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The United Nations estimate that by 2030 about half of the world's population would be comprised of the middle-class, who mostly live in the increasing number of megacities around the world. Southeast Asian megacities, such as Metropolitan Manila, have long been troubled by rapid urbanization, increasing disaster risk, and the looming impacts of climate change. As a response, there is a growing focus on disaster and climate resilient policies in megacities, most of which have only centered on how future disasters and climate uncertainty would impact vulnerable communities. This has resulted in policies that cater towards relocation of the poor to combat disasters and climate change. This exploratory study attempts to elucidate how the middle-class views disasters and land reclamation in Metro Manila, the Philippines. Using an online questionnaire survey of 425 middle-class respondents, the study shows that middle-class perception of risk potentially amplifies vulnerability and reduces the resilience of the poor. While knowledge about the risks is high, the capacity of the middle class to act is low, especially compared to vulnerable communities. Also, climate change and disasters are viewed primarily as environmental issues, which is compounded by inadequate defenses. Land reclamation, along with coastal informal settlements, are viewed as an intrusion into the environment. This study finds that the middle-class's perception of risk may marginalize the poor by favoring eviction of vulnerable communities in coastal areas, including those targeted for land reclamation, under the pretext of controlling the city's population growth and environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: characterize the territory of the Antinaco-Los Colorados Central Valley based on the water-energy-food nexus; problematize the nexus by linking the evolution of groundwater resources and energy consumption for irrigation; and identify actors to conform a Political and Technical Council. Methodology: the territorial characterization was developed from the analysis of secondary information considering the three pillars of the nexus and its problematization was carried out by articulating the piezometric; the loss of reserves and electricity consumption data for irrigation; The identification of actors was carried out using a participatory sociogram technique. Results: piezometric levels decrease annually with a depletion of groundwater reserves, therefore, energy for irrigation increases. This situation accounts for the (un)sustainability of the system in the strong term. The analysis of actors shows the possibility of forming a Technical and Political Council for the prospective development of the valley from the nexus approach. Limitations: analyse the economic scarcity of water, propose trend scenarios and deepen the understanding of the rationalities of groups of producers to know the logic in the use of resources. Conclusions: the current uses and modes of resource management demand changes around the physical limits of natural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The September 28 2018 Palu tsunami surprised the scientific community, as neither the earthquake magnitude nor its strike-slip mechanism were deemed capable of producing the wave heights that were observed. However, recent research has shown that the earthquake generated several landslides inside Palu bay. The authors conducted a post-disaster field survey of the area affected to collect spatial data on tsunami inundation heights, nearshore and bay bathymetry, and carried out eyewitness interviews to collect testimonies of the event. In addition, numerical simulations of the tsunami generation and propagation mechanisms were carried out and validated with the inferred time series. Seven small submarine landslides were identified along the western shore of the bay, and one large one was reported on the eastern shore of Palu City. Most of these landslides occurred at river mouths and reclamation areas, where soft submarine sediments had accumulated. The numerical simulations support a scenario in which the tsunami waves that arrived at Palu city 4–10 min after the earthquake were caused by the co-seismic seafloor deformation, possibly coupled with secondary waves generated from several submarine landslides. These findings suggest that more comprehensive methodologies and tools need to be used when assessing probabilistic tsunami hazards in narrow bays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five cases of ports in Japan and Indonesia that have subsided by a metre or more were analysed. The findings suggest that there are no unsurmountable technological, cost-benefit, financial and social limits to the progressive raising of these ports, at least for the magnitude of climate-induced sea-level rise expected during the 21st century. In Indonesia observed adaptation is a sequential process: only part of the port is raised at one time, allowing port operations to continue elsewhere and spreading costs in time. Jumps in unit costs are apparent as the elevation height increases. In addition, the possibility of sea-level rise triggering innovative changes in port design to lower costs (e.g., a move to floating ports) is being considered. For traditional ports to upgrade by up to 1 metre, unit costs are found to be somewhere between 50–360 USD/m3 rise (not including the cost of piling). Nevertheless, such adaptation costs would represent a significant burden and adaptation is often reactive rather than proactive, leading to significant damage costs, as in the case of Hurricane Katrina's impact on Gulf Coast Ports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the majority of humanity's current space programs are currently limited to the operation of the international space station and the deployment of probes to analyze distant planets, visions for future space exploration have long-duration missions in sight (such as manned missions to Mars and asteroid mining). According to contemporary literature these missions have the potential to provide tangible and intangible benefits, but they are also subject to public criticism given that increased awareness for environmental protection and preservation has ignited debates surrounding the socio-environmental and financial sustainability of space exploration. In hindsight of past advancements in outer space exploration, the authors follow the assumption that the commercial development will flourish and will provide auxiliary opportunities to overcome existing challenges. However, it is clear that the germination of private investment in the field of space exploration is contingent on the existence of unequivocal international space laws that permit and stimulate pro-profit decision making. Following this line of thought, this paper will explore the divergent definitions of sustainability that exist in the rhetoric of space exploration and will additionally expound on the privatization of space exploration and its relevance to the controversial legal rationales of international space laws. • There is a need to integrate concepts of sustainability within space missions. • Private space missions could be facilitated through a new legal framework. • Space treaties should recognize some forms of private extra-terrestrial property. • Space corporations could channel a part of their corporate tax to United Nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to criticism, greenfield smart and sustainable city developers have paid increasing attention to their social impact by prioritizing placemaking and citizen involvement in their planning and development. However, citizens’ participation remains limited, and little is known about their everyday experiences, perceptions, and communities. While cultural mapping is an established process to build communities and articulate their identity, it has rarely been used in greenfield developments. This paper presents the Kashiwanoha Monogatari Project to demonstrate that cultural mapping can strengthen community ties and encourage citizen participation in new smart urban development. The paper details the cultural mapping project and its outputs, including lessons learned about citizen perception of their smart city. The findings suggest that cultural mapping provides citizens and planners with tools to visualize their emerging place-based narratives and communities by providing an alternative approach to co-creation with citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study three different theories grounded on Self-determination macro-theory (Basic Psychological Needs Theory, Organismic Integration Theory, and Hierarchical Model of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation) were combined into a single structural model to evaluate its goodness-of-fit to empirical data. It consisted on a model where basic psychological needs satisfaction was associated directly to well-being, and indirectly through the mediation of self-determined motivation. Since in this model the satisfaction of basic psychological needs would predict positively both self-determined motivation and well-being, basic psychological needs is considered to function as a confounding variable. The participants of the study consisted of 673 Spanish secondary education students (334 girls and 339 boys) with a mean age of 14.0 years (SD = 1.4). The model was confirmed partially. Direct associations between basic psychological needs satisfaction and psychological consequences were found and in the expected directionality. On the contrary, indirect associations between basic psychological needs satisfaction and psychological consequences were found, but generally with the opposite expected directionality. The sign of these indirect associations depended on whether components involved on the associations (basic psychological needs satisfaction, self-determined motivation and psychological consequences) were measured at the same or at different levels. Finally, the results found evidence of the confounding role of basic psychological needs between self-determined motivation and psychological consequences. Implications of these results for Basic Psychological Needs Theory, Organismic Integration Theory, and Hierarchical Model of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the Fukushima nuclear disaster of 2011, Japan has relied on imported fossil fuels for electricity generation, but is quickly increasing its share of renewable energy sources. Recent development has been in biomass, geothermal, wind, and solar PV, though little attention has been given to the potential of marine energy resources. The present paper carries out an analysis of the economic viability of this resource using real wave and tidal current data. The results show that marine energy technologies could be cost-effective at several locations in Japan, and can pragmatically add reliable and predictable power to the energy generation mix. Deployed in straits with strong tidal flows near large population centers in western Japan, SeaGen and Verdant-type tidal turbines are shown to operate at costs far below the current price of electricity in the country. In northern Japan, the Aquabuoy, Pelamis, WaveDragon, and Guarda-type Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converters show costs near the current price of electricity. Even though Aquabuoy and Pelamis are now defunct, it is likely that in the future new generation wave energy converters would be able to produce electricity at even lower costs and further enhance the practicality of developing wave power in northern Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considerable evidence suggests that residential demand response enables demand-side flexibility, lowering average electric procurement costs and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions associated with the operation of peak power plants. However, the effectiveness of such demand management is contingent on behavioral interventions that attenuate energy saving at the residential level, highlighting the need to better understand the human dimension of residential electricity curtailment. This study examines the influence of interpersonal, socio-economic characteristics and environmental awareness of households in Ottawa on their willingness to participate in demand response programs. Time of use, real-time pricing, critical peak pricing, and direct load control were considered potential candidates for adoption. Furthermore, the authors propose and investigate the willingness of people to receive non-electricity-related information on their in-home displays and participate in an altruistic peer-to-peer energy platform that was conceptualized and designed by the authors. The results suggest that the corporate social and environmental responsibility of electricity providers and the environmental awareness of respondents, as well as their perceived level of indoor comfort, all influence the effectiveness of demand response. The findings also indicate that philanthropic-oriented and information-driven incentives can potentially increase energy curtailment amongst households with a high prosocial responsibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adopting a policy of migration can be one possible adaptation strategy against climate change. It has been forecasted that if the worst predictions regarding climate change and sea level rise become reality atolls around the world could become submerged in the future. This would render them uninhabitable and could lead to questions about whether Atoll Island States could still be considered as States. The international community has been avoiding any commitment to create a convention that would protect people displaced by climate change. In order to solve such potential problems, the authors will argue that a framework of bilateral agreements, initiatives, and national policies could constitute a viable solution for the various interested parties. The article will discuss the characteristics of Atoll Island States, touching on possible solutions for climate change displacement which have been discussed by the governments and civil society of the affected States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The GB railways collect about 150,000 text-based records each year on potentially dangerous events and the numbers are on the increase in the Close Call System. The huge volume of text requires considerable human effort to its interpretation. This work focuses on visual text analysis techniques of Close Call records to extract safety lessons more quickly and efficiently. This paper treats basic steps for visual text analysis based on an evaluation test using a pre-constructed test set of 150 Close Call records for “Trespass”, “Slip/Trip hazards on site” and “Level crossing”. The results demonstrate that visual text analysis can be used to identify the risks in a small-scale test set but differences in language use by different cohorts of people interferes with straightforward risk identification in larger sets. This work paves the way to machine-assisted interpretation of text-based safety records which can speed up risk identification in a large corpus of text. It also demonstrates how new possibilities open up to develop interactive visualisations tools that allow data analysts to use text analysis techniques for risk analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Category 5 Typhoon Haiyan was one of the strongest typhoons to hit the Philippines in modern times, and introduced the term 'storm surge' to the vocabulary of many local residents, who had not heard about such phenomena prior to this event. The storm surge manifested itself on the 8th November 2013 as Haiyan made landfall, devastating large areas in the islands of Leyte and Samar. To attempt to gain an understanding of the level of awareness that local residents had about storm surges the authors conducted structured questionnaires () and focus group interviews with local residents, and discussed the results obtained with key informants (government officers and disaster risk managers). One of the key problems identified during the interviews was how people were not able to clearly understand the concept of a storm surge, with many respondents emphasizing how it would have been better for authorities to describe it as a 'tsunami'. A discussion is also made on the recent evolution in world-wide coastal disaster awareness, comparing it to recent developments in storm surge awareness in the Philippines and other countries in the area, such as Vietnam and Japan. The authors conclude that, in terms of its influence on world-wide disaster awareness, typhoon Haiyan constitutes an event of similar importance to major recent high-impact tsunami events such as the 2004 Indian Ocean and 2011 Tohoku events. As a result, the authors will outline a number of lessons learnt from Haiyan, such as the necessity for creating multi-layer safety strategies and improving how information about storm surges is transmitted to local residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Modelled hourly electricity supply/demand balance under different energy mixes in Japan. [•] Evaluation of electricity security of supply indicators for baseline and alternative generation mixes. [•] Demonstrated security improvements for high share of renewables and nuclear phase-out. [•] Structure of supply sector might have to dramatically change to guarantee system reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan is having to re-design its energy policy. With the danger of nuclear power in an earthquake-prone country exposed, renewable energies are being seen as a potential alternative. An assessment of the feasibility of a 100% renewable energy electricity system in Japan by the year 2030 was shown to be able to achieve a higher level of electricity resilience. The assessment is based on a simulation of the hourly future electricity production based on wind and solar meteorological data, that can cope with the estimated future hourly electricity demand in Japan for the year 2030. Such as system would use pump-up storage and electric batteries to balance the daily fluctuations in supply and demand, though the most important challenge of the system would be providing sufficient electricity to meet the summer demand peak. These findings have import implications at the policy making level, as it shows that the Japanese electricity generation system is technically able to increase the share of renewables up to 100%, guaranteeing a stable and reliable supply. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The design of breakwater armor units against tsunami attacks has received little attention in the past because of the comparative low frequency of these events and the rarity of structures designed specifically to withstand them. However, field surveys of recent events, such as the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake Tsunami and the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, have shown flaws in the design of protection structures. During these extreme events, many breakwaters suffered partial or catastrophic damage. Although it is to be expected that most normal structures fail because of such high-order events, practicing engineers need to possess tools to design certain important breakwaters that should not fail even during Level 2 events. In the future, research into the design of critical structures that only partially fail (i.e., resilient or tenacious structures) during very extreme Level 2 tsunami events should be a priority; in this sense, the present paper proposes a formula that allows the estimation of armor unit damage depending on the tsunami wave height. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors propose a new method to estimate the tilting failure of caisson breakwaters, using a Monte-Carlo simulation that can quantitatively and stochastically estimate failure probability. An index, referred to as "Expected Frequency Exceeding of a Critical Load (EFEC)" that expresses the potential tilting failure probability of caisson breakwaters is proposed and adopted in this model. Application of the model to 40 breakwaters in Japan reveals that the threshold value of EFEC that specifies whether a caisson breakwater is safe or unsafe could lie in the range from 0.02 to 0.04. The authors also found that unstable caisson geometry, showing a large value in the aspect ratio of the caisson, can provide additional indication of when tilting failure is likely to occur. It is expected that the present method can provide a practical way for engineers to judge the possibility of tilting failure in caisson breakwaters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Susami West Breakwater, a composite caisson breakwater located in Japan, was damaged by high waves caused by typhoon Tokage on the 20th of October 2004. The failure mode was characterized by the sliding/tilting of the caissons and the removal of the concrete armoring units. The failure of these armor units is believed to increase the pressures exerted by the waves on the caisson, and thus exacerbate the expected deformations in the rubble mound foundation, a fact which has thus far been ignored in previous research. The present paper proposes a methodology to take into account the effect of these concrete armor units to estimate the deformations that took place in the rubble mound foundation. The methodology uses a modification of the method by Goda [1985] proposed by Esteban et al. [2009] that can approximate to the right order of magnitude the vertical deformations at the back of the caisson by using a Monte Carlo simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process that confers migratory characteristics to epithelial cells. It is a major force driving embryonic development, tissue fibrosis and malignant progression, and can also create cells with properties of stem cells. The mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) has the opposite course and frequently coexists with the EMT, but the underlying mechanisms are less well studied. The recent discovery that the MET is required for transforming somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells suggests that the intersection between EMT and MET is a fundamental crossroad for cell fate decisions. Further understanding of the molecular events controlling both situations has relevant implications for regenerative medicine and disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

As part of its economy-wide decarbonization target towards 2050, Japan plans to increase renewable generation, especially offshore wind, for which the country has a high potential. However, this resource is currently under-developed as available turbines are prone to shut-downs and can even suffer damage during the passage of typhoons. With new typhoon proof (T-class) turbines being currently developed by various companies, Japan now aims to develop 10 GW of offshore wind between 2021 and 2030, and 91 GW in the long-term. This research estimates the impact of integrating offshore wind into the Japanese main power grid using T-class turbines by considering three scenarios. First, a business-as-usual (BAU) case with 10 GW offshore wind capacity (following the 6th Strategic Energy Plan of Japan). Second, an offshore wind capacity of 91 GW. Third, the 91 GW offshore capacity being redistributed amongst regions to maximize its integration opportunities (Scenario 2). The simulations were carried out using the Energy System simulation model (EnSym). The results show that the BAU and Scenario 1 resulted in offshore wind achieving 1.7% and 7.28% of generation share, respectively, increasing to 9.77% for Scenario 2. Increasing the share of offshore wind in the energy mix mainly replaced liquefied natural gas (LNG). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The legal framework for collective dismissal for economic reasons has been modified in the last two labour reforms. It has attempted to provide a greater certainty to employers in order to use this legal template to fi t their staff in a situation of business crisis. In this paper it is studied the current economic cause and its previous regulations, furthermore, it analyzes judges' role in the analysis of the cause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The year 2008 saw the emergence of the first generation of commercial ocean energy devices, with the first units being installed in the UK and Portugal. This means that there are currently four ways of obtaining energy from sea areas, namely from wind, tides, waves and thermal differences between deep and shallow sea water. This paper focuses on current developments in offshore wind and ocean energy, highlighting the efforts currently underway in a variety of countries, principally some of the projects typically less talked about such as those in the Asian-Pacific countries. Finally, the growth potential of these industries will be assessed, using as a basis the historical trends in the offshore wind industry and extrapolating it to compute future growth potentials. Using this as a basis, the percentage of the world’s electricity that could be produced from ocean based devices is estimated to be around 7% by 2050, and this would employ a significant amount of people by this time, possibly around 1 million, mostly in the maintenance of existing installations. The paper will also evaluate the likely cost of production per kW of ocean energy technologies using a variety of learning factors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article examines the emergence of offshore renewable energy (i.e., offshore wind, ocean, and tidal energy) in the Asia-Pacific region with a particular focus on developments in China, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. It outlines plans for the development of offshore wind, tidal, and wave energy projects as well as emerging legal and policy measures supporting the growth of offshore renewable energy in the region. The article highlights that, although some progress has been made on laws and other measures to facilitate offshore renewable energy in the Asia-Pacific region, clear regulatory frameworks are still emerging in these jurisdictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper develops a methodology for estimating the risks and consequences of possible future increases in tropical cyclone intensities that would allow policy makers to relatively quickly evaluate the cost of different mitigation strategies. The methodology simulates future tropical cyclones by modifying the intensity of historical tropical cyclones between the years 1978 and 2007. It then uses a Monte Carlo Simulation to obtain the expected number of hours that a certain area can expect to be affected by winds of a given strength. The methodology outlined has a range of applications, and the present paper shows as an example the calculation of the expected cost of mitigation of the increased downtime for Japanese ports by 2085 for a variety of economic growth scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, three independent laboratories reported the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from pig (Sus scrofa). This finding sums to the growing list of species (mouse, human, monkey, and rat, in this order) for which successful reprogramming using exogenous factors has been achieved, and multiple others are possibly forthcoming. But apart from demonstrating the universality of the network identified by Shinya Yamanaka, what makes the porcine model so special? On one side, pigs are an agricultural commodity and have an easy and affordable maintenance compared with nonhuman primates that normally need to be imported. On the other side, resemblance (for example, size of organs) of porcine and human physiology is striking and because pigs are a regular source of food the ethical concerns that still remain in monkeys are not applicable. Besides, the prolonged lifespan of pigs compared with other domestic species can allow exhaustive follow up of side effects after transplantation. Porcine iPSCs may thus fill the gap between the mouse model, which due to its ease is preferred for mechanistic studies, and the first clinical trials using iPSCs in humans. However, although these studies are relevant and have created significant interest they face analogous problems that we discuss herein together with potential new directions. © 2010 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 62(4): 277–282, 2010 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocean energy technology involves a range of engineering technologies that are able to obtain energy from the ocean using a variety of conversion mechanisms. Over the past few years there has been significant progress towards the development of commercial scale operations of ocean energy, especially hydrokinetic energy (where the energy of ocean (or fluvial) currents and tides is captured by devices which are installed under the surface of the water) and wave energy (where the energy of the surface wind waves is used to produce electricity by a variety of devices installed on the surface of the sea). Ocean energy is now on the threshold of providing a reliable base-load source of renewable energy on a commercial scale. While technological barriers are being overcome the lack of clear regulatory frameworks in many countries is now emerging as a barrier to wide-scale development of ocean energy. Regulatory frameworks need to be developed to more suitably deal with the relatively benign environmental impacts of ocean energy in particular. Where regulatory regimes do exist there is also a need for further streamlining of approval processes. The industry also needs feed-in tariffs to promote the widescale adoption of this technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the state of ocean energy in 2009 and consider its potential as a source of renewable energy. We provide a background on the current state of technology and commercial development, and examine the implications for law and policy of the re-emergence of ocean energy as a source of renewable energy in 2009. In the 1970s much of the academic and policy literature highlighted jurisdictional uncertainty surrounding ocean energy under international law. This is not the case today. Although some questions remain with respect to navigation rights, most questions surrounding the nature and extent of coastal State jurisdiction in relation to ocean energy have been resolved by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Instead we argue that one of the biggest challenges faced by ocean energy today is the uncertain state of regulation under domestic legal systems. We highlight issues requiring attention by policy-makers and legislators, including managing hazards to navigation, providing further financial incentives for wide-scale commercialisation of this technology (such as increased research and development funding and feed-in tariffs) and managing ocean energy's relatively benign environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS) technology appears to be a general strategy to generate pluripotent stem cells from any given mammalian species. So far, iPS cells have been reported for mouse, human, rat, and monkey. These four species have also established embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines that serve as the gold standard for pluripotency comparisons. Attempts have been made to generate porcine ESC by various means without success. Here we report the successful generation of pluripotent stem cells from fibroblasts isolated from the Tibetan miniature pig using a modified iPS protocol. The resulting iPS cell lines more closely resemble human ESC than cells from other species, have normal karyotype, stain positive for alkaline phosphatase, express high levels of ESC-like markers (Nanog, Rexi, Lin28, and SSEA4), and can differentiate into teratomas composed of the three germ layers. Because porcine physiology closely resembles human, the iPS cells reported here provide an attractive model to study certain human diseases or assess therapeutic applications of iPS in a large animal model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a method to simulate the construction of a caisson breakwater in order to evaluate the risks involved in its construction. A computer model of the construction process that a contractor would follow to build a caisson breakwater was developed, with the wave climate for each month of the duration of works modeled using data obtained from the NOWPHAS Reports. Possible damage to the caisson was determined using a deformation-based reliability design method that included sliding, tilting, overturning of the caisson and erosion of the toe armour and foundation material. The model included possible delays due to adverse weather, reconstruction of damaged sections and construction accidents. By using the Monte Carlo simulation technique, the expected cost and time to finish the breakwater could be obtained, allowing to determine the risk associated with the breakwater construction. Thus, it is possible to determine when would be the most appropriate time to begin construction and the likelihood of encountering problems during the construction phase. A case study of the breakwater construction for Honshu island in Japan is shown, with the results comparing well with the experience of Japanese contractors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2006, an article published in Cell by Shinya Yamanaka took by surprise the stem cell research community. By performing systematic retroviral transduction of factors enriched in embryonic stem (ES) cells, the authors demonstrated the reprogramming of mouse fibroblasts into an ES cell-like state. These cells, baptized iPS (induced pluripotent stem) cells, were immediately recognized as a ground-breaking discovery. Subsequently, the same authors and other groups reported a similar achievement with human fibroblasts. Two years later, the number of top quality papers on iPS is astonishing, and interest in the scientific community has risen to a fever pitch. But although iPS has the potential to revolutionize Regenerative Medicine, important questions still remain unanswered. Work from multiple laboratories worldwide including ours is focused on deciphering the molecular mechanisms of iPS, and trying to improve the technique to make it suitable for the clinic. In this review article we briefly discuss the past, present and future of iPS, with emphasis on urgent issues to be solved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present paper is to investigate the long-term deformations of the rubble mound of a breakwater during its working life. Understanding these deformations is essential for the sliding and tilting to be able to be measured effectively. In order to do so, laboratory experiments were carried out, from which probability distribution functions of sliding and tilting were obtained for a series of three storms of similar intensity. The laboratory results were then reproduced using a computer model, which decomposed the movement of the caisson into its vertical and horizontal components. The horizontal movement uses the equation of Shimosako and Takahashi [1998] as modified by Kim and Takayama [2005], whereas for the vertical deformation the method of Esteban and Shibayama [2006] is employed. A new methodology for the calculation of the resistance force caused by the caisson tilting is proposed. The results obtained overestimate the deformation slightly during the first storm but can predict well the deformation during the subsequent storms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydraulic experiments using a wave flume with a wind tunnel at a scale of 1/40 were carried out to investigate the effect of wind on wave overtopping of a vertical seawall. To ascertain the possible effects of wave breaking, incident waves with various wave steepness (0.0102 to 0.0371) and three kinds of wind forcing (0 m/s, 6.84 m/s, 10.04 m/s) were used. The authors found that winds significantly increased the overtopping rate in general, and that there is a clear relationship between the overtopping rate and the wave steepness. Velocity fields obtained from PIV analysis revealed that the onshore winds directly enhanced the transport of overtopping water mass. The influence of the wind on the wave hydrodynamic processes that indirectly have an effect on the overtopping rate (such as the formation of a partially standing wave, breaker location, and breaker type) is also discussed. The perspective of treating wave overtopping as a transport of water mass could provide a novel understanding of complex fluid behavior, which would help to formulate countermeasures against future disasters influenced by intensive wind forcing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sustainable Development Goals have included cultural heritage in the development agenda. However, natural hazards threaten the existence of several historic districts, like Intramuros in Manila, Philippines. Pre‐disaster recovery planning has gained ground as a promising approach to improve disaster preparedness and recovery, although it has yet to be widely utilised for cultural heritage preservation. The authors organised a pre‐disaster recovery planning workshop, which helped observe the existing system of disaster management for cultural heritage in Intramuros. Heritage Values and Vulnerability Assessments, which were presented to heritage experts, disaster managers, and the local community at the workshop, were conducted. As disaster risk management for cultural heritage is largely unexplored, the workshop generated much interest among stakeholders, as this was the first time that contact had been facilitated among them. It successfully demonstrated the benefits of pre‐disaster recovery planning to provide inclusive and better recovery outcomes for historic districts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate modelling of overtopping of coastal defences by tsunami waves is of vital importance for the formulation of disaster management strategies. To improve knowledge of this phenomena the authors conducted experiments on coastal structure overtopping using bores that were generated by a dam-break mechanism. Three types of structures were tested, namely a coastal dyke, a wall, and a wall of infinite height. The results highlight the necessity to consider the energy present in a bore to determine if a structure will be overtopped or not. As a result of these experiments an empirical formula to determine the height of overtopping given the incident bore height and velocity was validated. The study highlights the importance of clearly modelling the velocity and Froude number of a tsunami. Such experiments should be conducted on rough beds, for which a suitable Manning's n seems to be around 0.06 sm-1/3. The study also contrasted the results obtained to those of the ASCE7 method, and concludes that the Manning's n values recommended in ASCE7 are probably too low. • Overtopping of coastal dykes by tsunamis has received little attention. • Propose equation to simply calculate the overtopping of dykes by tsunamis. • Laboratory experiments on tsunami overtopping should be conducted using rough beds. • Manning's n values in ASCE7 are probably too low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inland tsunami flows can be greatly affected by the presence of coastal buildings. The present study experimentally and numerically investigated the effects of nine different building layouts on 1) the tsunami inundation process and spatial velocity distribution, 2) the flow depth and velocity at a specific point, and 3) the extent of the area where shielding effects take place. High-speed video footage, PIV analysis, and the time history of flow depth, surface velocity and momentum flux demonstrated significant differences in the tsunami run-up behavior among the different building layouts considered. However, it was also shown that a decrease in the surface velocity of flow always appears in front of and immediately behind the building(s), regardless of their layouts. The OpenFOAM simulations performed revealed that significant shielding effects appear in the leeside of the building. These findings can be used when considering where to place evacuation buildings, as constructing them directly behind another study structure could reduce construction costs and increase their stability. The obtained results were also applied to partially validate the method for calculating the channeling effects of tsunami loads provided in ASCE 7–16. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami generated a massive tsunami that devastated Kujukuri Beach in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. The possibility that edge waves were involved in the propagation mechanism of the tsunami was investigated by using a numerical method. To detect the components of edge waves, the fluctuations of the simulated sea level, the variations of the power spectral and the phase, coherences, as well as the dispersed relations of the wavelength and the period, were analyzed. As a result, it was possible to conclude that there is a high probability that edge waves could have propagated around this coastline. In addition, to analyze the various types of edge waves that could be expected three additional earthquake scenarios were considered, each of them with a different magnitude and epicenter: the 1896 Sanriku Earthquake, the 1677 Empo Boso-oki Earthquake, and the 1703 Genroku Kanto Earthquake. This comparison indicates that there is a particular risk that edge waves can be generated by large earthquakes with their epicenter in the northern part of the Japan Trench. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water level oscillations induced by the ground motion of an earthquake have occasionally been observed in a closed or partially enclosed water system. The generated water disturbances can induce localized flooding, boat collisions, breakage/damage of moored cables due to water disturbances, or even the capsizing of vessels. In this study, the authors focused on cases of seismic water level oscillations in canals and attempted to investigate the potential hazards of and effective countermeasures against them through numerical simulations. The proposed numerical simulation model was first validated by reproducing the water level oscillation that was actually observed at a canal in Mexico City (Xochimilco Canal) during the 2017 Central Mexico Earthquake. The method was then applied to one of the canals in Tokyo (Keihin Canal) to clarify the potential water level fluctuations that can take place due to this phenomenon. The results indicate that while the risks of local inundation would be low, small boats, which can be found in many places in the canal, are at risk of capsizing. Finally, the use of wave-dissipating blocks was found to be an effective countermeasure to decrease the potential for a significant seismic water level oscillation to take place in this canal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nondestructive testing (NDT) includes several highly efficient techniques for the estimation of the physical and mechanical properties of structural timber. However, NDT results are affected by several factors [moisture content (MC), temperature, specimen dimensions, sensor positioning and grain angle, timber-sensor coupling, etc.], of which wood MC is the most important. Scientific research on MC influence in NDT measurements started in the 19th century, and 2018 was the first year that a MC adjustment for NDT measurements was published in a European standard (EN14081-2). Although MC influence on NDT has been studied for more than 170 years, MC adjustment factor research is important nowadays because it is widely used in the industry. Currently, NDT device manufacturers develop their own MC adjustment factors adapted to their equipment and species. This paper presents an exhaustive review of MC adjustments for different types of NDT equipment, as proposed by several authors from the 19th century to date, and a discussion of factors affecting MC adjustments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The object of the present study is to numerically evaluate the characteristics of future potential typhoons and storm surges around Tokyo Bay under a RCP8.5 scenario usinga simple one-way model system composed of ARW-WRF and FVCO. In order to evaluate the effect of the expected future increase in sea surface temperature (SST), air temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH) four types of cases were considered in the 2041–2060 and 2081–2100 horizons. The results show how higher SST will likely lead to more intense typhoons and storm surges, though higher AT in troposphere and tropopause will somehow moderate this effect. In addition, a simple method to estimate the most influential wind direction that can generate surge elevations in Yokohama, Tokyo and Funabashi was examined by using the results of a numerical simulation. Finally, a simple methodology to calculate the required design height of sea walls and dykes in Tokyo Bay was developed, which shows how current design levels will be insufficient to maintain the present acceptable risk levels in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the 22nd of December 2018 the shorelines of Sunda Strait, Indonesia, were hit by tsunami waves generated by the flank collapse of the Anak Krakatau volcano. The authors conducted a field survey of the affected areas in both Sumatra and Java islands to collect information on tsunami inundation and run-up heights, damage patterns at each coastal community, and the evacuation behaviour and tsunami awareness of the affected people. The survey results showed that in Sumatra island inundation heights of more than 4 m were measured along the coastline that was situated to the north-north-east of Anak Krakatau, while less than 4 m were measured along the north-western direction. Inundation heights of over 10 m were measured at Cipenyu Beach (Pandeglang Regency) in Java island (south-south-eastern direction from Anak Krakatau). A questionnaire survey conducted by the authors revealed residents' perception of danger and evacuation patterns during the event. The results indicate the importance of having an operational tsunami warning system in Sunda Strait and the establishment of an appropriate evacuation plan so that residents can start evacuation immediately and reach a safe place without facing severe congestion along evacuation routes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Text from 5065 accident reports written in 3 different languages was analysed. • A technique was developed to extract safety information from the reports. • The technique extracted information regardless of the language used for the report. • An independent assessment scored the accuracy at better than 98%. This paper describes an approach to extract meaning from multi-lingual free-text safety incident reports. A sample of 5065 safety incident reports from the Swiss Federal Office of Transport were used in the study. Each report was written in either German, French or Italian natural language. An interactive learning approach between a human and computer software was undertaken to identify key terms in the text that are relevant to discovering meaning. A multi-lingual ontology was created to join meaningful semantic patterns and identify specific classes of safety incident on the railway, including injuries occurring whilst passengers were boarding or alighting from vehicles, falling down stairs, struck by closing doors, or struck by objects such as suitcases. A graph database was used to query the text records via the ontology and identify reports of incidents in each class, regardless of the language used in the report. Fluent speakers of each language – German, French and Italian – reviewed the results to confirm true positive results and detect false positives. The performance of the process varied across languages and incident types, however the overall true positive rate was determined by the fluent speakers to be 98.5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]