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This study examines three family therapy cases of adolescents bullying victims in South Korea. We explored factors related to the onset of bullying victimization, family factors, intervention, and therapy outcome. Findings are as follows. First, the onset-related factors included hygiene issues and hostile teachers. Second, family factors were prenatal stressors, lack of affection, communication patterns, parenting practices, and transference. Third, interventions included promoting insight and coaching communication styles. Fourth, families showed cognitive and behavioral changes. Fifth, adolescents better adjusted to school. Findings suggest therapists counseling bullying victims explore family factors and help initiate changes in communication and parenting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human‐assisted movement has allowed the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB, Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky)) to spread beyond its native range and become a globally regulated invasive pest. Within its native range of China and the Korean peninsula, human‐mediated dispersal has also caused cryptic translocation of insects, resulting in population structure complexity. Previous studies used genetic methods to detangle this complexity but were unable to clearly delimit native populations which is needed to develop downstream biosurveillance tools. We used genome‐wide markers to define historical population structure in native ALB populations and contemporary movement between regions. We used genotyping‐by‐sequencing to generate 6102 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and amplicon sequencing to genotype 53 microsatellites. In total, we genotyped 712 individuals from ALB's native distribution. We observed six distinct population clusters among native ALB populations, with a clear delineation between northern and southern groups. Most of the individuals from South Korea were distinct from populations in China. Our results also indicate historical divergence among populations and suggest limited large‐scale admixture, but we did identify a restricted number of cases of contemporary movement between regions. We identified SNPs under selection and describe a clinal allele frequency pattern in a missense variant associated with glycerol kinase, an important enzyme in the utilization of an insect cryoprotectant. We further demonstrate that small numbers of SNPs can assign individuals to geographic regions with high probability, paving the way for novel ALB biosurveillance tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the prevalence of delinquency during adolescence and the influence of culture on parenting behaviors and adolescent outcomes, few studies have examined the association between parental warmth and adolescent delinquency cross-culturally. Thus, this study sought to identify cultural differences in the levels of delinquency and their associations with parental warmth. First, the levels of delinquency and the protective effect of parental warmth on delinquency were examined using a U.S. sample from the Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Next, the same two research questions were investigated using a Korean sample from the Korean Youth Panel Survey (KYPS). Finally, differences in such associations were examined between the samples from the U.S. and South Korea. The findings from the independent sample t-test revealed that the levels of delinquency were lower for Korean adolescents than American adolescents. The results from multiple regression also demonstrated the protective effect of parental warmth on delinquency for American adolescents. Further, parental warmth by country interaction suggested that the protective effect of parental warmth was statistically stronger for American adolescents than Korean adolescents. Implications of the findings suggested cultural differences in perceptions of parental warmth and its role in reducing adolescent delinquency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first study to compare the prevalence and predictors of problematic online gaming among middle and high school students in China and South Korea. Specifically, this study seeks to cross-culturally compare the impact gaming time, game genre, leisure environment, parental attachment, parental mediation and relationships with significant others have on ’psychosocially problematic gaming’ (PPG). In total, 3,109 students residing in five major cities in China and South Korea were sampled. Overall, more than twice as many Chinese respondents (30.4% vs. 11.4%) were found to be psychosocially problematic gamers (PPGers). In both countries, more males than females are PPGers. Few differences were found regarding preferences for game genre. Students in both China and Korea liked MMORPG, Sports/Racing, and Shooting games. In both countries, game playing time and game use after midnight were found to be important predictors of psychosocially problematic gaming. With regard to game genres, MMORPG games for South Korean respondents and Action games for Chinese respondents increased the likelihood of psychosocially problematic gaming. However, the leisure environment had little effect. As expected, parental attachment and mediation affected psychosocially problematic gaming among Chinese students but, surprisingly, not among South Korean students. Nevertheless, prosocial bonds with parents, friends, and teachers did significant protect against psychosocially problematic gaming in both countries. Based on these findings various prevention measures are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between parental warmth and adolescent delinquency, the potential mediating roles of adolescent disclosure and parental knowledge, and gender differences in such association among Korean adolescents. We hypothesized that (1) parental warmth would be significantly and negatively associated with delinquency, (2) adolescent disclosure and parental knowledge would mediate the association between parental warmth and adolescent delinquency, and (3) the association between parental warmth and adolescent delinquency mediated through adolescent disclosure and parental knowledge would be stronger for adolescent girls than boys. Using a sample of 3125 Korean adolescents from nationally representative and longitudinal data (Korea Youth Panel Survey), results from path analyses demonstrated that findings were consistent with US samples, suggesting a negative association between parental warmth and adolescent delinquency. Further, when Korean adolescents perceived parents to be warmer, they were more likely to disclose personal information to their parents. In turn, higher levels of disclosure were associated with higher levels of parental knowledge about their adolescent children's activities. Finally, tests of gender differences suggested that parental warmth was more closely associated with adolescent disclosure among girls than boys. Results supported a process model through which parents may shape adolescent children's delinquency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this population-based study were to investigate the potential association between bone mineral density (BMD) and serum lipid profiles and to compare the effects of serum lipids on BMD at various skeletal sites in pre- and post-menopausal women. In July and August of 2004, BMD was measured at a variety of skeletal sites [lumbar spine (L1–4), femoral neck, trochanter, Ward’s triangle, shaft and proximal total hip] using the GE/Bravo Lunar DPX dual-energy X-ray absorptiometer in a South Korean population-based sample of 375 pre-menopausal and 355 post-menopausal rural women aged 19–80 years. The levels of serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were inversely associated with BMD in both pre- and post-menopausal women. In the pre-menopausal women, correlations were shown only for lumbar 1–4 (TC: r =−0.12, P <0.05; LDL-C: r =−0.12, P <0.05), whereas in the post-menopausal women, no correlation was evident for the lumbar sites. In the post-menopausal subjects, the TC levels showed significant correlations with the BMD values at the trochanter ( r =−0.15, P <0.01), shaft ( r =−0.16, P <0.001) and proximal total hip ( r =−0.15, P <0.01) sites, while the LDL-C levels showed significant correlations with the BMD values at the neck ( r =−0.13, P <0.05), trochanter ( r =−0.21, P <0.001), shaft ( r =−0.20, P <0.001) and proximal total hip ( r =−0.20, P <0.001) sites. The levels of triglyceride (TG) were shown to have a significant positive correlation with BMD values at the trochanter site ( r =0.11, P =0.05) in the post-menopausal women; by contrast, subjects in a higher quartile of TG levels show lower lumbar BMD values in the pre-menopausal women. The levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were not associated with BMD values at any of the sites in the pre- and post-menopausal subjects. Our data indicate a relationship between BMD values and serum lipid levels and suggest differences between pre- and post-menopausal women in terms of the effects of serum lipids on BMD at various skeletal sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land surface temperature (LST) plays a crucial role in characterizing land surface processes and the energy balance. Accurate monitoring of spatial–temporal variations in LST holds great significance for global and regional climate change research. However, with the increasing of multi-source remote sensing data, it has become a challenging task to construct an LST model that reduces dependence on auxiliary data (such as land surface emissivity (LSE) and atmospheric water vapor content (WVC) synchronized with satellite observations. This study proposed an LST retrieval model based on random forest model (RFLSTR). The results of 10-fold cross-validation showed that the RFLSTR model had high modelling accuracy, the root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) were lower than 2 K. Landsat 8 images from the Beijing area and South Korea, were utilized to assess the spatial–temporal migration performance of the RFLSTR model. Additionally, Landsat 9 images from South Korea were employed to analyse the sensor migration performance of the RFLSTR model. In conclusion, the findings highlight that the proposed RFLSTR model achieve high retrieval accuracy without relying on auxiliary data (such as LSE and WVC) synchronized with satellite observations. Moreover, the RFLSTR model exhibits robust spatial–temporal capabilities, enhancing the efficiency of LST retrieval and facilitating the utilization of satellite data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of depression has been steadily rising in recent years, making it one of the most prevalent mental illnesses. As the pursuit of novel antidepressant drugs captivates the pharmaceutical field, the therapeutic efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been widely explored. Chaihu (Bupleurum) has been traditionally used for liver conditions such as hepatitis, liver inflammation, liver fibrosis, and liver cancer. It is believed to have hepatoprotective effects, promoting liver cell regeneration and protecting against liver damage. In addition, Bupleurum has also been used as a Jie Yu (depression-relieving) medicine in China, Japan, Republic of Korea, and other Asian countries for centuries. This review article aims to summarize the research conducted on the antidepressant properties and mechanisms of Bupleurum, as well as discuss the potential of TCM formulas containing Bupleurum. This review highlights various antidepressant ingredients isolated from Bupleurum, including saikosaponin A, saikosaponin D, rutin, puerarin, and quercetin, each with distinct mechanisms of action. Additionally, Chinese herb prescriptions and extracts containing Bupleurum, such as Chaihu Shugansan, Xiaoyaosan, and Sinisan, are also included due to their demonstrated antidepressant effects. This review reveals that these Bupleurum compounds exhibit antidepressant effects through the regulation of neurotransmitter mechanisms (such as 5-HT and DA), the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) system, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and other intracellular signaling pathways. Collectively, this comprehensive review provides insights into the multiple applications of Bupleurum in the treatment of depression and highlights its potential as an alternative or complementary approach to traditional therapies. However, it is essential to consider the potential adverse effects and clinical restrictions of Bupleurum despite its promising potential. Further research is needed to elucidate its specific mechanisms of action and evaluate its effectiveness in human subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every member of the ecological community is connected via a network of vital and complex relationships, called the web of life. To elucidate the ecological network and interactions among producers, consumers, and decomposers in the Daechung Reservoir, Korea, during cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHAB), especially those involving Microcystis , we investigated the diversity and compositions of the cyanobacterial (16S rRNA gene), including the genotypes of Microcystis (cpcBA -IGS gene), non-cyanobacterial (16S), and eukaryotic (18S) communities through high-throughput sequencing. Microcystis blooms were divided into the Summer Major Bloom and Autumn Minor Bloom with different dominant genotypes of Microcystis. Network analysis demonstrated that the modules involved in the different phases of the Microcystis blooms were categorized into the Pre-Bloom, Bloom, Post-Bloom, and Non-Bloom Groups at all sampling stations. In addition, the non-cyanobacterial components of each Group were classified, while the same Group showed similarity across all stations, suggesting that Microcystis and other microbes were highly interdependent and organized into cyanoHAB-related module units. Importantly, the Microcystis genotype-based sub-network uncovered that Pirellula, Pseudanabaena, and Vampirovibrionales preferred to interact with specific Microcystis genotypes in the Summer Major Bloom than with other genotypes in the Autumn Minor Bloom, while the copepod Skistodiaptomus exhibited the opposite pattern. In conclusion, the transition patterns of cyanoHAB-related modules and their key components could be crucial in the succession of Microcystis genotypes and to enhance the understanding of microbial ecology in an aquatic environment. Image 1 • Microcystis blooms were divided into summer/autumn blooms with different genotypes. • Microcystis and microbes were highly interdependent and organized into module units. • Pre-Bloom, Bloom, and Post-Bloom Groups were related to the rise and fall of bloom. • Microcystis genotypes interacted with distinct microbes between Summer and Autumn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• H 2 O 2 poses a great risk of chemical accidents and is widely used in industry. • Exposure to high H 2 O 2 concentrations was fatal to the crop plant. • Plants however recovered from exposure to low–moderate H 2 O 2 concentrations. • Recovery was aided by an increase in plant antioxidant content. Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) is a strong oxidizer and bleaching agent included in the list of substances requiring accident preparedness by the National Chemical Information System, Korea. Although chemical accidents related to H 2 O 2 frequently occur globally, few studies have evaluated its toxicity and risk to soil ecosystems. Herein, accidental exposure to H 2 O 2 was simulated in a microcosm including crop plant mung bean (Vigna radiata), and its long-term effects on photosynthetic activities and polyphenolic compounds were measured. Plants were evaluated based on the concentration and amount of H 2 O 2 exposure, distance from H 2 O 2 source, and duration post exposure. Plants exposed to high concentrations and large amounts of H 2 O 2 at a close distance were most damaged; their photosynthetic activities and polyphenolic compound levels significantly decreased compared to the controls. H 2 O 2 consistently damaged plants and affected their activities, but plants with minor damage recovered their photosynthetic activities and polyphenolic compound levels. Additionally, moderate oxidative stress from H 2 O 2 exposure induced the synthesis of polyphenolic antioxidants including flavonol and anthocyanin. Thus, we suggest that flavonol and anthocyanin levels are the most sensitive indicators of adverse effects of H 2 O 2 exposure in V. radiata. Our results highlight the risk of H 2 O 2 and serve as a reference for chemical accidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the most challenging tasks in wildlife conservation and management is clarifying which and how external and intrinsic factors influence wildlife demography and long-term viability. The wild population of the Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon) has recovered to approximately 4400, and several reintroduction programs have been carried out in China, Japan and Korea. Population viability analysis on this endangered species has been limited to the wild population, showing that the long-term population growth is restricted by the carrying capacity and inbreeding. However, gaps in knowledge of the viability of the reintroduced population and its drivers in the release environment impede the identification of the most effective population-level priorities for aiding in species recovery. Methods: The field monitoring data were collected from a reintroduced Crested Ibis population in Ningshan, China from 2007 to 2018. An individual-based VORTEX model (Version 10.3.5.0) was used to predict the future viability of the reintroduced population by incorporating adaptive patterns of ibis movement in relation to catastrophe frequency, mortality and sex ratio. Results: The reintroduced population in Ningshan County is unlikely to go extinct in the next 50 years. The population size was estimated to be 367, and the population genetic diversity was estimated to be 0.97. Sensitivity analysis showed that population size and extinction probability were dependent on the carrying capacity and sex ratio. The carrying capacity is the main factor accounting for the population size and genetic diversity, while the sex ratio is the primary factor responsible for the population growth trend. Conclusions: A viable population of the Crested Ibis can be established according to population viability analysis. Based on our results, conservation management should prioritize a balanced sex ratio, high-quality habitat and low mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strata from the Ryukyu Islands provide an important source of data for the study of the provenance patterns, sedimentary and tectonic evolution of the East China Sea Shelf Basin (ECSSB). This research uses petrologic, mineralogical and geochronological analysis to investigate the Upper Cretaceous–Miocene strata of the central and southern Ryukyu Islands. The results show that both these locations experienced a shift in their sediment provenance and characteristics over time. In central Ryukyu, the Upper Cretaceous sediments show multiple peaks for zircon ages from the Mesozoic to the Archean. However, the Eocene sediments indicate a single source, because the zircon ages have a narrow distribution focused on 110 Ma, during the Late Yanshanian orogeny. This probably indicates that the provenance shifted, from mixed deposition of near-source Permian–Early Jurassic basement and long-distance transportation of old material from the North China Block and Korea in the Late Cretaceous, to limited near-source in situ deposition in the Eocene. This change could be the result of blocking of sediment transport, by an uplift that developed at the edge of the continental margin. In southern Ryukyu, the Eocene sedimentary rock was mainly from Mesozoic sources, while the Miocene sedimentary rock has multiple peaks for zircon ages. These areas may have experienced a single provenance source of Mesozoic island arc magmatic rocks in the Eocene, and then received more Proterozoic and Archean continental crustal material from the South China Block to the west and ECSSB to the north. This change indicates an expansion of the provenance area, due to the post-rifting subsidence after the expansion of south ECSSB and South China Sea. • Petrology, mineralogy and geochronology of central and south Ryukyu sandstone samples are studied. • The provenance changed greatly both in south and central Ryukyu areas from the Late Cretaceous to the Miocene. • Uplift in the East China Sea during the early Cenozoic may have played an important role for provenance shifts in the central Ryukyu region. • Thermal subsidence after rifting might have caused the provenance shifts of southern Ryukyu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A carbon flux model, the vegetation integrated simulator for trace gases, was employed to estimate the carbon budgets of vegetation ecosystems in South Korea. The geographic information system was used to prepare the input variables for the model, such as climate, soil, and land-cover data, from reliable national inventories. Model simulation results indicated that the annual average gross primary production, net primary production, and soil respiration (SR) for 10 years were 91.89, 40.16, and 62.91 Tg C year −1, respectively. The model also estimated a net ecosystem production with a value of 3.51 Tg C year −1 between 1999 and 2008. Such results indicate that the vegetation ecosystems of South Korea offset 3.3 % of anthropogenic emissions as a net carbon sink. Latitudinal and topographical gradients over the total simulation area were found for all estimates. In addition, the estimates varied between seasons and years, especially in estimates for biomass growth and carbon uptake, because of variations in the weather conditions. Finally, model validation was conducted using measured soil efflux and flux measurement data from the Gwangneung experimental forest (GEF). The estimated SR accounted for 81.6 % of the observed SR at the GEF site ( P < 0.005). Further, the model accounted well for the observed phase and amplitude of changes in the summer and autumn seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A new strain of human H1N1 influenza A viruses was broken out in the April 2009 and caused worldwide pandemic emergency. The present study is trying to estimate a temporal reassortment history of 2009 H1N1 viruses by phylogenetic analysis based on a total 394 sequences of H1N1viruses isolated from swine, human and avian. Results: Phylogenetic trees of eight gene segments showed that viruses sampled from human formed a well-supported clade, whereas swine and avian lineages were intermixed together. A new divergence swine sublineage containing gene segments of 2009 H1N1 viruses was characterized, which were closely related with swine viruses collected from USA and South Korea during 2004 to 2007 in six segments (PB2, PB1, PA, HA, NP and NS), and to swine viruses isolated from Thailand during 2004 to 2005 in NA and M. Substitution rates were varied drastically among eight segments and the average substitution rate was generally higher in 2009 H1N1 than in swine and human viruses (F2,23 = 5.972, P < 0.01). Similarly, higher dN/dS substitution ratios were identified in 2009 H1N1 than in swine and human viruses except M2 gene (F2, 25 = 3.779, P < 0.05). The ages of 2009 H1N1 viruses were estimated around 0.1 to 0.5 year, while their common ancestors with closest related swine viruses existed between 9.3 and 17.37 years ago. Conclusion: Our results implied that at least four reassortments or transmissions probably occurred before 2009 H1N1 viruses. Initial reassortment arose in 1976 and avian-like Eurasian swine viruses emerged. The second transmission happened in Asia and North America between 1988 and 1992, and mostly influenced six segments (PB2, PB1, PA, HA, NP and NS). The third reassortment occurred between North American swine and avian viruses during 1998 to 2000, which involved PB2 and PA segments. Recent reassortments occurred among avian-to-swine reassortant, Eurasian and classical swine viruses during 2004 to 2005. South Korea, Thailand and USA, were identified as locations where reassortments most likely happened. The co-circulation of multiple swine sublineages and special lifestyle in Asia might have facilitated mixing of diverse influenza viruses, leading to generate a novel virus strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: HLA association fine‐mapping studies have shown the effects of missense variants in HLA–DRB1 on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) susceptibility, prognosis, and autoantibody production. However, the phenotypic effects of expression changes in HLA–DRB1 remain poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated the allele‐specific expression of HLA–DRB1 and its effect on an HLA–DRβ1 structure–associated trait in RA. Methods: We quantified the allele‐specific expression of each HLA–DRB1 3‐field classic allele in 48 Korean RA patients with anti–citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) and 319 healthy European subjects by using both RNA sequencing and HLA–DRB1 genotype data to calculate the relative expression strength of multiple HLA–DRB1 alleles (n = 14 in Koreans and n = 25 in Europeans) in each population. The known association between ACPA level and alanine at position 74 of HLA–DRβ1 in ACPA‐positive RA was revisited to understand the phenotypic effect of allele‐specific expression of HLA–DRB1 by modeling multivariate logistic regression with the genomic dosage or relative expression dosage of Ala‐74 in 2 independent sets of 1,723 Korean RA patients with ACPA. Results: The relative expression strength was highly allele‐specific, causing imbalanced allelic expression in HLA–DRB1 heterozygotes. The association between HLA‐DRβ1 Ala‐74 and ACPA level in RA was better explained by relative expression dosage of Ala‐74 than by the genomic dosage (change in Akaike's information criterion = −6.98). Moreover, the expression variance of Ala‐74 in Ala‐74 heterozygotes with no genomic variance of Ala‐74 was significantly associated with ACPA level (P = 2.26 × 10−3). Conclusion: Our findings illustrate the advantage of integrating quantitative and qualitative changes in HLA–DRB1 into a single model for understanding HLA–DRB1 associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) remains a threat to public health worldwide; however, effective vaccine or drug against CoVs remains unavailable. CoV helicase is one of the three evolutionary most conserved proteins in nidoviruses, thus making it an important target for drug development. We report here the first structure of full-length coronavirus helicase, MERS-CoV nsp13. MERS-CoV helicase has multiple domains, including an N-terminal Cys/His rich domain (CH) with three zinc atoms, a beta-barrel domain and a C-terminal SF1 helicase core with two RecA-like subdomains. Our structural analyses show that while the domain organization of nsp13 is conserved throughout nidoviruses, the individual domains of nsp13 are closely related to the equivalent eukaryotic domains of Upf1 helicases. The most distinctive feature differentiating CoV helicases from eukaryotic Upf1 helicases is the interaction between CH domain and helicase core. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite an increase of refugee children in Korea, there is a dearth of empirical study on their school adjustment. The purpose of this study is to examine group differences in the level of school adjustment by sex, school level, Korean language proficiency, having a nationality, refugee status, and discrimination experience, and to test a mediating role of perceived social support between depression and school adjustment. We recruited 65 refugee children via purposive and snowball sampling methods, and conducted face-to-face survey for younger children and a self-administered survey for older children from July to October 2017. We found group differences in school adjustment according to having a nationality, refugee status, and discrimination experience. We also found a full mediating effect of social support in the relationship between depression and school adjustment. Based on the results, we discussed ways in which the Korean school system and social-work service agencies need to help refugee children increase their adaptability in schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]