Orientador: Anna Silvia Palcheco Peixoto / Co-orientadora: Ilza Machado Kaiser / Banca: Claudio José Ferreira / Banca: Gustavo Garcia Manzato / Resumo: O debate sobre o aquecimento global nas últimas décadas e também o aumento da frequência e intensidade de acontecimentos extremos causados por eventos hidro-meteorológicos e climatológicos levou a uma maior ênfase em estudos de desastres naturais. No Brasil as secas e as enxurradas são as tipologias mais recorrentes, sendo que a chuva é o evento desencadeador com maior incidência de danos. A análise cruzada de danos e seus fatores geradores relacionados a eventos hidrológicos indica que a chuva intensa é o evento mais preponderante para a ocorrência de desastres naturais relacionados à drenagem. O objetivo do trabalho foi a elaboração do mapa de risco à inundação urbana (alagamento, enchente e enxurrada) da cidade de Bauru e também a comparação entre dados obtidos de pluviômetros automáticos e dados de radar. Os dados de precipitação foram obtidos de pluviômetros automáticos instalados na cidade de Bauru. A probabilidade de ocorrência dos eventos hidrológicos foi estimada pelas equações IDF (intensidade, duração, frequência). Os resultados desta pesquisa foram espacializados e classificados em função de sua severidade verificando-se que eventos com baixo período de retorno geram danos significativos. Foi elaborado um mapa de perigo atribuindo pesos aos fatores ambientais e sociais com o auxílio de SIG (Sistema de Informação Geográfica). O estudo de caso desta pesquisa pode auxiliar os órgãos competentes na implementação de sistemas de alerta precoce e políticas de prevenção. / Abstract: The current debate about global warming in recent decades and also the increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme events caused by hydro-meteorological and climatological events led to a greater emphasis on natural disasters studies. In Brazil, droughts and floods are the most recurrent typologies, with rain being the main event that causes the majority of the damages. Cross-analysis of damage triggering events related to rain indicates that heavy rain is the most significant event in the occurrence of natural disasters related to drainage. The objective of this research was the elaboration of an urban flooding risk map for Bauru and also the comparison between data of rain gauges and radar. Precipitation data was obtained from rain gauges installed in the city of Bauru. The probability of occurrence of hydrological events was estimated by the IDF (intensity, duration, frequency) equations. The results of this research were spatialized and classified according to its severity and they showed low return events cause significant damage. A map of hazard areas was developed with the help of GIS (Geographic Information System) software. The case study of this research can help the local governments with the implementation of early warning systems and prevention policies. / Mestre

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / This thesis undertakes an analysis of alleged unfair foreign trade practices and examines what public relations responses were revealed by three domestic steel corporations. One of the most frequent techniques practiced by a number of European and Asian nations was wire rod dumping, or the practice of selling rods in different markets at adjusted prices. When Japanese trade interests began to introduce goods in United States markets at prices below the price of domestic steel goods, U.S. producers began a public relations program which extended from special tabloid newspapers to testimony before several federal agencies. The central objective of the study was to establish and examine the role of public relations in the dumping crisis. Research methodology was primarily a case study approach to the working public relations programs of the three domestic programs. Press releases, employee publications, and speech materials were reviewed for each firm. Each firm was analyzed in terms of pUblic relations objectives, selection of primary and secondary publics, communications strategy, and public relations results. A cursory examination of the role of the steel industry's trade association, the American Iron and Steel Institute, was also conducted. A final summarization then graphically outlined a proposed communications pattern between the Iron and Steel Institute and its member companies. Conclusions or the study indicated a need for a greater definition of public relation's role in international trade, a lack of economic knowledge among public relations personnel engaged in the corporate programs, a need for greater attitude research and the necessity of a more responsive framework of communications between the American Iron and Steel Institute and member steel companies. / 2031-01-01

ABSTRACT South Africa faces increasing levels of disaster risk. The country and citizens are exposed to a wide range of weather hazards, including drought, cyclones and severe storms that can trigger widespread hardship and devastation. The country’s extensive coastline and proximity to shipping routes present further numerous marine and coastal threats. Despite ongoing progress to extend essential services to poor urban and rural communities, large numbers of people live in conditions of chronic disaster vulnerability. They are located-in underserved, ecologically fragile or marginal areas, where they face recurrent natural and other threats that range from drought to repeated informal settlement fires. Several literature on Disaster Risk Management identifies a number of risk factors that people can be exposed to. These include: · Proximity/exposure: people who occupy or, for their livelihoods depend on areas of high hazard’s risk, · Capacities and resources: people who have limited means and capacity to mobilise them in order to increase their defences against hazard and · Disadvantaged or marginalized people: people who are vulnerable due to gender, race, ethnicity and class. The assessment and evaluation of risk to a range of hazards therefore becomes a necessity as it provides a sound basis for planning and for allocation of financial and other resources, as well as designing interventions and future mitigation activities. Valid and systematic information on disasters and their impacts has, however, not been widely available within local development programmes. More often, information pertaining to disaster risks is not available, and where it is, it is in fragmentary bits usually derived from different sources and stored in different formats. These data shortcomings have been to the obvious detriment of effective relief and mitigation, both at international, national and local municipal levels. Alexandra Township, located to the north of Johannesburg is facing a problem of a usable and comprehensive disaster data inventory. In this research report, an initial disaster inventory for Alexandra Township has been undertaken. Available data on disasters that have occurred in Alexandra Township for over the decade (1991-Aug 2005) are collected. These data are drawn from various sources including newspaper clippings, community- based records, data from the Red Cross, data from the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality and others. The beginning of such an information gathering system is a basic requirement for a coherent disaster programme. While in no way as rigorous as the data capturing methods and systems as those adopted in LA RED, South America or in MANDISA (University of Cape Town), where the disaster capturing data systems are more advanced, this report begins to illustrate some of the preliminary results that can be used to begin to develop an effective data management system for Alexandra Township. Such data also should be able to determine the detection of trends, that can begin to inform a more systematic and rigorous identification of complex disaster risks in urban settings. Some of these preliminary trends are profiled in this report.

Hurricane Sandy made landfall in Brigantine, New Jersey on October 29th, 2012. The storm impacted the coastal regions of New Jersey and New York, especially the heavily populated area of New York City. This research, which analyzes secondary data obtained from a telephone survey, investigates the public response of residents before, during and after Hurricane Sandy. The survey consisted of questions regarding what the residents expected concerning the threat of Hurricane Sandy, whether it matched what they experienced, where they got their information and how they made their decision to evacuate or not. The results from the survey were statistically analyzed in order to answer important research questions about public perception of Sandy's impacts. A Vulnerability Assessment of New York City, where some of Sandy's impacts were felt the most, was completed in order to understand why this area was so vulnerable. The concern level of various hurricane related hazards was analyzed and correlated to demographic variables to determine a relationship among the variables. A qualitative analysis was performed on the survey questions "Why did you evacuate?" and "Why did you not evacuate?" in order to determine themes in relation to people's reasons for evacuating or not evacuating. Finally, differences in how the public perceived Hurricane Sandy before and after the storm were analyzed and may be used for improving communication of the forecast to the public. Interdisciplinary research in this area is needed in order to better understand the public's need for appropriate warnings to ensure safety. Results show that residents were most concerned about wind damage and that they mainly used their television to obtain their information about the storm. Also, the most common reasons respondents reported for evacuating were because of the threat of possible impacts (storm surge, flooding, wind, rain and waves), the forecast called for bad conditions, or being told, recommended or convinced to leave. The main reasons reported by respondents for not evacuating are thinking that the impacts would not be bad in their area, feeling prepared or safe and thinking they could handle the impacts. This research can be used in the future for improving hurricane warning communication to the public.

Objective: Utilizing a conceptual model of the impact of disasters on children╒s functioning, the current study examined unhealthy diet and sedentary activity levels of children exposed to Hurricane Ike. Exposure stressors (perceived and actual life threat) and recovery stressors (hurricane-related stressors and major life events), were hypothesized to be associated with unhealthy diet and sedentary activity. Exposure stressors, recovery stressors, and child demographic characteristics were also expected to be associated with posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms. It also was predicted that physical activity would attenuate the relationship between recovery stressors and children╒s PTS symptoms. Finally, the feasibility of collecting health behavior information from children was examined. Method: Utilizing a cross-sectional design, 204 children (51% girls; M age = 9.23, SD = .79; grades 3 and 4) from Galveston, Texas were evaluated 8 months after Hurricane Ike (Time 1). At Time 1, children completed self-report measures of traumatic experiences, major life events, PTS symptoms, height and weight, and health behaviors. 53 children were reevaluated two weeks later (Time 2) to examine the stability and validity of health-related measures. Children completed a second measure of their height, weight, and health behavior measures, and actual measurements of height and weight were also taken. Results: Consistent with expectations, exposure and recovery stressors were associated with sedentary activity and PTS symptoms. Exposure stressors were indirectly related to sedentary activity and PTS symptoms through recovery stressors. However, contrary to expectations, stressors were not associated with unhealthy diet. African American ethnicity, Hispanic ethnicity, and female gender were related to PTS symptoms through recovery stressors. Physical activity did not attenuate the relationship between recovery stressors and children╒s PTS symptoms. In terms of health behaviors, children╒s self-reported weight was both stable and valid from Time 1 to Time 2. Self-reported height was stable but invalid. Measures of children╒s unhealthy diet and sedentary activity showed moderate stability. The measure of physical activity exhibited low stability and low validity. Conclusions: Sedentary activity may be a particularly important health behavior to examine after disasters. Implications for schools, families, and future research are discussed. Alternative measures of physical activity should be considered.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2006. / Title from title screen (site viewed on Feb. 22, 2007). PDF text: vii, 119 p. : ill. UMI publication number: AAT 3217587. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in paper, microfilm and microfiche format.

Thesis--Auburn University, 2006. / Abstract. Contents page lists "references" starting on p.118 but the bibliography is missing from the copy submitted.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2001. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 134 p. : ill., maps (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 128-134).

Natural disasters and rapid environmental changes have resulted in a continuum of responses by human societies throughout history. A model is proposed that incorporates cultural and environmental aspects of human response to natural disasters. The 11th century eruption of Sunset Crater volcano in northern Arizona is used as a case study in which the archaeological record and dendrochronological and geomorphological evidence are combined to characterize the nature of the human response. The model predicts that the population at Sunset Crater would have been pressured to move, or to move and make cultural or technological adaptations following the eruption. The model has utility in diverse conditions and can be used to interpret archaeological remains and facilitate modern disaster response.

Children are often overlooked in the aftermath of a natural disaster, and children’s use of coping strategies plays an important part in their post-disaster adaptation (Vernberg, La Greca, Silverman, & Prinstein, 1996). The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the coping strategies of children with adequate self-regulation skills and minimal behaviour problems, living in Christchurch following the major 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. This aim was achieved through the use of semi-structured interviews with five seven-year-old children, their parents, and their teachers. These interviews were analysed using Directed Content Analysis and results showed that children most often reported using active and adaptive coping strategies, followed by avoidant strategies. Results in the current literature regarding children’s coping suggest that children exposed to natural disasters are able to utilise strategies that involve some personal control over their environment and emotions, through the use of active and adaptive coping strategies. Findings from this study contribute to the current understanding of children’s use of coping strategies when faced with commonly occurring childhood upsets. Further research is required regarding the outcomes associated with the use of effective coping strategies following traumatic events.