京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第23481号 / 工博第4893号 / 新制||工||1764(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科社会基盤工学専攻 / (主査)教授 森 信人, 教授 立川 康人, 准教授 志村 智也 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM

No description available.

Disasters and climate change threaten the very existence of a special group of developing states- Small Island Developing States (SIDS). This research tackles the problem of limited uptake of integrated approaches to address risk in practice- in particular through disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA). The benefits of these approaches are so significant that they can be considered to be investments in development. Focusing on Barbados, a SIDS, this research therefore seeks to identify the prospects for establishing an integrated disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation (DRR-CCA) development decision-making framework. It also seeks to understand the policy implications for other SIDS. In addressing the research problem, a risk governance framework and mixed methods approach is proposed for identifying the prospects for DRR-CCA. This allows for the challenges and the potential in actor networks, institutions, and the various dimensions of risk decision-making to be identified. The specific SIDS DRR-CCA risk governance framework utilised to generate the prospects is identified from literature. Data from documents, surveys and in-depth semi-structured interviews with 30 representatives from 20 organisations operating at different levels were gathered on DRR and CCA risk governance in Barbados from November, 2014 to May 2015. Analysis was carried out using document analysis, thematic analysis; social network analysis, and descriptive statistics. The research identifies that SIDS require an enhanced risk governance framework for DRR-CCA. This framework has a systemic approach at the core, as well as an explicit development approach supported by a joined-up governance approach. Furthermore, risk assessments should include assessments of adaptive capacity. Existing potential for DRR-CCA risk governance was identified in highly dense networks, established disaster management networks, and a unique polycentric network that engages intraregional partners in national governance. Notwithstanding, challenges related to cohesion within and across institutions and sectors; missing community and socio-economic participation; as well as issues connected to unadjusted mind-sets to address the DRR paradigm shift in practice, and limited development-socio-ecological systems approaches, meant that the prospects identified mainly addressed these shortcomings. A spatial methodology for DRR-CCA seemed feasible. This research contributes a framework for conceptualising DRR-CCA risk governance in SIDS which could be applicable to others. It offers a Caribbean SIDS perspective and practical suggestions for DRR-CCA that are relevant to SIDS practitioners and donors. Further research should focus on testing the prospects across the varying governance contexts of SIDS.

Small islands developing states (SIDS) sustainability is a United Nations’ aim. Their markets are often influenced by external policies imposed by larger economies. Could an anti-competitive measure affect the food vulnerability of a SIDS? This research examines the effects of an external non-tariff measure (NTM) on Puerto Rico’s (PR) agribusinesses. It explores the effects of a maritime cabotage regulation (US Jones Act) on the affordability and accessibility of produce and grains. PR imports 100% of their needs of grain and over 85% of fresh produce. PR’s food imports are generally from the US and the trade service is restricted to the use of the US maritime transportation. As a result, the supply chain of these two sectors although different, are limited by the US Act that may impact the cost of food, its availability, firms’ efficiency and other structures of production. Using a mixed convergent design, PR’s agrifood supply chains were explored and analysed in relation to the maritime cabotage regulation. Oligopolistic structures and collusion between maritime transporters and local agribusinesses importers limit the access to data, but other internal factors also have a role. Fieldwork shows that while the cabotage regulation itself is a constraint, interaction with others NTM and the current political framework between US and PR are relevant. Factors such as lack of efficiency, poor innovation and a self-limitation of the agribusinesses firms were found. The novelty of this research is the use of mixed methods to evaluate the effects of cabotage on the agrifood supply chain.

La mort subite du nourrisson (MSN) est un phénomène imprévisible et mal compris. Elle est définie par « le décès d’un nourrisson âgé de moins d’un an dont les causes restent inexpliquées malgré des investigations approfondies, incluant une autopsie et un examen de la scène du décès ». Si l’incidence est en décroissance depuis 1994 et le début des campagnes de prévention, la MSN reste la première cause de décès post-néonatale. La MSN est un phénomène multifactoriel qui survient préférentiellement chez des enfants vulnérables exposés à des facteurs de risques environnementaux. Ainsi, le fait d’identifier ces enfants à risque est un enjeu majeur dans la prévention de cette pathologie. La réponse vagale exacerbée, exprimée biologiquement par une surexpression des récepteurs muscariniques de sous-types M2 (RM2), pourrait être un facteur de risque de MSN. Nous avons déjà constaté cette anomalie biologique dans notre modèle animal d’hyperréactivité vagale et dans des cœurs de nourrissons décédés de MSN. Le but de ces travaux est d’analyser l’expression sanguine des RM2 en tant que paramètre biologique reflétant une hyperactivité vagale chez l’Homme, dans des cas de malaises vagaux et de malaises sévères inexpliqués du nourrisson. L’implication de la génétique a également été étudiée dans une famille présentant plusieurs cas de MSN. Une surexpression des RM2 a été observée chez des patients présentant des malaises vagaux. Pour la première fois, des anomalies biologiques ont été identifiées dans cette pathologie. Si l’on parvenait à valider ce paramètre biologique en tant que marqueur de risque, cela pourrait permettre d’aider au diagnostic différentiel et à la prise en charge thérapeutique de ces syncopes vagales. Les mêmes anomalies ont été observées chez des enfants de moins d’un an présentant des malaises sévères idiopathiques. Après une première analyse des données du séquençage haut débit d’exomes issus d’une famille présentant plusieurs cas de MSN, nous avons pu identifier 3 gènes pouvant être impliqués dans la MSN. Néanmoins, le scénario et le mode de transmission sont difficiles à définir. Les premières hypothèses s’orientent vers un digénisme ou même un trigénisme. La surexpression des RM2 chez les 2 parents et chez certains enfants est un premier élément suggérant la transmission du caractère « hyperactivité vagale » chez l’Homme.Nos travaux ont permis de mettre en évidence une anomalie biologique commune entre les malaises vagaux, les malaises inexpliqués du jeune enfant et la MSN, à savoir la surexpression des RM2. Ce paramètre, facilement dosable dans le sang, pourrait être un élément complémentaire dans le diagnostic différentiel et la prise en charge de ces pathologies, notamment chez les jeunes enfants pour lesquels ces malaises peuvent être très délétères. L’avancée dans le séquençage du génome permettra peut-être l’identification de facteurs de risque génétiques impliqués dans les malaises inexpliqués ou les MSN. / Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is an unpredictable and poorly understood phenomenon. It is defined as the "sudden unexpected death of a child younger than one year during sleep that cannot be explained after a postmortem evaluation including autopsy, a thorough history, and scene evaluation". Although the incidence has been decreasing since 1994 and the start of prevention campaigns, SIDS remains the leading cause of post-neonatal death. SIDS is a multifactorial phenomenon that occurs preferentially in vulnerable infants exposed to environmental risk factors. Thus, identifying these children at risk is a major challenge in the prevention of this pathology. The exacerbated vagal response, biologically expressed by overexpression of muscarinic M2 receptors (M2R), may be a risk factor for SIDS. We have already observed this biological abnormality in our animal model of vagal hyperreactivity and in hearts of SIDS. The aim of this work is to analyze the blood expression of M2R as a biological parameter reflecting vagal hyperreactivity in humans, in cases of reflex syncope and idiopathic apparent life-threatening events (iALTE) of infants. The involvement of genetics has also been studied in a family with several cases of SIDS (SIDS family). Overexpression of M2R has been observed in patients with reflex syncope. For the first time, biological abnormalities have been identified in this pathology. If this biological parameter could be validated as a risk marker, it could help for differentially diagnosis and treatment of these vagal syncopes. The same abnormalities were observed in children under one year old with iALTE. After a first analysis of the data of the “next generation sequencing” of the exomes of our “SIDS family”, we were able to identify 3 genes that could be involved in SIDS. However, the scenario and the mode of transmission are difficult to define. The first hypotheses are oriented towards a digenism or even a trigenism. The overexpression of M2R in both parents is a first element suggesting the genetic transmission of the character "vagal hyperactivity" in humans. Our work highlights a biological abnormality which is common to reflex syncope, iALTE and SIDS, namely the overexpression of M2R. These results confirm the hypothesis of the involvement of the vagal system overactivity in these pathologies. This parameter, easily measurable in the blood, could be a complementary assessment useful in the differential diagnosis and the management of these pathologies, in particular in infants for whom syncope can be very harmful. The development of the sequencing of human genome will probably allow the identification of genetic risk factors involved in iALTE or SIDS.

No description available.

Doctor of Public Health / For many years the major cause of infant mortality in NSW has been the result of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Statistics show the area defined as 'Western Sydney' is no exception, and in 2002, a report prepared by the Epidemiology, Indicators, Evaluation and Research Unit (EIRE) in Western Sydney presented data indicating SIDS rates in the area were higher than the state average. In particular, two Local Government Areas (LGAs) had clusters of SIDS deaths. Previous Australian research identified a higher risk of SIDS and other causes of infant mortality in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. The areas of Western Sydney where SIDS rates were higher than expected were home to Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Pacific Island residents. The number of SIDS deaths in Aboriginal infants did not explain the higher than expected rate of SIDS in the areas under investigation. Studies undertaken in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands have identified higher than expected risk of SIDS in Maori and Pacific Island communities in those countries, although this has never been studied in Pacific Island residents living in Australia. The reasons for these communities exhibiting a higher than normal SIDS rate is not completely understood, but can be partially explained by behavioural practices which are known to impact adversely on the risk of SIDS. This study sought to investigate the level of knowledge concerning the prevention of sudden and unexpected death in infants (SUDI) in three key groups of infant caregivers: general practitioners, nurses and parents living or working in the area geographically defined by Sydney West Area Health Service (WSAHS). In addition, the study sought to identify any variation in knowledge of SIDS reduction strategies in the three groups under study, and to investigate factors influencing knowledge and practice in these participants. The study findings were then used as a basis on which to develop strategies and recommendations to enhance the delivery of safe sleeping messages through the health care system. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, this cross-sectional study highlights a number of issues around infant care practices and the major influences on new parents living in a multicultural community. Results of the study showed there is a large variation in knowledge around safe sleeping practices (including SIDS reduction strategies) in all the groups studied. Although educational campaigns are conducted regularly, many general practitioners and parents are confused about the key SIDS reduction messages and still place infants in sleeping positions considered unsafe. While nurses and midwives were aware of the SIDS reduction strategies, they still occasionally used infant sleeping positions considered unsafe. General practitioners born overseas in a country where English is not the first language were less likely to be familiar with safe sleeping messages, including SIDS reduction strategies. Families from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) background were less likely to have seen SIDS information in their own language than families who spoke English, and as a result were more likely to use traditional methods of infant care, including co-sleeping with siblings and parents and side or tummy sleeping. CALD parents were more likely to rely on herbal remedies and friends and family for assistance, than English speaking parents who accessed health professionals as the first point of call when infants were unwell. The study identified a relatively recent practice, which until reported in this study, has not been documented in the literature. The practice of draping infant prams with blankets originated from the Cancer Council of Australia guidelines which recommend covering a pram with a light muslin wrap to protect infants’ skin from the sun. It appears parents have misinterpreted this message and are covering infant prams with blankets to encourage sleep, even when sun exposure is not an issue. Research suggests that poor air quality around the head of an infant may affect an infant’s arousal response. While no research has been conducted on the air quality around an infants head when covered by a heavy blanket in a pram, it is possible based on research into air quality around infants, that that this practice may increase the risk of sudden and unexpected death in an infant. In conclusion, this study found that multiple changes to the SIDS reduction messages since the initial ‘Reduce the Risks’ Campaign have led to confusion about ways of preventing SIDS in GPs, nurses and parents in Western Sydney. The study makes seven recommendations aimed at improving knowledge of safe sleeping practices in these groups, and optimizing health outcomes for infants using a collaborative approach to service delivery and future initiatives.

Small Island Developing States are known to be extra sensitive to environmental changes due to their geographical location and characteristics, and many are known as luxurious tourist destinations. This study explores how Mauritius and the Seychelles are affected by and deal with climate change and the negative impacts of tourism. The study connects to globalisation and sustainable tourism frameworks while analysing vulnerability and resilience in both countries, as well as how the countries work towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The method used is a mixed qualitative method with interviews and a text analysis of websites and official documents. The result indicates that both Mauritius and the Seychelles are highly vulnerable to climate change, especially in their coastal zones, which is further increased by tourism practices and development of tourism facilities. The study also highlights that both countries lack resilience to environmental changes. Both Mauritius and the Seychelles strive to work towards the 2030 Agenda, through policymaking on state level and through non-governmental organisations aligning their projects to the Sustainable Development Goals. The result also shows that there is a need to create a more sustainable tourism sector in each country to protect both the environment and the countries’ economies. This study aims to be a contribution to the research field of Small Island Developing States and to increase the understanding of Mauritius and the Seychelles’ particular characteristics and vulnerabilities.

This thesis is a descriptive study of problem representations of climate-induced human mobility in policy. Two cases which are severely impacted by climate change have been selected for the analysis: Kiribati and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Policies of these cases are analysed through a qualitative text analysis following the methodological approach “What’s the Problem Represented to Be?”. A particular focus is given to the issue of “planned relocations” as this is a form of human movement that is, per definition, driven by policy. The analysis found negative representations of human mobility to be present in both cases, but also positive representations in the case of Kiribati. Planned relocations were represented as something necessary and difficult by both the cases, but a substantial difference concerned the intended length of such movements. Lastly, this study highlights the need for further research on policy engagement in climate-induced human mobility.

No description available.