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This paper examines the 16th-century Royal Kiln-produced white porcelain in the context of the interrelationship between the royal family as the main consumer and the kiln as the producer. In particular, it structurally explains the changes in white porcelain from the perspective of the increase in demand for white porcelain and the imbalance in supply. The royal family enacted the Sinyu In-kind Taxation Reform in the early 16th century and expanded royal finances based on this. The demand for white porcelain produced at the Royal Kiln also increased through the provisions on appropriation and tax-in-kind hikes of the reform. On the other hand, the Royal Kiln was operated under the governmentrun craftsmanship system and, therefore, had a limited annual budget to spend and a limited number of available artisans. As a result, an imbalance occurred in the supply and demand for Royal Kiln white porcelain. The royal family and the kiln responded to this issue by reflecting on each other's positions. Accordingly, it is assumed that changes were brought about in the quality and inscriptions of white porcelain, and in the way Royal Kiln was operated. This paper is of significance in that it organically understands changes seen in white porcelain created at the Royal Kiln in the 16th century through the relationship between the royal family, the highest ruling class at the time, and the kiln operated under the state-run handicraft system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper compares the exchange of Ming porcelain between Ming China and Joseon in comparison with those exchanges between Ming and other countries in East Asia in order to bring out similarities and differences and highlight the complexity and dynamics of East Asian cultural exchanges. First, the similarities are that the times when the Ming court bestowed porcelain on other countries were concentrated in the first half of the fifteenth century in most of the Asian region. Within the framework of tribute trade, porcelain with a three-clawed dragon design was found in large quantities. During similar periods of time, Longquan celadon and Jingdezhen blue and white porcelain as well as private kiln porcelain wares increased and had common features. Second, what makes the exchange with Joseon distinctive is the introduction of porcelain overland by Ming envoys whose country of origin was Joseon and the shipment of table ware sets manufactured by Ming imperial kilns. Also, most of the Ming porcelain discovered in Joseon has been Jingdezhen blue and white porcelain which was common with other East Asian countries, but only a few discoveries of Longquan or Zhangzhou wares, nor was there much Kraak ware from Jingdezhen kilns or Southeast Asian celadons. These differences put Joseon in a unique position. This analysis provides an implication that diplomatic interactions and the changes in distribution brought about by the main trading forces should be considered in order to have a deep understanding of porcelain exchange between Ming China and Joseon and throughout East Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to provide the main contents of the revision of the 2023 OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and suggest implications for the Korean government and multinational enterprises. Design/methodology/approach: Following the brief history of the revision of OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, this study reviews and evaluates major substantive and procedural revisions of the 2023 OECD Guidelines, and then suggests countermeasures for Korean government and businesses. Findings: The most significant substantive change of the 2023 revision is that expectations for environmental due diligence and disclosure obligations, including climate change and biodiversity, for multinational enterprises have been expanded and strengthened. Regarding procedural changes, the biggest change is the introduction of a basis rule for the National Contact Points for Responsible Business Conduct (NCPs for RBC) to judge each issue and a rule that the final statement must include follow-up details and deadlines, which is expected to strengthen the effectiveness of the NCP dispute resolution mechanism. Originality/value: This study is the first academic paper to introduce major substantive and procedural revisions to the 2023 OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises in Korea. This study also provides implications for the Korean government and companies following the 2023 revised OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises as follows. First, the Korean government must establish a public–private partnership to closely communicate to prevent Korean companies from being harmed by failing to meet strengthening international Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) standards. In addition, Korean government should actively participate in ESG-related international forums, including the OECD, and strive to reflect the needs and interests of Korean companies. Second, the Korean NCP should strengthen its activities to prevent potential damage by expanding education and promotions for Korean businesses on related overseas legislative trends and NCP dispute case studies so that Korean companies can effectively deal with the strengthened ESG standards. Third, Korean multinational enterprises should preemptively establish an advanced ESG management system to seize new opportunities in the global supply chain previously concentrated in China and India in the process of reorganizing global supply chains according to the trend of strengthening ESG standards and the US value alliance strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Korean historian Moon Il-pyeong's concept of "Joseonsim," or the spiritual essence of Korean culture, emphasized retaining a respect for traditional Korean culture, especially unique Korean inventions such as Hangeul. He was a sharp critic of what he deemed to be Korea's excessive reliance on Chinese culture and customs to the extent of belittling Korean tradition and customs and urged the Korean public to have pride in Korea's authentic national culture. Such emphasis on "Joseonsim" formed the core of Moon's nationalist understanding of history, for he sought to use history as a vehicle to educate the Korean public about Korean history as a means to overcome both the traditional Sinophile attitude and the Westernization of Korean society through Japanese colonialism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study summarizes the production, consumption, distribution, and perceptions of Dragon Jars in the late Joseon period and offers new perspectives and interpretations of their spread to the public sector during the nineteenth century. Dragon Jars from the late Joseon period were used as jars to hold liquor or flowers at various royal ceremonies, making them important symbolic ritual objects. In particular, Dragon Jars were used as wine jars for various rituals such as weddings, banquets, guest rites, ancestral sacrifices, and funeral rites. Their names, styles, and uses varied depending on the ritual. The form of Dragon Jars is characterized by their height, the composition of their designs, and number of claws on the dragon, all of which subtly indicate the ritual's nature and the user's status. This study analyzes the private firing of the official kilns, the private demand for items in the palace style, the spread of the Confucian ritual guide Zhuzi jiali, and the sharing of ritual vessels in order to explain the spread of Dragon Jars beyond the royal court and into the private sector during the late Joseon period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the adversities and significant obstacles encountered by Korean potters during the 17th century and their endeavors to surmount these challenges by enhancing the government kiln system and refining pottery production techniques, drawing insights from an analysis of historical records and artifacts. Furthermore, it investigates the adaptation and resettlement experiences of Korean potters who were abducted to Japan. As part of the restructuring of the government kiln system aimed to improve the conditions of artisans, initiatives were undertaken to secure cloth taxes. Additionally, the system of mandatory labor shifted from mandatory labor assignments to artisans choosing their employment in the government kilns. Measures were taken to broaden access to high-quality clay by expanding raw material sources. Challenges related to kiln mobility, which encumbered artisans, prompted the proposal of fixed kiln establishments. Regarding production techniques, artisans exerted significant efforts to master the adept application of iron-red pigment, known as seokganju, as a substitute for cobalt blue. This endeavor resulted in the emergence of simple yet naturally bold designs evident in the patterns of porcelain crafted in local kilns using underglaze iron. Kiln construction techniques advanced with the introduction of more sophisticated kilns, featuring inner walls and pillars to enhance firing processes. Moreover, a kiln design characterized by a widened base ascending toward the chimney in a ladderlike formation, initially developed in local kilns, served as the prototype for government-operated kilns. Meanwhile, artisans who were abducted or forcibly relocated to Japan acclimated to various local environments across Kyushu. Leveraging their advanced skills compared to Japanese artisans, they focused on crafting ceramics and tea bowl ware in the Joseon style. Notably, artisans such as Yi Sampyeong played a pivotal role in Japan's inaugural porcelain production by discovering new clay deposits. Families like the Satsuma-based Sim Sugwan clan persisted in the ceramic production across generations, establishing themselves as prominent figures in the Japanese ceramic industry. Although the 17th century presented formidable obstacles to Korean potters, they met these challenges with remarkable diligence and ingenuity, pioneering new styles and technological advancements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the fact that the products from the private kilns of Jingdezhen comprise a major portion of the blue-and-white porcelain excavated from the early Joseon sites in Korea including Hanyang. The blue-and-white porcelain that was used mainly by the royal family and the scholar-officials in Hanyang during the first half of Joseon spread to the public and the provinces. One of the driving factors behind the increasing popularity was the fact that the Joseon government limited the use of blue-and-white porcelain as a luxury item of a privileged class. Due to the limitation in domestic production, most of the demand for the blue-and-white porcelain was fulfilled by the imported products from Ming. The excavated items also show us that most of the blue-and-white porcelain used nationally were drinking vessels such as small bowls and cups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper, we made an investigation of extreme rainfall events for 1860―1909 in the Korean Peninsula, and the possible atmospheric circulation state by comparing recent rainfall variability with atmospheric circulation indices. In the present study, very significant historical rainfall records and flood damage records since the mid-19th century, modern rainfall records and global climate reanalysis data were applied. Results show: (1) Pentad extreme rainfall events had undergone a clear decrease, with an abrupt falling after shifting point of 1879―1880. (2) The monthly frequencies of extreme rainfall events revealed remarkable descent trends for June–October, which changed from 29 time/pentad to 7.3 time/pentad on average, especially for July–September. (3) Almost all climate zones except for northern land displayed significant decreasing trends, nevertheless no clear incidence of extreme rainfall event was found over the typical pluvial regions. (4) Through an analogue method by comparing the extreme precipitation weather and the atmospheric mechanism for recent decades (1961―2016), we suggested that West Pacific Subtropical High had experienced a strengthen change for the past period and the typhoon-related torrential rain processes had been suppressed for the study area, and the upper air jet stream might have been displaced poleward during 1860―1909. This study made a first investigation of the extreme rainfall events since the mid-19th century applying both instrumental and documental records in the study area, and some significant findings were obtained, which will help in understanding extreme climate variability and its mechanism of late 19th century and early 20th century in the Korean Peninsula. • Several main climate variables which are related to SR-NPKP were investigated. • 13 indices having a close connection with the variability of SR-NPKP were obtained. • Neural network model was proposed for 1-yr lag prediction of SR-NPKP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to explore how educational technology influenced a preparatory teacher education program using heteroglossic and global approaches. Design/Approach/Methods: The researchers drew upon the theoretical framework of multilingual digital storytelling (MDST), which emphasizes the intercultural awareness attributes of multilingual learners (MLs) and takes a heteroglossic perspective in linguistic pedagogy. This qualitative case study examined the experiences of 11 U.S.-based preservice teachers (PSTs) and 12 MLs elementary students in Korea in the MDST project of a TESOL methods course. Findings: The findings showed that PSTs and MLs enhanced their appreciation for educational technology, multilingualism, and intercultural awareness. Although the project aimed to decenter English as a hegemonic language, both PSTs and MLs maintained traditional discourses that privileged English over MLs' home language and targeted literacy correctness in written English only, moving away from the heterogeneous goals of the course project. PSTs and MLs also faced challenges in navigating technological tools, which negatively affected their perception of the project. Originality/Value: This study contributes to heteroglossic approaches in preparatory TESOL teacher education programs and improves the understanding of challenges in educational technology use for global multilingual exchanges to promote global citizenship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, eutrophication in inland and coastal waters (ICWs) has increased due to anthropogenic activities and global warming, thus requiring timely monitoring. Compared with traditional sampling and laboratory analysis methods, satellite remote sensing technology can provide macro-scale, low-cost, and near real-time water quality monitoring services. The Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI), aboard the Communication Ocean and Meteorological Satellite (COMS) from the Republic of Korea, marked a significant milestone as the world's inaugural geostationary ocean color observation satellite. Its operational tenure spanned from 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2021. Over ten years, the GOCI has observed oceans, coastal waters, and inland waters within its 2500 km × 2500 km target area centered on the Korean Peninsula. The most attractive feature of the GOCI, compared with other commonly used water color sensors, was its high temporal resolution (1 h, eight times daily from 0 UTC to 7 UTC), providing an opportunity to monitor ICWs, where their water quality can undergo significant changes within a day. This study aims to comprehensively review GOCI features and applications in ICWs, analyzing progress in atmospheric correction algorithms and water quality monitoring. Analyzing 123 articles from the Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) through a bibliometric quantitative approach, we examined the GOCI's strength and performance with different processing methods. These articles reveal that the GOCI played an essential role in monitoring the ecological health of ICWs in its observation coverage (2500 km × 2500 km) in East Asia. The GOCI has led the way to a new era of geostationary ocean satellites, providing new technical means for monitoring water quality in oceans, coastal zones, and inland lakes. We also discuss the challenges encountered by Geostationary Ocean Color Sensors in monitoring water quality and provide suggestions for future Geostationary Ocean Color Sensors to better monitor the ICWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sika deer inhabiting South Korea became extinct when the last individual was captured on Jeju Island in Korea in 1920 owing to the Japanese seawater relief business, but it is believed that the same subspecies (Cervus nippon hortulorum) inhabits North Korea and the Russian Primorskaya state. In our study, mt-DNA was used to analyze the genetic resources of sika deer in the vicinity of the Korean Peninsula to restore the extinct species of continental deer on the Korean Peninsula. In addition, iSCNT was performed using cells to analyze the potential for restoration of extinct species. The somatic cells of sika deer came from tissues of individuals presumed to be Korean Peninsula sika deer inhabiting the neighboring areas of the Primorskaya state and North Korea. After sequencing 5 deer samples through mt-DNA isolation and PCR, BLAST analysis showed high matching rates for Cervus nippon hortulorum. This shows that the sika deer found near the Russian Primorsky Territory, inhabiting the region adjacent to the Korean Peninsula, can be classified as a subspecies of Cervus nippon hortulorum. The method for producing cloned embryos for species restoration confirmed that iSCNT-embryos developed smoothly when using porcine oocytes. In addition, the stimulation of endometrial cells and progesterone in the IVC system expanded the blastocyst cavity and enabled stable development of energy metabolism and morphological changes in the blastocyst. Our results confirmed that the individual presumed to be a continental deer in the Korean Peninsula had the same genotype as Cervus nippon hortulorum, and securing the individual's cell-line could restore the species through replication and produce a stable iSCNT embryo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagonal squall line that passed through the Korean Peninsula on the 18 May 2020 was examined using wind data retrieved from multiple Doppler radar synthesis focusing on its kinematic and dynamic aspects. The low-level jet, along with warm and moist air in the lower level, served as the primary source of moisture supply during the initiation and formation process. The presence of a cold pool accompanying the squall line played a role in retaining moisture at the surface. As the squall line approached the Korean Peninsula, the convective bands in the northern segment (NS) and southern segment (SS) of the squall line exhibited distinct evolutionary patterns. The vertical wind shear in the NS area was more pronounced compared to that in the SS. The ascending inflow associated with the tilted updraft in the NS reached an altitude of 7 km, whereas it was only up to 4 km in the SS. The difference was caused by the strong descending rear flow, which obstructed the ascending inflow and let to significant updraft in the SS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aircraft icing refers to the accumulation of ice on the surface and components of an aircraft when supercooled water droplets collide with the aircraft above freezing levels (at altitudes at which the temperature is below 0 °C), which requires vigilant monitoring to avert aviation accidents attributable to icing. In response to this imperative, the Weather Radar Center (WRC) of the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) has developed a real-time icing detection algorithm. We utilized 3D dual-polarimetric radar variables, 3D atmospheric variables, and aircraft icing data and statistically analyzed these variables within the icing areas determined by aircraft icing data from 2018–2022. An algorithm capable of detecting icing potential areas (icing potential) was formulated by applying these characteristics. Employing this detection algorithm enabled the classification of icing potential into three stages: precipitation, icing caution, and icing warning. The algorithm was validated, demonstrating a notable performance with a probability of detection value of 0.88. The algorithm was applied to three distinct icing cases under varying environmental conditions—frontal, stratiform, and cumuliform clouds—thereby offering real-time observable icing potential across the entire Korean Peninsula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine how corporate social responsibility affects financial performance in the Korean market by examining a new set of data, the ESG score. Using panel regression models, we show that the ESG score is negatively related with a widely used measures of financial performance, ROA and Tobin's Q, unlike extant studies arguing for the positive relationships. Among the three pillars of ESG performance, the social and governance scores robustly show negative relationships with ROA but the environmental score does not. The consideration of unique Korean governance structure, chaebol, does not change our findings. Our findings generally support the traditional view of corporations but argue against the stakeholder theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of students' self-directed learning (SDL) ability and parental expenditures for shadow education, and other factors, on academic achievement in South Korea during the pandemic. Busan Education Longitudinal Study panel data for 2019 (pre-COVID) and 2020-2021 (COVID) were utilized. National exam scores of middle and high school students in Korean, English, and math subject areas were analyzed using multiple regression, random effects, and two-way random effects models. The analysis revealed that, during the pandemic, parents' high expenditures to provide shadow education to complement their children's public education did not significantly influence academic achievement. In contrast, SDL ability was found to have a significant impact on achievement in all three subject areas during the pandemic. The findings underscore the importance of programs, policies, and teaching strategies that develop students' SDL skills to enable them to learn on their own when a crisis restricts traditional teacher-guided classroom instruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the pivotal challenge of transitioning from nuclear to renewable energy sources, considering the distinctive energy landscape of South Korea characterized by high land costs and high dependence on nuclear energy. Amidst global momentum toward sustainable and carbon-neutral energy, South Korea's Renewable Energy 3020 Implementation Plan aims to achieve 20% of power generation from renewables by 2030. Shifting away from nuclear energy, however, may lead to rising energy costs, supply disruptions, and environmental ramifications. Furthermore, achieving grid parity between renewable energy and nuclear power by the late 2030s is unlikely, in contrast to earlier projections. This is primarily due to the comparatively lower production cost of nuclear energy. To expedite the shift toward renewable energy, our study suggests transitioning from the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) to a Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) system. This change would offer voluntary incentives for investment in renewable energy. Additionally, we compute Feed-in-Tariff subsidies required to achieve grid parity by 2030, concluding that the amount of subsidies required to reach grid parity by 2030 is 54% of retail electricity price. This research offers valuable insights for policy formulation and energy transition planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Korea, there are cases where nurses use abusive language while teaching new nurses. Nursing students who observe and experience this kind of violence question themselves if they will be able to perform well in such an environment. This descriptive research study examined the mediating effect of negative emotions and the regulated mediating effect of resilience in the relationship between indirect experiences of violence and career identity. Junior- and senior-year students in the nursing departments of nine universities located in Gyeonggi Province and Seoul were recruited using snowball sampling from August 1st to August 31st, 2021. A total of 254 participants completed the questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the SPSS PROCESS macro. The factors that affected career identity were indirect experience of violence (b =2.1978, p = .0001), negative emotions (b =2.2364, p\.0001), and resilience (b = .3107, p\.0001). Resilience (b =2.1113, p = .0112) had a moderated mediating effect on negative emotions. The index of moderated mediation of negative emotions and resilience was statistically significant at 20.0284 (95% CI [20.0549, 20.0046]). As a result of this study, when students see a violent situation, they have negative emotions such as fear of making a mistake, and their confidence in nursing performance decreases. In order to avoid this situation, they avoid their career path. In this study, it showed that the greater the resilience, the greater the ability to overcome it. Violence itself needs to be improved, and resilience strengthening programs are needed for children and women exposed to violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carbon monoxide (CO) in the marine boundary layer and in the surface waters and water column were measured along the western limb of the North Pacific from the Korean Peninsula to Alaska, USA, in summer 2012. The observation allows us to estimate the CO budgets in the surface mixed layer of the three distinct regimes: the East Sea (Sea of Japan) (ES), the Northwest Pacific (NP), and the Bering Sea (BS). CO photochemical production rates were 56(± 15) µ mol m -2 d -1 , 27(± 3) µ mol m -2 d -1 , and 26(± 2) µ mol m -2 d -1 , while microbial consumption rates were 30(± 8) µ mol m -2 d -1 , 24(± 5) µ mol m -2 d -1 , and 63(± 19) µ mol m -2 d -1 in the ES, NP, and BS, respectively, both of which are the dominant components of the CO budget in the ocean. The other two known components, air–sea gas exchange and downward mixing, remained negligible (less than 3 µ mol m -2 d -1) in all regimes. While the CO budget in the surface mixed layer of the NP was in balance, the CO production surpassed the consumption in the ES, and vice versa in the BS. The significant imbalances in the CO budget in the ES (25 ± 17 µ mol m -2 d -1) and the BS (40 ± 19 µ mol m -2 d -1) are suggested to be compensated by external physical transport such as lateral advection, subduction, or ventilation. Notably, the increase in the CO column burden correlated with the imbalance in the CO budget, highlighting the significant role of the physical transport in the marine CO cycles. Our observation, for the first time, underscores the potential importance of physical transport in driving CO dynamics in the marine environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prunus spachiana (Lavallée ex Ed.Otto) Kitam. f. ascendens (Makino) Kitam leaves exert natural anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting nitric oxide formation. P. spachiana flowers bloom earlier than other Prunus spp. and thus could serve as a valuable resource for the horticulture and pharmaceutical industries. However, its seed dormancy class and germination traits remain uncharacterized. Thus, this study aimed to characterize the seed dormancy and germination of P. spachiana. Imbibition, phenological, and move-along experiments were performed, and the effects of H2SO4 treatment, hormone soaking, warm/cold stratification, and endocarp removal on germination were explored. Observation revealed that ripe seeds of P. spachiana contain developed embryos and are water permeable. Radicle and shoot emergence began in March and April, respectively, under natural conditions in the year following production. No seed germination was observed after 30 days of incubation at 4, 15/6, 20/10, or 25/15 °C under light/dark conditions, indicating the physiological dormancy of the seeds. Germination increased with prolonged stratification and was affected by incubation temperature. Seed scarification by H2SO4 and soaking with gibberellic acid (GA3) and fluridone were ineffective in breaking dormancy. However, GA3 soaking of the seeds after endocarp removal effectively induced germination (100%). These results indicate that P. spachiana seeds exhibit intermediate physiological dormancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Laophontidae is a very large and diverse family containing more than 320 species and 74 genera in the Harpacticoida. According to records published until recently, 25 species of 12 genera of Laophontidae were reported to appear in Korean waters. The most common laophontid species in Korean waters is Paralaophonte congenera (Sars, 1908). During research on the meiobenthic community in the subtidal zone near the Korean coast in the East Sea, we found an undescribed genus of the Laophontidae family. The character traits of this undescribed specimen of the Laophontidae family do not match any existing genus. New information: Herein, a new genus of the interstitial marine benthic copepods family Laophontidae T. Scott, 1905 is described from the subtidal zone near Hupo Harbour on the east coast of Korea. This genus was named Strictlaophonte gen. nov. and has been classified into the family Laophontidae. This was based on the presence of seven segmented female antennules, reduced antennary exopod, first endopodal segments having no inner setae from the second leg to the fourth leg and P5 with a distinct exopod that is not fused at the basis. The distinguishing features of Strictlaophonte gen. nov. are P5 exopod having only four setae, the P1 exopod having two segments and the antenna exopod having four setae. In particular, this new genus has unique characteristics in that the caudal rami are very tightly attached to each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-particle analysis was conducted to characterize atmospheric aerosol particles collected at Olympic Park in Seoul, South Korea, as a part of the Korea–United States Air Quality (KORUS-AQ) campaign which was carried out during May–June 2016. The KORUS-AQ campaign aimed to understand the temporal and spatial characteristics of atmospheric pollution on the Korean Peninsula through an international cooperative field study. A total of 8004 individual particles from 52 samples collected between 23 May–5 June 2016 were investigated using a quantitative electron probe X-ray microanalysis (low- Z particle EPMA), resulting in the identification of seven major particle types. These included genuine and reacted mineral dust, sea-spray aerosols, secondary aerosol particles, heavy-metal-containing particles, combustion particles, Fe-rich particles, and others (particles of biogenic and humic-like substances – HULIS). Distinctly different relative abundances of individual particle types were observed during five characteristic atmospheric situations, namely (a) a mild haze event influenced by local emissions and air mass stagnation; (b) a typical haze event affected by northwestern air masses with a high proportion of sulfate-containing particles; (c) a haze event with a combined influence of northwestern air masses and local emissions; (d) a clean period with low particulate matter concentrations and a blocking pattern; and (e) an event with an enhanced level of heavy-metal-containing particles, with Zn, Mn, Ba, Cu, and Pb being the major species identified. Zn-containing particles were mostly released from local sources such as vehicle exhausts and waste incinerations, while Mn-, Ba-, and Cu-containing particles were attributed to metal alloy plants or mining. The results suggest that the morphology and chemical compositions of atmospheric aerosol particles in urban areas vary depending on their size, sources, and reaction or aging status and are affected by both local emissions and long-range air masses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Gulls are known for their adaptability and can navigate various environments from coastal and inland areas to marine spaces. Despite extensive studies using GPS tracking devices to explore the habitat use and flight patterns of numerous gull and other bird species, little such research has focused on the widely-distributed black-tailed gulls (Larus crassirostris) inhabiting the Korean Peninsula. To fill this gap in our understanding, our study employed GPS trackers to analyze the flight behavior and habitat use of black-tailed gulls. Our results unveiled distinct ranges of activity and flight altitudes that were influenced by both season and region. These findings suggest that the flight behavior of black-tailed gulls is responsive to environmental changes. Our study contributes fundamental data on the flight behavior of black-tailed gulls. In this study, GPS trackers were attached to black-tailed gulls (Larus crassirostris) breeding on five islands in Republic of Korea during April and May 2021, and their flight frequency, behavioral range, and flight altitude were compared during and after the breeding season. During the breeding season, the flight frequency was lowest on Dongman Island (28.7%), where mudflats were distributed nearby, and the range of activity was narrow. In contrast, it tended to be high on Gungsi Island (52%), where the breeding colony was far from land, resulting in a wider range of activity. Although the flight frequency on Dongman Island increased post-breeding season (42.7%), it decreased on other islands. The mean flight altitude during the breeding season was lowest on Dongman Island and highest on Napdaegi Island. In most breeding areas, the mean flight altitude during the post-breeding season was higher than that during the breeding season. However, the lead flight altitude was lower during the non-breeding season compared to that in the breeding season. The home range expanded after the breeding season, with no significant difference in lead time between the breeding and non-breeding seasons. Our findings reveal that black-tailed gulls exhibit varying home ranges and flight altitudes depending on season and geographical location. As generalists, gulls display flexible responses to environmental changes, indicating that flight behavior adapts to the evolving environment over time and across regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of the pseudoscorpion genus Pararoncus Chamberlin, 1938 are described from Korea. Detailed descriptions, habitus pictures, and illustrations of Pararoncus leonardi sp. nov. and P. taeyoungi sp. nov. are provided. The current distribution of the genus Pararoncus is mapped and a taxonomic key for all species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, Asia has experienced significant damage from extreme precipitation events caused by climate change. Improving the accuracy of quantitative precipitation forecasts over wide regions is essential to mitigate the damage caused by precipitation-related natural disasters. This study compared the predictive performances of a global model trained on the entire dataset and a clustered model that clustered precipitation types. The precipitation prediction model was constructed by combining convolutional long short-term memory with a U-Net structure. Research data consisted of precipitation events recorded at 10 min intervals from 2017 to 2021, utilizing radar data covering the entire Korean Peninsula. The model was trained on radar precipitation data from 30 min before the current time (t − 30 min, t − 20 min, t − 10 min, and t − 0 min) to predict the precipitation after 10 min (t + 10 min). The prediction performance was assessed using the root mean squared error and mean absolute error for continuous precipitation data and precision, recall, F1 score, and accuracy for the presence or absence of precipitation. The research findings indicate that, with sufficient training data for each precipitation type, models trained on clustered precipitation types outperform those trained on the entire dataset, particularly for predicting high-intensity precipitation events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]