bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical Simulation of Landslide Movement and Unzen-Mayuyama Disaster in 1792, Japan
Authors: Miyamoto Kuniaki ,   Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Ten-no-dai, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
Published: April 2016

Landslides may cause huge sediment disasters. To mitigate such sediment-induced disasters, the behavior of the landslide must be predicted, in addition to the time, the location of occurrence, and the scale of the landslide. This paper proposes a two-dimensional numerical simulation for landslides. The Mayuyama landslide of 1792, which was triggered by volcanic activity, caused one of the largest disasters in the world. To reproduce sediment movement resulting from this landslide, 2-D numerical simulation and topographical analysis are discussed. The topography of Mt. Mayuyama before the failure, the topography of the slip surface, and the characteristics of the landslide material are estimated for conducting numerical simulation. Results suggest that landslide volume is about 150 million m3 or more, the landslide probably reached the sea in only a minute, and the event may have been almost finished in a couple of minutes. Landslide velocity upon reaching the sea is estimated at 100 m/sec and the thickness of landslide front is estimated at 30 m, which are enough to generate a tsunami causing a huge disaster along the seashore of Ariake bay.
Prediction of Floods Caused by Landslide Dam Collapse
Authors: Satofuka Yoshifumi ,   College of Science and Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, Noji-higashi 1-1-1, Kusatsu-city, Shiga 525-8577, Japan, Mori Toshio , Mizuyama Takahisa , Ogawa Kiichiro , Yoshino Kousuke ,   Sabo Frontier Foundation, SABO-Kaikan Annex 6F, 2-7-4, Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0093, Japan,   Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Oiwake-cho, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan,   Asia Air Survey Co., Ltd., Manpukuji 1-2-3, Asao-ku, Kawasaki-city, Kanagawa 214-0004, Japan,   Asia Air Survey Co., Ltd. on loan to Incorporated Administrative Agency, Public Works Research Institute, Minamihara 1-6, Tukuba-city, Ibaraki 305-8516, Japan
Published: April 2016

Landslide dam formation and deformation strongly affect water and sediment runoff. When a large-scale landslide dam collapses due to overflow erosion, peak flood discharge may exceed inflow discharge by several times. Such an abrupt flow discharge increase by a dam burst may cause serious damage downstream. We propose a one-dimensional model for river-bed variation and flood runoff consisting of a two-layer model for immature debris flow and a bank erosion model. We applied this model to the Nonoo landslide dam in Japan’s Miyazaki Prefecture, formed by typhoon Nabi in September 2005, and China’s Tangjiashan landslide dam formed in the Wenchuan earthquake in May 2008. The model reproduces the observed flood runoff processes in the two areas. Calculated results suggest that peak flood discharge diminishes when water accumulating behind the landslide dam is small, and excavating the landslide dam crown effectively reduces flood discharge.
A Prediction Method for Slope Failure by Means of Monitoring of Water Content in Slope-Soil Layer
Authors: Fujita Masaharu ,   Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, Yokoohji, Fushimiku, Kyoto 612-8235, Japan, Ohshio Seitaro , Tsutsumi Daizo ,   West Japan Railway Company, 2-4-24 Shibata, Kitaku, Osaka 530-8341, Japan
Published: April 2016

Slope failure is generally predicted based on rainfall data. For example, a critical line for slope failure in an area is drawn on coordinates of hourly and cumulative precipitations, and we can predict that slope failure occur somewhere in the area when rainfall condition crosses the critical line into the occurrence region. As slope failure depends greatly on the water content condition in slope-soil layer before the rainfall event, the rainfall amount up to slope failure occurrence must be different. Also, such a method merely predicts the possibility of slope failure in the area at a time stage of the rainfall event. In this paper slope failure was simulated under different geographical and rainfall conditions, taking actual slopes as examples, and the simulation results indicate that water content in an individual slope-soil layer is an adequate index for predicting the collapse of the slope. The characteristics of sediment disaster such as the relationship between slope failure magnitude and rainfall condition is discussed and an idea for evacuation system for successively occurrence of slope failures based on the index is presented.
Design Standard of Control Structures Against Debris Flow in Japan
Authors: Osanai Nobutomo ,   Erosion and Sediment Control Division, Research Center for Disaster Risk Management, National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0804, Japan, Mizuno Hideaki , Mizuyama Takahisa ,   Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Oiwake-cho, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
Published: April 2016

Countermeasures to prevent or mitigate sedimentrelated hazards, debris flow in this paper are classified as structural measures or nonstructural measures. The structural measures are Sabo dams, leading dikes, and channels for debris flow control. The nonstructural measures are the designation of areas prone to debris flow, proper land use in the areas, the reinforcement of houses, the creation of warning systems and the evacuation of the inhabitants in case of emergency. A technical standard on debris flow control structures of Japan was revised in 2007. Major revision is that check dams called Sabo dams constructed near houses are changed from closed type Sabo dams to open type Sabo dams because the occurrence frequency is low as once for longer than one hundred years, natural torrent environment should be conserved in ordinary days and sediment trap capacity should be kept until debris flow occurs. Points changed are explained such as the opening of open type dams is as equal as the maximum stone size.
Special Issue on Structural Engineering of Nuclear Related Facilities
Authors: Takiguchi Katsuki
Published: April 2016

Since it was first used, nuclear energy’s control has been an important issue. With the generation of electricity as a major nuclear energy application, the improvement of nuclear power generation technology has been required by society, including power plant design, construction, and maintenance and radioactive waste disposal.

Nuclear facilities must also take into account disaster prevention, as in the case of earthquakes and terrorist attacks, particularly because of the extensive potential and actual range of effects. This has made nuclear energy issues important considerations in JDR editorial meetings.

In the July 16, 2007, case of the Niigataken Chuetsu-oki Earthquake, quake ground motion equaled or exceeded that presumed in the design of the Tokyo Electric Power Company’s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Station, the world’s largest nuclear power station.

Specific safety objectives for nuclear power plants include stopping the nuclear reaction, cooling the nuclear reactor, preventing radioactive material emission, and shielding surroundings from radiation - all of which were almost completely achieved in this case. Many problems were also revealed, however. JDR examined a special issue on Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Station earthquake resistance at an editorial meeting but determined that such a topic remains premature.

In its stead, we have planned a number featuring the structural engineering of nuclear related facilities as a first step in a series of special issues on nuclear energy. The papers for this number were submitted mainly by the presenters of 20th International Conference on Structural Mechanics in Reactor Technology, held in Espoo, Finland, in 2009 with the catch phrase “Challenges Facing Nuclear Renaissance.”

We greatly appreciate the many contributions to this issue, and would like to thank the reviewers, without whose cooperation this number could not have been published.

Please note that, independent of special numbers such as this one, JDR looks forward to receiving papers on a wide range of fields related to disaster.
Combined Asymptotic Method for Soil-Structure Interaction Analysis
Authors: Tyapin Alexander G. ,   OJSC “Atomenergoproject (Moscow),” 1-119 Slaviansky boulevard, Moscow 121352, Russia
Published: April 2016

The author upgrades the well-known impedance method for seismic soil-structure interaction (SSI) analysis. The author suggests accounting in the time domain for the frequency dependence of the “true impedances” by means of the modification of the seismic input on the platform. The criterion for this modification is that it must provide the same structural response with approximate “platform” impedances as for the “true” frequency-dependent impedances in case of a rigid base mat. The entire analysis is performed for the linear system (no nonlinear effects occur in the soil, in the structure, or on the contact surface). In the process of modification, one first obtains the “true” seismic response of the rigid contact surface. If the actual contact surface can be considered stiff (e.g., the base mat is reinforced by dense walls) and the internal forces in the base mat itself are not important, then this “true” motion may be applied directly to the base mat. This simplified option goes without the modification of the seismic input. Another option is to use the “platform” model with “soil” springs and dashpots but to put to the platform the excitation modified in such a way as to provide a response base mat motion similar to the “true” one. The proposed method is called “combined” because it combines frequency-domain and time-domain calculations. This method is also called “asymptotic” because it becomes rigorous for rigid base mats.
Study on Radiation Shielding Performance of Reinforced Concrete Wall After the Earthquake
Authors: Sekine Keiji ,   Safety Technology Office, Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited, 21-4 Azumagaoka, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Japan, Munakata Yoshinari , Kontani Osamu , Oishi Koji ,   Civil Engineering and Architectural Planning Section, Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited, 4-108 Okizuke, Obuchi, Rokkasho, Aomori 039-3212, Japan,   Kobori Research Complex Inc., 6-5-30 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8502, Japan,   Ohsaki Research Institute, Inc., 2-2-2 Uchisaiwai-Cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0011, Japan
Published: April 2016

The structure in which radioactive substances are stored and handled must be earthquake resistant. We will be confirming radioactive shielding performance of reinforced concrete walls when cracks occur due to large earthquakes. In this study, we performed horizontal loading experiments to evaluate shielding performance of earthquake resisting walls and constructed a safety crack model. Next, the shielding calculation was done by using the crack model, and the shielding performance of the earthquake resisting wall was evaluated. As a result, if the structure is designed according to the standards outline for nuclear power related facility, and an earthquake causes cracks in an earthquake resisting wall, it was shown that if the thickness of the earthquake resisting wall was less than 80 cm, the decrease in shielding performance was very small, and that the radiation exposure on the general public and the employee was negligible.
Application of “Leak Before Break” Assessment for Pressure Tube in Delayed Hydride Cracking
Authors: Dundulis Gintautas ,   Laboratory of Nuclear Installation Safety, Lithuanian Energy Institute, Breslaujos str. 3, LT-44403 Kaunas, Lithuania, Grybėnas Albertas , Makarevicius Vidas , Janulionis Remigijus ,   Laboratory of Material Research &Testing, Lithuanian Energy Institute, Breslaujos str. 3, LT-44403 Kaunas, Lithuania
Published: April 2016

The Ignalina NPP uses an RBMK-1500 reactor, which is graphite-moderated with a water-cooled reactor core. The fuel cell assembly in the center of the moderator column consists of a pressure tube containing the fuel element assembly and through which coolant flows. Pressure tubes are made of Zr-2.5Nb zirconium alloys. Hydrogen absorbed by the zirconium alloy during corrosion is one of the factors determining pressure tube lifetime. If the pressure tube hydrogen concentration exceeds solubility limitations, delayed hydride cracking (DHC) may occur. Hydrides forming under certain conditions may reduce resistance to brittle fracture. Here we evaluate hydride influence on pressure tube fracture and the application of leak before break (LBB) for tubes with DHC. Deterministic analysis employing LBB concept used experimental data. Deterministic LBB analysis confirms that pressure tubes comply with LBB requirements.
Adjusting Fragility Analysis to Seismic Hazard Input
Authors: Klügel Jens-Uwe ,   NPP Goesgen-Daeniken, CH 4658 Daeniken, Kraftwerkstrasse, Switzerland, Attinger Richard , Rao Shobha ,   ABSG Consulting Inc., 300 Commerce Drive, Suite 200 Irvine, California 92602, U.S.A
Published: April 2016

This paper shows that the results of contemporary probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA), uniform hazard spectra, and hazard curves are inconsistent with the fragilitymethod used for seismic probabilistic risk assessment (PRA). The calculation used in PSHA is based on the evaluation of the probability of exceeding specified acceleration levels without considering the damaging effects of earthquakes. Empirical fragility of structures and components derived from field observations or qualification tests is conditioned to model large earthquakes, so fragility analysis must be adjusted to correspond with PSHA hazard estimates. Adjustment based on energy absorption principles is presented in the sections that follow, andmacroseismic information from intensity is used for verification. The procedure suggested was applied in seismic probabilistic risk assessment for the Goesgen, Switzerland, nuclear power plant (NPP).
Working Together, Building Capacity - A Case Study of Civil Defence Emergency Management in New Zealand
Authors: Lee Bo-Yao ,   Department of Internal Affairs, New Zealand, PO Box 805, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Published: April 2016

New Zealanders are exposed to multiple natural hazards. The country has experienced major disasters in the past, but recent decades have been relatively uneventful.1This paper reviews the New Zealand approach to civil defence emergency management (CDEM), as introduced by the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 (the CDEM Act). The approach promotes co-operative planning and sustainable management of hazard risks through the “4Rs” - reduction (of risks), readiness, response and recovery. It recognises the central government’s roles of national coordination, and emphasises the responsibilities of regional CDEM Groups, local government and communities for managing local hazard risks. The paper reviews various initiatives to illustrate that capacity building is a collective effort requiring active involvement across central and local government, nongovernmental agencies, communities and all individuals. New Zealand’s preparedness is examined from several perspectives, including: the level of public preparedness, lessons learned from real emergencies, a national exercise programme, and a monitoring and evaluation programme. The paper concludes that New Zealanders are making progress but difficulties remain in persuading all parties to work towards the vision of a “Resilient New Zealand.” 1. This paper was submitted before the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand (where the second largest city Christchurch is located) on 4 September 2010. Fortunately, no deaths and only a few serious injuries were reported as a result of the earthquake. The impact on buildings, infrastructure and economy, and psychosocial effects are being assessed as the paper is being finalised. However, the event is set to become the most costly disaster so far in New Zealand history. It will also be the most significant real test for many years of New Zealand’s emergency management arrangements, but it is too soon for an assessment in this paper of their effectiveness.
Adapting the Demographic Transition in Preparation for the Tokai-Tonankai-Nankai Earthquake
Authors: Chen Haili ,   Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan, Maki Norio , Hayashi Haruo
Published: April 2016

Demographic transition has been widely discussed but rarely examined in the disaster research context. With the anticipated Tokai-Tonankai-Nankai Earthquake becoming an issue, we are developing adaptation strategies targeting enhancing resilience against and reducing vulnerability to this potential threat. Using mesh-based population estimation in cohort component analysis, we are characterizing the current and 2030 populations into sustainable, dependent, and marginal demographic transition patterns to discuss the impact of demographic transition. Specific to each area of certain demographic transition and seismicity exposure, and wide-area management, we suggest 4 adaptation strategies - business continuity planning, regional vitalization, community-capability reinforcement, and wide-area management - for improving current management.
Building Comprehensive Disaster Victim Support System
Authors: Urakawa Go ,   Institute of Sustainability Science, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan, Hayashi Haruo , Tamura Keiko , Inoguchi Munenari , Horie Kei , Higashida Mitsuhiro , Hamamoto Ryota ,   Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan,   Research Center for Natural Hazard and Disaster Recovery, Niigata University, 8050, Ikarashi Nino-cho, Nishi-ku, Niigata city, Niigata 950-2181, Japan,   InterRisk Research Institute & Consulting, Inc. 4-2-5 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan,   Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, 3-9-11 Midori-Cho, Musashino-Shi, Tokyo 180-8585, Japan,   ESRI Japan Corporation, 2-7-1 Hirakawa-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0093, Japan
Published: April 2016

Our research team of industrial, governmental, and academic organizations had supported local governments using geographic information systems (GIS) at Odiya city in the 2004 Niigata-ken Chuetsu Earthquake. We developed GIS applications for damage certification based on specific needs enabling municipal personnel to operate effectively during the initial post-disaster confusion. The team developed GIS and other databases and applications, and designed the certification desk layout. Based on our work in Odiya, we applied these solutions in the 2004 Niigataken Chuetsu Earthquake, 2007 Noto Hanto Earthquake, and 2007 Niigata-ken Chuetsuoki Earthquake. We damage citification issuance and set up a master database for victims to help victims rebuild their lives. We discuss comprehensive solutions to damage assessment, database registration, damage certification, and victim assistance.
Transport Accident Investigation Status and Issues
Authors: Abe Seiji ,   Faculty of Safety Science, Kansai University, 7-1 Hakubaicho, Takatsuki-city, Osaka 569-1098, Japan
Published: April 2016

Railroad, aviation, and shipping transport accidents tend to be handled as organizational incidents. The objective of accident investigation is to effectively decrease and prevent accident recurrence, rather than to ascribe blame to any person. Such investigations clarify technological, system-based, and managerial shortcomings. By eliminating factors that cause accidents, we may be able to prevent similar recurrences. In this article, we first review the global status of accident, then, look at current situations and issues as they apply to accident investigation in Japan.
Verification of Disaster Management Information on the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami Using Virtual Tsunami Warning System
Authors: Takahashi Tomoyuki ,   Faculty of Safety Science, Kansai University, 7-1 Hakubai-cho, Takatsuki, Osaka 569-1098, Japan, Konuma Tomohiro ,   Kokusai Kogyo Co., Ltd., 2 Rokubancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0085, Japan
Published: April 2016

There is still no tsunami warning systemprotecting the shores of the Indian Ocean, but imagine that a tsunami warning system had been in operation at the time of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. What disaster management information would have been issued for this tsunami ? This paper first proposes four tsunamimodels based on the earthquake information issued by different institutions. Next, setting these tsunami models as the initial condition, tsunami simulations are conducted to find the height of the tsunami striking the coastline around the Indian Ocean. As a result, it is indicated that because the tsunami model immediately after occurrence of the 2004 Sumatra Earthquake and the Indian Ocean tsunami calculated from this model are underestimated, appropriate tsunami warnings would most probably not have been issued before the 2004 tsunami struck land.
Comparison of International and Domestic Methods of Providing Housing After Disasters
Authors: Koshiyama Kenji ,   Faculty of Safety Science, Kansai University, 7-1 Hakubai-cho, Takatsuki, Osaka, 569-1098, Japan
Published: April 2016

This paper raises issues of housing supply programs after disasters and compares how Japan, Turkey, and Mexico have supplied newly constructed housing after disasters directly through public organizations. The study results indicate that the planning schemes of these three countries differ in terms of their restoration effects on the cities. This paper also discusses problems involved in the public provision of housing in Japan.
A Study on the Response Instability of Seismically Isolated Structures Affected by Ground Inclination During Earthquakes Part 1 : Estimation of Ground Inclination During Earthquakes and the Influence of Static Ground Inclination
Authors: Miyazaki Mitsuo ,   Dynamic Design Inc., ISE Building 3F, 1-16 Sumiyoshi-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan, Nishimura Yukihiro
Published: April 2016

Seismic isolation can provide superior building safety and dynamic performance during strong earthquakes, however, it is known that some near-source ground motions produce excessive response deformations, which may be larger than the allowable capacity of the isolation devices. Isolation systems with longer periods and higher damping are more capable of resisting such deformations, and the author proposed new isolation systems with periods of 10 sec, or even longer. Longer isolation periods, however, mean less resistance and restoring force in the isolation systems, which may cause concerns about unstable response characteristics during strong earthquakes. One such unstable behavior is the possibility of excessive horizontal displacements of the isolation system resulting from ground inclination. Based on numerical analyses using existing vertical ground motion records, this paper estimates the ground inclination during earthquakes and studies the anticipated horizontal deformation of isolated structures that might be induced by such ground inclination.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Authors: Suzuki Yasuo ,   College of Life and Health Sciences, Chubu University, 1200 Matsumoto-cho, Kasugai-shi, Aichi, 487-8501, Japan
Published: April 2016

The highly pathogenic avian influenza, H5N1 subtype, has been transmitted to humans in 15 countries in the world, with a significantly high fatality rate. The transmission to humans has been expanded. Since the virus was transmitted to humans for the first time in Hong Kong in 1997, the transmission of the virus from human to human has been limited. One of the reasons of the limitation can be found in the fact that the sialoglycoconjugates receptor-binding specificity of H5N1 virus is avian-type, and a mutation of the virus for acquiring receptor-binding specificity exclusively to humans has not occurred. However, it is concerned that if such a mutation of the virus occurred, a pandemic of highly pathogenic avian influenza would break out with a scale far exceeding that of the disastrous Spanish influenza in the past. This paper deals with the present condition of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, the mechanism of the virus to acquire the propensity of transmissibility to humans, and the measures against such a mutation.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
Authors: Kawana Akihiko ,   Division of Infectious Diseases and Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359-8513 Japan
Published: April 2016

Severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, was the first emerging infection of the 21stcentury. Severe pneumonia is the main symptom, and the case fatality rate was about 10%. In general, convalescence becomes less satisfactory with the age of the patient. The older the patient is, the more unsatisfactorily his or her convalescence is. The disease is transmitted mainly through the spread of droplets from the human respiratory tract. Many health care professionals became infected with SARS within the medical facilities in which they worked. No peculiar medicine or vaccine for SARS has yet been developed. A worldwide epidemic of SARS centered in China broke out around during the period from 2002 to 2003; about 8,000 cases were recorded. Although this epidemic has come to an end, attention should be paid to SARS because of its possible reemergence. Preparedness for SARS can be also applied to measures against other emerging infections.
EnterohemorrhagicEscherichia coli- Its Control from a Viewpoint of Food Safety -
Authors: Asakura Hiroshi ,   Division of Biomedical Food Research, National Institute of Health Sciences, 1-18-1 Kamiyoga, Setagaya, Tokyo 158-8501, Japan, Momose Yoshika , Kasuga Fumiko
Published: April 2016

This review focuses on the bacteriological nature and epidemics of enterohemorrhagicEscherichia coli(EHEC), a global scourge, from the viewpoint of food safety. Many human EHEC infections are linked to eating undercooked food and untreated water. We are still struggling to control this pathogen in the food chain, so we discuss current knowledge on sources of infection and EHEC distribution and survival mechanisms in foreign environments including the food matrix. We also introduce ways to effectively prevent food-borne EHEC infection.
Global Threats and the Control of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis
Authors: Kobayashi Kazuo ,   Department of Immunology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan, Ato Manabu , Matsumoto Sohkichi ,   Department of Bacteriology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Japan
Published: April 2016

About one-third of the world’s population has been infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Active disease develops in about 9 million people per year, and tuberculosis is responsible for 2 million deaths per year. The disease caused by this bacterium, tuberculosis (TB), remains one of the leading causes of mortality caused by infection worldwide and is a major threat to global health. The situation of TB is recently exacerbated by the emergence of highly drug-resistant forms of the disease-causing pathogen and synergy with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome, which greatly increases the risk of latent M. tuberculosis infection progressing to active disease. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis is defined as disease caused by strains of M. tuberculosis that are at least resistant to isoniazid and rifampicin; extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis refers to disease caused by MDR strains that are also resistant to any fluoroquinolone and any of the injectable drugs used in treatment with second-line anti-tuberculosis drugs (amikacin, capreomycin, and kanamycin). MDR- and XDR-TB are serious threats to the progress that has been made in the control of tuberculosis worldwide over the past decade. In this review, we focus on threats of MDR-TB and the research and development of improved diagnostics, new chemotherapeutic agents, and vaccine candidates for MDR-TB.
Special Issue on Managing Catastrophic Technological Risks and Role of Technology Assessment (TA) in the Post 3/11 Society
Authors: Suzuki Tatsujiro , Yoshizawa Go
Published: April 2016

The nuclear accident at Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCo)’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant on March 11, 2011, triggered by the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent Tsunami, is probably the worst “catastrophic technological risk” ever experienced by Japan. Whether this serious accident could have been prevented or managed better is the key question that we need to pursue. Technology Assessment (TA), which is intended to help decision making by assessing possible societal impacts of particular technology, can play significant role in managing catastrophic technological risks by providing an objective assessment of technological risks before it happens, while it is happening and even after the accident. In this special issue on TA, we are fortunate to have papers and reviews from both distinguished experts as well as young scholars. The variety of the subject is also very useful to see how TA can be applied under the different situations. In particular, in the post 3.11 society, we believe it is a good occasion to consider institutionalization of TA in Japan.
Green Revolution: Pathways to Food Security in an Era of Climate Variability and Change?
Authors: Chhetri Netra ,   School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning and the Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes, Arizona State University, PO Box 874401, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA, Chaudhary Pashupati ,   Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125, USA,   Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Royal Enclave, Srirampura, Jakkur Post, Bangalore, 560024, India
Published: April 2016

Critical technological breakthrough in agriculture and the policy surrounding it resulted in a series of successes in increasing the food productivity, especially in developing countries, and came to be known as Green Revolution. The systems of food production, however, to date, faces new challenges due to convergence of multiple factors, including the impending threat of changing climate. Our goal in this paper is to review and reflect upon the achievements of the Green Revolution, perceived as a superb achievement of science and technology policy in South Asia and elsewhere, and discuss how the program and the policy that came to be associated with it will respond to new challenges. We argue that in an era of rapidly changing climate and the uncertainties associated with it, the world food system is encountering a significant challenge leading us to question whether the Green Revolution celebrated as technically advanced and “modern” in the past is adequate to respond to the diverse array of challenges that will be encountered in the 21stcentury. For all its innovativeness and achievement, the ability of the Green Revolution to respond to emerging challenges is unlikely to follow a smooth trajectory with time. So responding to emerging challenges requires a new gestalt of concepts that demands different science and technology policy whereby farmers can produce more food and other agricultural commodities sustainably under conditions of declining per capita arable land, irrigation water, dwindling resource base and agricultural labor supply along with the stresses of climate change.
Internal Security Issues Related to Automatic System Malfunction and a Model to Explain Foresight of Experts and Non-Experts
Authors: Morishita Soichiro ,   Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies, The University of Tokyo, Hongo 7-3-1 Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan, Yokoi Hiroshi ,   Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering, The University of Electro-Communications, Chofugaoka 1-5-1, Chofu-shi, Tokyo 182-8585, Japan
Published: April 2016

Accidents or malfunctions in automatic systems often raise questions about the possibility of the system’s designer being able to foresee such problems. In general, the opinions of experts are given more credence than the opinions of non-experts. If objective evidence shows that a malfunction could not have been foreseen even by experts, the possibility of prediction is assumed to have not been possible. Experts can make a proper decision based on expertise related to the automatic machine coverage. However, non-experts might underestimate the coverage and become careful about handling of the system. When a malfunction that an expert cannot foresee occurs in such a situation, and results agree by chance with the forecast of a non-expert, engineers are questioned beyond reason about their “responsibility” – a trend particularly marked in relation to computer systems. As described in this paper, the case in which an Okazaki City Library user was arrested is an appropriate case study for this problem. Given the perspective of design of automatic machines and engineering ethics, we discuss it as an internal security issue.
Technology Assessment in the EU Institutions
Authors: Rogers Michael D. ,   Independent Consultant, Risk, Ethics and Law, Roelandsheide 55, 3080 Tervuren, Belgium
Published: April 2016

Technology Assessment (TA) is the study and evaluation of new technologies with the objective of understanding the likely impacts (costs and benefits) of these technologies on society and the environment – with the explicit aim of improving regulatory decision making concerning these technologies. This is a prospective exercise helping to ensure that “better” regulatory decisions are made by decision makers. TA and “TA like” activities are embedded within the main EU institutions. The Commission carries out Regulatory Impact Assessments on every significant regulatory proposal. It also has at its disposal a range of advisory groups which includes the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies and the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies. The European Parliament has its own TA unit – the Science and Technology Options Assessment unit. The institutions are committed to quality, transparency and effectiveness in their use of expert groups and all such assessments are published on the internet. Occasionally full citizens’ consultations are carried out but this is not a formal requirement. Recent changes in the regulatory development process have emphasised the concept of “smarter” regulations. This concept is concerned not just with prospective analyses in advance of new regulations but also with the retrospective evaluation of existing regulations asking the question“Did they meet the need that was the raison d’être for enacting the regulation under consideration.”The distinction highlighted by Churchill [2] that experts should advise but not decide is intended to ensure that regulators take account of aspects other than the expert view. Nevertheless, it is essential that expert groups have the right to introduce advice thatmight otherwise be overlooked by the regulators, as is the case in a number of expert groups in the EU institutions.
A Research of the Elevator Evacuation Performance and Strategies for Taipei 101 Financial Center
Authors: Chien Shen-Wen ,   Fire Science Institute, Central Police University, Kueishan Hsiang, Taoyuan County 33304, Taiwan, Wen Wei-Jou ,   National Fire Agency, Ministry of The Interior, Xindian District, New Taipei City 23143, Taiwan
Published: April 2016

Issues revolving around the use of elevator evacuation in highrise buildings for emergencies (both firerelated and nonfire-related) have long been under debate. This research investigates the performance of using elevator evacuation in Taipei 101, the second tallest building in the world. Taipei 101 Financial Centre (the main building) is used mainly for office occupancy and contains a total of 61 elevators. The analysis for this study was carried out using simulation results from building EXODUS and FDS. The results show that using elevators as a method of evacuation can help shorten up the time in a nonfire-related emergency, but in the case of fire events, elevator evacuation is less effective due to the nature of the structural layout, reliability of electric power and other factors. The results for nonfire-related evacuation time found in this study correspond to some literature on elevator evacuations from abroad.
Surveys and Analyses on Human Behavior in the New York World Trade Center Disasters in 1993 and 2001
Authors: Yoshida Yoshiyuki ,   Design Management Department, Takenaka Corporation, Shinsuna, Koto-ku, Tokyo 136-0056, Japan
Published: April 2016

The World Trade Center in New York (WTC) was attacked by terrorists twice, in 1993 and 2001. In the latter case, it collapsed. In the first case on February 26, 1993, a survey was conducted holding interviews with Japanese business people. The testimonies are analyzed according to the number of occupants, occupants’ awareness of the emergency, pre-escape behaviors, behavior in the stairs, and escape time. In the second case on September 11, 2001, survivors’ stories were collected from the Internet. The remarkable and common event found in two disasters is heavy congestion in the stairs. This paper aims to study measures for life safety design to future tall buildings focusing on a heavy congestion in the stairs caused by simultaneous escape in the whole building. In analyzing a simultaneous escape, it is necessary to deal it with a dynamic method, as human flow in stairs is a feedback system. Analyses ofWTC escape standing on the same position are reported by NIST [1]. The fluid model in this paper was carried out prior to NIST studies and demonstrated necessity of dynamic analysis.
Fire and Smoke Protection Measures for High-Rise Buildings
Authors: Murakami Suminao ,   Interviewee: Suminao Murakami, Honorary Director of Laboratory of Urban Safety Planning, 2-032 Demeure Goibancho, 12 Gomancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0076, Japan, Murosaki Yoshiteru ,   Interviewer: Yoshiteru Murosaki, Professor of Kwansei Gakuin University, Uegahara, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 662-8501, Japan
Published: April 2016

Upon planning the JDR Special issue on Fire and Emergency Evacuation in a High-rise Building, an interview was held on August 15, 2011, at Laboratory of Urban Safety Planning in Chiyodaku, Tokyo. Prof. Yoshiteru Murosaki of Kwansei Gakuin University, who was involved in the recovery project of the Great Hanshin earthquake and has served as the chairman of the National Research Institute of Fire and Disaster, interviewed Dr. Suminao Murakami (JDR Editorin-chief), Honorary Director of Laboratory of Urban Safety Planning, has been involved in many disaster prevention plans as well as having experienced many disaster sites in Japan, on the theme of fire protection measures for high-rise buildings.
Tsunami Disaster Mitigation by Integrating Comprehensive Countermeasures in Padang City, Indonesia
Authors: Imamura Fumihiko ,   Disaster Control Research Center, Tohoku University, Aoba 06-6-11-1106, Sendai 980-8579, Japan, Muhari Abdul , Mas Erick , Pradono Mulyo Harris , Post Joachim , Sugimoto Megumi ,   The Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology, Jl. MH, Thamrin 8, Jakarta 10340, Indonesia,   German Remote Sensing Data Center (DFD), German Aerospace Center (DLR), 82234 Wessling, Germany,   Earthquake Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
Published: April 2016

This paper describes the results of a comprehensive analysis for tsunami disaster mitigation in Padang City, Indonesia. Assessment consists of several steps, starting from the construction of tsunami hazard maps based on the most probable earthquake scenario in the future. Results are then analyzed to determine the impact on residential population along potential evacuation routes. Next, from the standpoint of hazards, we move to the analysis of human’s vulnerability during evacuation. The term “vulnerability” is associated with available evacuation time. Here, we conducted a static evacuation model using the GIS platform and a dynamic approach using multiagent paradigm. Results of evacuationmodeling suggest that some residents may not have enough time to leave the tsunami inundation area before the first wave comes. We therefore propose using relatively high buildings as vertical evacuation sites. One of potential candidates that survived from a devastated earthquake with 7.6 Mw in 2009 is selected to be further analyzed its antiseismic deficiencies based on design ground motion obtained from micro-tremor analysis and synthesized recorded wave in Padang. As a result, even though the building underwent some damage, the frame structure was able to withstand the shaking and keep the building from collapsing.
Analysis of Description of Local Disaster Management Plan for Smooth and EffectiveWide-Area Support System During Large-Scale Disaster
Authors: Numada Muneyoshi ,   International Center for Urban Safety Engineering, Institute of Industrial Science, the University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan, Kondo Shinya , Inoue Masashi , Meguro Kimiro ,   Eight-Japan Engineering Consultants Inc., 5-33-11 Honcho, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164-8601, Japan
Published: April 2016

This paper gives attention to the phase of safety of work in wide-area support and considers differences in description in local disaster management plans drafted by supporting local governments and supported ones, assuming that standardization of such descriptions could bring more smooth and effective implementation of plans. This paper targets desirable directions toward arrangement for a highly effective wide-area cooperation system. A framework is introduced in examining on what wide-area support should be like, referring to previous studies on actual situation of the support at the time of the 1995 Southern Hyogo Prefecture Earthquake and of the 2004Mid Niigata Prefecture Earthquake. Then the disaster response activities in wide-area support are examines and local disaster management plans among different local governments are compared and differences in descriptions in plans. Necessary information for supporting sides and introduces the exchange of opinions with Kawasaki City that stood on the supporting side after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake is discussed. To make cooperation among the Japanese Government, prefectures, and municipalities more effective, the description of local disaster management plans should be standardized to some degree.
Function of Emergency Road Networks During the Post-Earthquake Process of Lifeline Systems Restoration
Authors: Shoji Gaku ,   Division of Engineering Mechanics and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, Information and Systems, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8573, Japan, Toyota Ayumi ,   Civil Engineering Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (Formerly, Graduate School of Systems and Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba), 1646 Abiko, Abiko, Chiba 270-1194, Japan
Published: April 2016

This paper aims to present a framework for evaluating the functionality of emergency road networks after an earthquake from the perspective of local assistance during the process of restoring lifeline systems, such as electric power supply systems, gas supply systems and telecommunication networks. For the analysis, an earthquake of M7.3 in the Tokyo metropolitan area is anticipated, and the following types of local assistance between the related bases and the lifeline systems in the Kanto area are assumed. We employ four indices to quantify the physical and functional states of emergency road networks to be used during the post-earthquake restoration process: distance exposed by seismic intensity spatial distribution and distance exposed by PL value spatial distribution, the indices of which denote the physical state of the road networks as a result of ground motions and liquefaction, distance weighted by traffic congestion level, and distance weighted by averaged traveling time during the congestion, the indices of which denote the functional state of the road networks before being subjected to the above-mentioned seismic disturbances. By using the indices to evaluate the function of the networks from the point of view of efficiency in terms of gathering human resources and restoration materials, we can determine the most effective emergency road networks and related bases to provide local assistance to lifeline systems.
A Basic Study of Open Space Information as Social Infrastructure for Wide-Range Cooperation in Large-Scale Seismic Disaster
Authors: Furuya Takashi ,   Center for Risk Management and Safety Sciences, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 240-8501, Japan, Inoguchi Munenari , Urakawa Go , Hayashi Haruo ,   Research Institute for Natural Hazards and Disaster Recovery, Niigata University, 8050 Ninomachi, Igarashi, Nishi-ku, Niigata 950-2181, Japan,   Center for Disaster Reduction, University of Hyogo, 1-5-2 Wakinohamakaigandori, Chuo-Ku, Kobe 651-0073, Japan,   Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, Gokasyo, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
Published: April 2016

The open space area is necessary for disaster operation such as evacuation, clean-up, and logistics and temporary housing. Tokyo Metropolitan Earthquake will cause enormous damage and have far-reaching consequences. Therefore, local governments have to regulate wide-range cooperation for use of available open space area. In this study, 1) the problem schemes of open space is clarified based on the logistic process of Theory of Constraints, and 2) Geospatial distribution and size of open space area is analyzed quantitatively based on land-use database, 3) the conceptual design of the comprehensive open-space database management system is formulate considering decision-making process.
Pandemic Influenza
Authors: Manriquez Maria Eugenia Vasquez ,   National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Calzada De Tlalpan 4502, Colonia Seccion XVI, Mexico C.P. 14080, Mexico, Iwata Kentaro , Tanaka Motoko , Shinya Kyoko ,   Division of Infectious Disease Therapeutics, Kobe University Hospital, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan,   Division of Zoonosis, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0017, Japan
Published: April 2016

On 11 June 2009, a new influenza pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization. One of the most important lessons learned from this pandemic was the difficulty of estimating the pathogenicity of newly emergent pathogens, especially in the initial phase of the outbreak. Clinicopathological analysis of the first patients in Mexico revealed that this virus infection had accelerated the death of patients suffering from underlying diseases, although a small percentage of otherwise healthy people also suffered from rapidlyprogressing lethal pneumonia. Even under medical observation, the prognostication of the disease for individual patients remains difficult. Gathering a patient’s basic background information and making a proper physical examination likely remain the most important and effectivemethods by which severe cases can be diagnosed at an early stage. An increased incidence in cases of severe pneumonia has been repeatedly observed in the early phases of both past and recent pandemics. By the time an outbreak has been identified, it is almost certainly impossible to prevent the transmission of the airborne pathogen worldwide. In planning for future pandemics, a compromise between attempts to contain the spread of the pathogen and reliance upon the standard clinical medical procedures will be needed.