Jae-Kyung Kim

A layered scripting language technique for avatar behavior representation and control

The paper proposes a layered scripting language technique for representation and control of avatar behavior for simpler avatar control in various domain environments. We suggest three layered architecture which is consisted of task-level behavior, high-level motion, and primitive motion script language. These layers brides gap between application domain and implementation environments, so that end user can control the avatar through easy and simple task-level scripting language without concerning low-level animation and the script can be applied various implementations regardless of application domain types. Our goal is to support flexible and extensible representation and control of avatar behavior by layered approach separating application domains and implementation tools.

Euchresta horsfieldii Benn. activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and regulates expression of genes involved in fatty acid metabolism in human HepG2 cells

AIM OF THE STUDYnEuchresta horsfieldii Benn., an oriental medicinal plant, has been used for the traditional treatment of hyperlipidemia and has been reported to possess bioactive isoflavones; however, the molecular mechanism underlying its hypolipidemic effects remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effect of Euchresta horsfieldii on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) activation and fatty acid metabolism in HepG2 hepatocytes.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnThe dried Euchresta horsfieldii fruits were extracted with 100% ethanol, and the ethanol evaporated to produce Euchresta horsfieldii extract (EHX). The effect of EHX on fatty acid metabolism was evaluated by PPARα transactivation assay, real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis.nnnRESULTSnWe demonstrated that EHX significantly increased PPARα activation in a dose-dependent manner. In human HepG2 hepatocytes, EHX increased mRNA levels of the following genes involved in fatty acid oxidation: carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1, liver form (CPT1L), acyl-CoA synthetase (ACS), medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase 2 (HMGCS2), acyl-CoA 1 (ACO1), acyl-CoA 2 (ACO2), and enoyl-CoA hydratase 1 (ECH1). EHX treatment also increased levels of proteins related to fatty acid oxidation, such as CPT1L, PPARα, and uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2). In contrast, sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1), a key lipogenic transcription factor, was downregulated.nnnCONCLUSIONnConsistent with significant PPARα activation, EHX increased PPARα target genes expression and regulated protein expression for lipid metabolism. Taken together, these results indicate that Euchresta horsfieldii shows potential as a natural lipid-lowering agent.

Effects of licarin E on expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and type-1 procollagen in UVB-irradiated human skin fibroblasts.

Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation induces photoaging by upregulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and decreasing collagen synthesis in human skin cells. This study evaluated the effects of licarin E isolated from mace, the aril of Myristica fragrans Houtt., on MMP‐1 and type‐1 procollagen levels in UVB‐irradiated human skin fibroblasts. Powdered mace extracted with 95% ethanol was used and licarin E isolated by preparative high‐performance liquid chromatography. In addition, western blot analysis, reverse transcription PCR and electrophoretic mobility shift assay were used to evaluate the effects of licarin E and its molecular mechanism. It was found that licarin E attenuated UVB‐induced MMP‐1 expression by inactivating mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs), thereby inhibiting activator protein 1. Licarin E also increased type‐1 procollagen expression by stimulating transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)/Smad signaling. The findings show that licarin E positively regulates the expression of MMP‐1 and type‐1 procollagen in UVB‐irradiated human skin fibroblasts through MAPK and TGFβ signaling, suggesting its potential as a potent antiphotoaging agent. Copyright

Definition of a layered avatar behavior script language for creating and reusing scenario scripts

An avatar script language consists of a set of commands which are used to control avatar behaviors in cyberspace. These script languages should be abstracted from complex low-level concepts such as DOF, so that users can create scenario scripts easily without having to be concerned about the physical properties of motion. Also, the scripts should be defined in a standard format and structure so that they can be reused in various applications. In the proposed system, we defined a layered script language for avatar behavior representation and control, which consists of task-level behavior, high-level motion and primitive motion script. The high-level behavior script provides abstract and domain-dependent avatar-object behavior interfaces to the user so that the user can easily create avatar scenario scripts, the high-level motion script represents the avatar motion sequence, and the primitive motion script represents the geometric information of the underlying tools for physical animation control. A presentation domain is chosen to apply the proposed script language, and empirical evaluation shows that a novice user can easily and quickly design a scenario script using the proposed interface

Context-based free-form annotation in XML documents

When creating annotation information in a free-form environment, ambiguity arises during the analysis stage between geometric information and the annotations. This needs to be resolved so that the accurate creation of annotation information in a free-form annotation environment is possible. This paper identifies and analyses the ambiguities, specifying methods that are tailored to each of the various contexts that can cause conflicts with free-form marking in a XML-based annotation environment. The proposed general method is based on context which includes various textual and structure information between free-form marking and the annotations themselves. The context information used is expressed in context-based annotation markup language (CAML), a language defined within the paper. The results are printed and shared through a system specifically implemented for this study. The results from the implementation of the proposed method show that the annotated areas included in the free-form marking information are more accurate, achieving more accurate exchange results amongst multiple users in a heterogeneous document environment.

Creating a clickable TV program by sketching and tracking freeform triggers

Viewers watching Interactive TV can click on video objects on the screen, connecting them to an advertisement or more detailed content. But this requires an interactive authoring process to attach triggers to clickable objects, which is time-consuming because these objects can appear intermittently, move, and change shape. We facilitate authoring by combining a sketching interface with shot-based object tracking and trigger verification. Experiments involving professional video authors and non-specialist viewers suggest that this approach is an improvement on previous methods.

Effects of habitual smoking on cardiopulmonary function in taekwondo athletes

This study aimed to verify habitual smoking effects on cardiopulmonary function in taekwondo athletes. Subjects were university taekwondo athletes aged 20–24 years in nonsmoker (n= 9) and smoker (n= 6) groups. Subjects underwent an exercise examination for their ventilation threshold, minute ventilation, oxygen uptake, maximum volume of minute oxygen consumption, heart rate, and oxygen pulse during exercise and 1, 3, and 5 min after maximum exercise. The time of reaching the ventilation threshold was significantly higher in nonsmokers than in smokers. Heart rate during recovery after maximum exercise was significantly lower in nonsmokers for 1 and 3 min. Nonsmokers had significantly higher time for reaching the ventilation threshold and heart rate recovery at 1 and 3 min after exercise. The higher timing of accumulation fatigue in ventilation amount and faster recovery after exercise are useful in continuous exercise and improving athletic performance. Thus, athletes should stop smoking as soon as possible to improve their aerobic physical fitness and athletic performance.

Avatar Augmented Annotation Interface for e-Learning

Creating avatar-augmented presentations that extend gesture and annotation to distance education is laborious and time-consuming. We present Avatar Augmented Annotation (AAA), a project to design and share web based e-Learning materials using an animated avatar and digital inking. Using AAA, the instructor can create a presentation, using freehand annotations that include high-level teaching behavior without doing any programming. The AAA then generates a script expressed in XML and augments the presentation with an animated avatar following each annotation. We found that AAA provides positive educational effectiveness and usability compared to previous online courseware.

Avatar behavior representation and control technique: a hierarchical scripts approach

Avatar techniques have rapidly progressed in recent years, and will be widely adopted to various applications. The paper proposes hierarchical approach for representation and control techniques for avatar behavior for simpler avatar control in various domains. We proposed three-layered architecture: task-level behavior, high-level motion, and primitive motion. Thus, the user controls avatar at task-level layer and does not have to concern about low-level animation data. Our goal is to support flexible and extensible representation and control of avatar behavior by hierarchical approach separating application domains and implementation tools.

Ambiguity correction method for free-form annotation in XML documents

For the accurate creation of annotation information in a freeform annotation environment, the ambiguity that arises in the analysis stage between the geometric information and annotations needs to be resolved. Therefore, this This paper identifies, analyzes, and proposes presents solutions methods for the ambiguity that can occur between free-form marking and various contexts in XML-based annotation environment. The proposed method is based on context which includes various textual and structure information between free-form marking and annotated part. Therefore, the proposed method show that the annotated portions areas included in the free-form marking information are more accurate, achieving more accurate exchange results amongst multiple users in a heterogeneous document environment.