bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Model of Earthquake-Generation Cycle with Scale-Dependent Frictional Property - Preliminary Results and Research Plan for a Project of Evaluation for Coming Tokai, Tonankai, and Nankai Earthquakes
Authors: Hori Takane ,   Institute for Research on Earth Evolution, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Miyazaki Shin’ichi , Mitsui Noa ,   Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University
Published: April 2016

To estimate rupture timing and location for coming Nankai trough earthquakes, we must know the mechanism of variation in earthquake size and recurrence time. Recurrence time varies fairly widely, and shows “time-predictable” behavior based on historical data. We propose a conceptual model for reproducing recurrence-timing variation related to earthquake size. The model includes smaller patches in a larger patch where all patches are velocity-weakening. We assume that characteristic slip distance L under the rate- and state-dependent friction law depends on patch size. We test simple two-scale heterogeneity and reproduce time-predictable behavior. Results show that slip patterns among earthquake-generation cycles vary significantly. Within a seismogenic zone, afterslip occurs during interseismic periods of giant earthquakes rupturing the entire seismogenic zone.
Characteristics and Mitigation Measures for Tsunamis Generated Along the Nankai Trough
Authors: Imamura Fumihiko ,   Disaster Control Research Center, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8579, Japan, Imai Kentaro ,   Earthquake Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi, Bunkyo 113-0032, Tokyo, Japan
Published: April 2016

Historical information related to tsunamis generated in the Nankai Trough was compiled to examine their frequency and associated destruction. Types of damage in a wide area throughout western Japan from Boso to Kyushu, Susaki, Kochi, and Osaka were selected to elucidate tsunami behavior and damage to areas where multiple damage to facilities was reported, such as that to floated ships, bridge destruction, and road blockage by strong current and floating materials such as destroyed house and ships. After reviewing the tsunami physics and damage from recent events including that related to 2004 Sumatra, suggestions are offered to mitigate future disasters.
Special Issue on Early Warning for Natural Disaster Mitigation
Authors: Motosaka Masato
Published: April 2016

Japan and many other counties face the risk of the natural disaster such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and floods. Natural disaster mitigation research and development are providing important, practical applications based on the development of the scientific technology.

One major contribution is early warning system, being backed by observation and communication technology progress. Early warning research and development have been extensively studied domestically and internationally. Specifically, recent developments in earthquake engineering research and construction of seismic dense network have made it possible to issue earthquake warnings before the arrival of severe shaking. Such warnings enable emergency measures to be taken to protect lives, buildings, infrastructure, and transport from earthquake depredations. One such system went into practical use nationwide in Japan starting on October 1, 2007. Development has been conducted with cooperation of government, academic community and non-government, and private organizations.

This special issue features papers on the early warning system for the natural disastermitigation covering issues ranging from natural science to social science. The recent developed earthquake early warning technology and its applications will be introduced. Besides earthquakes, the recent early warning technology for tsunami and flood are also included in this issue. The warning time available for tsunami and flood is much longer than that for earthquakes, and the contribution of numerical calculation using the real-time observation data differs with the type of disaster.

Finally I would like to express my deepest gratitude for anonymous reviewers of papers in this special issue.
Seismic Isolation Retrofit of a Medical Complex by Integrating Two Large-Scale Buildings
Authors: Masuzawa Yoe ,   Risk Management Department, Engineering and Risk Services Corporation, Japan, Akasaka Kikyo Bldg., 3-11-15 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan, Hisada Yoshiaki ,   Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Kogakuin University, Japan, 1-24-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163-8677, Japan
Published: April 2016

We developed a methodology of seismic isolation retrofit integrating adjacent buildings using prestressed concrete slabs, and applied it to two large-scale buildings in Hamamatsu City in Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan. It is the first seismic isolation retrofit of hospital in Japan. The two steel-reinforced concrete buildings were nine stories high with one basement, and had been constructed in 1973 and 1975 based on an old structural design code. The two buildings were integrated into one building by connecting individual floors using post-tensioned prestressing cables through slabs. A comparison of microtremors before and after the integration confirmed that the integration worked well. Seismic isolation devices were set up mainly in basement columns using temporary support involving steel brackets and prestressing cables to install devices safely and economically (Masuzawa et al., 2004 [1]). In the seismic design phase, broadband-generated earthquake ground motions for a hypothetical Magnitude 8 earthquake near the site were simulated using a hybrid method (Hisada, 2000 [2], etc.). Safety and functionality were verified by evaluating structural seismic performance based on time-history seismic response analysis.
Promotion Planning for Application of an Earthquake Early Warning System in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Liang-Chun ,   National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction, Taiwan, 9F, 200, Sec. 3, Beisin Rd., Sindian City, Taipei County, Taiwan, Wu Bing-Ru , Kuo Kai-Wen , Tsai Keh-Chyuan , Hsiao Nai-Chi , Chen Min , Wu Tzu-Shiu ,   Seismological Center, Central Weather Bureau, Taiwan,   National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering, Taiwan,   National Center for High-performance Computing, Taiwan
Published: April 2016

Based on dense earthquake monitoring networks, the earthquake early warning (EEW) technology has remarkable achievement in Taiwan. However, the EEW system has not been applied to buildings, infrastructures, or critical facilities, nor announced to the general public via communication channels. This study reviews EEW potential for disaster reduction and proposes a promotion framework of EEW system in Taiwan. Prototype systems should be established for public organizations using currently reliable communication channels first. Once prototype performance is verified in actual earthquakes, applications would be gradually expanded. Collaboration among the government, academy institutes, and private sectors, could set up a comprehensive EEW system and work to reduce earthquake disaster effects in practice.
Development of Application Systems for Earthquake Early Warning
Authors: Fujinawa Yukio ,   Real-time Earthquake Information Consortium (REIC), 2-14-4 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0004, Japan, Rokugo Yoshinori , Noda Yoichi , Mizui Yoshinobu , Kobayashi Masaji , Mizutani Etsuo
Published: April 2016

In Japan, governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and private companies cooperated to develop the Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) system from 2003 to 2007. It is for overall use in the country to mitigate earthquake disasters. Real-time Earthquake Information Consortium (REIC) is in charge of developing the application system for EEW. All data are from the networks of the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED). Those data are collected and analyzed in real time using the system developed by the NIED and JMA. The JMA officially issues two kinds of EEW: one for general public and one for advanced users. Once earthquakes occur, the focal parameters are calculated as quickly as possible after sufficient number of observation sites detect seismic waves, and are transmitted to the advanced users, generally within seconds. The parameters disseminated can be used by any private party or organization for their own purposes. We have developed 14 particular application systems to help with various countermeasures, including automated and/or semi-automated responses in each field. The systems are being adopted gradually for earthquake disaster mitigation.
Seismic Response Control of a Soft First-Story Building
Authors: Hayabe Yasuhiro ,   Design Division, Taisei Corporation, 1-25-1 Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163-0606, Japan, Watanabe Yuichi
Published: April 2016

A structure with a building plane 7.75 × 8.35 m, 47.8 m high, and having a height/width aspect ratio exceeding 6 has a building response that is difficult to control in both seismic and wind loading. We therefore changed the vibration mode from rocking to swaying by softening first-story translation stiffness and concentrating building deformation to make the first story energy-absorbing. The soft first-story structure we introduce involves (1) stiffening the structure above the second story, (2) making first-story columns laterally flexible and axially rigid, and (3) developing a response-hardening oil damper. The sections below detail these structural elements and dynamic response control performance against wind and seismic loading through time-history response analysis.
Structural Control by Innovative Oil Damper with Automatic On/Off Valve Operation
Authors: Kurino Haruhiko ,   Kobori Research Complex, Kajima Corporation, 6-5-30 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8502, Japan, Orui Satoshi , Shimizu Kan
Published: April 2016

This paper discusses an ingenious passive oil damper for structural control that maximizes or minimizes the damping coefficient by regulating the opening of a built-in flow control valve. The on/off algorithm was originally developed for a semi-active oil damper using electrically controlled solenoid valves, and its control effectiveness was confirmed through vibration tests and observation records in actual high-rise buildings. The remarkable feature of the device proposed here is that all valve control is implemented autonomously using the pressure balance between two hydraulic chambers without external power, so it operates like a semi-active damper with no external energy or controller, and absorbs much more vibration energy than conventional dampers. Dynamic loading tests on a full-scale device (maximum force: 2.1 MN) under both sinusoidal and nonstationary waves confirmed that the device has the excellent energy absorption capacity anticipated and that the damper’s dynamics are well simulated by a simple analytical model. The damper is widely applicable and already has been or is being implemented in over 15 high-rise buildings in Japan.
Real-Time Ground Motion Forecasting Using Front-Site Waveform Data Based on Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Kuyuk H. Serdar ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Sakarya University, Turkey (Formerly, Disaster Control Research Center, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University), Motosaka Masato ,   Disaster Control Research Center, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-11-1102 Aobayama, Sendai 980-8579, Japan
Published: April 2016

Real-time earthquake information made available by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) publicly since October 2007 is intended to dramatically reduce human casualties and property damage following earthquakes. Its current limitations, however, such as a lack of applicability to near-source earthquakes and the insufficient accuracy of seismic ground motion intensity leave much to be desired. The authors have suggested that the forward use of front-site waveform data leads to improve accuracy of real-time ground motion prediction. This paper presents an advanced methodology based on artificial neural networks (ANN) for the forward forecasting of ground motion parameters, not only peak ground acceleration and velocity but also spectral information before S wave arrival using the initial P waveform at a front site. Estimated earthquake ground motion information can be used as a warning to lessen human casualties and property damage. Fourier amplitude spectra estimated highly accurately before strong shaking can be used for advanced engineering applications, e.g., feed-forward structural control. The validity and applicability of the proposed method have been verified using Kyoshin Network (K-NET) observation datasets for 39 earthquakes occurring in the Miyagi Oki area.
Strategies for Communicable Diseases Response After Disasters in Developing Countries
Authors: Kouadio Koffi Isidore ,   Department of Virology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University 2-1 Seiryou-machi Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan, Kamigaki Taro , Oshitani Hitoshi
Published: April 2016

Communicable diseases represent a public health problem in developing countries and especially in those affected by disasters, necessitating an appropriate and coordinated response from national and international partners. The importance of rapid epidemiological assessment for public health planning and resources allocation is critical. Our review assesses the communicable diseases after natural disasters and conflict and describes a comprehensive intervention strategy towards their control. Several factors that promote disease transmission after disasters interact synergically, facilitating the occurrence of communicable diseases outbreaks. Diarrheal diseases, Hepatitis, Measles, Meningitis, Acute Respiratory Infection, Malaria were commonly described after natural disasters and conflicts situations. Tularemia, Lassa Fever, Pneumonic Plague were mainly described after conflicts. Other diseases including Diphtheria, Influenza and Pertusis has been less documented in disaster and refugee settings, but have potential to spread rapidly in overcrowded situations. These outbreaks may be avoidable by appropriate planning and intervention. Adequate shelter and sanitation, water and food safety, appropriate surveillance, immunization and management approach as well health education will be strongly required towards the reduction of morbidity and mortality. In addition further research is needed to improve intervention strategies as well as in the area of early warning system.
Nipah Virus Infection - Zoonosis Among Wild Animals, Domestic Animals and Humans
Authors: Kaku Yoshihiro ,   Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
Published: April 2016

Nipah virus (NiV) infection - a zoonosis emerging in the 1990s - causes acute encephalitis symptoms in humans and respiratory disease in swine. NiV outbreaks have been reported in the Malay Peninsula, Bangladesh and India. In Malay Peninsula, NiV was transmitted by the fruit bat, the natural host, through swine to humans, creating a threat in both public health and animal health. In Bangladesh, NiV has been transmitted directly from fruit bats to humans and, in some cases, from humans to humans. Epidemiological conditions differ in the two regions, due in part to societal background. To prevent zoonoses - infectious diseases transmitted from a nonhuman animal to a human - such as NiV infection, measures must be taken covering two different aspects; first, against infection originating in wild animals and, second, against infection derived from domestic animals. In wild hosts, chances for the pathogen to move from hosts to humans must be minimized. With domestic animal sources, public health and animal health specialists must strengthen surveillance and detection of suspicious cases, implement common procedures for swift diagnosis, and exchange information on how to deal with outbreaks effectively.
Arbovirus Infections: the Challenges of Controlling an Ever-Present Enemy
Authors: Takasaki Tomohiko ,   Laboratory of Vector-Borne Viruse, Department of Virology 1, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan, Kotaki Akira , Lim Chang-Kweng , Tajima Shigeru , Omatsu Tsutomu , Moi Meng Ling , Kurane Ichiro
Published: April 2016

Arthropod-borne infections carried by mosquitoes and ticks are difficult to eradicate, once rooted, and have frequently caused wide-area epidemics such as dengue fever, West Nile fever, chikungunya fever, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and Rift Valley fever. Factors such as global warming and overpopulation have aggravated urban epidemics caused by dengue and chikungunya viruses. Measures against arthropods have their limitations, however, so nonepidemic areas must be protected against invasion by vector-borne diseases through quarantine, education and effective vaccination.
Imported Rabies Cases and Preparedness for Rabies in Japan
Authors: Morimoto Kinjiro ,   Faculty of Pharmacy, Yasuda Women’s University, 6-13-1 Yasuhigashi, Asaminami-ku, Hiroshima 731-0153, Japan, Saijo Masayuki ,   Department of Virology 1, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
Published: April 2016

Rabies has been causing some 55,000 annual deaths worldwide, mostly in the developing countries in Asia and Africa. At present, safe and effective post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) has been established and applied to more than 10 million persons each year. Nevertheless, fatal infection of human rabies imported or from wild animals has not been eradicated even in developed countries. In Japan, two imported cases occurred in 2006, the first such cases in 36 years. It is necessary to inform the public about rabies, in particular for overseas tourists, to establish the prompt and appropriate PEP systems, and to improve vaccine supply systems in order to prevent the recurrence of rabies cases in Japan.
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Virus Viewed from an Epidemiological Triangle Model
Authors: Mpolya Emmanuel A. ,   Department of Virology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan, Furuse Yuki , Nukiwa Nao , Suzuki Akira , Kamigaki Taro , Oshitani Hitoshi
Published: April 2016

The cause of atypical respiratory illness in several Mexican states in mid-March 2009 was determined to be a novel pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus. It has since then spread to six continents, causing illness and death. We review this virus against an epidemiological triangle model for understanding and visualizing communicable diseases that describes the interaction of an agent, host, and environment. We review the agent, i.e., pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus, hosts focusing on human beings, and the environment, suggesting from this agent-host-environment interaction measures for controlling and preventing infection spread due to pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus and the related issues.
Tsunami Bore Impingement onto a Vertical Column
Authors: Arnason Halldor ,   Verkis Consulting, Armuli 4, 108 Reykjavik, Iceland, Petroff Catherine , Yeh Harry ,   LP4 Associates LLC, P.O. Box 1331, Mercer Island, WA, 98040, USA,   School of Civil & Construction Engineering, Oregon State University 220 Owen Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-3212, USA
Published: April 2016

In a laboratory wave tank, bores were generated by dam-break: by lifting a gate that initially separated quiescent shallow water from a volume of impounded water. The study was motivated by the problem of tsunami-structure interaction and sought to further the understanding of interactions between the bore-like flow of a broken tsunami wave and structures of different cross sections. Experiments were designed to observe the structure’s effect on the bore as well as the bore’s effect on the structure. This comprehensive study used highly repeatable experiments to measure water-surface variations, velocity flow fields, and forces exerted by bores on vertically erected columns. The temporal and spatial variations of the water-surface elevations were quantified with a Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) technique; velocity flow fields were recorded with a combination of Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV) and Digital Particle Image Velocimetry (DPIV); forces on the columns were measured with a miniature load-cell transducer. The laboratory data obtained in the study are available for validating numerical models that predict forces on structures in unsteady flows.
Realization of Effective Disaster Victim Support Through Development of Victim Master Database with Geo-Reference -A Case Study of 2007 Niigataken Chuetsu-Oki Earthquake-
Authors: Inoguchi Munenari ,   Research Center for Natural Hazard and Disaster Recovery, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi Nino-cho, Nishi-ku, Niigata city, Niigata 950-2181, Japan, Tamura Keiko , Hayashi Haruo ,   Risk Management Office, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi Nino-cho, Nishi-ku, Niigata city, Niigata 950-2181, Japan,   Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji city, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
Published: April 2016

Once a disaster occurs, local governments have a responsibility to provide many kinds of administrative support to the people affected. However, it is very difficult for local responders to get an understanding of the victims’ progress in rebuilding their lives because of the lack of a unified master database of information on the victims. In response to this issue, we aimed to design and develop such a master database, following the work flow of administrative supports. Based on this database, we also graphically represented the status of the progress victims were making in rebuilding their lives in GIS in the city of Kashiwazaki after the 2007 Chuetsu-oki Earthquake in Niigata Prefecture. As a result of this visualization, it was realized that local responders had provided support to the victims in an aggressive and effective manner.
Inexpensive Integrated GIS for Local Government to Implement Emergency Response and Management Effectively
Authors: Urakawa Go ,   Institute of Sustainability Science, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan, Hayashi Haruo ,   Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
Published: April 2016

We are exposed to various kinds of Multi-hazards due to natural disasters, terrorist attacks and epidemic’s outbreak. In any of these crises, national and local governments must take in managing emergency responses effectively. Though one of the many measures is to build information systems against disaster, these systems are tools for estimating post disaster damage. This effort is not, however, implemented either well or effectively in most cases. Our research team had supported local governments using GIS in cases such as the 2004 Niigata-ken Chuetsu Earthquake, the 2007 Noto Hanto Earthquake, and the 2007 Niigataken Chuetsuoki Earthquake. Through these experiences, we reconfirmed the positive effects of location information and GIS. We also reconfirmed the need for both implementation speed and flexible use in their implementation. This paper describes how we built inexpensive integrated GIS for local governments to implement in emergency response andmanagement from experiences and knowledge on disaster affected area.
Vector-Valued Fragility Analysis Using PGA and PGV Simultaneously as Ground-Motion Intensity Measures
Authors: Fukushima Sei’ichiro ,   Disaster Reduction Engineering Group, Tokyo Electric Power Services Co., Ltd., 3-3-3 Higashi-Ueno, Taito, Tokyo 110-0015, Japan
Published: April 2016

Seismic risk analysis usually expresses ground-motion intensity using a single index such as peak ground acceleration (PGA), spectral acceleration for a specified period, or peak ground velocity (PGV). Limiting the number of indices, however, adds greater uncertainty when estimating annual failure probability given by convolving seismic hazard and fragility curves. This is because information other than ground-motion intensity is missing. Author proposed seismic hazard analysis using PGA and PGV simultaneously as groundmotion input measures. After analyzing the correlation coefficient between PGA and PGV using K-NET and KiK-net databases, probabilistic seismic hazard for seven sites in Kanto district in Japan was evaluated. In this study, seismic fragility analysis using PGA and PGV is conducted followed by advantage of vector-valued fragility analysis.
Study on the Containment Performance of MOX Fuel Processing Glovebox in Earthquake -Loading and Leakage Tests for Window Panels-
Authors: Matsuda Akihiro ,   Graduate School of Systems and Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8573, Japan, Uchiyama Yuichi , Inagaki Masakatsu , Tsuchino Susumu , Umetsu Hiroyuki , Shirai Koji ,   Seismic Safety Division, Japan Nuclear Energy Safety Organization, Tokyo, Japan,   Nuclear Energy System Safety Division, Japan Nuclear Energy Safety Organization, Tokyo, Japan,   Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd, Power Plant Business Headquarters, Kanagawa, Japan,   Civil Engineering Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, Chiba, Japan
Published: April 2016

This paper shows the results of the leakage tests and the large deformation analysis of a full-scale glovebox window to establish the capacity of the containment of the MOX fuel manufacturing glovebox during an earthquake. In leakage tests, the stainless steel container installed on the reverse of the glovebox window was pressurized with a halogen-air mixture after deformation was applied to the upper part of window frame using 6 micro handy jacks, and to the four glove-ports using electrical actuators. A numerical model for the rubber seal was obtained with biaxial loading tests of chloroprene sheet specimens. Tensile loading tests of acrylic resin specimens were conducted to measure the material modulus. The FEM code ABAQUS was applied to the numerical simulation and the user-subroutine function for the hyperelastic model was used to predict the deformation of the rubber seal. These tests demonstrated that a glovebox window constructed with a rubber seal and a resin panel shows no leakage larger than 0.1 vol%/h with large static deformation. The results of the numerical simulation showed that the rubber seal resolved the effects of deformation of a window panel on the containment barrier, and that two lips of the rubber seal play a key role on the containment of the glovebox.
Risk Management and Intelligence Management During Emergency
Authors: Higashida Mitsuhiro ,   NTT Service Integration Laboratories, 3-9-11 Midori-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8585, Japan, Maeda Yuji , Hayashi Haruo ,   Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji-shi, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
Published: April 2016

In the 15 years since Kobe’s Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, awareness is growing that simply gathering information may not be enough for preparing systems, executing emergency responses, and making decisions rapidly and precisely. The question has become how - and whether - emergency response information can be used effectively and efficiently for rapid disaster response, recovery, and rebuilding. We analyzed emergency response decision making from the perspective of information processing, looking for the features organizations need to process information efficiently. We also propose how to continuously improve emergency response performance.
Neural Network-Based Risk Assessment of Artificial Fill Slope in Residential Urban Region
Authors: Kamai Toshitaka ,   Research Center of Landslides, Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
Published: April 2016

Destructive urban earthquakes have triggered landslides on gentle residential slopes in Japan. Earthquake-induced slope instability is closely related to artificial landforms, especially valley fill (embankments). The study of artificial landform changes has shown that differences in fill shape, such as depth, width, base angle inclination, and cross-sectional form, may be key discriminating factors in slope instability. The earthquake trigger mechanism must be considered in accurate estimation analysis, but it is difficult to include earthquake parameters in convenient linear multivariate analysis. Neural network analysis is applied to assess large fill slope instability in residential urban areas. The neural network model we developed including causative - fill shape, groundwater, and construction age - and triggering factors - distance from the fault, moment magnitude, and direction to the fault - was checked independently against another dataset and sensitivity was analyzed. Our proposed neural network model should enable us to establish more reliable landslide hazard mapping in residential urban areas, which, in turn, should aid disaster resilient societies in seismically active regions.
Application of ICT to Contribution to Resilient Society Against Landslides
Authors: Fukuoka Hiroshi ,   Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
Published: April 2016

Among the three online landslide databases introduced here, we focus on Japan’s large-scale online landslide topography distribution mapping as a gratis Software as a Service (SaaS) application that has proven effective in hazard mapping because many large new landslides have recurred at old landslide sites. Google Earth is an effective SaaS hazardmapping tool for extracting local community landslide microtopography. Combining these maps and handwritten landslide site drawings provides economical, reliable hazard maps for community residents in developing and developed countries. Author proposed a possibility of undergraduate students volunteer acitivties for promoting hazard mapping. The early warning system based on Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) and the Japanese soil-water index (SWI) may contribute to making society more resilient against landslide disasters.
Protection of Cultural Heritage from Post-Earthquake Fire
Authors: Toki Kenzo ,   Research Center for Disaster Mitigation of Urban Cultural Heritage, Ritsumeikan University, 58 Komatsu-bara Kita-machi, Kitaku, Kyoto 603-8341, Japan
Published: April 2016

The cultural property protection field is wide and varied, with the problem of natural disaster alone often being overlooked, especially in seismic hazard measures. Cultural property preservation field experts recognize that fire-prevention measures, for example, having focused on accidental fires and arson within shrine and temple precincts that have been ineffective in preventing fires from spreading to historical buildings during simultaneous fire outbreaks in surroundings of concern during earthquakes. In 2003, the Japanese government recognized the importance of cultural heritage disaster mitigation, and a National Committee was organized whose first report was released in 2004, leading, in turn, to the first national project for protecting cultural assets against natural disasters. The project focused on two 1,500-ton underground water storage tanks near Kiyomizudera and Sanneizaka. With a pressurized water sprinkler system and other fire control facilities, the facility is expected to be used to fight fires during earthquakes and to provide easy-to-use fire hydrants for other fires.
Cultural Heritage Disaster Management Research in the Human Sciences
Authors: Yoshikoshi Akihisa ,   Department of Geography, Ritsumeikan University, 56-1 Tojiin-Kitamachi, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8577, Japan
Published: April 2016

The author reviewed studies on cultural heritage disaster management, including historical disasters and disaster history in the field of human sciences. Integrating the humanities and sciences is essential to cultural heritage disaster management. Differences will occur if these fields do not understand directions and methodologies in practice. Based on such basic preconditions, studies are compared and reviewed between the field of human sciences and engineering and disaster management science, showing that measures must be taken to not prevent an integration between the humanities and sciences.
Nonlinear Behavior of Masonry Arch Bridge Under Ground Deformation
Authors: Kishi Yusuke ,   Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan, Nozaka Katsuyoshi , Izuno Kazuyuki ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan
Published: April 2016

This paper discusses simple modeling and examples of masonry arch bridge analysis considering ground deformation. Preserving historicalmasonry arch bridges is important to continuing our industrial heritage for the next generations. A single-span masonry arch bridge was analyzed using the finite element method with two meshing schemes considering material nonlinearity to define reasonable modeling for such arch bridges. Results show that analytical model meshed automatically with a commercial FEM program preprocessor considering material plasticity reasonably simulates the behavior of the detailed masonry model. The effects of deformation on bridge behavior and stress distribution in arch bridges are also discussed.
Cultural Heritage Sites in Shiga Prefecture in Danger of Natural Disasters
Authors: Ishida Yuko ,   Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-Higashi, Kusatsu 525-8577, Japan, Fukagawa Ryoichi , Sako Kazunari , Yasukawa Ikuo , Ikeda Koji ,   Nara Prefecture Government, 30 Noborioojichou, Nara 630-8501, Japan
Published: April 2016

Natural disasters threaten all human efforts, from everyday living to cultural heritage site preservation. To protect them, such sites must first be identified. We conducted two studies on cultural monuments designated by the law as The National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties in Shiga prefecture to evaluate potential of damage from natural disasters – first, focusing on cultural monument damage via a bibliographic survey and, second, looking at potential of damage via geographic information systems (GIS) combining earthquake and flood hazard maps, sediment disaster warning maps, and an architectural monuments map. We also analyzed the geological aspects of historical sediment disasters. From our findings, we conclude the following: • Most structural damage was due to typhoons. • The eight sites most potentially subject to earthquake damage are concentrated on the west coast of Lake Biwa. • By type, 8 sites are threatened by earth flows, 5 by debris flows, and 2 by landslides. • Many sites historically subject to debris flows and earth flows are within 1 kilometer of a geological discontinuity or an active fault.
Survey Analysis of Wooded Areas Around Temples and Former Samurai Residences in Urban Areas - Their Shapes and Sizes Seen from Their Potential Function as Firebreak Belts
Authors: Takamatsu Masahiko ,   Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan, Okubo Takeyuki
Published: April 2016

In the early modern age, castle towns prospered all around Japan. Clusters of temples and samurai residences were formed in those towns. Today, we inherit part of those town layouts and buildings in our cities. In these areas, gardens and wooded areas around temples and residences not only provide a good natural environment but also function as firebreaks. The purpose of this research is to contribute to the effective conservation of such wooded areas as firebreak belts. We therefore surveyed the shapes and sizes of the clusters of temples and former samurai residences in castle towns all around Japan and then analyzed their function as firebreaks.
AREVA’s Fatigue Concept - An Integrated and Multidisciplinary Approach to the Fatigue Assessment of NPP Components
Authors: Rudolph Jürgen ,   Department PEEA-G, AREVA NP GmbH, Henri-Dunant-Strasse 50, 91058 Erlangen, Germany, Bergholz Steffen , Heinz Benedikt , Wirtz Nikolaus
Published: April 2016

Preventing fatigue damage is crucial in changing boundary conditions such as code modification, lifetime extension, new plants with operating periods of 60 years. The AREVA fatigue concept (AFC) provides for a multiple-step multidisciplinary process - process engineering, fatigue monitoring, fatigue analysis, etc. - against fatigue before and during the entire nuclear power plant (NPP) operation. Fatigue analysis is based on real operational loads measured continuously on site in plants via fatigue monitoring, enabling qualified fatigue usage factors to be determined. Potential fatigue failure sites are reliably identified, reducing expensive inspection costs. Direct processing of measured temperatures is immediately used for a first automated fast fatigue estimation. In the periodic safety inspection (PSI) framework, detailed fatigue check conforming to code rules and based on real loads is recommended. The additional check against progressive plastic deformation (ratcheting) is unique. In the elastic plastic approach, much care must be taken in applying appropriate material law and extrapolation emanating from a low number of analyzed cycles.
Special Issue on Safety Science: Comprehensive Approach to Social Disasters and Natural Disasters
Authors: Kawata Yoshiaki
Published: April 2016

In April 2010, the new Kansai University Safety Science Faculty started with 16 professors, to be increased to 25 from April 2011. Just half are social science researchers and the others natural science researchers. With natural disasters and accidents in Japan growing increasingly complex, conventional analysis on how to reduce disaster damage and avoid accidents has become increasingly inadequate. We need an interdisciplinary approach to solve problems underlying cooperative research.

A representative disaster is the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji (Kobe) earthquake, which killed 6,434 people and injured 40,000. It generated economic losses of $102.5 billion, 2.5% of Japan’s GDP at the time.

A representative accident is the 2007 Amagasaki JR Fukuchiyama Line rail crash, which killed 107, including the driver, and injured 562. The direct cause of the accident was speeding - the speed limit on the curve where the train left the tracks was 70 km/h, but the train was moving at 116 km/h. The most important indirect reason was the delayed implementation of a new ATS that should have been put in place from the viewpoint of cost management. Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) functions will be improved as a result of this accident. In the US, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) operates independent of US government agencies - a trend expected to be followed by the JTSB.

Both provided many potentially valuable disaster lessons, some of which this journal introduces. Other risk-related topics in this volume include tsunami information systems, information law, disaster education, and mental health and psychological approaches to the behavior of young people in the face of disaster, analyzed by our faculty members based on original viewpoints. Effort on these researches has to be continued to improve “Safety Science Study” and promote following social action to improve our social structure toward a safe and secure society.

We thank the authors for their earnest contributions and the reviewers for their invaluable advice on improving the quality of this special issue of JDR.
Disaster Prevention in Industrial Society - Principal Features of Disaster
Authors: Ozawa Mamoru ,   Faculty of Safety Science, Kansai University, 7-1 Hakubai-cho, Takatsuki, Osaka 569-1098, Japan, Shibutani Yoji ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
Published: April 2016

Disasters have several principal features, appeared when neglected detailed and unique behaviors, consistent throughout events, which we discuss based on practical disaster data. The principal features we focused on are dynamics of technologies and society, spatiotemporal evolution and diversity in scenarios leading to disasters, and probability distribution based on disaster scale. Among these features, the probability distribution is normalized to fall into a specified curve consistent with theWeibull distribution and Heinrich’s law. Numerical simulation via cellular automata (CA) simulation with a metaphor model gives Heinrich’s law under the specified constraint, suggesting that the Weibull distribution or Heinrich’s law gives a representative statistical characteristics universal throughout disasters.
Special Issue on Understanding Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases
Authors: Kasuga Fumiko
Published: April 2016

Recent developments in medicine and anti-microbial treatment based on intensive research on basic microbiology have successfully been controlling many infectious diseases to be nonfatal. As stated by Dr. Nobuhiko Okabe in the first section of this issue, emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases still threaten human lives and health both in developing and industrialized countries. A multiprefectural outbreak of enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) O111 and O157 due to raw beef consumption took the lives of victims, including young children, earlier this year in Japan, following which people worldwide were panicked by news from Europe of a huge outbreak of EHEC O104. Infectious diseases result from interaction between pathogens and humans including our behaviors.

The Journal of Disaster Research has already drawn readers’ attention to infectious diseases in its special issue on “Our Social Activities Are Always Related to Outbreaks of Infectious Diseases,” with Guest Editor Dr. Masayuki Saijo in JDR Vol.4, No.5, October, 2009. That issue reviewed the background behind infectious disease emergence and reemergence using examples of viral diseases that could cause serious public health concerns, and emphasized the need for preparedness and responses, including against bioterrorism.

The present issue again reminds readers of the threat of infectious diseases by demonstrating bacterial and viral infections, focusing more on basic knowledge about these pathogens. Disease history, and epidemiology and the microbiological nature of pathogens and infection pathways are summarized. Treatment, vaccination and other control measures, and law and other social systems for controlling disease are also reviewed.

We believe that a better understanding of pathogens will enable society to build better strategies for overcoming problems with emerging and reemerging infectious diseases, such as appropriate preventive measures, treatment and control for preventing outbreaks from expanding. We also hope that such considerations are also useful to disaster control experts in other areas.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the authors and reviewers for their great contributions to this issue, and to the Editorial Board and the Secretariat of the Journal of Disaster Research for their continuous encouragement and assistance.
Legionella Pneumonia
Authors: Tateda Kazuhiro ,   Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Toho University School of Medicine, 5-21-16 Ohmorinishi, Ohtaku, Tokyo 143-8540, Japan
Published: April 2016

Legionella pneumonia, an infectious disease with high fatality, produces symptoms after inhalation of an aerosol contaminated by Legionella species. Legionella bacteria are Gram-negative, glucose-nonfermentative, and proliferative in human macrophages and monocytes. Over 40 types of Legionella species are pathogenic in human beings. Of these,L. pneumophilahas the strongest pathogenicity. Hot springs and bathtubs with circulating systems are considered sources of infection and sometimes cause cases of hospital-acquired infection. The urinary antigen detection test is a new diagnostic technique, and proved to be effective for rapid and correct diagnosis ofL. pneumophilaserogroup-1 infection.
The Macondo Oil Field Disaster
Authors: Lynch Michael C. ,   Strategic Energy & Economic Research, Inc., Box 7, Amherst, MA 01002, USA
Published: April 2016

TheMacondo oil rig explosion and subsequent oil spill was the worst disaster in the US offshore oil industry since 1969. Although some worried that it reflected the greater challenges of deepwater drilling for which the industry was not prepared, investigations have shown that a variety of decisions made, primarily during the drilling of the well, caused the blowout and explosion. Apparently, a corporate culture of cost cutting led to many of these decisions, and it suggests that human failures, both in senior levels where culture is set, and at the lower levels where it affects operations, are the primary challenges that need to be overcome to reduce the likelihood of future disaster.
How did People Respond and Evacuate in WTC Twin Towers in 2001?
Authors: Fahy Rita F. ,   National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169, USA
Published: April 2016

When the twin towers of theWorld Trade Center were attacked on September 11, 2001, thousands of people were able to evacuate the complex before the buildings collapsed. This paper describes the evacuation of the two towers, based on an analysis of first-person accounts that began to appear in the media immediately after the incident. In all, accounts from 435 survivors who were present in the towers at the time of the attack were reviewed. Using a questionnaire adapted from a study of an earlier evacuation of the towers in 1993, the accounts were ‘interviewed.’ Results of the analysis provided information on the location of occupants, their initial awareness of events, the conditions and obstacles they encountered during their evacuation and the time taken to evacuate. The evacuation is compared to events in 1993. Other studies of the evacuation in 2001 are described briefly.
Tsunami Hazard Mitigation at Palabuhanratu, Indonesia
Authors: Tanioka Yuichiro ,   Institute of Seismology and Volcanology, Hokkaido University, N10W8 Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan, Latief Hamzah , Sunendar Haris , Gusman Aditya Riadi , Koshimura Shunichi ,   Department of Oceanography, Bandung Institute of Technology, Jalan Ganesha 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia,   Disaster Control Research Center, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-11 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8579, Japan
Published: April 2016

Several large earthquakes have recently occurred along the Sumatra-Java subduction zone, the 2004 great Sumatra-Andaman earthquake, the 2005 great Nias earthquake, the 2006 West Java tsunami earthquake, the 2007 great Bengkulu earthquake, and the 2010Mentawai tsunami earthquakes. Serious tsunami disasters were caused by the great underthrust earthquakes which ruptured the plate interface near the trench such as the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman, 2006West Java, 2010Mentawai earthquakes. At Palabuhanratu, maximum tsunami height distribution and inundation areas were computed from expected fault models located near the Java trench. The results shows that the most populated areas of Palabuhanratu would be severely damaged by the expected tsunami caused by the fault model of Mw 8.5. After discussing tsunami disaster mitigation measures with the local government, the result of tsunami inundation area in this study were used to decide tsunami evacuation areas and evacuation routes. The local government also installed tsunami evacuation sign boards near the coast.