Objective: The nature of disaster research makes it difficult to adequately measure the impact that significant events have on a population. Large, representative samples are required, ideally with comparable data collected before the event. When Christchurch, New Zealand, was struck by multiple, devastating earthquakes, there presented an opportunity to investigate the effects of dose-related quakes (none, one, two or three over a 9-month period) on the cognition of Canterbury’s elderly population through the New Zealand Brain Research Institute’s (NZBRI’s) cognitive screening study. The related effects of having a concomitant medical condition, sex, age and estimated- full scale IQ (Est-FSIQ) on cognition were also investigated. Method: 609 participants were tested on various neuropsychological tests and a self-rated dementia scale in a one hour interview at the NZBRI. Four groups were established, based on the number of major earthquakes experienced at the time of testing: “EQ-dose: None” (N = 51) had experienced no quakes; “EQ-dose: One” (N = 193) had experienced the initial quake in September 2010; “EQ-dose: Two” (N = 82) also experienced the most devastating February 2011 quake; and “EQ-dose: Three” (N = 265) also the June 2011 quake at testing. Results: Two neuropsychological variables of Trail A and the AD8 were impacted by an EQ-dose effect, while having a medical condition was associated with poorer function on the MoCA, Rey Copy and Recall, Trail A, and AD8. Having a major medical condition led to worse performance on the Rey Copy and Recall following the major February earthquake. Males performed significantly better on Trail A and Rey Planning, while females better on the MoCA. Older participants (>73) had significantly lower scores on the MoCA than younger participants (<74), while those with a higher Est-FSIQ (>111) had better scores on the MoCA and Rey Recall than participants with a lower Est-FSIQ. Finally, predicted variable analysis (based on calculated, sample-specific Z-scores) failed to find a significant earthquake effect when variables of age, sex and Est-FSIQ were controlled for, while there was a significant effect of medical condition on each measure. Conclusion: The current thesis provides evidence suggesting resilience amongst Canterbury’s elderly population in the face of the sequence of significant quakes that struck the region over a year from September 2010. By contrast, having a major medical condition was a ‘more significant life event’ in terms of impact on cognition in this group.

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) offers preservationists a unique tool with the potential to revolutionize hazard mitigation for historic resources. The program’s ability to link information to a specific geographical location and efficiently disperse this information can solve two of the most destructive issues of current natural disaster response practices: a lack of organized information and an efficient means of disseminating this data. The resources necessary to implement a GIS program and to the requisite cooperation between both public and private preservation organizations may seem prohibitive to many preservation programs; yet, the benefits make this initial investment cost-effective. Despite efforts to mitigate disasters, both natural and man-made, their effects constantly threaten historic resources. In the past two decades, the United States has made significant strides toward a greater protection of these sites; yet damage continues to occur. In this thesis, I have investigated methods of risk mitigation implemented in the United States at both the state and local level, and in the public and private sectors, using New Orleans, Louisiana after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as a case study. Through this analysis, I discovered that a lack of accessible, organized information and cooperation between preservationists compounded the damage caused by the actual event itself. I argue that the implementation of GIS could solve many of these issues by providing a means of both consolidating data and distributing it among responders. In this work, I demonstrate the ability of GIS to easily solve the problems of current mitigation practices for historic resources. By discussing the tools and basic functions of the program, I clearly illustrate this utility to those unfamiliar with the program, while arguing its potential as a mitigation implement to all preservationists. / text

The increasing frequency and economic losses from natural disasters within the framework of decreasing agricultural prices and trade liberalization is becoming crucial in increasing poverty in the Mexican rural economy. During the past two decades, the governmental withdrawal from supporting the agricultural sector with investments in physical, financial and logistic instruments continues to stress agricultural livelihoods, as current private mechanisms have not replaced them effectively. It has contributed to making the agricultural sector particularly vulnerable to a number of hazards as it has weakened economic agents' response and impeded assets accumulation. This dissertation identifies economic vulnerability to natural and economic hazards in order to assess public and private coping capacity, and provides a conceptual framework and economic theory that supports the overall approach and employed methodologies. It is based on quantitative and qualitative research methods, and makes use of econometric analysis and stakeholders' views aimed at finding feasible solutions. Further, this dissertation offers a spatial model that can support policy-decision-making for the creation of differential investments in productive infrastructure, as well as financial instruments to reduce current vulnerability and poverty throughout the national territory. During the past two decades, over 80% of total economic losses from weather-related disasters occurred in the agricultural sector. In the same period, mean weighted agricultural prices have decreased over 50% in real terms, and since 1996 a trade deficit has persisted in this sector. Currently, the insufficient credit access, low coverage of crop insurance, as well as the near lack of investments to expand irrigation and further productive infrastructure is sharpening the vulnerability of rural livelihoods. These facts explain why this sector produces only 4% of the GDP despite employing over 20% of the national workforce. These facts undermine farmers' expectations of future incomes within the community, stimulating rural-urban out migration, which usually cannot be absorbed by the urban economy in sight of the modest industrial dynamism of the recent years. This leads to the enlargement of the informal sector in large cities and migratory flows to abroad, among others. (author's abstract)

Teilw. zugl.: Paris 3, Univ., Diss. / Literauturverz. S. 321 - 344. - Webliogr. S. 344 - [345]

[pt] A crescente participação das Forças Armadas (FA) em cooperação com a Defesa Civil em situações de desastres naturais tem demonstrado a importância do aprofundamento e aprimoramento dos estudos da logística humanitária no campo militar. Sabendo que a excelência nos processos pode gerar economia dos recursos a serem mobilizados para alcançar as necessidades da população afetada, bem como a minimização do tempo de resposta, este estudo objetiva apresentar e analisar as atividades de resposta a desastres naturais desempenhadas pela Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB), sob a ótica da modelagem de processos. Para isso, realiza-se um estudo de caso pautado no mapeamento das atividades realizadas pela Aeronáutica com base nas legislações em vigor e com base na operação real de apoio às vítimas do desastre da região serrana fluminense em 2011, considerada uma das maiores tragédias climáticas ocorridas no Brasil. Simultaneamente, é conduzida uma comparação de adequação ao padrão em relação à literatura acadêmica. Os resultados deste trabalho apontam para processos realizados pela FAB que podem ser considerados na elaboração de uma doutrina específica relativa ao tema e ainda os processos não previstos nas legislações vigentes, os quais podem ser objeto de futuras pesquisas na FAB, além de sugerir a inclusão de processos não representados nos modelos de processos de resposta a desastre da literatura acadêmica. Com isso, almeja-se subsidiar futuras pesquisa no meio acadêmico sobre o tema, bem como contribuir para a elaboração de uma doutrina específica relativa a essas atividades, a fim de se obter uma maior eficácia e eficiência no apoio da FAB em missões humanitárias. / [en] The growing participation of the Armed Forces (AF) in natural disasters situations has ratified the importance of deepening and improvement of studies in humanitarian logistics in the military field. Knowing that excellence in processes can generate savings of resources to be mobilized to meet the needs of the affected population as well as minimizing the response time, this study aims to present and analyze the response activities to natural disasters performed by the Brazilian Air Force (BRAF), from the perspective of process modeling. For this, a case study is carried out according to the mapping of activities performed by the BRAF based on the legislation in place and on a real operation of support to victims of a disaster in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro in 2011, considered one of the biggest climate tragedy in Brazil. Simultaneously, a pattern matching comparability in relation to the academic literature is conducted. The results of this study point to processes performed by the BRAF that can be considered in the preparation of a specific doctrine on the subject and to processes not considered in current legislation, which may be the subject of future research in the BRAF. It also suggests the inclusion of processes not represented in process models of disaster response in the academic literature. Thus, it aims to support future studies in academic research on the subject, as well as contribute to the development of a specific doctrine on these activities in order to achieve greater effectiveness and efficiency in the BRAF support for humanitarian missions.

Although there are cartographic norms that guide map creation, there is no standardization for thematic maps. Then, most of them are usually made in accordance with the freedom of the professional. So, the aim of this work is to propose a cartographic standardization for flood emergencial charter-image. For this purpose, about 60 flood charter-image and maps made by several institutions, programs and projects, such as the Disasters Charter, UNOSAT and mappings from theses, dissertations, undergraduation final papers, and others were analyzed. A questionnaire was also applied to several professionals who work with maps in different ways, with different themes, being 33 of them answered. The points used in the analysis of the maps and the questionnaire are quite similar, allowing a relationship between them. We noticed that the flood charters-image and maps differ on many issues, deficiencies were observed, such as lack of elements (title, scale, datum, projection, north, source, etc.), mistakes, besides the lack of a standard, i.e., the maps are heterogeneous. For the creation of cartographic standardization of this research, some images were used, such as LANDSAT-5/TM and LANDSAT-7/ETM+ images, available on the Division of Imaging website DGI of INPE. After receiving, the bands 5(R), 4(G) and 3(B) were used and a colorful combination was carried out in ArcGIS software. The images were georeferenced and the thematic ones were drawn in AutoCAD software. The final art was done in CorelDRAW software, resulting in two charters-image at medium scales (1:40.000 and 1:1000.000). After the development of the first two proposed of standardization for flood emergencial image charter, we realized it was necessary to make one more work for a small scale (1:500,000). For this, we used MODIS images, of the satellite TERRA, available in the Quick Message System of MODIS (MODIS Rapid Response System) webpage, with colorful combination of bands 7(R), 2(G) and 4(B). With this image, the same procedures were performed from LANDSAT images. As a result, this research has a proposal of cartographic standardization, which aims to the homogeneity charters-image areas that present the phenomenon of flood, in an attempt to standardize the thematic, facilitating studies. / Apesar de existirem normas cartográficas que norteiam a elaboração de mapas em geral, não há uma padronização para mapas temáticos, fazendo com que eles sejam feitos, grande parte, de acordo com a liberdade do profissional elaborador. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho é propor um padrão cartográfico para carta-imagem emergencial de inundação. Para tanto, foram analisados cerca de 60 cartas-imagem e mapas de inundação, realizados por diversas instituições, programas e projetos, tais como o Disasters Charter, UNOSAT e mapeamentos retirados de teses, dissertações, trabalhos de graduação, entre outros. Também foi elaborado um questionário, aplicado em diversos profissionais que trabalham com mapas de diferentes modos, com temáticas distintas, obtendo 33 questionários respondidos. Os pontos utilizados na análise dos mapas e os do questionário são bastante semelhantes, o que permitiu uma relação entre eles. Percebeu-se que as cartas-imagem e os mapas de inundação se diferenciam em muitas questões, sendo observadas carências de elementos como título, escala, datum, projeção, norte, fonte, etc., erros, além da não existência de um padrão, ou seja, os trabalhos são heterogêneos. Para a elaboração da proposta do presente trabalho foram utilizadas imagens LANDSAT-5/TM e LANDSAT-7/ETM+, disponíveis no site da Divisão de Geração de Imagens DGI do INPE. Após o recebimento, foram utilizadas as bandas 5(R), 4(G) e 3(B) e foi realizada uma composição colorida no software ArcGIS. As imagens foram georreferenciadas e as temáticas foram extraídas no software AutoCAD. A arte final foi realizada no software CorelDRAW, tendo como resultado duas cartas-imagem em escalas médias (1:40.000 e 1:1.000.000). Após a elaboração das duas primeiras propostas para carta-imagem emergencial de inundação, julgou-se necessária a confecção de mais um trabalho em escala menor (1:500.000). Para tanto, utilizou-se imagens MODIS, do satélite TERRA, disponíveis na página do Sistema de Resposta Rápida do MODIS (MODIS Rapid Response System), com composição colorida das bandas 7(R), 2(G) e 4(B). Com essa imagem foram realizados os mesmos procedimentos das imagens LANDSAT. Como resultado, esta pesquisa propôs um padrão cartográfico para carta-imagem emergencial de inundação, que procura homogeneizar os mapeamentos de áreas que apresentam o fenômeno de inundação, na intenção de sugerir uma padronização para a temática e com isto facilitar os estudos.

Submitted by Claudinei Pracidelli (cpracide@ipen.br) on 2015-03-03T14:44:05Z No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-03T14:44:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Dissertação (Mestrado em Tecnologia Nuclear) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas do Estado de São Paulo, São Paulo

Harrisburg, Chernobyl and Fukushima have changed the world’s view of the probability that a nuclear disaster can happen. But they are also a reminder of how necessary a working crises management is in the times a disaster appears. This paper is a systematic review about accidents and disasters, and the communication in this time. The purpose of the study is to analyse the use of communication in these cases, but also how organizations and media are communicating, and which dimensions they use. The conclusion of this study shows that risk and crisis communication needs to improve in all cases. The best communication was with Sweden’s fire in Västmanland 2014 and the Tsunami 2004. Hurricanes and nuclear power needs better strategic in the whole process.

Submitted by Irene Nascimento (irene.kessia@ufpe.br) on 2016-07-15T16:34:56Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação.pdf: 1712072 bytes, checksum: 3d39945997a8f7b46f9a4c77600b922a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-15T16:34:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação.pdf: 1712072 bytes, checksum: 3d39945997a8f7b46f9a4c77600b922a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-11 / FACEPE / Os grandes impactos causados pela ocorrência dos eventos naturais em plantas industriais em todo o mundo tem feito com que este campo de estudo ganhe destaque nos últimos anos dado as perdas financeiras, humanas e ambientais que este tipo de evento pode acarretar. Os eventos provenientes de desastres naturais que proporcionam desastres tecnológicos são conhecidos como desastres/eventos Natech. Os eventos Natech apesar da baixa probabilidade de ocorrência apresentam grandes impactos e um nível de complexidade superior ao encontrado no gerenciamento de desastres naturais ou tecnológicos. Devido à necessidade de gerir vários tipos de riscos e dada a natureza finita dos recursos é necessário priorizar os riscos mais elevados e para auxiliar nessa análise dos riscos, é fundamental a utilização de ferramentas e metodologias que proporcionarão uma melhor compreensão dos desastres/eventos Natech. Neste sentido, é realizada uma revisão sistemática da literatura (Systematic Literature Review – SLR) sobre eventos Natech, levando em conta especificamente, trabalhos publicados em periódicos científicos. Vários tipos de classificações dos dados analisados são apresentados neste trabalho com o intuito de prover informação mais detalhada acerca de aspectos considerados no estudo. Esta pesquisa identificou a frequência de publicações dos eventos Natech, as revistas científicas e instituições que mais contribuíram sobre tema e os tipos de desastres naturais e setores da indústria mais abordados nos trabalhos avaliados, como também os tipos de ferramentas e metodologias utilizadas no gerenciamento destes riscos provendo informações relevantes para análises futuras e contribuindo para elucidação acerca do tema para a sociedade. / The great impacts caused by the occurrence of natural events in industrial plants around the world have made this field of study to gain prominence in recent years given the financial, human and environmental losses that this type of event can bring. The events arising from natural disasters that provide technological disasters are known as Natech disaster/events. The Natech events in spite of low probability of occurrence have large impacts and a higher level of complexity to that found in the management of natural and technological disasters. Due to the need to manage several types of risk and given the finite nature of resources is necessary to prioritize the higher risks and to assist in the analysis of the risks, it is essential to use tools and methodologies that will provide a better understanding of Natech disasters/events. In this sense, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) is performed on Natech events, taking into account specifically, papers published in scientific journals. Several types of classifications of the analyzed data is presented this work in order to provide more detailed information about aspects considered in the study. This research has identified the frequency of publications of Natech events, scientific magazines and institutions that contributed to the theme and the types of natural disasters and industry sectors most discussed in this work, as well as the types of tools and methodologies used in the management of these risk giving relevant information for further analysis and contributing to elucidate the subject for society.

Submitted by Claudinei Pracidelli (cpracide@ipen.br) on 2015-03-03T14:44:05Z No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-03T14:44:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Dissertação (Mestrado em Tecnologia Nuclear) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas do Estado de São Paulo, São Paulo