and 10 straight grafts in the upper arm) underwent metallic stent placement due to insufficient flow after urokinase thrombolysis and balloon dilation. The indications for metallic stent deployment included 1) recoil and/or kinked venous stenosis in 21 patients (venous anastomosis: 17 patients, peripheral outflow vein: four patients); and 2) major vascular rupture in two patients. Metallic stents 8 10mm in diameter and 40 80 mm in length were used. Of them, eight stents were deployed across the elbow crease. Access patency was determined by clinical follow-up and the overall rates were calculated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Results: No procedure-related complications (stent fracture or central migration) were encountered except for a delayed Wallstent shortening/migration at the venous anastomosis, which resulted in early access failure. The overall primary and secondary patency rates ( standard error) of all the vascular accesses in our 23 patients at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months were 69% 9 and 88% 6, 41% 10 and 88% 6, 30% 10 and 77% 10, and 12% 8 and 61% 13, respectively. For the forearm and upper-arm grafts, the primary and secondary patency rates were 51% 16 and 86% 13 vs 45% 15 and 73% 13 at 6 months, and 25% 15 and 71% 17 vs 23% 17 and 73% 13 at 12 months (p = .346 and .224), respectively. Conclusion: Metallic stent placement is a safe and effective means for treating peripheral venous lesions in dialysis graft patients after insufficient balloon dilation. No statistically difference in the patency rates between the forearm and upper-arm patient groups was seen.

The Outcome of Antipsychotics-induced Tardive Syndromes: A Ten-year Follow-up Study

Pei-Chien Chou,Yu Lee,Yung-Yee Chang,Pao-Yen Lin,Liang-Jen Wang 대한정신약물학회 2023 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.21 No.3

Objective: Tardive syndrome (TS) is an umbrella term used to describe a group of abnormal movement disorders caused by chronic exposure to dopamine receptor blocking agents. Few follow-up studies have been performed on the outcome of TS in patients using antipsychotics. The purpose of our study was to investigate the prevalence, incidence, remission rate, and factors associated with remission in patients using antipsychotics. Methods: This retrospective cohort study consisted of 123 patients who received continuous treatment of antipsychotics in a medical center in Taiwan, from April 1, 2011 to May 31, 2021. We assessed the demographic and clinical characteristics, prevalence, incidence, remission rate, and factors associated with remission in patients using antipsychotics. TS remission was defined as a Visual Analogue Scale score ≤ 3. Results: Of the 92 patients who completed the 10-year follow-up, 39 (42.4%) were found to have at least one episode of TS, with tardive dyskinesia (TD) being the most prevalent subtype (51.3%). With regard to concurrent physical illness, a history of extrapyramidal symptoms were significant risk factors for TS. During the 10-year follow-up period, the remission rate of TS was 74.3%. The use of antioxidants including vitamin B6 and piracetam was related to the remission of TS. Patients with tardive dystonia had a higher remission rate (87.5%) compared to TD (70%). Conclusion: Our study suggests that TS may be a treatable condition, and the key to a better outcome is early detection and prompt intervention, including closely monitoring antipsychotics-related TS symptoms and using antioxidants.

Ni removal from aqueous solutions by chemical reduction: Impact of pH and pe in the presence of citrate

Li, C.W.,Yu, J.H.,Liang, Y.M.,Chou, Y.H.,Park, H.J.,Choo, K.H.,Chen, S.S. Elsevier Scientific Pub. Co 2016 Journal of hazardous materials Vol.320 No.-

The chemical precipitation of Ni ions from industrial wastewater at alkaline pH values creates waste chemical sludge (e.g., Ni(OH)<SUB>2</SUB>). We herein focused on Ni removal via chemical reduction using dithionite, by converting Ni(II) to its elemental or other valuable forms. Without the presence of a chelator (e.g., citrate), the nickel reduction efficiency increased with increasing dithionite:Ni molar ratio, reaching @?99% at ratios above 3:1. The effect of pH on Ni reduction was in agreement with the standard redox potentials (pe<SUP>0</SUP>) of dithionite, which became more negative with an increase in pH leading to greater Ni reduction efficiencies. With the formation of Ni-citrate chelates, however, the Ni reduction deteriorated. Elevated pH and temperature improved nickel reduction, due to the greater reducing power of dithionite. The optimal pH value for Ni(II) reduction was found to be @?8. Injecting Cu seed particles enhanced the rate and amount of Ni reduced. NiS and Ni<SUB>3</SUB>S<SUB>2</SUB> were identified in the crystal of the resulting solids by X-ray crystallography, and the presence of elemental Ni was explained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The chemical reduction of actual printed circuit board wastewater with the dithionite:Ni(II) molar ratio dose of 12:1 retrieved @?99% nickel after 30-min reaction at 40<SUP>o</SUP>C.

대기 중의 가스들에 의한 복사흡수 과정 모수화 개발

이규태,조일성,Ming-Dah Chou,Jack Yu,Wei-Liang Lee 한국기상학회 2019 한국기상학회 학술대회 논문집 Vol.2019 No.10

High-strength concrete deep beams with web openings strengthened by carbon fiber reinforced plastics

Wen-Yao Lu,Hsin-Wan Yu,Chun-Liang Chen,Shen-Lung Liu,Ting-Chou Che 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2015 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.15 No.1

The objective of this study is to examine the effect of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) on the shear strengths of deep beams with web openings. A total of 18 high-strength concrete deep beams with web openings were tested. Twelve were externally wrapped with four layers of CFRP, six of them strengthened in the horizontal direction and the others in the vertical direction. The parameters of the configuration of CFRP, the sizes of the openings and the locations of the openings were covered in this study. The test results indicates the shear strengths of deep beams with openings sized 60×40 mm were about 16% higher than that with openings sized 68×68 mm. For deep beams with openings sized 60×40 mm, the lower the locations of openings the higher the shear strengths were. The test results also indicate the shear strengths of deep beams with web openings strengthened by CFRP wrapped in the vertical direction can be enhanced by about 10%. However, the shear strengths of deep beams with web openings strengthened by CFRP wrapped in the horizontal direction can only be enhanced by about 6%. The shear strengths of deep beam, with different size and location of web openings and strengthened by different configuration of CFRP can be reasonably predicted by the empirical formulas of Kong and Sharp.

Lack of Association between Pre-Operative Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 and the Risk of Post-Operative Delirium in Elderly Chinese Patients

Che-Sheng Chu,Chih-Kuang Liang,Ming-Yueh Chou,Yu-Te Lin,Chien-Jen Hsu,Chin-Liang Chu,Po-Han Chou 대한신경정신의학회 2016 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.13 No.3

ObjectiveaaPostoperative delirium (POD) is a highly prevalent complex neuropsychiatric syndrome in elderly patients. However, its pathophysiology is currently unknown. Early detection and prevention of POD is important; therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the link between preoperative insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels in the serum and POD in the Chinese elderly patients. MethodsaaOne hundred and three patients who were undergoing an orthopedic operation took part in the study. Preoperative serum IGF-1 levels were measured. POD was determined daily using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) and DSM-IV TR. Baseline serum IGF-1 levels were compared between patients who did and did not develop POD. Correlation coefficients were calculated to evaluate relationship between baseline characteristics and serum IGF-1 levels. The relationship between baseline biomarkers and delirium status was investigated using logistic regression analysis, adjusting for potential confounding variables. ResultsaaTwenty-three patients developed POD. The POD group had lower MMSE scores and higher CCI scores and proportions of acute admission. Preoperative serum IGF-1 levels were correlated with MMSE scores and age (MMSE: r=0.230, p<0.05; age: r=-0.419, p<0.001). Baseline serum IGF-1 levels did not differ between patients who did and did not develop POD, even after adjusting for potential confounding factors, MMSE score, and age. ConclusionaaNo association was found between preoperative IGF-1 levels and POD, suggesting that they are not direct biomarkers of the incidence of POD among the Chinese elderly population. Further research with larger sample sizes is warranted to clarify the relationship.