The emergence of ‘Transeurasian’ language families in Northeast Asia as viewed from archaeological evidence

From a linguistic standpoint, Proto-Japonic and Proto-Koreanic are assumed to have split off the Transeurasian languages in southern Manchuria. The linguistic idea that Proto-Japonic came earlier than Proto-Koreanic in the chronological scheme means that the Proto-Japonic language first entered the Korean Peninsula, and from there spread to the Japanese archipelago at the beginning of the Yayoi period, around the 9th century BC, while the arrival of Proto-Koreanic in southern Korea is associated with the spread of the rolled rim vessel culture around the 5th century BC. The genealogical sequence of the Pianpu, Mumun and Yayoi cultures, which shared the same pottery production techniques, indicates the spread of Proto-Japonic. On the other hand, migrants moved from Liaodong to the Korean Peninsula and established the rolled rim vessel culture. This population movement was likely due to social and political reasons as the Yan state enlarged its territory eastward. The Proto-Koreanic of the rolled rim vessel culture later spread to the Korean Peninsula and gradually drove out Proto-Japonic, becoming the predecessor of the Koreanic. In this paper, I examine the spread of Proto-Japonic and Proto-Koreanic in Northeast Asia based on archaeological evidence, focusing especially on the genealogy of pottery styles and pottery production techniques.

DNA-based diversity assessment reveals a new coral barnacle, Cantellius alveoporae sp. nov. (Balanomorpha: Pyrgomatidae) exclusively associated with the high latitude coral Alveopora japonica in the waters of southern Korea

In the present study, the Indo-Pacific coral associated barnacle Cantellius euspinulosum (Broch, 1931) was found to have cryptic species in Korea, Taiwan and other regions based on molecular studies. However, the original specimens of C. euspinulosum from Broch have not been previously described or illustrated, making it difficult to assign which cryptic species to the original C. euspinulosum. The original specimen of C. euspinulosum was examined and illustrated here, and the species identity of C. cf. euspinulosum collected from Jejudo Island in the present study and other cryptic species (based on literature illustrations) in the Indo-Pacific were evaluated.C. euspinulosum from Singapore, Java, Mergui Archipelago in Andaman Sea and Nha Trang represented the C. euspinulosum identified by Broch (1931). It is a generalist on Acropora, Favia, Favites, Leptoria, Montipora, Pachyseris and Pocillipora corals and distributed in the Indo-Pacific region. Morphological examination and DNA sequencing (COI, 12S DNA sequences) in the present study showed that C. cf. euspinulosum from Jejudo Island, Korea represents a distinct species, herein named C. alveoporae sp. nov. Cantellius alveroporae sp. nov. is a specialist species that only grows on Alveopora and also present in Palau, and Ogasawara Island in Japan. Cantellius cf. euspinuloum in Taiwan, the Moscos Island, and Australia belong to several other distinct species awaiting further morphological and molecular studies. At least five cryptic species of C. euspinulosum were identified in the present study, including both specialist and generalists.

Discoordination of the processes of activation and suppression of immunocompetent cells during mesotherapy with hyaluronic acid

Objective. The study aimed to assess the dynamics of the systemic immune response in patients during mesotherapy with hyaluronic acid (HA).Materials and methods. The observation group included 26 women who received the first-time mesocorrection with drugs based on hyaluronic acid (HA). Injections of low molecular weight HA were carried out according to standard methods in a course of 5 procedures with an interval of 14 days. The parameters of the innate and adaptive immune response were studied before and two weeks after the end of the course. The skin condition was assessed by dermatoscopy (Aramo Smart Lite 300, Southern Korea).Results. The clinical effect of the course of procedures was reflected in the subjective improvement in the appearance. The improvement was confirmed by hardware analysis, which recorded an increase in hydration, a smoothing of the skin relief, and a decrease in the depth of wrinkles. At the end of the course, redistribution of lymphocyte populations towards natural killer cells and B-lymphocytes was revealed with a decrease in the total number of T cells. The antibody production of immunoglobulins of classes M and G was increased, the serum content of Ig A and IgE was reduced, the number of both T-effectors and T-lymphocytes with immunosuppressive activity increased. Changes in the neutrophil system were characterized by the inhibition of the production of reactive oxygen intermediates; the dynamics of the expression of Toll-like receptors by monocytes was ambiguous.Conclusion. The results of the study confirmed the active involvement of the factors of innate and adaptive systemic response in the cosmetic effect, which manifested itself immediately after mesotherapy as systemic dysregulatory immune changes.

Musical Entanglements: Ely Haimowitz and Orchestral Music under the US Army Military Government in Korea, 1945–1948

Shortly after Japan's surrender to Allied forces, the Soviet Union occupied the northern part of Korea, and the United States moved into the south, where it established the US Army Military Government in Southern Korea (USAMGIK, 1945–1948). In the American zone, music played a unique role in forging US hegemony over Korea. Young American pianist Ely Haimowitz (1920–2010) was the central figure in shaping that policy. Associated with “highbrow” culture, Western orchestral music helped restore Koreans’ ethnic pride damaged by Japanese colonial rule, while countering the Soviet emphasis on indigenous music. By fostering Western orchestral music in Korea, and supporting many individual musicians, Haimowitz succeeded in gaining widespread admiration and trust among Korean musicians. Based on unique access to Haimowitz's private archival collection, as well as diverse historical records from Korea, this article develops a complex picture of Haimowitz not merely as a cold-blooded US military officer and propagandist but also as an individual musician who shared friendships with Korean musicians, suffered ethical dilemmas, and often supported Korean voices against the USAMGIK. The relationships he forged provide indispensable context in understanding USAMGIK music policy, Korean musicians’ responses to it, and the post–World War II Korean reception of Western orchestral music overall.

Juvenile fish assemblages in the Jinju Bay region, Korea

Assemblages of juvenile fish and associated abiotic parameters were investigated inside and outside Jinju Bay in southern Korea, on a monthly basis from December 2014 to November 2015. Fluctuations in water temperature and salinity were larger inside than outside the bay. In total, 534,657 individuals per square kilometre from 81 fish species and 47 families were collected during the study period. The most dominant species was Nuchequula nuchalis both inside (25.6%) and outside (26.9%) the bay. The next dominant species were Thryssa kammalensis (17.9%) and Zoarces gillii (16.0%) inside the bay and Liparis tanakae (16.9%) and T. kammalensis (9.0%) outside the bay. Forty species (33% of total number of individuals) of young fish were recorded inside the bay and 47 species (52%) outside the bay. Therefore, it appears that a diversity of fish use nursery grounds inside and outside Jinju Bay. In particular, the following six species appeared: Z. gillii, Pleuronichthys cornutus, L. tanakae, Hemitripterus villosus, Pennahia argentata, and Xenocephalus elongates. Due to assemblage differences for fishes within Jinju Bay and outside the bay, management of both areas is required to maintain current diversity of species in the region.