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• This study applied a logistic growth model with parameters estimated by a non-linear least squares (NLS) method to daily new COVID-19 cases. • The model fitted time-series data exceedingly well for the whole of China, eleven selected Chinese provinces and municipalities, South Korea and Iran. • This study provided key estimates and a 95% confidence interval for parameters K , r, and P 0. • This study found that the growth rates of outbreaks differed between provinces in China and between South Korea and Iran. • As of March 13, 2020, this study's model suggested that countries such as the U.S.A., France, Italy, and Spain were still in the early stages of outbreaks. As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to proliferate globally, this paper shares the findings of modelling the outbreak in China at both provincial and national levels. This paper examines the applicability of the logistic growth model, with implications for the study of the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious diseases. An NLS (Non-Linear Least Squares) method was employed to estimate the parameters of a differentiated logistic growth function using new daily COVID-19 cases in multiple regions in China and in other selected countries. The estimation was based upon training data from January 20, 2020 to March 13, 2020. A restriction test was subsequently implemented to examine whether a designated parameter was identical among regions or countries, and the diagnosis of residuals was also conducted. The model's goodness of fit was checked using testing data from March 14, 2020 to April 18, 2020. The model presented in this paper fitted time-series data exceedingly well for the whole of China, its eleven selected provinces and municipalities, and two other countries - South Korea and Iran - and provided estimates of key parameters. This study rejected the null hypothesis that the growth rates of outbreaks were the same among ten selected non-Hubei provinces in China, as well as between South Korea and Iran. The study found that the model did not provide reliable estimates for countries that were in the early stages of outbreaks. Furthermore, this study concured that the R 2 values might vary and mislead when compared between different portions of the same non-linear curve. In addition, the study identified the existence of heteroskedasticity and positive serial correlation within residuals in some provinces and countries. The findings suggest that there is potential for this model to contribute to better public health policy in combatting COVID-19. The model does so by providing a simple logistic framework for retrospectively analyzing outbreaks in regions that have already experienced a maximal proliferation in cases. Based upon statistical findings, this study also outlines certain challenges in modelling and their implications for the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angelica gigas Nakai (A. gigas) is used as a traditional medicine in Korea and China. The root of A. gigas is most commonly prepared by decocting with water, and is used as a blood tonic, for the treatment of gynecological diseases, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and laxative. Thus, this paper presents a detailed review of the phytochemistry, botanical origin and pharmacological activities of A. gigas. Eleven monocoumarins, ten furocoumarins, eleven pyranocoumarins, nine volatile oils, nine flavonoids and six other constituents of A. gigas were summarized and discussed. The major chemical constituents of A. gigas , decursin and decursinol angelate, have also been detailed for their anti-inflammatory, anticancer, analgesic and sedative effects. This review aims to provide a reference for the future development and use of A. gigas. • The phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Angelica gigas Nakai were reviewed. • Fifty-six compounds from A. gigas were classified, and discussed. • Decursin, decursinol angelate, and decursinol are the main components. • The pharmacological effects of decursin and decursinol angelate were summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Instant messaging applications store users' personal data (e.g., user profile, chat messages, photos and video clips). Because those data typically include privacy sensitive information, most instant messaging applications are trying to protect the stored data in an encrypted form so that the authorized messaging application itself can only access the data. In this paper, we analyzed the locations and file formats of personal data files in three instant messaging applications (KakaoTalk, NateOn, and QQ) which are the most popularly used in China and South Korea. We particularly examined the encryption and decryption procedures for internal databases in those messaging applications through reverse-engineering. Our analysis results demonstrate how the database files of those instant messaging applications are stored and encrypted. Moreover, in the cases of KakaoTalk and NateOn applications, we found that their encrypted database files can successfully be recovered without requiring user password. We also found that QQ messenger stores the encryption key for the database files into an external server. This implementation may raise another privacy concern because users' personal data can be freely accessed by the service provider without user consent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Abstract Although using solar power rather than fossil fuel to generate electricity can greatly reduce carbon emissions, the production of photovoltaic (PV) products consumes a considerable amount of energy and causes substantial emissions. Thus, the environmental benefits of importers and exporters through the PV international trade are imbalanced. Countries that import PV products benefit from PV power generation, while countries that export PV products suffer the costs of energy consumption and carbon emissions during production. Such imbalance makes it difficult to calculate a country's contribution to emission reduction of the world and its trade partners. This paper describes a method to calculate the contribution of a country's international PV trade to emission reduction of the world and its trade partners based on the PV industrial chain, using international trade data from 2008, 2012 and 2016, taking China as an example. As the results show, the contribution of China's international PV trade to worldwide emission reduction is over 1000 kilotons of CO 2 each year and reached nearly 13,000 kilotons in 2016. India and the Netherlands benefit from trade with China, while Malaysia and the Republic of Korea bear the costs of emission transfer from China every year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to offshore fishing, high sea fishing has become another important supply channel for seafood. The pelagic catches of China, Japan, and Korea (CJK) account for 60% of the global total, and an analysis of their activities adds essential clarity regarding global fishery resources. This paper develops a framework for analyzing the activities of HSF vessels based on satellite AIS data from 2019, which is used to study the spatial-temporal characteristics of the lengths, speeds, trajectories, and trajectory densities of HSF vessels, the numbers of active vessels, and their average fishing times. The analysis results show that: 1) Chinese HSF vessels are mostly small, relative to Japanese and Korean ships; 2) The speed of Japanese HSF vessels is consistently the highest; 3) All HSF vessels mainly fish in the Northwest Pacific, Western Central Pacific, Eastern Central Pacific, Southeast Pacific, Eastern Central Atlantic, Southeast Atlantic, and Western Indian Oceans; 4) The trajectory distribution of Chinese and Japanese vessels are similar, and both are more widely distributed than Korean vessels; 5) Chinese and Korean HSF vessels mostly enter the Atlantic through the Drake Passage, while Japanese ships mostly enter through the Panama Canal; 6) Chinese HSF vessels fish in Antarctic fisheries all year, while Korean ships aim to fish in Antarctic fisheries in the Spring, Summer, and Winter; 7) China has the largest number of HSF vessels in all fisheries, but their average fishing time is the shortest; 8) The average fishing time of all HSF vessels in Spring and Summer is short, increases during the Autumn, and continues to rise in some fisheries during Winter. This study is not only of great significance for the management and conservation of marine resources, but is also a valuable reference for the promotion of international cooperation in safeguarding marine fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Artemisia asiatica Nakai (Compositae) has a long history as a traditional remedy. Preparation from various parts of the plant (aerial parts and leaves) are used to treat a wide range of diseases including gastric trouble, liver dysfunction, and skin inflammation. Aims of this review The aims of this review were: 1) to provide an overview of recent studies and progress on A. asiatica -derived ethnopharmacological compounds and their pharmacological activities; and 2) to summarize existing evidence and provide insight for future studies. Materials and methods This investigation was carried out by analyzing published books and research papers via scientific databases, namely Science Direct, PubMed ACS Publication, Wiley Online Library, CNKI and information obtained online. The keywords “ Artemisia asiatica traditional uses,” “Compounds isolated and studied in Artemisia asiatica, ” and “Pharmacological advances in Artemisia asiatica ” were used and articles published between 1995 and 2017 were considered. In total, 500 works related to biological activities of A. asiatica were identified, and only materials published in English were included in the review. Results Comparative analysis of literature searched through sources available confirmed that the ethnopharmacological use of A. asiatica was recorded in Korea, China, and Japan. Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, monoterpenes, and steroids in A. asiatica . Of these, flavonoids have been shown to exhibit significant pharmacological effects such as gastroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-microbial actions. Conclusions Phytochemical and pharmacological studies of Artemisia asiatica have proven that this plant is one of valuable medicinal sources with neuroprotective, gastroprotective, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. Although ethanol extract of this plant is now being prescribed as gastroprotective and anti-ulcerative medicine, it is now time to expand its application to other human inflammatory diseases such as pancreatitis and hepatitis and further extensive study on toxicity in human. Therefore, the present review will encourage further studies of A. asiatica in the pursuit of wide range of therapeutic remedy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methamphetamine (MA) abuse continues in East Asia and shows an increasing trend among youths in South Korea, Japan, and China. Although the negative effects of MA abuse on youth are considered as significant problems, few studies have been conducted on the topic in these countries. This paper focuses on the effects of MA on the human body and current MA abuse among youths in South Korea, Japan, and China. To investigate the negative effects of MA on the human body, we searched the keywords "MA," "human," and "effect" for studies published from 2013 to 2017. MA activates the neurotransmitter system and the central nervous system, and when used at high dosage or for long term, MA can cause severe neurotoxicity and cardiovascular problems. Online networks contribute to MA abuse by sharing methods for preparing synthetic MA. Despite efforts to reduce MA abuse, social crimes associated with its abuse continue and numbers of illegal MA users are increasing steadily in Korea, Japan, and China. In young users, diverse factors associated with drug addiction, such as curiosity and peer effect, lead to MA abuse and its attendant personal and social problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: Asian countries are currently witnessing unprecedented increase in physical inactivity and subsequent negative health outcomes; however, few cross-country studies documenting this trend exist. This paper presents the findings of a nationally representative sample, based on the East Asian Social Survey in 2011. The study sought to examine the association of social identity factors, such as objective socio-economic position, perceived social status and neighborhood quality with physical inactivity, while controlling for psychosocial and physical health. A sample of 5222 adults living in urban areas across China, Taiwan, and South Korea were surveyed.Methods: Multivariate nested logistic regressions were constructed.Results: Perceived social status was positively associated with physical activity. Gender difference in physical activity was significant, and this difference widened as educational levels increased. Class division in physical activity was also found. Perceived physical and social features of neighborhood such as suitability for walking and jogging, air quality, and help from neighbors were to different degrees associated with physical inactivity.Conclusion: Gender, marital status, education and perceived social status were common factors associated with physical inactivity in East Asian countries. Perceived urban neighborhood quality is particularly important for Chinese people to stay physically active. Cultural-behavioral norms for physical activity associated with gender and social status call for more studies on cultural perspective for health behaviors in cross-cultural contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the frequent coastal activities of human beings, tens of thousands of tons of floating marine plastics pose a serious threat to marine ecosystems and human survival. This paper studies the feasibility of regional marine plastic garbage management, taking the Northwest Pacific as the research object. According to the Cobb-Douglas utility function of the costs and benefits of plastic processing in China, Japan and South Korea, the Shapley value method was used to analyze it. The study found that the data were substituted into the Shapley value model of cooperative game for calculation, and the results showed that any country joining the triple alliance U would create greater benefits, and obtain higher benefits than the sub alliance. It is a triple win situation for China, Japan and the South Korea to jointly manage marine plastic in the Northwest Pacific. The results of the model confirm that the three countries are willing to maintain long-term cooperation on marine plastic governance, this method can be used to solve the trans-national marine governance innovatively and promote regional ocean cooperation governance. At the same time, by comparing the Northwest Pacific Plan with other action plans, China, Japan and South Korea should abandon political controversy, seeking common ground while putting aside differences, to cooperate fully to curb the growing trend of plastic waste problem in the Northwest Pacific, and contribute to the sustainable development of regional marine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper tested the relation among macroeconomic variables such as economic growth, current account balance, energy imports and non-economic variable as militarization for the selected countries by employing Markov Switching-Bayesian Vector Auto Regressive approach for China, Israel and South Korea. These countries have high rate of export and import of weapons, the current account surplus, and higher rate of energy imports. The results showed that the relation between the selected variables differs in these countries with respect to their energy and weapon import levels. According to Markov-Switching Bayesian Granger Causality results, if the governments determine the polices in the context of the results of the traditional causality test, it will be impossible to obtain the estimated impacts from the policies. Results determined that Militarization, energy imports, economic growth and current account balance relate to each other for all countries. Energy imports increase in the effect of militarization races and economic growth. The current account of the selected countries are vulnerable to the negative energy shocks and militarization. • Markov-Switching Bayesian Granger Causality test and traditional Granger causality test were applied. • Militarization, energy imports, economic growth and current account balance relate to each other. • Energy imports increase in the effect of militarization races and economic growth. • The current account balances are vulnerable to the negative energy shocks and militarization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve PM 2.5 predictions in Northeast Asia, we estimated a new background error covariance matrix (BEC) for aerosol data assimilation using surface PM 2.5 observations. In contrast to the conventional method of BEC estimation that uses perturbations in meteorological data, this method additionally considered the perturbations using two different emission inventories. By taking the emission uncertainty into account, we found that the standard deviations in the BEC were significantly increased. The standard deviations became around three times larger than those in the conventional method at the surface. The impacts of the new BEC were then tested for the prediction of surface PM 2.5 over Northeast Asia using the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model initialized by three-dimensional variational method (3D-VAR). The surface PM 2.5 data measured at 154 sites in South Korea and 1535 sites in China were assimilated every 6 h during the campaign period of the Korea-United States Air Quality Study (KORUS-AQ) (1 May–14 June 2016). The data assimilation with the new BEC showed better agreement with the surface PM 2.5 observations than with the BEC from the conventional method. Our method was also more consistent with the observations in 24-h PM 2.5 predictions than the conventional method (specifically, with a ∼44% reduction of negative biases). We concluded that increased standard deviations, together with updated horizontal and vertical length scales in the new BEC, improved the data assimilation and short-term predictions of the surface PM 2.5. This paper also suggests several research efforts to further improve the BEC for better short-term PM 2.5 predictions in Northeast Asia. [Display omitted] • A new background error covariance (BEC) for PM 2.5 predictions was developed. • The new BEC considers the uncertainties in anthropogenic emissions. • Two different emission inventories were used to account for the uncertainty. • 24-h PM 2.5 predictions were improved with ∼44% fewer negative biases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, we investigate the cross-correlations between the stock market in China and markets in Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong. We use not only the qualitative analysis of the cross-correlation test, but also the quantitative analysis of the MF-X-DFA. Our findings confirm the existence of cross-correlations between the stock market in China and markets in Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong, which have strongly multifractal features. We find that the cross-correlations display the characteristic of multifractality in the short term. Moreover, the cross-correlations of small fluctuations are persistent and those of large fluctuations are anti-persistent in the short term, while the cross-correlations of all kinds of fluctuations are persistent in the long term. Furthermore, based on the multifractal spectrum, we also find that the multifractality of cross-correlation between stock markets in China and Japan are stronger than those between China and South Korea, as well as between China and Hong Kong. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Economic contribution rate of education (ECRE) is the key factor of education economics. This article selected China, South Korea, United States and other countries for a total of 15 samples, and put the data of the same period under the framework of soft computing, to simulate the production chain of “education–potential human capital–actual human capital–economic growth”. The basic idea is: Firstly, 15 countries are softly categorized according to the level of science and technology (S&T) progress. Secondly, potential human capital and actual human capital establish the internal correlation (fuzzy mapping) in the same classification, and we conceptualize actual human capital as one production factor, joined with the other two production factors, fixed asset and land, to set up the fuzzy mapping to economic growth., and then calculate economic contribution rate of education of China and foreign by two fuzzy mapping of them. Thirdly, this paper analyzes the present state and differences in the development of education between China and foreign according to different ECRE, and offers proposals for promoting the education in China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Domestic infrastructural information and communication technology (ICT) standards can be items of assertion for newly industrialised countries as they signal a capacity for breaking dependence on foreign technology and potentially drawing revenue from international export. This paper asks, with an in-depth study of a selection of recent South Korean and Chinese infrastructural ICT standards, to what degree it is warranted to correlate the production of standards with dependency-breaking technological capacity. A composite picture is found. On one side, a large portion of promoted domestic standards are creative imitations of foreign technologies with limited, if any, proportions of embedded domestic patents. This indicates a lack of capacity for challenging technological dependence. On the other side, several of the technologies studied signal emerging South Korean and Chinese capacity for embedding cutting-edge patents in infrastructural ICT standards when participating in global standardisation consortiums. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Yue et al. (2021) have proposed a model of two Upper Palaeolithic industries in Northeast China called the "Initial Microblade Industry" and the "Northern Microblade Industry", with the latter originating from the former, and its spread to the neighbouring regions of Northeast Asia. We have found several inconsistencies in their factual data and methodology, and therefore the conclusions reached by Yue et al. (2021) cannot be accepted at face value. Using the most reliable evidence, the oldest true microblade assemblages are known from the Korean Peninsula. We suggest that this region is the more probable centre of diffusion of microblade technology in mainland Northeast Asia, including China and the Russian Far East. • Yue et al. (2021) published paper on microblades in Northeast China. • They have several inconsistencies in factual data and methodology. • We address the most debatable issues related to Yue et al. (2021). • The earliest true microblades originated in Korea and not in Northeast China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This paper provides a systematic review of researches on HRA. • A set of 271 journal articles published between 1999 and 2020 was identified. • Bibliometric analysis was conducted to provide insights into the research theme. • Current situation, hotspots and future opportunities on HRA are identified. Human reliability analysis (HRA) is a systematic technique to assess human systematic risk, and has been widely used in various industries for enhancing the safety and reliability of complex socio-technical systems. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the literature on this topic. This article aims to provide academics and practitioners with a bibliometric overview and visualization of the HRA field. For doing so, 271 publications derived from the Web of Science and published from 2009 to 2020 were analyzed by the CiteSpace regarding cooperation network, co-citation network, and keyword co-occurrence network. The cooperation network analysis indicates that the most productive authors in the HRA area are Jinkyun Park, Wondea Jun and Yochan Kim from the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, and the selected publications mainly from South Korea, USA, and China. By the co-citation network analysis, the core journals are identified as Reliability Engineering & System Safety, Safety Science, and Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries; the influential authors are Alan D Swain, Erik Hollnagel, and Barry A Kirwan; and the emerging research trends are determined as "decision making", "humane performance data", "dependence assessment", and "ratio magnitude estimation". The keyword co-occurrence network analysis shows that the research hotspots in the HRA domain are "CREAM", "quantification", and "performance". Based on these trends and blind spots in the literature, potential future research directions are also suggested. The results provide valuable information for scholars to grasp the current situations, hotspots, and future development trends of the HRA area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The tectonic relationship between Korea, China and Japan has been a topic of debate since several decades. Several recent studies have brought to light new aspects of Korean geology including the finding of Late Permian to Triassic eclogite facies metamorphism from the Hongseong area. There has also been substantial progress on the understanding of the tectonic history of East China. New reports of Paleozoic and Triassic high-P/T metamorphic belts have also come from Japan. This thematic issue of Gondwana Research presents a timely integration of new information that aids in reconstructing the tectonic relationship between Korea, China and Japan. This issue begins with a set of four papers dealing with the tectonic relationship between Korea, China and Japan. The next five papers deal with various aspects of Korean geology from Late Proterozoic to Cenozoic. Subsequent five papers are related to the geology of Japan. The next three papers deal with the tectonic interpretation of the Sino-Korean plate. Evidence for Permo-Triassic collision between the Indo-china and South China blocks is reported in the next paper. We thank reviewers for providing thorough and constructive reviews on the manuscripts for this issue. We also thank the International Association for Gondwana Research for providing us the opportunity to publish this thematic issue. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Reviewing filed patents on application of MOFs in SCs and the recent improvements about electrode and electrolyte. • ZIF, UiO, MIL-based, MOF-74, MOF-5, Ni 3 (HITP) 2 , Cu 3 (HITP) 2 are widely used in recent SC patents. • Aqueous electrolyte (KOH and H 2 SO 4) are well-demanded to ease charge transfer in patents. • China, USA and South Korea are leading developer towards developing MOF-based SCs. • Top inventors, institutes, researchers and owners for patents are mentioned. Global energy demand and the seriousness in sustainable energy obligations along with a large amount of CO 2 emission and rapid depletion of fossil fuels have diligently persuaded the researchers to promote eco-benign energy storage systems with high performance. High energy and power density, long cycling life, ultra-flexibility, environment friendly, light-weight with challenges of the benefits of industrial applications, safety, and reliability are currently considered in inventing efficient energy storage systems. Therefore, promoting and employing effective technologies to storing energy has widely become a development trend. Achieving that object is paved by developing batteries and supercapacitors (SCs) which are remarkably attracted enormous research interest and scientific reports. Supercapacitors are on a rapid and significant development path, with possessing desirable electrochemical benefits, including high power density, long cycle-life, rapid charge–discharge rate, and absolutely demanded commercial features. To understand the real performance of investigated supercapacitors, we considered the electrochemical output of applied SC systems. Actually, various types of electrode materials, electrolytes, have been significantly used to improve the electrochemical features in terms of specific capacitance, energy density, power density, and cycle life. Here, we focused on reviewing filed patents on application of MOFs in SCs and the recent improvements in employed components consisting of electrode and electrolyte in supercapacitive behavior. From the technical results, ZIF-series, UiO-66/67, MIL-based, MOF-74, MOF-5, Ni 3 (HITP) 2 , Cu 3 (HITP) 2 are widely used in MOF-based SCs. Patents are costly to register and they are also extremely reliable documents that are remarkably reliable in comparison to articles. Because patents are seriously challenged scientifically and legally, they contain critical information that inventors must disclose in full detail. Compared to articles, patents are a truly reliable reference for all researchers, especially youthful researchers, start-ups, and technology developers, due to their complete disclosure, reproducibility and 100% reliability. While innovation is a key component in both papers and patents, patents certainly contain an Inventive Step (IS), which is the main criterion that distinguishes these two references. Furthermore, mixed-metal MOF and compositing materials such as PANI (conductive polymers), graphene, CNTs, and nanomaterials or using as precursor material, provide higher surface area, simultaneous EDLC and pseudocapacitance effect which is desirable for electrochemical devices. Among considered files, only 135 patents were closely related to this subject showing its stepping-stone age. In addition, the aqueous electrolyte such as KOH and H 2 SO 4 are well-demanded to ease charge transfer in SCs. The statistical analysis showed that China is leading developer towards developing MOF-based SCs; while, the USA and South Korea are two next following countries. China seems to have a very large market share for this type of SC. The USA, EU, and South Korea, despite their close economic share and market share, need to sacrifice more diligent efforts in competition with China. We believe that this review opens a new prospective of MOF-based SCs for future electrochemical considering to provide higher performed devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]