bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fuzzy Control for a Kite-Based Tethered Flying Robot
Authors: Takahashi Yasutake ,   Department of Human and Artificial Intelligent Systems, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Fukui, Ishii Tohru , Todoroki Chiaki , Maeda Yoichiro , Nakamura Takayuki ,   Department of Robotics, Faculty of Engineering, Osaka Institute of Technology,   Faculty of Systems Engineering, Wakayama University
Published: April 2016

Observation providing information from above is important in in large-scale or dangerous rescue activity. This has been done from balloons or airplanes. Balloon observation requires a gas such as helium and takes a relatively long time to prepare, and while airplane observation can be prepared in a relatively short time and is highly mobile, flight time depends on the amount of fuel a plane can carry. We have proposed and developed a kite-based tethered flying robot that complements balloon and airplane observation while providing a short preparation time and long flight time [1]. The objective of our research is autonomous flight information gathering consisting of a kite, a flight unit, a tether and a ground control unit with a line-winding machine. We propose fuzzy controllers for our robot that are inspired by kite flying.
A MultiBoosting Based Transfer Learning Algorithm
Authors: Liu Xiaobo ,   School of Automation, China University of Geosciences, Wang Guangjun , Cai Zhihua , Zhang Harry ,   School of Computer Science, China University of Geosciences,   Faculty of Computer Science, University of New Brunswick
Published: April 2016

Ensemble learning is sophisticated machine learning use to solve many problems in practical applications. MultiBoosting, a cutting-edge learning approach in ensemble learning, is combined with AdaBoost and wagging. It retains AdaBoost’s bias reduction while adding wagging’s variance reduction to that already obtained by AdaBoost, thus reducing the total number of errors in classification. Data characteristics do not always follow traditional machine learning rules, however, so transfer learning acts to solve this problem. We propose a TrMultiBoosting algorithm, composed of MultiBoosting and state-of-the-art transfer learning algorithm TrAdaBoost for transfer learning. We use naive bayes as the basic learning algorithm. TrMultiBoosting has proven to present a decision committee with higher prediction accuracy on UCI data sets than either TrAdaBoost or MultiBoosting.
A Simulation Research on Inventory Cost of Custom Product Under E-commerce Circumstances
Authors: Fan Shuangjiao ,   Institute of Systems Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Wang Xuping ,   School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Dalian Polytechnic University,   School of Business, Dalian University of Technology
Published: April 2016

E-commerce makes it possible to promote mass customization in practice. Manufacturers provide custom product which enables customers to select each components of the product from several variants according to their own preferences. Providing custom product increases the complexity of the inventory management, and the characteristics of inventory cost are different with those of common product. For custom product orders under e-commerce circumstances are significantly random and fluctuant, we research on this issue in the discrete system simulation method. We consider a same kind of product which is manufactured in either way of the common case and the custom case, design inventory cost simulation models for both situations supposing they adopt (s,S) inventory strategy. The results show that although the mass customization makes the inventory system more complicated, it could bring some benefits to inventory management. Compared with the inventory cost of common product, the inventory cost of custom product could be even lower and less sensitive about the product price, the change of purchase volumes and the order quantity. The conclusions could be suggestive for practice and provide confidence to manufacturers when they hesitate to supply custom products.
Multiple Description Based on Fractal
Authors: Yang Jie ,   School of Science, Beijing Information Science and Technology University
Published: April 2016

In this paper, I design and develop a multiple description (MD) method which is based on fractal image coding procedure. In the encoder of MD, the IFS generated mappings are separated into different parts and encoded into different descriptions so that, on each description, a subset of these mappings can be involved. Meanwhile, a desired amount of redundancy is inserted into each description such that a satisfactory reconstruction quality will be ensured. In MD decoder, the redundancy and the mappings in one description are exploited to recover the missed mappings in the other description when only one description is received. Compared with the referenced methods, the the proposed MD coder can achieve better and more robust performance under various packet loss ratio circumstance.
Unsupervised Part-Based Scene Modeling for Map Matching
Authors: Tanaka Kanji ,   Graduate School of Engineering, University of Fukui, Hanada Shogo
Published: April 2016

In exploring the 1-to-Nmap matching problem that exploits a compact map data description, we hope to improve map matching scalability used in robot vision tasks. We propose explicitly targeting fast succinct map matching, which consists of map matching subtasks alone. These tasks include offline map matching attempts to find compact part-based scene models that effectively explain individual maps by using fewer larger parts. These tasks also include online map matching to find correspondence between part-based maps efficiently. Our part-based scene modeling approach is unsupervised and uses common pattern discovery (CPD) between input and known reference maps. Results of our experiments, which use a publicly available radish dataset, confirm the effectiveness of our proposed approach.
Motion Segmentation and Recognition for Imitation Learning and Influence of Bias for Learning Walking Motion of Humanoid Robot Based on Human Demonstrated Motion
Authors: Takahashi Yasutake ,   Department of Human and Artificial Intelligent Systems, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Fukui, Hatano Hiroki , Maida Yosuke , Usui Kazuyuki , Maeda Yoichiro ,   Department of Human and Artificial Intelligent Systems, Faculty of Engineering, University of Fukui,   Department of Robotics, Faculty of Engineering, Osaka Institute of Technology
Published: April 2016

Two main issues arise in practical imitation learning by humanoid robots observing human behavior – the first is segmenting and recognizing motion demonstrated naturally by a human beings and the second is utilizing the demonstrated motion for imitation learning. Specifically, the first involves motion segmentation and recognition based on the humanoid robot motion repertoire for imitation learning and the second introduces learning bias based on demonstrated motion in the humanoid robot’s imitation learning to walk. We show the validity of our motion segmentation and recognition in a practical way and report the results of our investigation in the influence of learning bias in humanoid robot simulations.
Portfolio Optimization of Financial Returns Using Fuzzy Approach with NSGA-II Algorithm
Authors: Sirisrisakulchai Jirakom ,   Faculty of Economics, Chiang Mai University, Autchariyapanitkul Kittawit , Harnpornchai Napat , Sriboonchitta Songsak ,   Faculty of Economics, Maejo University
Published: April 2016

This paper applied possibilistic approaches to a portfolio selection model. We considered a return rate as fuzzy variables. Based on the concept of possibilistic moments of fuzzy numbers, fuzzy stock returns and market risks are quantified by possibilistic mean and lower possibilistic semivariance, respectively. The non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) was used to obtain the pareto optimal investment strategies for the integrated oil and gas company stocks.
A Maximizing Model of Bezdek-Like Spherical Fuzzyc-Means
Authors: Kanzawa Yuchi ,   Shibaura Institute of Technology
Published: April 2016

In this study, a maximizing model of Bezdek-like spherical fuzzyc-means clustering is proposed, which is based on the regularization of the maximizing model of spherical hardc-means. Such a maximizing model was unclear in Bezdek-like method, whereas other types of methods have been investigated well both in minimizing and maximizing model. Using theoretical analysis and numerical experiments, the classification rule of the proposed method is shown. Using numerical examples, the proposed method is shown to be valid for document clustering, because documents are represented as spherical data via term document-inverse document frequency weighting and normalization processing.
Cognitive Training System for Dementia Prevention Using Memory Game Based on the Concept of Human-Agent Interaction
Authors: Kitakoshi Daisuke ,   Department of Computer Science, Tokyo National College of Technology, Hanada Ryo , Iwata Keitarou , Suzuki Masato ,   Faculty of Engineering, Chiba University
Published: April 2016

This paper describes a cognitive training system to help older adults to stimulate and maintain their cognitive functions based on a memory game implemented on a tablet device. In this system, a software agent incorporated into the tablet device performs dialogic interactions with users based on the concept of human-agent interaction (HAI) to (i) reduce their psychological resistance to the system; (ii) maintain their interest in the game; and (iii) improve the motivation for users to play the game long term. The difficulty level of the game is adjusted through reinforcement learning algorithms depending on the proficiency of respective users. Several experiments and subjective evaluations by older adults were conducted to evaluate the basic characteristics of the system, and to investigate the impact of the system on cognitive function. The ultimate goal of the proposed system is to establish an environment in which users can continuously engage in dementia-prevention activities without getting bored.
Protein Entity Name Recognition Using Orthographic, Morphological and Proteinhood Features
Authors: Sumathipala Sagara ,   Graduate School of Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Yamada Koichi , Unehara Muneyuki , Suzuki Izumi
Published: April 2016

Protein name identification in text is an important and challenging fundamental precursor in biomedical information processing. For example, accurate identification of protein names affects the finding of protein-protein interactions from biomedical literature. In this paper, we present an efficient protein name identification technique based on a rich set of features: orthographic, morphological as well as Proteinhood features which are introduced newly in this study. The method was evaluated on GENIA corpus with the use of different machine learning algorithms. The highest values for precision 92.1%, recall 86.5% and F-measure 89.2% were achieved on Random Forest, while reducing the training and testing time significantly. We studied and showed the impact of the Proteinhood feature in protein identification as well as the effect of tuning the parameters of the machine learning algorithm.
Fuzzy Nonlinear Programming for Production Inventory Based on Statistical Data
Authors: Lin Lily ,   Department of International Business, China University of Technology, Lee Huey-Ming ,   Department of Information Management, Chinese Culture University
Published: April 2016

The purpose of this study is to develop a crisp nonlinear method of programming to address production inventory problems based on both production inventory and conditions. In addition, we use a statistical confidence interval to derive level (1-β, 1-α) interval-valued fuzzy numbers, in order to solve problems in nonlinear programming for production inventory in the fuzzy sense.
Investigating Task Prioritization and Holistic Coordination Using Relative Jacobian for Combined 3-Arm Cooperating Parallel Manipulators
Authors: Rodrigo S. Jamisola Jr.  ,   Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering Department, Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), Ibikunle Frank Ayo
Published: April 2016

A new modular relative Jacobian formulation for single end-effector control of combined 3-arm cooperating parallel manipulators is derived. It is based on a previous method of derivation for dual-arm robots, with the same approach of modularity and single end-effector control for combined manipulators. This paper will present this new formulation, as well as investigate task prioritization scheme to verify the claim that a single end-effector controller of combined manipulators will indeed implement a strict task prioritization, by intentionally adding more tasks. In addition, this paper will investigate a claim that the holistic approach to control of combined manipulators affords easier control coordination of each of the stand-alone components. Switching control from an individual manipulator control in the null space to relative control in the tasks space is shown to investigate the smoothness of task execution during switching. Simulation results using Gazebo 2.2.5 running in Ubuntu 14.04 is shown.
Research on Cross-Correlative Blur Length Estimation Algorithm in Motion Blur Image
Authors: Dongming Li ,   School of Information Technology, Jilin Agriculture University, Zhengbo Su , Wei Su , Lijuan Zhang ,   School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology,   Informatization Center, Changchun University of Science and Technology,   College of Computer Science and Engineering, Changchun University of Technology
Published: April 2016

This paper proposes a motion blur length estimation method that is applied to motion blur image restoration. This method applies a cross-correlation algorithm to multi-frame motion-degraded images. In order to find the motion blur parameters, the Radon transform method is used to estimate the motion blur angle. We extract the gray value of pixels around the blur center, calculate the correlation for obtaining motion blur length, and use the Lucy-Richardson iterative algorithm to restore the degraded image. Experiment results show that this method can accurately estimate blur parameters, reduce noise, and obtain better restoration results. The method achieves good results on artificially blurred images and natural images (by the camera shake). The advantage of our algorithm that uses the Lucy-Richardson restoration algorithm compared with the Wiener filtering algorithm is made obvious with less computation time and better restored effects.
Third-Party Broker-Based Resource Management in Mobile Computing
Authors: Xiong Yong-Hua ,   School of Automation, China University of Geosciences, Li Lei , Jiang Ke-Yuan , Yu Hong ,   Department of Computer Information Technology & Graphics, Purdue University Calumet,   School of Information Science and Engineering, Central South University,   School of Automation, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Published: April 2016

During the last decade, mobile user experience created a new profit structure, thanks to the massive growth in the use of smart mobile devices and the large amount of mobile data it has generated. Owing to this growth, mobile resource management (e.g., bandwidth, computing resources, etc.) has become a big challenge in mobile computing. This article proposes a broker technology that is based on a resource management optimization method and that effectively utilizes local area network (LAN) resources to perform computing tasks for a single mobile client. This technology thus extends the computing paradigm of mobile transparent computing (MTC) with the characteristics of local mobile device computing and remote server storage to include LAN computing and remote server storage as well. Through the cooperation between the management center, request manager, connection manager, and processor manager of a third-party broker (TPB) for managing, respectively the computing resources, user requests, network connections, and other services in MTC, the TPB is able to support mobile computation-intensive and resource-consuming tasks, and handle fluctuation in users' requests. Several experiments were carried out in a testbed environment of MTC to demonstrate the validity and efficiency of the proposed architecture and method. Experiment results showed that the TPB is effective and stable in optimizing resource utilization.
A Linear Least Square with Duffing Chaotic Detection Designed in Micro-Distance Movement Measurement System
Authors: Lin Xiao ,   School of Automation, Beijing Institute of Technology, Dai Yaping , Zhao Linhui ,   School of Mechatronics, Beijing Union University
Published: April 2016

High precision micro displacement measurement framework is fundamental for drilling strain gauges. We replaced the traditional lock-in amplifier method by the linear least square (LLS) based on Duffing chaotic detection (DCD) in drilling strain gauges. Simulation results showed that LLS based on DCD has a relative error 7.7% when SNR = −20.79 dB. It is 410.1% lower than lock-in amplifier method in the detection. Even more, the design and realization of LLS based on DCD is easier than lock-in amplifier method.
Excitation Process of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami Determined from Seismic Fault Rupture
Authors: Matsumoto Hiroyuki ,   Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, 2-15 Natsushima, Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan, Mikada Hitoshi , Suzuki Masanori ,   Department of Civil and Earth Resources Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto-Daigaku-Katsura, Saikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8540, Japan
Published: April 2016

We simulated the tsunami that had took place after the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake for two fault models - one from teleseismic body wave inversion and the other from tsunami data. After including the dynamic behavior of the seafloor by fault rupture propagation in the tsunami excitation process in detail, we found the difference in tsunami wave heights from the two fault models, in particular due to the difference in slip distribution. We then estimated the effects of the dynamic behavior due to fault rupture propagation, changing the initial conditions of tsunami simulation. Although the effects of dynamic contribution due to seismic fault rupture on tsunami propagating across the Indian Ocean were found to be negligible, the effect of seismic fault rupture propagation contributes to the arrival time of the tsunami because of the huge size of the seismic fault plane. A fault model based on seismic data, however, still cannot explain the tsunami captured by the satellite.
Numerical Simulation of Tsunami Inundation in Urban Areas
Authors: Hiraishi Tetsuya ,   Wave Division, Marine Environment and Engineering Department, Port and Airport Research Instutute, 3-1-1 Nagase, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 239-0826, Japan, Yasuda Tomohiro ,   Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
Published: April 2016

The population and property in urban areas facing waterfronts is rapidly increasing together with the probability that a huge tsunami will occur on the Pacific Rim. The huge potential damage reflects the need to develop a highly accurate simulation model for tsunami inundation to help mitigate tsunami effects. We developed a simulation model to estimate the inundation depth and speed of tsunamis in urban areas. The model was applied to calculate the vari- ation of inundation areas in a model city facing Tokyo Bay. Experiments of tsunami inundation in the model city on a 1/50 scale was carried out for validation of the numerical model.
Recent Seismic Microzoning Maps in Japan
Authors: Midorikawa Saburoh ,   Department of Built Environment, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259-G3-3, Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8502, Japan
Published: April 2016

In Japan, seismic microzoning has been conducted as the basis for better disaster planning by governments. This paper introduces various seismic microzoning maps published by the central and local governments in Japan after the 1995 Kobe earthquake. Nation-wide seismic hazard maps are published by the Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion, to understand the general view of seismic hazard nationwide. Regional seismic microzoning maps are prepared by the Central Disaster Prevention Council for large subduction earthquakes and the Tokyo Metropolitan earthquake. Based on results of the microzonings, strategies are proposed for disaster mitigation of the earthquakes. Local governments prepare more detailed, smaller scale maps, e.g., the Yokohama shake map using a 50 m mesh system. After the publication of the map, the numbers of applicants for seismic performance appraisal service of wooden houses and for seismic retrofitting subsidies from the city increased significantly. This stimulated central and local governments, which started detailed mapping studies. Seismic microzoning maps are being used not only for governments but also for citizens. The maps should evolve both for more attractive presentation to deepen citizens' understanding and for more reliable and comprehensive estimates of seismic hazard and risk.
Response Analysis of Civil Engineering Structures Subjected to Earthquake Motions
Authors: Iwasaki Toshio ,   Ground Vibration Section, Public Works Research Institute, Ministry of Construction, 2-308, Mitsuwadai Heights, 5-29 Mitsuwadai, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
Published: April 2016

The Niigata Earthquake, measuring a magnitude of 7.5 on the Richter scale, hit the northwestern part of Honshu, Japan, on June 16th, 1964. The epicenter was under the sea about 55 km north from Niigata city, and the hypocentral depth was 20 to 30 km. The earthquake brought about severe damage to various engineering structures in the alluvial plain near the mouth of the Shinano River and the Agano River. Especially in the vicinity of the mouth of the Shinano River where loose sand layers plus a high water table exist, many modernstructures such as reinforced concrete buildings, highway bridges, harbor structures, etc. sustained heavy damage due to unexpectedly large deformations and settlements. This particular earthquake emphasized the importance of the dynamic effects of earthquake motions, as well as the effects of liquefaction phenomena of the ground soils. Two sets of strong motion accelerographs, installed in the basement floor and the roof of a heavily inclined 4-story apartment building located along the Shinano River, triggered the complete acceleration records of the earthquake. The peak accelerations at the basement are about 150 gals in the lateral direction, and 50 gals in the vertical direction. It was noted that these accelerations were not so large, when considering the severeness of the damage.
Aseismic Considerations of Transportation Systems
Authors: Okubo Tadayoshi ,   Planning and Research Administration Division, Public Works Research Institute, Ministry of Construction, 5-15-15 Sodegaura, Narashino City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
Published: April 2016

In prehistoric ages, mankind needed transportation but not transportation systems. In recent times, accompanying the development of human activities, the importance of transportation and transportation systems has increased more and more. By the word "transportation", the author means the spatial transfer of human beings, materials and articles and by the word "transportation system", he means a system of structures, facilities, and equipment effectively transferring human beings, materials and articles. So, highway systems, railway systems, air transportation systems, marine and river transportation systems, water supply and sewage systems and fuel and oil transportation systems are included as transportation systems.
Earthquake Studies and the Earthquake Prediction System in Japan
Authors: Usami Tatsuo ,   Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo, 4-20, 2-103 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Published: April 2016

At 11h58m of Sept. 1, 1923, the coastal area of the south Kanto District, including big cities such as Tokyo, Yokohama, Kamakura and Atami, was violently shaken by a big shock. Disastrous vibrations continued for a couple of minutes. Immediately after the earthquake, fires arose at 163 points in Tokyo and about 3,800 ha were burnt to ashes. About 316,000 houses, 70% of all the houses in Tokyo, vanished in the fires. In Yokohama, fires arose at about 60 points and burnt about 950 ha and 60,000 houses, that is, 60% were destroyed by fires. Sum of the dead and the missing was 142,807, about 80-90% of whom were killed by fires. The most tragic event took place in the Hihukusho-yard (6 ha), which is located in downtown Tokyo. Many people who escaped from fires and other injuries gathered in this place with the minimum of personal property necessary for daily life. Fire was started on this meager assemblage and finally, 44,030 persons – almost all who gathered there – were burnt to death.
Damage to Civil Engineering Structures by Oct. 8, 2005 Kashmir Earthquake and Recommendations for Recovery and Reconstruction
Authors: Aydan Ömer ,   Department of Marine Civil Engineering, Tokai University, 3-30-1 Orido, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka 424-8610, Japan, Hamada Masanori ,   Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
Published: April 2016

At 8:50 (3:50 UTC) on October 8, 2005, a huge earthquake devastated Kashmir in Pakistan. Depth and magnitude were estimated 10 km and 7.6, respectively. The earthquake resulted from subduction of Indian plate beneath the Eurasian plate, and thrust faulting. Despite lack of no surface ruptures from as faulting, extensive slope failures occurred along the expected surface trace of the causative fault. Maximum ground acceleration for Balakot was estimated to exceed 0.9 g, based on overturned vehicles parallel to the valley axis. This probably represents the largest ground acceleration near the epicenter. Balakot is on the hangingwall side of the causative fault. One of the most distinct characteristics of 2005 Kashmir earthquake is the widespread slope failures all over the epicentral area. The earthquake extensively damaged housing and structures on sloping soil deposits. Extensive natural and cut-slope failures occurred along the Neelum, Jhelum and Kunhar valleys obstructing both river flow and roads. Many slope failures associated with highly sheared and weathered dolomitic limestone occurred along the presumed surface trace of the earthquake fault. Given the topography and possibility of slope failures, several alternative routes involving the construction of viaducts, tunnels and bridges are desirable in the area against road blockage by rock falls and slope failures.
Book Review of “On Strong Motion Seismology” (in Japanese) written and edited by Hiroaki Yamanaka, published by University of Tokyo Press
Authors: Office Editorial
Published: April 2016

This book is a work for general readers, straight-forwardly treating the theme of "strong earthquake ground motion" directly causing disaster and explaining how to cope. Eartquake ground motion is generally said to cause earthquake disasters and the degree of ground motion is determined both by the magnitude of the earthquake and the distance from its epicenter. In reality, however, things are not so simple. In the 2003 Tokachi Offshore Earthquake, for example, shaking at a relatively long 10-second period resonated at the characteristic frequency of oil tanks, triggering sloshing and causing large fires. In the 1995 Southern Hyogo Prefecture Earthquake (the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Disaster), for another example, a long narrow belt of disaster confirmed where damage to collapsed building was especially significant because only ground within this belt quaked more intensely than elsewhere.
Avian Influenza Occurred in Japan
Authors: Otsuki Koichi ,   Avian Influenza Research Centre, Kyoto Sangyo University, Motoyama, Kamigamo, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8555, Japan,   The Avian Zoonosis Research Centre, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Minami, Tottori 680-8553, Japan
Published: April 2016

January and February of 2004, three outbreaks of HPAI caused by H5N1 virus occurred in Japan since 1925. The first outbreak occurred in a layer farm located on the mountains, Yamaguchi prefecture, western Japan. About 14,600 of 34,600 laying hens reared in this farm died between 28th December 2003 and 14th January 2004. The second outbreak occurred in the bantams reared in a family as pet birds. In this case, 14 birds died. The third outbreak occurred in a layer farm reared about 260,000 chickens. Since owner of this farm did not report this outbreak to local government, this case became a serious disaster. It is still obscure how causative virus was carried to Kyoto prefecture.
Recent Large-Scale Fires in Boreal and Tropical Forests
Authors: Hayasaka Hiroshi ,   Hokkadio University, Kita-ku N13 W8, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan
Published: April 2016

One of the objectives of this review of recent trends in fires in boreal and tropical forests is to raise reader awareness of wilderness fires as a type of disaster mainly caused by human activity. Fires occurring in different vegetative areas are usually named for the vegetation in which they occur, e.g., forest fires, bush fires, savanna fires, and peat or bog fires. The term "wildland fire" represents all such fires. Despite the widespread occurrence of such fires, the International Association of Wildland Fires (IAWF) is the only international association covering vegetation conflagrations. This review focuses on forest and peat fires in boreal and tropical forests, first, because forests in these areas have accumulated large amounts of carbon in their forest floors. And, second, because such fires usually are large-scale and emit large amounts of carbon oxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases such as methane (CH4).
The Great Hanshin Earthquake and Fire
Authors: Murosaki Yoshiteru ,   National Research Institute of Fire and Disaster, Fire and Disaster Management Agency, 4-35-3 Jindaiji-Higashimachi, Chofu, Tokyo 182-0012, Japan
Published: April 2016

Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan was hit on January 17, 1995, by an epicentral earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale. The Great Hanshin Earthquake left over 6,000 people dead beneath collapsed buildings and in urban fires. We discuss the damage and nature and causes of fires to provide information that may help prevent such events in the future.
Monitoring Recovery Using Energy Consumption Indices
Authors: Masasuke Takashima*  ,   Associate Professor, Graduate School of Environment and Disaster Research, Fuji Tokoha University, 325 Ohbuchi, Fuji, Shizuoka 417-0801, Japan, Haruo Hayashi**  ,   Professor, Research Center for Disaster Reduction Systems (DRS), Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji-shi, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
Published: April 2016

A methodology to monitor the socio-economic impact due to a catastrophic event in high spatial resolution, high frequency, and in homogenous manner within the entire affected area is indispensable to maintain an up-to-date overall picture of the event in disaster response/recovery operations. Energy consumption of the affected area is a promising index for long-term recovery monitoring. The energy consumption of an urbanized area strongly correlates with its socioeconomic activity. When an area is urbanized and developed, more energy is required to maintain it. Once a catastrophic event interrupts these activities, energy consumption of the area decreases. We have been studying ways to monitor long-term recovery using electric power supply data and the night time city light imagery data provided by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program as indices of energy consumption. In this paper, we introduce these methodologies and their application to recovery process monitoring after the Kobe earthquake in Japan and Hurricane Katrina in the U.S. The impact and following recovery process of those two catastrophic events were clearly depicted. These examples have shown both methodologies to be promising in monitoring the spaciotemporal distribution of impact due to events independent of the type of hazard. Recovery monitoring methodologies introduced in this paper provide a way to determine overall trends in recovery of affected areas macroscopically. For concrete policy making and support, a more detailed view is also needed to evaluate recovery conditions of different social and economic sectors and individual households and businesses. Both macroscopic and microscopic viewpoints are needed to appropriate response and recovery operations.
Numerical Simulations of Heavy Rainfalls by a Global Cloud-Resolving Model
Authors: Satoh Masaki ,   Center for Climate System Research, University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba 277-8568, Japan,   Frontier Research Center for Global Change, JAMSTEC, 3173-25 Showa-machi, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 236-0001, Japan
Published: April 2016

The Global Cloud-Resolving Model is a next-generation atmospheric global model with potential to open up new areas in numerical weather forecasting and climate simulation. The new model, called NICAM, has shown realistic behavior for precipitation systems over the global domain, particularly over the tropics. One impact of the global cloud-resolving model is the attainment of realistic simulation of rainfall in the tropics realizing a multiscale nature from kilometer to planetary, because rainfall in the tropics affects short-term local tropical weather and the long-term global climate. We review the global cloud-resolving model using simulation results from NICAM, and discuss its applicability in reducing natural weather disasters.
Global Warming and Vector-borne Infectious Diseases
Authors: Kobayashi Mutsuo ,   Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Komagata Osamu , Nihei Naoko
Published: April 2016

Vector-borne diseases result from infections transmitted to humans by blood-feeding arthropods such as mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. Such cold-blooded animals are influenced by environmental change. A recent IPCC report clearly showed that the emission of greenhouse gases has already changed world climates. Heat waves in Europe, rises in global mean sea level, summer droughts and wild fires, more intense precipitation, and increasing numbers of large cyclones and hurricanes may be typical example of extreme climate phenomena related to global warming. High temperatures may increase survival among arthropods, depending on their vector, behavior, ecology, and valuable factors, and temperate zone warming may accelerate the spread of mosquitoes such asAedes albopictus. The MIROK (K1) Model clearly shows a northern limit forAe.albopictus, particularly in northern Honshu in 2035 and southern and middle Hokkaido Island in 2100 in Japan. The spread of the mosquito vector through global used-tire trading in recent decades to Africa, the Mideast, Europe, and North and South America caused an outbreak of Chikungunya fever in north Italy in 2007. Global warming, extreme climate change, changing physical distribution, and an increase in oversea travel are also expected to influence the epidemiology of vector-borne infectious diseases.
Special Issue on Extinction of Organisms
Authors: Higuchi Hiroyoshi , Karaki Hideaki
Published: April 2016

Plants and animals are declining or becoming extinct in many parts of the world. They include both well-known species such as the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and the crested ibis (Nipponia nippon) and once common land snails, fireflies and small migratory birds. Factors leading to population decline or extinction include habitat destruction, chemical pollution, alien species, poaching, infectious disease, and global warming. In addition to their individual adverse impacts, these factors often overlap or interconnect in time and space, compounding their effects. In limited areas isolated by habitat destruction, for example, alien species and global warming more easily cause local populations to decline and become extinct.

There are also natural disasters such as volcanic activity and meteors that diminish or exterminate flora and fauna populations. However, extinction of species and groups sometimes give an opportunity for other species and groups to occupy vacant niche and similar life styles, which may lead to adaptive radiation in evolution. Organisms have repeated such evolution and extinction throughout geological history.

This special issue focuses on the extinction of plants and animals resulting from both human activity and natural disasters. In the first of seven articles, Hisashi Nagata reviews the history of extinction and the natural and human factors involved. Kazuto Kawakami looks at the impact of alien species on current ecosystems in the Ogasawara Islands, demonstrating interrelationships among different plant and animal species and pointing out what we could do about island ecosystem conservation and management. Haruo Ogi discusses the effects of fisheries by-catch on sea birds. TatsuyaKunisue and Shinsuke Tanabe detail the effects of chemical pollution on wild animals. Both factors are important in conserving biodiversity and in maintaining industries such as marine fisheries. Kazuya Ashizawa et al. focus on the population decline and extinction of plants growing along dry river beds and becoming rare as a result of human activities changing the structure of natural rivers. Yunshan Su deals with the history of the near extinction of crested ibises in China, and introduces successful recovery programs that may be useful in a similar Japanese program for the same species. Takashi Kamijo et al. detail the impact of volcanic activity on the vegetation of a small island, discussing ecosystem recovery.

We hope that this special issue will lead to better understanding of the unique interrelationships among plants, animals and the inorganic world, teaching how to conserve and manage the biodiversity around us. Extinction of one species may appear to have nothing to do with human lives, but the extinction of many plants and animals sets up serious conditions in maintaining life during the changing structure and function of ecosystems comparable in process to an aircraft losing rivets one by one and finally crashing at a critical point with massive loss of life.
Extinction, the Causes of Extinction and the Conservation of Biodiversity
Authors: Nagata Hisashi ,   Laboratory of Population Biology, Environmental Biology Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Onogawa, 16-2 Tsukuba 305-8506, Japan
Published: April 2016

Over 25% of species are currently categorized as threatened. Extinction is a natural process in organism evolution, and 99% of all organisms that have thus far existed are already extinct. Current extinction rates, however, is progressing at least 2,500 times faster than in the past. Ongoing extinction is so fast, in fact, that organisms may not be able to adapt environment and to evolve. Current biodiversity crisis is called “sixth extinction” because it is severer than five geological mass extinctions. Habitat destruction, overexploitation, and invasion of species through human activities are currently the major causes of species extinction. Global warming is also expected to pose a considerable threat to Earth’s organisms. I briefly review the nature of species extinction, its processes, causes, theoretical background, and ongoing threats.
Real-Time Eruption Magnitude Estimation from Far-Field Geodetic Data: A Proposal for Volcanic Early Warning
Authors: Takahashi Hiroaki ,   Institute of Seismology and Volcanology, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, N10, W8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0810, Japan
Published: April 2016

Recent developments in dense geodetic observation of volcanoes have enabled us to handle data in real-time. Monitoring agencies detect volcano unrest using numerous instruments and quickly broadcast volcanic activity alerts but based on little quantitative information. Residents on volcanoes seek predictive, practical, and reliable alerts including place, time, and magnitude directly linked to disaster mitigation activities. A strategy I proposed in this study answers the question of the magnitude of a foreseen eruption. Far-field displacements by geodetic instruments provide the signals of deflating magma reservoirs, and may give predictive maximum magnitude Mvpof a looming eruption. This may play an important role in antidisaster measures because it is the parameter most determinate for evacuation. Continuous monitoring of Mvpmay also yield valuable information for judging the termination of an eruption because its stagnation indicates magma feeding disconnection from reservoir to shallower part. I believe that predictive volcanic early warnings with quantitative Mvpcan provide truly effective, practical information to residents and local governments potentially affected by active volcanoes.
Mitigation Systems by Hazard Maps, Mitigation Plans, and Risk Analyses Regarding Volcanic Disasters in Japan
Authors: Nakamura Yoichi ,   Dept of Earth Sciences, Utsunomiya University, 350 Mine, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-8505, Japan, Fukushima Kazuyoshi , Jin Xinghai , Sato Motoo Ukawa Teruko , Hotta Yayoi ,   National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED),3-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0006, Japan
Published: April 2016

More than 60 volcanic hazard maps have been published on 38 of Japan’s 108 active volcanoes. Two maps were published before 1990, 17 after the 1991 eruptions of Unzen, and 19 after the 2000 eruptions of Usuzan and Miyakejima. Large eruptions greatly increase concern over volcanic hazards. The earlier academic maps themselves have changed from being specialist-oriented to being designed to be more easily understood with volcanic terms clearly explained. This is especially true of revised maps. The 1961 Disaster Countermeasures Basic Act directs that local disaster management plans be promoted by local governments, but only 5 of the local governments in the 25 prefectures neighboring on active volcanoes have set up established specific volcano-oriented antidisaster programs. Others mention volcanic disaster measures in the context of general or storm and flood disaster measures, and another six make no mention of particular measures for volcanic disasters. This lack of concern is somewhat understandably related to budget policies, but real-time hazard maps with probability tree algorithms for forecasting volcanic events are needed to manage potential volcanic disasters effectively. For this purpose, volcanic disaster measures with volcanic risk, or threat analyses assessments must be completed, but no local governments have yet conducted assessments of volcanic risk analyses. Whatever and however complex the reasons, local governments should, cooperating with volcanologists and supported by local residents, take action before an eruption next occurs.
Damage to Seisho Bypass due to Storm Waves During Typhoon 0709
Authors: Uda Takaaki ,   Public Works Research Center, 1-6-4 Taito, Taito, Tokyo 110-0016, Japan, San-nami Toshiro , Ishikawa Toshinori ,   Coastal Engineering Laboratory Co., Ltd., 301, 1-22 Wakaba, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0011, Japan
Published: April 2016

Some 1.1 km of the Seisho Bypass along the Seisho coast was severely damaged on September 7, 2007, due to Typhoon 0709 storm waves, closing the road to traffic for emergency repairs. Damage to the highway, caused primarily through wave impact and secondarily by long-term shoreline recession due to decreased fluvial sand supply from the Sakawa River and sand loss into a submarine canyon, was investigated through field observations. A factor contributing further to shoreline recession was the obstruction of eastward longshore sand transport by the Ninomiya fishing port breakwater. Storm waves hit the coastline counterclockwise to normal to the shoreline, causing offshore and westward longshore sand transport with part of the sand transported by the longshore sand transport flowing into the submarine canyon, causing a net sand loss.
Adaptation to Global-Warming-Triggered Water Disasters Measures Taken by Science Council of Japan
Authors: Ikeda Syunsuke ,   Member and Secretary of Third Division, The Science Council of Japan,   Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 O-okayama, Meguro, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan
Published: April 2016

As pointed out by Assessment Report 4 of IPCC, global climate change will increase the magnitude and frequency of water-related disasters such as flooding, surge and drought. In addition to this the social changes such as population problems in Japan will aggravate the vulnerability to the disasters. Two concepts to cope with the water-related disasters triggered by climate change are adaptation and mitigation. Though abatement of GHG gas emissions has been eagerly argued, Japan should be more concerned with and take the initiative both for mitigation and adaptation. As adaptation measures for water-related disasters, 3 measures are proposed in this paper; building disaster-awareness societies, building physical/social structures, and adaptation R&D. In addition to them, it is necessary to bring reconstruction of the national land into medium- and long term views as paradigm shift. In this paper, the following recommendations are proposed for the adaptation: the Japanese government should be aware of the importance of adaptation and strongly promote adaptation to mitigate water-related disasters, and the government should also cooperate in establishing adaptation in sustaining development of Asian monsoon areas and development programs.
New Research Project for Evaluating Seismic Linkage Around the Nankai Trough —Integration of Observation, Simulation, and Disaster Mitigation—
Authors: Kaneda Yoshiyuki ,   Research Groups for the Next Nankai Trough Mega Thrust Earthquakes, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology Hibiya Central Bldg. 6F, 1-2-9 Nishishinbashi Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0003, Japan, Hirahara Kazuo , Furumura Takashi ,   Research Groups for the Next Nankai Trough Mega Thrust Earthquakes, Kyoto University,   Research Groups for the Next Nankai Trough Mega Thrust Earthquakes, CIDIR/ERI, Univ. of Tokyo
Published: April 2016

Maga thrust earthquakes have occurred with an interval of 100-200 years around the Nanki trough southwestern Japan. The estimated economical damage of next mega thrust earthquakes is equivalent to the national budget.

Therefore, progresses of seismological researches and new proposals of disaster mitigation for next mega thrust earthquakes are urgent and important issues for Japan.

So, from 2009, the new research project of MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) is starting as a five years project.

This project is composed of two subprojects including researches of observations simulations and disaster mitigations. In observational researches, we will carry out seismic surveys, seismic tomography and monitoring researches. Simulation researches are including the theme such as developments of crustal deformation databases, advanced simulation methods, seismic linkage studies and recurrence cycle simulations.

In disaster mitigation researches, there are prediction researches of strong motion and tsunami hazards and proposals of future risk managements.

These researches are progressing in close cooperation with each other. Finally, results from this project will be integrated to improve the recurrence simulation model and advanced proposal of disaster mitigation. The collaboration and integration of scientific researches, engineering researches and social sciences of next megathrust earthquakes will lead to the practical disaster mitigation.