Interface Application of a Virtual Assistant Agent in an Immersive Virtual Environment

Giri Na(나기리),Jinmo Kim(김진모) 한국컴퓨터그래픽스학회 2024 컴퓨터그래픽스학회논문지 Vol.30 No.1

본 연구는 혼합현실과 가상현실을 포함하는 몰입형 가상환경에서 OpenAI의 ChatGPT를 활용한 가상 보조 에이전트의 인터페이스 응용에 관한 새로운 방법을 제안한다. 제안하는 응용 방법은 사용자의 질의에 응답하는 정보 에이전트와 사용자의 요구에 맞춰 가상 객체, 환경 등을 제어하는 제어 에이전트로 구성된다. 이를 위해, Unity 3D 엔진, OpenAI, 그리고 가상현실과 혼합현실 사용자 참여를 위한 패키지 및 개발 도구를 통합하는 개발환경을 설정한다. 그리고 음성 입력으로부터 질문 쿼리에서 답변 쿼리, 또는 제어 요구 쿼리에서 제어 스크립트로 생성으로 연결되는 작업 흐름을 설정한다. 이를 기반으로 혼합현실, 가상현실 체험 환경을 직접 제작하고 에이전트의 성능 확인을 위한 실험을 정보 에이전트의 반응 시간, 제어 에이전트의 정확도로 나누어 진행하였다. 결과적으로 제안하는 인터페이스 응용을 통해 사용자 친화적이고 단순하고 반복적인 작업에서의 효율을 높이는데 유용할 수 있음을 확인하였다. 우리는 새롭게 제안하는 인터페이스를 통해 몰입형 가상환경에서 인터페이스로의 응용에 관한 새로운 방향성을 제시하고 발견된 문제점과 현재까지의 한계점을 분명히 밝힌다. In immersive virtual environments including mixed reality (MR) and virtual reality (VR), avatars or agents, which are virtual humans, are being studied and applied in various ways as factors that increase users social presence. Recently, studies are being conducted to apply generative AI as an agent to improve user learning effects or suggest a collaborative environment in an immersive virtual environment. This study proposes a novel method for interface application of a virtual assistant agent (VAA) using OpenAI’s ChatGPT in an immersive virtual environment including VR and MR. The proposed method consists of an information agent that responds to user queries and a control agent that controls virtual objects and environments according to user needs. We set up a development environment that integrates the Unity 3D engine, OpenAI, and packages and development tools for user participation in MR and VR. Additionally, we set up a workflow that leads from voice input to the creation of a question query to an answer query, or a control request query to a control script. Based on this, MR and VR experience environments were produced, and experiments to confirm the performance of VAA were divided into response time of information agent and accuracy of control agent. It was confirmed that the interface application of the proposed VAA can increase efficiency in simple and repetitive tasks along with user-friendly features. We present a novel direction for the interface application of an immersive virtual environment through the proposed VAA and clarify the discovered problems and limitations so far.

Development of wireless laser blade deflection monitoring system for mobile wind turbine management host

Giri, Paritosh,Lee, Jung-Ryul SAGE Publications 2014 Journal of intelligent material systems and struct Vol.25 No.11

<P>This study proposes a wireless laser displacement sensor system for in situ deflection monitoring of wind turbine blades. This system consists of a tower-installed laser displacement sensor system composed of a laser displacement sensor head, controller, Zigbee transmitter, and analog-to-digital converter module, combined with a mobile host that includes a Zigbee receiver and a laptop. In contrast to the approach of blade sensor installation, the laser displacement sensor system is installed in the tower to enable noncontact blade displacement monitoring. The concepts of direct noncontact remote sensing and actuation from the tower and remote power delivery from the tower to blade-installed sensors and actuators will enable various approaches for wind turbine structural health monitoring. The proposed system can easily identify problems related to deflection. The size of wind blades increases with energy demands. Due to the large size of wind turbines, current wind turbines are installed very high above ground level. It is impractical to monitor the results from laser displacement sensor through wired connection in these cases. Hence, wired connections of laser displacement sensors to base monitoring stations must be replaced with a wireless solution. This wireless solution is achieved using Zigbee technology. The output from the laser displacement sensor is fed to a microcontroller, which acts as an analog-to-digital converter. The output from the microcontroller is connected to the Zigbee transceiver module, which transmits the data, and at the other end, the Zigbee reads the data and displays it on a PC, from which users can monitor the condition of the wind blades.</P>

<i>Chlorophytum borivilianum</i> Polysaccharide Fraction Provokes the Immune Function and Disease Resistance of <i> Labeo rohita</i> against <i> Aeromonas hydrophila</i>

Giri, Sib Sankar,Sen, Shib Sankar,Chi, Cheng,Kim, Hyoun Joong,Yun, Saekil,Park, Se Chang,Sukumaran, V. Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2015 Journal of immunology research Vol.2015 No.-

<P>The present study aimed to investigate the effects of<I> Chlorophytum borivilianum</I> polysaccharide (CBP), as a dietary supplement administered at varying concentrations with feed (basal diet), on various cytokine-related responses in<I> Labeo rohita</I> fingerlings. Immune parameters and immune-related gene expressions were measured at 3rd, 4th, and 5th week after feeding. The results revealed that dietary administration of CBP at 0.2% and 0.4% for 4 weeks significantly upregulated serum lysozyme and phagocytic activity. Complement C3 and respiratory burst activity (RBA) were significantly higher after 4 weeks of CBP feeding. The immune related genes<I> IL-8</I>,<I> IL-1β</I>,<I> TNF-α</I>, and<I> iNOS</I> were downregulated (<I>P</I> < 0.05) in groups with 0.2% and 0.4% CBP supplemented diets at week 4. Expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines (<I>IL-10</I> and<I> TGF-β</I>) was also downregulated (<I>P</I> < 0.5) after 4 weeks of feeding with 0.2% to 0.8% CBP. However, five weeks of CBP administration had no significant effect on immune gene expression, except<I> TNF-α</I> and<I> IL-8</I>. Fish fed with 0.4% CBP for 4 weeks showed maximum resistance against<I> Aeromonas hydrophila</I> (73.3% survival) compared to control. From these results, we recommend that CBP administration at 0.4% for 4 weeks could effectively improve immune response and disease resistance in<I> L. rohita</I>.</P>

Cellulose and its derivatives for application in 3D printing of pharmaceuticals

Giri Bhupendra Raj,Poudel Surendra,김동욱 한국약제학회 2021 Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation Vol.51 No.1

Background Three-dimensional printing (3DP) has emerged as an advanced manufacturing technology capable of producing complex yet precise medicines intended for patient-centric drug therapy. However, printable materials currently available for 3DP are far too limited. Area covered The current article covers various cellulose-based polymers as well as their applications, especially in 3DP of oral solid dosage forms. The review focuses on their physicochemical properties, roles, and functions in conventional as well as 3DP dosage forms, and the characteristics of the obtained printed products are discussed. In addition, the challenges and considerations for processing cellulose-based feedstock materials are briefly presented. Expert opinion Cellulose and its derivatives are regarded as suitable polymers with a huge potential for applications in 3DP drug delivery systems. It is therefore essential to better understand cellulose-based printable polymers and their applications in 3DP.

Antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-adhesive activities of biosurfactants isolated from <i>Bacillus</i> strains

Giri, S.S.,Ryu, EC.,Sukumaran, V.,Park, S.C. Elsevier 2019 Microbial pathogenesis Vol.132 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Biosurfactants are surface-active compounds that display a range of physiological functions. The present study investigated the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-adhesive or <I>anti</I>-biofilm potential of biosurfactants isolated from <I>Bacillus subtilis</I> VSG4 and <I>Bacillus licheniformis</I> VS16. The antioxidant activity of the biosurfactants was studied <I>in vitro</I> using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radicals. At 5 mg/mL of the biosurfactant concentration, the scavenging of DPPH and hydroxyl radicals was found to be between 69.1-73.5% and 63.3-69.8%, respectively. The biosurfactants also displayed significant antibacterial activities against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The anti-adhesive activities of the biosurfactants were evaluated against <I>Staphylococcus aureus</I> ATCC 29523, <I>Salmonella typhimurium</I> ATCC 19430, and <I>Bacillus cereus</I> ATCC 11778. The biosurfactants exhibited anti-adhesive activity, even at concentrations of 3-5 mg/mL. Moreover, both biosurfactants displayed notable <I>anti</I>-biofilm activities with a biofilm eradication percentage ranging from 63.9 to 80.03% for VSG4 biosurfactant, and from 61.1-68.4% for VS16 biosurfactant. Furthermore, VSG4 biosurfactant exhibited emulsification and surface tension stability over a wide range of pH (4-10) and temperature up to 100 °C. These results show that VSG4 and VS16 biosurfactants can be potentially used as natural antioxidants, antimicrobials, and/or anti-adhesive agents for food and biomedical applications.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Biological potential of biosurfactants derived from two <I>Bacillus</I> strains were evaluated. </LI> <LI> Biosurfactants exhibited DPPH & hydroxyl radical antioxidant activities. </LI> <LI> Promising antibacterial & anti-adhesive activities were found in both biosurfactants </LI> <LI> Biosurfactants showed a satisfactory antibiofilm effect against tested bacteria. </LI> </UL> </P>

Effects of bioactive substance from turmeric on growth, skin mucosal immunity and antioxidant factors in common carp, <i>Cyprinus carpio</i>

Giri, Sib Sankar,Sukumaran, V.,Park, Se Chang ACADEMIC PRESS LTD 2019 FISH AND SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY Vol.92 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Present study evaluated the effects of curcumin, the principal curcuminoid of turmeric, on <I>Cyprinus carpio</I> growth, skin mucosal immune parameters, immune-related gene expression, and susceptibility to pathogen challenge. Diets containing four various concentrations of curcumin (g Kg<SUP>−1</SUP>): 0 g [basal diet], 5 g [T5], 10 g [T10], and 15 g [T15] were fed to the carp (average weight: 16.37 g) for 8 weeks. Growth parameters were analysed at 4 and 8 weeks post-feeding. Skin mucosal immune responses and expression were examined in 8 weeks post-feeding. Growth performance was significantly higher in T10 and T15, with final weight gain of 102.26 ± 2.31 g and specific growth rate of 3.24 ± 0.37, respectively. The lowest feed conversion ratio (2.35 ± 0.16) was recorded in T15 than in the control (<I>P</I> < 0.05). Among the skin mucosal immune parameters examined, lysozyme (36.8 ± 4.03 U mL<SUP>−1</SUP>), total immunoglobulin (6.74 ± 0.5 mg mL<SUP>−1</SUP>), protein level (18.7 ± 1.62 mg mL<SUP>−1</SUP>), alkaline phosphatase (96.37 ± 6.3 IU L<SUP>−1</SUP>), and protease activity (9.47 ± 0.82%) were significantly higher in T15, while the peroxidase activity was higher in T10 (10.24 ± 0.9 U mg<SUP>−1</SUP> protein). Further, lysozyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were measured in serum and found to be higher in T10 or T15 than in the control (<I>P</I> < 0.05). However, malondialdehyde level decreased significantly in T10 and T15. Furthermore, antioxidant genes (SOD, CAT, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) and anti-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-10 were upregulated in the head kidney, intestine, and hepatopancreas of fish in T10 and T15. Conversely, expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, tumour necrosis factor-alpha), signalling molecule NF-κBp65 were down-regulated in the tested tissues of T10 and T15. Expression of Toll-like receptor 22 (TLR22) was down regulated in head-kidney and intestine of T15. Fish from T15 exhibited significantly higher relative post-challenge survival (69.70%) against <I>Aeromonas hydrophila</I> challenge. Results of the present study suggest that dietary supplements of curcumin at 15 g Kg<SUP>−1</SUP>can significantly improve the growth performance, skin mucosal and serum antioxidant parameters, and strengthen the immunity of <I>C. carpio</I>. Therefore, curcumin represents a promising food additive for carps in aquaculture.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Curcumin intake improves growth and skin mucosal immunity of <I>Cyprinus carpio</I>. </LI> <LI> Dietary curcumin alters antioxidant- and inflammatory-related gene expression. </LI> <LI> Fish fed diet supplemented with 15 g kg<SUP>−1</SUP> of curcumin had the highest post-challenge survival rate. </LI> </UL> </P>

Dietary emodin affects the growth performance, immune responses, and disease resistance of Labeo rohita against Aeromonas hydrophila

Giri, S. S.,Jai Suda, S.,Sukumaran, V.,Park, S. C. Springer Science + Business Media 2016 AQUACULTURE INTERNATIONAL Vol.24 No.1

<P>Healthy Labeo rohita (mean bodyweight of 20.1 g) were divided into four groups before being fed for 60 days on diets supplemented with 0 (control), 20 (E1), 30 (E2), or 40 (E3) mg kg(-1) emodin. Various growth and immune parameters were measured after 15, 30, 45, and 60 days of feeding. Fish fed E2 diet exhibited accelerated (p < 0.05) weight gain after 30-60 days of feeding. The most significant improvements (p < 0.05) in immune parameters, such as lysozyme activity, alternative complement pathway activity, respiratory bursts activity, phagocytic activity, superoxide dismutase activity, and myloperoxidase activity, were observed in the E2-fed group after 30 and 45 days of feeding. However, fish groups fed E2 or E3 diets exhibited significantly lower malondialdehyde, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase activities than did the control group after 30 and 45 days of feeding. The IgM level was significantly elevated in treatment groups after 30 and 45 days of feeding. Further, fish fed E2 diet for 45 days had the highest (p < 0.005) post-challenge survival rate (83.3 %), followed by fish fed E2 diet for 30 days (75 %). Therefore, dietary feeding of emodin at 30 mg kg(-1) to L. rohita for 30-45 days is optimal to enhance the immunity and disease resistance against A. hydrophila.</P>

Evaluation of dietary <i>Hybanthus enneaspermus</i> (Linn F. Muell.) as a growth and haemato-immunological modulator in <i>Labeo rohita</i>

Giri, Sib Sankar,Jun, Jun Woo,Sukumaran, Venkatachalam,Park, Se Chang ACADEMIC PRESS LTD 2017 FISH AND SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY Vol.68 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>This study evaluated the effects of <I>Hybanthus enneaspermus</I> aqueous extract (HEE) as a feed supplement on growth, immune responses, haematological, and biochemical parameters of <I>Labeo rohita</I> and its susceptibility to <I>Aeromonas hydrophila</I> infection. Diets containing five variable concentrations of HEE (g kg<SUP>−1</SUP>) (0 [basal diet], 1.0 [H1], 2.0 [H2], 3.0 [H3], and 4.0 [H4]) were fed to fish (average weight: 17.2 ± 0.21 g) for 6 weeks. Growth parameters, immune parameters, and haemato-biochemical parameters were examined 6 weeks post-feeding. The results showed that growth parameters, such as final weight (39.47 ± 3.1 g) and specific growth rate (1.92 ± 0.2), were significantly higher in the H3 group than in the control. Immunological parameters such as serum lysozyme (24.73 ± 2.16 U mg<SUP>−1</SUP>), phagocytic activity (19.14± 0.26%), and respiratory burst activity (0.307 ± 0.005) were significantly higher in the H3 group, compared with the control. Among the haematological parameters examined, red blood cells, white blood cells, neutrophils, total serum protein, and albumin levels were significantly higher in the H3 group. However, HEE administration had no significant effect on haematocrit, haemoglobin, monocytes, or eosinophils levels. Blood biochemical parameters, including superoxide dismutase and alkaline phosphatase activities, were higher (<I>P</I> < 0.05) in the H3 group than in the control; however, the opposite result was found for aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, glucose, and cholesterol. Supplementation with 3 g kg<SUP>−1</SUP> HEE increased the activities of intestinal digestive enzyme (amylase, protease, and lipase) in fish. Moreover, fish fed diets supplemented with 3 g kg<SUP>−1</SUP> HEE exhibited the highest disease resistance against <I>A. hydrophila</I> infection. These results suggest that dietary administration of HEE (at 3 g kg<SUP>−1</SUP>) has several positive effects on growth, immune and haematological responses in <I>L. rohita</I>.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> <I>Labeo rohita</I> diets were supplemented with <I>Hybanthus enneaspermus</I> extract (HEE). </LI> <LI> Dietary administration of 3 g kg<SUP>−1</SUP> HEE improved growth performance in <I>L. rohita.</I> </LI> <LI> Dietary HEE had several positive effects on haematological, biochemical and immune responses of fish. </LI> <LI> HEE at 3 g Kg<SUP>−1</SUP> enhanced the intestinal enzymatic activities in fish. </LI> <LI> Diets with 3 g kg<SUP>−1</SUP> HEE provided the highest protection against pathogen challenge. </LI> </UL> </P>

Pinocembrin attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in Labeo rohita macrophages via the suppression of the NF-κB signalling pathway

Giri, S.S.,Sen, S.S.,Sukumaran, V.,Park, S.C. Academic Press 2016 FISH AND SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY Vol.56 No.-

<P>Pinocembrin is a flavonoid that has been reported to exhibit various pharmacological and biological activities including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. To explore the anti-inflammatory activity of pinocembrin in a fish cell line, we investigated its ability to regulate the inflammatory mediators elevated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in Labeo rohita head-kidney (HK) macrophages. HK macrophages of L. rohita were treated with LPS (1 (mu g mL(-1)) in the presence or absence of pinocembrin. We examined the inhibitory effect of pinocembrin on LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) production. The inhibitory effect of pinocembrin on nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was investigated by RT-PCR and western blot. The effect of pinocembrin on pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta)) and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was investigated by ELISA and RT-PCR. The phosphorylation of three mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) ERK, JNK, and p38 was analysed by western blot. Pinocembrin inhibited LPS-induced productions of NO and PGE2, and also markedly inhibited TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, iNOS, and COX-2 production in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta mRNA expression levels decreased significantly, while IL-10 mRNA expression increased (P < 0.05) with pinocembrin pre-treatment. RT-PCR and western blot analysis showed that pinocembrin decreased both the mRNA and protein expression levels of LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 in HK macrophages. Pinocembrin suppressed the phosphorylation of MAPK in LPS-stimulated HK macrophages. Further, pinocembrin significantly inhibited LPS-induced NF-kappa B transcriptional activity via the attenuation of I kappa B alpha degradation. Taken together, pinocembrin reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as iNOS, COX-2, TNF-alpha, and IL-1 beta, by inhibiting NF-kappa B activation via the suppression of ERK and p38 phosphorylation, and by attenuating the degradation of I kappa B alpha. These results suggest that pinocembrin is a potential novel candidate for the treatment of inflammatory conditions in L. rohita macrophages. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.</P>

Does Technological Progress, Trade, or Financial Globalization Stimulate Income Inequality in India?

GIRI, Arun Kumar,PANDEY, Rajan,MOHAPATRA, Geetilaxmi Korea Distribution Science Association 2021 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.8 No.2

The main purpose of the present research is to analyze the effects of trade, financial globalization, and technological progress on income inequality in the Indian economy over the period from 1982 to 2018. For this purpose, the study uses economic growth, financial globalization, trade openness, technological development, and economic inequality variables with appropriate proxies. The study employs the Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach to co-integration and VECM based Granger causality approach to estimate both the short-run and long-run relationship and causality among variables. Using the ARDL bounds test, the study finds a long-run co-integrating relationship existing among the variables in the model. The study confirms the existence of a positive and significant impact of technological progress on income inequality. Further, globalization's limited impact reflects two offsetting tendencies; trade globalization is associated with a reduction in income inequality, while financial globalization is related to an increase in inequality. The results of VECM based Granger causality approach further confirm that technological progress, trade, and financial globalization causes income inequality both directly and indirectly through economic growth and inflation. In case of India, the results of this research can significantly facilitate stakeholders and policymakers in devising policies towards effective globalization and technological innovation for inclusive growth.