bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Overview of Disasters Resulted from Typhoon Morakot in Taiwan
Authors: Shieh Chjeng-Lun ,   Department of Hydraulic and Ocean Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan, Wang Chun-Ming , Chen Yu-Shiu , Tsai Yuan-Jung , Tseng Wen-Hsiao ,   Disaster Prevention Research Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70109, Taiwan
Published: April 2016

The purpose of this paper is to provide information on disasters caused by Typhoon Morakot in Taiwan. The torrential rainfall is regarded as the main cause, so information on the torrential rainfall is explored first. The maximum cumulative rainfall depth observed during Typhoon Morakot approached the world’s greatest point rainfall record, and isohyets of cumulative rainfall depth are included, together with storm centers. Storm centers are important to disasters resulted from Typhoon Morakot, because these disasters occurred around or downstream from storm centers. Disasters triggered by Typhoon Morakot include floods, landslides, landslide dams, driftwood accumulation, and water supply disruption. Those occurring simultaneously or consecutively at one location are termed “compound hazards.” Current warning systems for single disasters may not be sufficient to handle compound hazards, suggesting that we must develop new systems for issuing early warnings about compound hazards.
The Catastrophic Tombi Landslide and Accompanying Landslide Dams Induced by the 1858 Hietsu Earthquake
Authors: Inoue Kimio ,   Sabo Frontier Foundation, SABO-Kaikan Annex 6F, 2-7-4 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0093, Japan, Mizuyama Takahisa , Sakatani Yukihiko ,   Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwakecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan,   Tateyama Mountain Area Sabo Office, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ashikuraji-Bunasaka 61, Tateyama Machi, Toyama 930-1406, Japan
Published: April 2016

In the Joganji River basin, huge volume of sediment has been carried downstream and has formed the alluvial fan. The sediment runoff (erosion) volume is assumed to be 1.2 × 1011 m3, accounting by the hypsometric curve of the Joganji River, which indicates the amount corresponding to rise in the mountains of the upstream, 1 mm/year at average, since the start of the quaternary period. The fast-flowing Joganji River originating on the Tateyama Volcano slope was, until the end of the Edo Period (1607-1867), relatively stable as indicated by boat services operating from the river mouth to the fan apex. The Hietsu earthquake on April 9, 1858, caused numerous sediment disasters along the Atotsugawa fault system, some of the sediment movements built up landslide dams. Especially the catastrophic Tombi Landslide (Tombi-Kuzure) in the Tateyama Caldera, the upstream of the Joganji River, was the largest in the earthquake. The volume of the Tombi Landslide is estimated 103-127 million m3, one of the largest movements in the world calculated the volume difference of the configuration and the landform before the landslide based on wide-ranging historical data. The landslide dam broke twice – on April 23, 14 days after the quake and June 7, 59 days after it –, generating a large-scale outburst flood and sediment deposition on the Joganji River’s alluvial fan. Considering the carbon (14C) dating for the years 220-320 of pieces of wood sample at some deposits along the upstream of the Joganji River, it suggests that major sediment movement may have occurred in the Hietsu earthquake. But the years 720-940 suggest that major sediment movement may have occurred previously. Topographicaly, such a huge landslide is part of the mountain range erosion and disintegration process, making it important to be able to predict potential sediment movement’s scale and form accurately enough to minimize disaster and to better understand the overall landslide occurrence topographical changes.
Emergency Response to Sediment-Related Disasters Caused by Large Earthquakes in Japan - the Case of the Iwate-Miyagi Nairiku Earthquake in 2008 -
Authors: Katsura Shin’ya ,   National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism 1 Asahi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-804, Japan, Tomita Yoko , Osanai Nobutomo , Inaba Chiaki , Arai Masashi , Saguchi Osamu ,   Kokusai Kogyo Co., Ltd.,   Asia air survey Co., Ltd.
Published: April 2016

Learning the lessons to be taught by large earthquakes of the past is one key to solving the problems of sediment-related disasters of the future, including slope failures, deep-seated landslides, and landslide dam (natural barriers formed by landslides). Our case subject is the Iwate-Miyagi Nairiku Earthquake in 2008 and the emergency response to disasters of Japan’s central government and other organizations. The earthquake occurred on 14th June 2008 and had a JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency) magnitude of 7.2 and a maximum seismic intensity of 6 upper on the JMA seismic intensity scale. The hypocenter in a mountainous area underlain by thick volcanic ejecta triggered over 3,000 slope failures, deep-seated landslides, and debris flows. The earthquake created 15 landslide dams which were expected to cause serious damage downstream if dams collapsed. Emergency measures taken included channel excavation and pumping of landslide dams. Moreover, emergency checking of potential danger sites immediately after the earthquake found 20 sites requiring emergency measures. The relationship between seismic intensity and sites of slope failure and deep-seated landslide showed that seismic intensity exceeding 5 upper caused such disasters and required emergency checking.
Out-of-Plane Shear Strength of Steel-Plate-Reinforced Concrete Walls Dependent on Bond Behavior
Authors: Hong Sung-Gul ,   Department of Architecture and Architectural Engineering, Seoul National University, 599 Gwanakro, Gwanakgu, Seoul 151-744, Korea, Kim Wonki , Lee Kyung-Jin , Hong Namhee Kim , Lee Dong-Hun ,   Department of Architectural Engineering, Hoseo University, Baebangeup, Asanshi, Choongnam, Korea,   Korea Electric Power Research Institute (KEPRI), 65 Munji-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon 305-760, Korea,   Department of Cvil Engineering, Seoul National University, S599 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-744, Korea,   CHANG MINWOO Structural Consultants, 605-8, Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul 135-080, Korea
Published: April 2016

This paper investigates the out-of-plane shear behavior of composite steel-plate-reinforced concrete walls (SC walls) and proposes their shear-strength-models based on plasticity theory limit analysis. For speedy, modular construction, SC walls are fabricated using double-skin steel plates with welded shear studs and sandwiching concrete between them. A review of current design formulas provides better understanding of bond-stress-dependent shear behavior relying on studs of SC walls. We conducted experiments on bondstrength-dependent arch and/or truss action to verify proposed shear-strength models with test results. Test results, including those from literature, agreed well with the strength anticipated by proposed formulas.
Parametric Study on the Floor Response Spectra and the Damage Potential of Aircraft Impact Induced Vibratory Loading
Authors: Andonov Anton ,   Risk Engineering Ltd., 10 Vihren Str, Pavlovo, Sofia 1618, Bulgaria, Apostolov Kiril , Stefanov Dimitar , Kostov Marin
Published: April 2016

Assessment of the effects of a large aircraft impact on a NPP reactor building are the basic topics of the present work. The focus is on the dynamic response of the internal sub-structures, by means of floor response spectra. Factors influencing the floor response spectra, as the nonlinearities of the impact area, load time function shape and the impact velocity are pointed out and subsequent conclusions are made. Alternative motion parameters for assessment of the damage potential and procedure for indirect assessment of the equipment capacity are also discussed.
Generation IV Material Issues - Case SCWR
Authors: Penttilä Sami ,   Materials and Building, Technical Research Centre of Finland, P.O. Box 1000, FI-02044 VTT, Espoo, Finland, Toivonen Aki , Rissanen Laura , Heikinheimo Liisa ,   Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO), Töölönkatu 4, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
Published: April 2016

Six Generation IV nuclear power concepts becoming global research topics accepted by the GenIV international forum (GIF) with common objectives of promoting technological efficiency and safety provide attractive features and demanding new challenges e.g., increased operating temperatures, higher irradiation doses, more aggressive coolants, and/or longer life expectations than GenII and GenIII plants. This paper reviews the performance of commercial candidate materials for in-core super-critical water reactor (SCWR) applications focusing on corrosion, stress corrosion cracking (SCC), and creep issues based on work within the Euratom phase 2 high performance light water reactor phase 2 (HPLWR) project. General corrosion, i.e., oxidation rate tests, and SCC tests have been done on selected iron- and nickel-based alloys at 500°C and 650°C in supercritical water (SCW) at a pressure of 25 MPa with an oxygen concentration of 125-150 ppb in all tests. Constant load creep tests have been done on selected austenitic stainless steel at 650°C in SCW at 25 MPa and 1 ppm O2and in inert atmospheres of He and 0.1 MPa. Based on materials studies done during the HPLWR Phase2 project, current candidates for European SCWR core internals are austenitic stainless steels having sufficient oxidation and creep resistance up to 500°C or 550°C. High chromium austenitic steels and ferritic/martensitic ODS steels are considered, in longterm, for fuel rod cladding thanks to their good oxidation resistances up to 650°C.
Seismic Regulations Versus Modern Architectural and Urban Configurations
Authors: Guevara-Perez L. Teresa ,   Proyectos V&G Apartado de correos 17672, El Conde, Caracas 1015-A, Venezuela
Published: April 2016

Every time an earthquake affects a contemporary city, numerous lessons arise regarding the performance of modern buildings. However, lessons included in international post-earthquake reconnaissance reports regarding the influence of architectural features on building seismic performance barely reach either architectural and city planning practice, or decisions taken by city officials and politicians that continue including in the design of urban zoning regulations (UZR) some modern building configurations categorized in seismic codes as “irregular.” Irregularities, in terms of building configuration, mean that the structural design and analysis require the application of special considerations, as well as rigorous official controls on the construction site for the appropriate application of seismic detailing requirements. The majority of UZR in contemporary cities encourages, and in some cases enforces, the use of configurations that have been long recognized by earthquake engineering as seismically vulnerable. It is not surprising that when an earthquake affects a contemporary city, the buildings worst hit are precisely those with modern architectural configurations that affect the vulnerability and resilience of cities in seismic zones and are common all around the world. Earthquake experiences have taught that the application of structural engineering oriented building codes is not sufficient for reducing the seismic vulnerability of contemporary cities. The problem has to be untangled with a holistic approach where structural engineers, architects, urban planners, local authorities and the local community participate, not only in reducing existing vulnerability but avoiding the construction of new seismic risk in the future. In order to study the discrepancy between urban zoning regulations and seismic codes with regard to vulnerable modern building configurations and the causes of the international dissemination of architectural and urban planning concepts that generate vulnerability in contemporary cities, historic research was developed. This paper presents a brief summary of this study [1].
An Assessment of Coastal Zone Hazard Mitigation Plans in Texas
Authors: Kang Jung Eun ,   Korea Adaptation Center for Climate Change, Knowledge & Intelligence Team, Korea Environment Institute, 290 Jinheungno, Eunpyeong-Gu, Seoul 122-706, Korea, Peacock Walter Gillis , Husein Rahmawati ,   Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center, Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3137, USA
Published: April 2016

The U.S. Federal EmergencyManagement Agency requires jurisdictions to develop hazardmitigation plans (HMPs) to be eligible for hazard mitigation grants based on the 2000 Disaster Mitigation Act. As of May 2007, over 14,000 local jurisdictions in the US have developed single or multi-jurisdiction local hazard mitigation plans. However, little empirical research has examined the quality of local HMPs. This study develops a comprehensive HMP assessment protocol and then assesses the status of twelve HMPs within the Texas coastal management zone. The components of these plans are systematically examined in order to highlight their strengths and weaknesses. The average plan quality score (PǪS) was only 41.6 on a 100-point scale, with a high of 53.3 and a low of 28.7. Regional and county plans displayed higher PSQs than city plans. Most disconcerting was the finding of very low component quality scores forfact basisat 33.6 and mitigationpolicies & actionsat only 28.2. These two components are at the heart of HMPs. The relatively lowPǪSandCǪSresults suggest that there are significant improvements that should be undertaken in future iterations of HMPs to better insure long-term disaster resilience of local jurisdictions along the Texas coast.
Chile’s 2010 M8.8 Earthquake and Tsunami: Initial Observations on Resilience
Authors: Franco Guillermo ,   AIR Worldwide, 131 Dartmouth St, Boston, MA 02116, USA, Siembieda William ,   City & Regional Planning Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0283, USA
Published: April 2016

On February 27, 2010, an earthquake of momentmagnitude 8.8 struck the central Pacific coast of Chile, triggering a tsunami and causing severe shaking along nearly 600 km of coastline from Viña del Mar in the north to Concepción and beyond in the south. This disaster tested the country’s government disaster management capacity as well as its built environment. Despite the large amount of energy released in this event and the large area affected, the actual impacts were limited in terms of severity and in terms of geographic dispersion and loss of life. A set of observations on the impact, mitigation, and response that were obtained during a disaster reconnaissance survey organized by the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) and extended from March 12-22 are presented. Using the concept of disaster resiliency these observations attempt to tie to past and current efforts within the government and within the local communities to explore the question: how resilient was Chile in the face of this disaster? Suggestions for further research on coastal land use planning, permanent housing replacement schemes, and the roots of civil disorder are made.
Evacuation Facility Selection Situations in Whole-Building Evacuation, Actually Implemented in a Super-High-Rise Building - Results of Questionnaire Survey with Evacuees -
Authors: Yagi Shinji ,   AXS SATOW Inc., 2-10-12 AXS Bldg. Yokoami, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 130-0015, Japan
Published: April 2016

This paper presents questionnaire survey results with evacuees in actual whole-building evacuation - not in a safety exercise - from a super-high-rise office building. Its purpose is to provide basic data for establishing special considerations in evacuation plans specific to super-high-rise buildings with increasingly long, complex evacuation routes. The building in which wholebuilding evacuation was actually implemented for reasons other than fire has 33 floors above the ground and 3 below, and was built in a local city in Japan. It is used by a single organization. The evacuation was implemented for the whole building, not an orderly evacuation basis, by judgment of the facility manager. Evacuees totaled 2,000. It was announced that elevators and stairs were available for use as evacuation facilities when the facility manager gave orders for evacuation. The stair-use ratio reached 80%, however, suggesting that the employees are recommended to use the stairs for evacuation and they recognize that the stairs are more reliable than the elevator in evacuation. Blocked movement of evacuees was observed, but to a moderate extent, because movement to the stairs ended before the evacuees from the upper stairs joined those from the lower floors, and the building has many stairs. In contrast, 60% of those who used elevators consider that the evacuation would be completed faster, indicating their expectations for shortened evacuation periods. Some cited physical and health reasons for evacuation by elevator. Use of elevators should be investigated for weaker evacuees.
Development of a Framework for the Flood Economic Risk Assessment Using Vector GIS Data
Authors: Kobayashi Kenichiro ,   Educational Unit for Adaptation and Resilience for a Sustainable Society, Center for Promotion of Interdisciplinary Education and Research, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan, Takara Kaoru , Funada Mitsugu , Takeuchi Yukiko ,   Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan,   Pasco Corporation, 1-2-3 Minatomachi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka 556-0017, Japan,   Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
Published: April 2016

This paper proposes a flood economic risk assessment framework using vector GIS data, expressing individual house and paddyfield, prepared by a municipal Japanese government. Flood inundation is first simulated with a structured grid, then the simulated flood inundation depth, expressed in grid cells, is assigned to vector data house and paddyfield polygons as attributes. Flood-damage ratios of houses and paddyfields are then calculated using relationships of the flood depth, duration, and damage ratio opened by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourisms (MLIT). Economic loss involving building and paddyfield damages due to flooding is then calculated by multiplying the damage ratio, evaluation price per area, and the asset area. The advantage of using such vector data is that it yields the area of each house and paddyfield precisely, which also realizes, on average, the precise economic loss estimation. As the results, the spatial distribution of economic loss on an individual house/paddyfield scale is also identified. Since vector data shows area characteristics, the framework proposed here is useful in communitybased flood management. A workshop presenting the framework showed that the system potentially induces workshop participants to consider community-based flood hazard management.
OECD/NEA Activities to Support Long Term Operation
Authors: Blahoianu Andrei ,   Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Ontario, Canada, Huerta Alejandro ,   Nuclear Safety Division, Nuclear Energy Agency, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Paris, France
Published: April 2016

The Integrity and Aging of Components and Structures Working Group (IAGE) of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)/Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) was established under the Committee on the Safety of Nuclear Installations (CSNI) for three reasons: (i) to advance the current understanding of those aspects relevant to ensuring the integrity of structures, systems, and components ; (ii) to provide for guidance in choosing the optimal ways to handle challenges to the integrity of operating as well as new nuclear power plants, and (iii) to take an integrated approach to design, safety, and nuclear power plant life management. The group operates through annual plenary meetings and technical workshops and by issuing state-of-the-art reports and topical opinion papers. This paper details some recent IAGE activities and products, focusing on those dealing with the degradationmechanisms of metal and concrete components.
Dynamic Characteristic Investigation of a Historical Masonry Building and Surrounding Ground in Kathmandu
Authors: Parajuli Hari Ram ,   Ritsumeikan Global Innovation Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University, 58 Komatsu-bara Kita-machi, Kitaku, Kyoto 603-8341, Japan, Kiyono Junji , Tatsumi Masatoshi , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Umemura Hisashi , Taniguchi Hitoshi , Toki Kenzo , Furukawa Aiko , Maskey Prem Nath ,   Department of Urban Management, Kyoto University, Japan,   Faculty of Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan,   Department of Civil and Earth Resources Engineering, Kyoto University, Japan,   Department of Civil Engineering, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
Published: April 2016

Saving human lives and cultural heritage from natural disasters is a key to earthquake-disaster mitigation strategies. Culturally valued structures built before earthquake codes and regulations emerged are often vulnerable to earthquake loads, but such structures must be comprehensively studied before applying mitigation measures. Microtremor measurements in Patan Durbar Square area, a World Heritage site, were investigated to determine dynamic properties of the soil at four locations and the predominant ground frequency calculated to be 2.07 Hz. Ambient vibration in an old masonry building was measured and vibration frequencies in different modes were detected using the Fourier spectrum, which found that the building has fundamental period in transverse direction. The building’s damping was estimated to be 5.2-6.4%.
Proposal of a Numerical Simulation Method for Elastic, Failure and Collapse Behaviors of Structures and its Application to Seismic Response Analysis of Masonry Walls
Authors: Furukawa Aiko ,   Department of Civil and Earth Resources Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyotodaigaku-katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8540, Japan, Kiyono Junji , Toki Kenzo ,   Department of Urban Management, Kyoto University, Kyotodaigaku-katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8540, Japan,   Disaster Mitigation of Urban Cultural Heritage, Ritsumeikan University, 58 Komatsu-bara Kita-machi, Kitaku, Kyoto 603-8341, Japan
Published: April 2016

We propose a dynamic analysismethod – a refined version of the DEM- that can simulate three-dimensional elastic, failure and collapse behaviors of structures. A structure is modeled as an assembly of rigid elements. Interaction between elements is modeled using multiple springs and multiple dashpots attached to surfaces of the elements. The elements are assumed to be rigid, but the method allows the simulation of structural deformation by permitting penetration between elements. There are two types of springs: one is a restoring spring to simulate elastic behavior before failure and the other is a contact spring for simulating contact and recontact between elements. A contact dashpot is also used to dissipate the energy of contact. Structural failure is modeled by replacing restoring springs with contact springs and dashpots. A method for determining spring constants is also proposed. The validity of the method is confirmed by the numerical simulation of masonry wall models. First, the elastic behavior induced by an impact force is calculated. It is found that the elastic behavior determined using the proposed method is in good agreement with that determined using the finite element method. Second, the seismic behaviors of masonry wall models with different laying patterns and a wall model with reinforcement are analyzed. It is found that the proposed method allows expression of the difference in behavior due to different laying patterns and reinforcement. The validity of the proposed method is thus confirmed. The proposed method is suitable for simulating seismic behavior of masonry structures.
Slope Monitoring System at a Slope Behind an Important Cultural Asset
Authors: Sako Kazunari ,   Ritsumeikan Global Innovation Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan, Fukagawa Ryoichi , Satomi Tomoaki ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan,   Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University, 6-6-20 Aramaki-Aoba, Aoba, Sendai City, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
Published: April 2016

Rainfall-induced slope failure has been responsible for great death and destruction in Japan. This is thus a primary consideration in preserving Japan’s many cultural important temples, palaces, and similar structures, especially in the ancient capital of Kyoto, where many important cultural assets are located on hillsides and near mountains. Our objective is to construct a slope-disaster warning system using real-time field measurement data, in-situ and laboratory testing, and numerical models. We set up field monitoring on a slope behind an important cultural asset in July 2004 to measure pore-water pressure, temperature, and rainfall intensity [1]. We firstly introduce our slope-disaster warning concept and field measurement results for the slope behind the important cultural asset in Kyoto. And then we discuss the relationship of rainfall intensity, seepage behavior, and slope failure based on monitoring data and model test results using a soil box apparatus.
Hydrological Environment in Subsurface Steep Slope - Groundwater Flow Passageway on Slope Behind Kiyomizudera -
Authors: Nakaya Junko ,   Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan, Sako Kazunari , Mitsutani Shunsuke , Fukagawa Ryoichi ,   Ritsumeikan Global Innovation Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan,   Kyoto Office, West Japan Railway Company, 5-5 Kitanouchimachi, Nishikujo, Minami-ward, Kyoto, Kyoto 601-8411, Japan
Published: April 2016

The hydrological environment must be understood before water flow can be adequately controlled to prevent slope failure without impacting unduly on the hydrological mountain slope environment. We conducted field studies to determine current sites and measurement of ground temperature 1 meter deep to clarify groundwater flow passageways on the slope behind the cultural heritage temple Kiyomizudera in Kyoto. Results showed anomalous temperature 1 meter deep bands on the slope and several springs that are extensions of these bands. Several of these bands coincide with terrain deformations such as gullies and slope failure scars indicating the probability of relationships between groundwater flow and topological deformation.
The Meaning of “Fuchi” and the Scenic Landscape Role in Historic Kyoto’s Disaster Mitigation - “Fuchi” Use Until Scenic Landscape Setup Under the Old City Planning Act and Scenic Landscape Regulation Management in Kyoto -
Authors: Fukushima Nobuo ,   Graduate School of Science and Engneering, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan, Itaya Naoko , Masuda Kanefusa , Okubo Takeyuki , Yamasaki Masafumi ,   Research Center for Disaster Mitigation of Urban Cultural Heritage, Ritsumeikan University, 58 Komatsu-bara Kita-machi, Kitaku, Kyoto 603-8341, Japan,   College of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan
Published: April 2016

We clarified scenic landscape district by analyzing the importance of the term “scenic landscape” itself and its practical use and identified disastermitigationmeasures for historical urban environments. The term “scenic landscape” is categorized mainly based on two meanings given by the national language dictionary of Japan; “elegance (omomuki, 趣)” and “personal quality (hitogara, 人柄).” The term is used to indicate psychological appraisal based on an aesthetic sense, not used to indicate a physical boundary. During post-Meiji-era modernization, the term “scenic landscape” acquired the added meaning of “elegant landscape,” a feature perceived by sight encompassing the meaning of “things to be preserved” – “scenic landscape district” thus came to mean an “elegant” scenic landscape and was established as a district system in the City Planning Act. The objectives of establishing a “scenic landscape district” were to preserve a historic site”s cultural heritage (core zone) and to maintain elegant landscapes (buffer zones) having historical value.
Study on Disaster Risk Assessment of Cultural Heritage and Road Network Improvement in Historical City
Authors: Ahn Yoongho ,   Global Centers of Excellence Program, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan, Tsukaguchi Hiroshi , Ogawa Keiichi , Tanaka Kota ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan,   Nippon Express Co., 1-9-3 Higashi-shinbashi, Minato, Tokyo 105-8322, Japan
Published: April 2016

In this study, disaster risk assessment is conducted from the viewpoint of cultural heritage disaster mitigation in historical cities to raise the capability of regional disaster mitigation in Kyoto. First, the routes connecting fire stations and cultural heritages are selected, and those which are frequently used are designated as important road sections. Next, the road passage rate at the time of disaster is calculated for each important road section. In earlier studies, a method was adopted to find the relationship between road width and the road blockage rate using the data of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake for calculation of road passage rate at the time of disaster. This study also takes the condition of buildings along the roads and the spread of fire into consideration; consequently, a more comprehensive method of calculating the road blockage rate is proposed. Lastly, vulnerable sections of road are identified based on the road passage rate calculated using the proposed method. A proposal for road network improvement to mitigate possible disaster is drafted, and the effectiveness of the proposal is examined through reliability analysis.
Handbook of Countermeasures to Protect Cultural Heritages Located in Foothills from Natural Disasters
Authors: Okubo Takeyuki ,   Ritsumeikan University GCOE Project, Research and Development of Strategy on Disaster Mitigation of Cultural Heritage and Historic Cities, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan, Izuno Kazuyuki
Published: April 2016

This tutorial presents a draft handbook of countermeasures. The handbook can be used as a reference for protecting from natural disaster tangible cultural heritages located at the foot of hills. Cultural heritages located at the foot of hills were generally far from urban areas before the modern age and ran very little risk from the spread of fires from private houses. However, many are now close to urban areas or surrounded by urban areas that have rapidly expanded as societies have modernized, and this has greatly increased the risk to these heritages. This handbook describes the basic concepts for what disaster countermeasures should be established to protect cultural heritages. It includes the procedures for determining what heritages should be protected from what and how. It also includes detailed investigation items related to the procedures.
Mental Health of Managers of Small and Medium Enterprises as Seen from the Viewpoint of Risk Management
Authors: Kaneko Shin-ya ,   Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan, Ogyu Hiroki , Torres Olivier , Kamei Katsuyuki ,   Shiraume Gakuen University, 1-830 Ogawacho, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan,   Universite Montpellier I, 34960 Montpellier, Cedex 2, France,   Faculty of Safety Science, Kansai University, 7-1 Hakubaicho, Takatsuki, Osaka 569-1098, Japan
Published: April 2016

The number of suicides per year has surpassed 30,000 over the past decade in Japan. Poormental health constitutes the main cause of suicides, which trigger remarkable social losses. This paper reviews measures in support of mental health from the viewpoint of risk management. It introduces a new aspect into the previous studies on mental health, which have focused on middle managers and employees but not dealt with managers of small- and medium-sized enterprises as employees. This paper presents the framework of ISO 3100, the international standards for risk management issued in November 2009, and a desirable arrangement for risk management in the future. Furthermore, it discusses the state of mental health of the selfemployed and managers of small- and medium-sized enterprises after suffering losses from disaster. In summary, this paper explores a new field of study on risk management study of the self-employed and managers of small- and medium-sized enterprises, people who make contribute significantly to local economies.
Logic of and Systems for Volunteer Disaster Relief Activities in Japan: Current Situations and Challenges 15 Years After the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake
Authors: Suga Mashiho ,   Faculty of Safety Science, Kansai University, 7-1 Hakubai-cho, Takatsuki, Osaka 569-1098, Japan
Published: April 2016

“Disaster relief volunteer centers” have been established in areas hit by great disasters since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995, the year referred to as Volunteer Year One, and a number of citizens have participated as volunteers in various rescue, restoration, and reconstruction support activities for extended periods. This study reviews how the disaster relief volunteer activities were established and developed, and what functions they have performed in the 15 years since Volunteers Year One, viewed from the aspects of the logic of individual activities and activity systems in which a number of citizens participate.
Problems and Recommendations on Current Information Legislation in Japan
Authors: Takano Kazuhiko ,   Graduate School and Faculty of Safety Science, Kansai University, 7-1 Hakubai, Takatsuki, Osaka 569-1098, Japan
Published: April 2016

Although Japanese enterprises have already spent considerable money and labor on protection of personal information, the European Union does not assess Japan as a country taking appropriate measures for “adequate levels of protection.” Japan should establish new legislation accepted internationally that reduces massive personal information leaks and revitalizes enterprises and solves domestic problems. Enactment of such legislation is an obligation for Japan, a leading country in the corporate social responsibility (CSR) sector. This paper summarizes current problems, recommends amendments to current legislation and proposes a framework on personal information protection.
Changes in Labor Accident Risk with Aging
Authors: Nakamura Takahiro ,   Graduate School and Faculty of Safety Science, Kansai University, 7-1 Hakubai-cho, Takatsuki-shi, Osaka 569-1098, Japan, Takagi Motoya , Usui Shinnosuke ,   National Institute of Industrial Safety and Health in Japan, 1-4-6 Ume-zono, Kiyose, Tokyo 204-0024, Japan,   Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University, 1-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
Published: April 2016

As we age, we change physically and mentally. As society ages, the birthrate decreases and the older worker’s social role increases in importance. The social role of the elderly is, however, threatened by the potential increase in age-related accidents. This research used 34,217 cases to explore and clarify the features of age-related accidents, classified by type, victim age –10 to 30s, 40 to 50s, and those aged 60 and over– and the number of absentee days due to accidents. Our results show that more time is needed for an older worker to return to the job after an accident than for a young worker. The importance of accident prevention for older workers is growing throughout industry. Ensuring such safety improves safety for workers of all ages. Issues involving age-related worker safety thus are related to the safety and well-being of workers of all generation.
Prospects of Debris Flow Studies from Constitutive Relations to Governing Equations
Authors: Egashira Shinji ,   NEWJEC Inc., Honjo Higashi 2-3-20, Kita-ku, Osaka 531-0074, Japan
Published: April 2016

The author thinks keys to debris flow studies lie in 1) sediment sorting in debris flow body, 2) phase shifting to or from fluid to solid, 3) difference between sediment concentration and flux sediment concentration, 4) constitutive relations and 5) governing equations employed in numerical simulation. In discussing 3)-5), the author stresses that 1) Eq. (1) predicts the spatial average sediment concentration of the flow body well from debris flow to bed load, and thus it should be prized, 2) researchers must be careful for the difference between sediment concentration and flux sediment concentration and for different flow structures over erodible and rigid beds, and realizes that 3) many problems associated with governing equations such as bed shear stress, erosion and deposition rates and correction parameters for sediment transport still remain to be solved.
Recent Anomalous Lightning Occurrences in Alaska - the Case of June 2005 -
Authors: Farukh Murad Ahmed ,   Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, N13, W8, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan, Hayasaka Hiroshi , Kimura Keiji ,   Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, N14, W9, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0814, Japan
Published: April 2016

Lightning occurred in Alaska an extraordinary number of times 120,000 a year, or 4 times more than average in 2004, 2005, and 2007, starting 500 forest and wild fires. Given the rainless conditions at the time, fires in 2004 and 2005 burned 10% of Alaska’s forests. In 2007, however, fires were suppressed by rainy weather. To determine the causes of such unusual activity, we analyzed cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning data for the last 22 years, since 1986, radiosonde data measured at Fairbanks, weather maps from various heights, and satellite images. This comprehensive analysis of thunderstorm activity clearly showed weather conditions during the disastrous lightning season of 2005. Yearly, monthly, and daily lightning trends and conditions surrounding ordinary cell thunderstorm formation over Alaska are discussed. Conditions related to the exceptionally large number of occurrences on June 15, 2005, were clarified based on 11 days of weather maps and emagrams and considering a wide variety of weather conditions. The most anomalous lightning conditions occurred when center of thermal low and 500 hPa persistent high was in close proximity over Alaska.
Disasters, Diasporas and Host Communities: Insights in the Aftermath of the Haiti Earthquake
Authors: Esnard Ann-Margaret ,   School of Urban and Regional Planning, Florida Atlantic University, HEC 610B, 111 East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, USA, Sapat Alka ,   School of Public Administration, Florida Atlantic University, Social Sciences Building, Room 279, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL. 33431, USA
Published: April 2016

The need exists to build knowledge toward addressing issues related to international disaster migrants into the United States, a phenomenon that the United Nations perceives as increasingly imminent in the next few decades due to potential refugees fleeing climate change-related events. There is a gap however in scholarly work on the role of diaspora groups and host communities in post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. The Haitian diaspora in the United States will be a lifeline as Haiti recovers and rebuilds from the devastating earthquake disaster of January 12th2010. This article reports on observations and findings from our research to understand the specific roles of the Haitian diaspora associations based in South Florida, as well as the role of host communities, nongovernmental organizations and government agencies that assisted earthquake survivors and displacees in the South Florida region. The findings are based on twenty-six interviews conducted within the time-frame of June 2010 to December 2010. Half of these interviewees represented the diaspora associations based in South Florida. Findings indicate that these organizations and host communities played a vital role in disaster relief and response processes.
Characterization of Lightning Occurrence in Alaska Using Various Weather Indices for Lightning Forecasting
Authors: Farukh Murad Ahmed ,   Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, N13 W8, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan, Hayasaka Hiroshi , Kimura Keiji ,   Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, N14 W9, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0814, Japan
Published: April 2016

Alaska lost 10% of its boreal forest area due to vigorous forest fires in 2004 and 2005. Repeated lightningcaused forest fires adversely impact residents and influence earth’s atmosphere in every fire season. The authors have reported on the weather conditions of Alaska’s most severe lightning occurrence in mid June 2005. This paper examines a range of weather indices like soar, instability, ‘dry lightning’ and other factors that could clearly explain lightning characteristics in Alaska. First, lightning occurrence days from May to September were classified into ‘non or small lightning’ days and ‘lightning’ days to determine threshold values. Second, ‘lightning’ days were categorized into ‘less severe,’ ‘severe,’ ‘very severe,’ and ‘extremely severe’ to notice controlling factors on the lightning severity. Based on this analysis, the lifted index (LIFT) was selected as sensitive to assess upper air instability, and Te850 (environmental temperature at 850 hPa) was selected as sensitive to assess warm and moist air masses. Finally, the possibilities of lightning forecasts in Alaska are discussed using lightning occurrence and LIFT and Te850 in 2005. As there is a time-lag between LIFT measurements (14:00) and the lightning peak (-17:00), and around one day time-lag between Te850 and lightning occurrence, lightning forecasts using LIFT and Te850 could provide a simply applicable forecast index for Alaska.
Understanding of Emerging and Re-Emerging Diseases (EID and REID)
Authors: Okabe Nobuhiko ,   Infectious Disease Surveillance Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama Shinjuku-ku Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
Published: April 2016

Infectious diseases are no longer fatal enabling many people to live without anxiety. However, provision to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases (EID/REID) are new global issues and every country has been requested to strengthen core capacity for infectious disease early detection and control. In this issue, background and concept of EID/REID, and Japanese efforts including introduction of Infectious Disease Control Law and surveillance system were described.
Strategy for Prevention of HIV-1 Transmission
Authors: Matsuoka Saori ,   AIDS Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Disease, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan, Matano Teturo
Published: April 2016

HIV-1 infection results in persistent viral replication progressing to AIDS. Recent advances in antiretroviral therapy have been expected to contribute to decrease the risk of viral transmission from HIV-1-infected people under therapy as well as their better prognosis. Precisely understanding of virological and pathological features of HIV-1 infection is important for preventing viral transmission via sexual intercourse or accidental exposure including iatrogenic infection and for avoiding unnecessary protective actions, leading to the world withHIV-1-infected and uninfected living comfortably together.
New Approaches for Tackling Foodborne Infections
Authors: Kumagai Yuko ,   Graduate School of Agriculture and life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan, Noda Mamoru , Kasuga Fumiko ,   Minister’s Secretariat of Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare,   Division of Biomedical Food Research, National Institute of Health Sciences, 1-18-1 Kamiyoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-8501, Japan
Published: April 2016

New challenges have emerged in Japan’s foodborne infections due to the changes in social structure and food distribution system in addition to changing pathogens. This paper introduces new approaches for tackling foodborne infections. There are two types of information concerning foodborne infections. First is the food poisoning statistics compiled based on the findings of food poisoning investigations conducted by Prefectures etc. under the Food Sanitation Law. The other is information collected through the surveillance system of infectious diseases under the Law Concerning the Prevention of Infectious Disease and Medical care for Patients of Infections. Both the notifications of foodborne infections are essential to grasp the actual situation of foodborne infections. In recent years, theMinistry of Health, Labour andWelfare has established a system named the National Epidemiological Surveillance of Foodborne Disease (NESFD). This system supports to detect diffuse outbreaks at an early stage and prevent the expansion of health damages by sharing data of all food poisoning outbreaks in Japan between local governments and the central government. According to the food poisoning statistics between 1954 and 2009, food poisoning by unknown causes have largely decreased, but cases in which implicated food is not identified are on the increasing trend. There is a need to progress the epidemiological estimation method for getting the attribution rate of foodborne diseases to food obtained. Moreover, there is a possibility that new causative agents of food poisoning could be found by analyzing the information of cases of complaints about symptoms or attention-catchy information obtained in the food poisoning investigation undertaken by Prefectures etc. Therefore there is a need for the officials in charge of the government administration and research institutions to strengthen collaboration. Furthermore, Japan has been cooperating in the approach of the Foodborne Disease Epidemiology Reference Group (WHO/FERG) to promote “the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs)” as a metric of public health impact. This is developing the appropriate epidemiological surveillance system for estimating the human health burden of foodborne diseases in Japan.
Current Situation of Synthetic Biology in Japan
Authors: Mori Yusuke ,   Life Sciences Division, Research Promotion Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan, 3-2-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda, Tokyo 100-8959, Japan, Yoshizawa Go ,   Policy Alternatives Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
Published: April 2016

Studies on synthetic biology have been promoted in many countries to find a solution to the proposition “what is life?”; this is done not by analytical but by constructive methods, or to create the systems of living organisms for human use. Synthetic biology is supposed to be a useful tool for solving various problems that humans have; however, it could lead to many ethical challenges, particularly problems in terms of disaster prevention, such as the question whether the artificial creation of life is right or wrong and concerns about the creation of organisms that may be harmful for humans and the environment. This paper summarizes the social and scientific trends in the field of synthetic biology, especially in Japan, for clarifying the related social problems and bringing these problems to the attention of the stakeholders and public.