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We propose an interpolation method considering strong barrel distortion of a fisheye lens using nearest pixels on a corrected image. The correction of barrel distortion comprises coordinate transformation and interpolation, and this paper focuses on interpolation. The proposed interpolation method uses nearest coordinates on a corrected image rather than on a distorted image, unlike existing techniques. The increased computational complexity of the proposed interpolation method is alleviated by using look-up table (LUT)-based optimization. Experimental results show that both subjective and objective image qualities are improved with marginal execution time.

Currently, Korea is undergoing significant local extreme rainfall, which contributes to more than 80% of flood disasters. Additionally, there is an increasing occurrence of such extreme rainfall in small stream basins, accounting for over 60% of flood disasters. Consequently, it becomes imperative to forecast runoff and water levels in advance to effectively mitigate flood disasters in small streams. The Flood Early Warning Framework (FEWF) presents one solution to reduce flood disasters by enabling the forecast of discharge and water levels during flood events. However, the application of FEWF in existing research is challenging due to the short flood travel time characteristic of small streams. This research proposes a methodology for constructing FEWF tailored to small streams using the nomograph and rating curve method. To evaluate the effectiveness of FEWF, a 6-year dataset from the Closed-circuit television-based Automatic Discharge Measurement Technique (CADMT) was utilized. The results indicate that FEWF successfully forecasts discharge and depth during flood events. By leveraging CADMT technology and real-time data, the development of precise and dependable FEWFs becomes possible. This advancement holds the potential to mitigate the consequences of extreme rainfall events and minimize flood-related casualties in small stream basins.

IntroductionReducing neonatal deaths in premature infants in low- and middle-income countries is key to reducing global neonatal mortality. International neonatal networks, along with patient registries of premature infants, have contributed to improving the quality of neonatal care; however, the involvement of low-to-middle-income countries was limited. This project aims to form an international collaboration among neonatal networks in Asia (AsianNeo), including low-, middle- and high-income countries (or regions). Specifically, it aims to determine outcomes in sick newborn infants, especially very low birth weight (VLBW) infants or very preterm infants, with a view to improving the quality of care for such infants.Methods and analysisCurrently, AsianNeo comprises nine neonatal networks from Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand. AsianNeo will undertake the following four studies: (1) institutional questionnaire surveys investigating neonatal intensive care unit resources and the clinical management of sick newborn infants, with a focus on VLBW infants (nine countries/regions); (2) a retrospective cohort study to describe and compare the outcomes of VLBW infants among Asian countries and regions (four countries/regions); (3) a prospective cohort study to develop the AsianNeo registry of VLBW infants (six countries/regions); and (4) implementation and evaluation of educational and quality improvement projects in AsianNeo countries and regions (nine countries/regions).Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Board of the National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan (reference number 2020–244, 2022–156). The study findings will be disseminated through educational programmes, quality improvement activities, conference presentations and medical journal publications.

Streptomyces sp. strain BCNU 1001 was isolated from forest soil samples. Cultural, morphological, and physiological characteristics as well as 16S rDNA analysis revealed that the isolate, BCNU 1001, belonged to the genus Streptomyces. The antimicrobial activity of the ethyl acetate extract was confirmed using the broth microdilution technique. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the BCNU 1001 ethyl acetate extract was 0.25 mg/mL for Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 0.125 mg/mL for Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas fluorescens. The MIC of the BCNU 1001 ethyl acetate extract for Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was 0.5, 0.125, and 0.25 mg/mL, respectively. BCNU 1001 was also active against dermatophytic fungi such as Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. rubrum. Furthermore, BCNU 1001 was also found to be effective against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and its ethyl acetate extract showed MIC = 0.5 mg/mL against MRSA. The most abundant antimicrobial compound was identified as a 2-hydroxybenzyl alcohol through analysis utilizing a nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This compound was seen to be very effective against some kinds of bacteria and fungi.

The conservation status of Euchresta japonica Hook. f. ex Regel in Korea was investigated, with an emphasis on its genetic diversity. From field surveys, we obtained the only locality record for a wild population in Korea, which contained eight individuals. Genotyping was performed using nine microsatellite markers for all 20 remaining individuals, including those in ex situ collections. Among nine microsatellite loci that amplified within this group, five showed polymorphism with low hererozygosities, and a total of 12 multilocus genotypes were detected. Wild-specific alleles were detected in two individuals, and ex situ-specific alleles were detected in six individuals. Five individuals proved to have individual-specific alleles. The Korean population was also distinguished from the previously reported Japanese population by different alleles and higher diversity. To conserve this species more effectively in Korea, we recommend the following: (1) fencing the remaining wild population; (2) no relocation of wild individuals, as nine ex situ plants are already available; (3) complete ex situ conservation of all genetic diversity via clonal propagation of wild individuals; and (4) continuous protection and monitoring of the wild population.

Effective transformation procedure to facilitate molecular genetic studies of Streptomyces acidiscabies producing thaxtomin, which causes scab diseases in the economically important root and tuber crops was established via transconjugation from Escherichia coli ET12567 using an ØC31-derived integration vector, pSET152, harboring the oriT and attP fragments. Greatest number of exconjugants was achieved on MS medium containing 50 mM MgCl2 without heat treatment of spores and E. coli cells. Additionally, the integration site, attB, of the genome of S. acidiscabies exhibited the highest degree of homology with S. avermitilis and its chromosomal location was found to exist as a single attB site within an open reading frame coding for a pirin homolog similar to those identified in other actinomycetes.

To investigate the effects of PimM and PimR on the increase of natamycin production, exconjugants highly expressing pimM and pimR were constructed. Transcript amounts of pimM and pimR from the exconjugants for their over-expression were 2-fold higher than those of the control strain. Natamycin production of exconjugant for pimM also showed a 2.4-fold increase in liquid culture; however, no effect of pimR was observed. Therefore, promotion of pimM transcription only increases natamycin production.

Global regulator for secondary metabolism, AfsR, is phosphorylated by the serine/threonine kinase AfsK. Phosphorylation of AfsR activates the transcription of afsS, resulting in the increased production of secondary metabolites in Streptomyces strains. We isolated an afsR homologue regulatory gene from Streptomyces acidiscabies ATCC 49003, which produces thaxtomin A and WS5995B as secondary metabolites. To examine the function of afsR in the production of secondary metabolites in S. acidiscabies, an intact 2,976 bp open reading frame of afsR was identified and characterized. In S. lividans TK 24 strain, the exconjugant harboring afsR high expression vector, began to generate actinorhodin at 36 h of culture, and the amount of accumulated actinorhodin became 10-fold higher than that of the exconjugant harboring the vector lacking the afsR gene. To clarify the in vivo function of afsR, an afsR-disrupted mutant was constructed and analyzed. No morphological difference was observed between the wild-type strain and the afsR disruptant, but production of thaxtomin A and WS5995B of the afsR disruptant were significantly decreased compared to those of the wild-type strains. Specially, WS5995B production was almost abolished by the disruption of only the afsR gene. These changes were restored to the original wild-type phenotype by the introduction of the intact afsR gene into the afsR disruptant, suggesting that the afsR gene participates in the production of secondary metabolites of S. acidiscabies.

The microbial transglutaminase (TGase) gene, stgA, was cloned from Streptomyces platensis YK-2, which was newly isolated from a forest soil sample collected in Daegu, Korea. The gene was expressed in several Streptomyces strains including the original strain as the host. The stgA consisted of an open reading frame of 1,257 bp encoding a putative signal peptide of 29 amino acids, a pro-domain of 57 amino acids, and a mature TGase of 332 amino acids, and also had the putative active site of TGase, YGCVG. For expression of the stgA gene, a high expression vector was constructed via the insertion of the entire stgA gene including its putative ribosomal binding site into pSET152ET, located immediately downstream of a strong constitutive ermE* promoter, and was introduced into several Streptomyces strains. The successful high expression and secretion of the correct StgA from streptomycetes were confirmed by electrophoretic sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and N-terminal amino acid analysis.

Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques demonstrate promising potential for enhancing neural plasticity and motor recovery, yet their comparative effectiveness for improving postural control across neurologically impaired and intact populations requires systematic investigation. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of brain stimulation modalities on postural control, comparing outcomes between stroke survivors and neurologically intact adults through controlled trials. Systematic searches were conducted across major databases (CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science) for randomized controlled trials and crossover studies published from 2014 to 2024. Study quality was assessed using the Risk of Bias 2 tool, with treatment effects analyzed through standardized mean differences in a random-effects model. Analysis of 15 studies revealed significant overall effects of brain stimulation (SMD = 0.79, 95% CI 0.47–1.11), with notably stronger responses in stroke participants (SMD = 0.95) versus neurologically intact individuals (SMD = 0.39). Transcranial direct current stimulation showed particular efficacy in stroke rehabilitation (SMD = 1.79), while intermittent theta burst stimulation demonstrated moderate effects (SMD = 0.68). Primary motor cortex stimulation yielded optimal outcomes (SMD = 1.21), followed by cerebellar (SMD = 0.75) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex interventions (SMD = 0.35). These findings reveal differential response patterns between populations and stimulation parameters, suggesting enhanced neuroplastic potential in stroke survivors. This evidence supports the development of targeted neuromodulatory approaches for rehabilitation and performance enhancement.