Rebuilding Process Research Articles

Possibilities of social and solidarity economies in reconstruction activities of areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake

The Great East Japan Earthquake changed Japan forever. The subsequent tsunami and nuclear plant disaster shocked the world and devastated large swaths of the Japanese countryside. While truly saddening and catastrophic for those who lived through it, nine years later the affected areas continue to persevere and recover. Their determination and effort are not only inspiring but also provide a unique glimpse at how communities can be built and also rebuilt with sustainable goals in mind. According to Dr Fumihiko Saito, a professor at the Faculty of International Studies at Ryukoku University, the rebuilding process is way ahead of academic theories and offers a lot of insight for the research community. Saito, who has worked on international development, local renewal efforts and sustainability, is now visiting the areas affected by the earthquake to conduct interviews and questionnaires in an effort to understand and learn from the people there.

Torched Lives, Hazy Lies

The Great Fire of London of 1666 has often been categorized into history as a major disaster with severe consequences, but also popularly as a great showing of heroism and social recovery in regard to Londoners and their rebuilding process. This paper will analyze first-hand accounts and scholarly arguments regarding The Great Fire of London, establishing the argument for a dreaded period of economic recovery for the lower class, driven by themes of ignorance, social division and greed by the upper classes. From religious officials, to the city’s mayor and other prominent upper-class Londoners, the great disaster seemed like the opportunity to profit and at the same time keep the less privileged away from London’s thriving society.

Kinsey, psychoanalysis and the theory of sexuality

Summary In this paper, I will take up questions about the historical epistemology of sex research and the theory of sexuality, and about the impact of Kinsey's epistemological break with sexology and the Freudian theory of sexuality — and of the damaging results for both Freudian theory and Kinsey's research program. The Kinsey Reports challenged the cognitive order of the field of research on sexuality in general and as a “discipline”. Such a state, according to Thomas Kuhn, often marks the start of a scientific revolution and leads to a process of rebuilding and the formulation of dramatically new theoretical and empirical approaches, thus issuing in a new dominant paradigm. This did not take place in the wake of the Kinsey Reports. Original psychoanalytic thinking about sexuality virtually stopped, and while Kinsey was seen as the successor of ‘empirical sexology’ a la Havelock Ellis, few if any of his analytical innovations (such as the measurable concept of sexual outlet, the ‘Kinsey’ interview, and the Kinsey scale) were adopted by his successors. The Kinsey approach not only failed to replace Freudian theory with any sophisticated theory of its own, but it also failed to establish a viable research tradition or a more robust empirical account of the individual's sexual behavior. The encounter between the Freudian paradigm and the Kinsey research program had severely damaged both sides. Neither side seemed to recognize that the basic incommensurability of the two approaches was the real scientific challenge.

Evolving social capital and networks in the post‐disaster rebuilding process: The case of Typhoon Yolanda

Typhoon Yolanda brought major devastation to the local communities and infrastructure and also reshaped social structures and networks in the Philippines. During the immediate recovery process, bridging, bonding and linking social capital have had differential impacts and outcomes on how communities cope with the aftermath of the disaster. This article investigates the interplay between the various types of social capital and their contributions to immediate coping strategies of Typhoon Yolanda communities. This article also evaluates the complexity of defining social capital in a disaster context. In particular, it unpacks the blurring of the bridging and linking social capital at the immediate stage of rehabilitation in a post‐disaster context and its impacts on the social fabric of the communities. We deduce from this case study the social capital strategies necessary for a speedy recovery process both economically and socially for disaster‐affected communities.

Restoration of plasticity of cold-deformed aluminum alloy by short-term irradiation with accelerated Ar+ ions

Based on results of structural analysis and mechanical tests of initially cold-rolled 1-mm-thick sheets made of 1441 aluminum alloy, the efficiency of radiation annealing was proved, which was used instead of standard furnace annealing. It has been established that exposure of cold-deformed metastable alloy 1441 of the Al-Li-Cu-Mg system to beams of accelerated Ar+ ions (E = 20–40 keV) initiates the process of explosive rebuilding of the initial cellular dislocation structure in them with the formation of subgrains (at fluences of ~1015–1016 cm−2; a corresponding irradiation time from ~1 to 10 s; T ≤ 130°С), as well as recrystallization and grain growth processes (at fluences of 1.75·1016–2·1017 cm−2). In the course of irradiation, a reduction in size and partial dissolution of Al8Fe2Si and Al3Zr coarse intermetallic particles formed during crystallization and the formation of θ′ (Al2Cu) and S1 (Al2LiMg) strengthening phases also take place.It was established that the ion irradiation-induced fast processes occur in the whole volume of 1-mm-thick samples far beyond (by factor ~104) an Ar+ projected range at temperatures significantly below (by 100–200°С) the temperature of intermediate recrystallization annealing used in cold-rolling practice.The non-thermal nature of the fast-flowing initiating processes under irradiation has been shown. It was shown that of fast flowing radiation annealing, which may be qualified as a giant long-range effect under ion irradiation, is comparable with standard furnace annealing.

Nest Turrets of Acromyrmex Grass-Cutting Ants: Micromorphology Reveals Building Techniques and Construction Dynamics.

Acromyrmex fracticornis grass-cutting ants construct conspicuous chimney-shaped nest turrets made of intermeshed grass fragments. We asked whether turrets are constructed by merely piling up nearby materials around the entrance, or whether ants incorporate different materials as the turret develops. By removing the original nest turrets and following their rebuilding process over three consecutive days, age-dependent changes in wall morphology and inner lining fabrics were characterized. Micromorphological descriptions based on thin sections of turret walls revealed the building behaviors involved. Ants started by collecting nearby twigs and dry grass fragments that are piled up around the nest entrance. Several large fragments held the structure like beams. As a net-like structure grew, soil pellets were placed in between the intermeshed plant fragments from the turret base to the top, reinforcing the structure. Concomitantly, the turret inner wall was lined with soil pellets, starting from the base. Therefore, the consolidation of the turret occurred both over time and from its base upwards. It is argued that nest turrets do not simply arise by the arbitrary deposition of nearby materials, and that workers selectively incorporate large materials at the beginning, and respond to the developing structure by reinforcing the intermeshed plant fragments over time.

Statistical foundations of ecological rationality

Abstract If we reassess the rationality question under the assumption that the uncertainty of the natural world is largely unquantifiable, where do we end up? In this article the author argues that we arrive at a statistical, normative, and cognitive theory of ecological rationality. The main casualty of this rebuilding process is optimality. Once we view optimality as a formal implication of quantified uncertainty rather than an ecologically meaningful objective, the rationality question shifts from being axiomatic/probabilistic in nature to being algorithmic/predictive in nature. These distinct views on rationality mirror fundamental and longstanding divisions in statistics

Full Face-and-Head 3D Model With Photorealistic Texture

In the recent period, significant progress has been achieved towards reconstructing the 3D face model from face image. With the support of the render engines and sufficient data, the reconstruction results are fine in detail. Nevertheless, the research on the 3D face reconstruction with texture from a single unrestricted face image is imperfect. The rebuild process lacks essential structure and texture information in the profile and the craniofacial region. To address this problem, we present a method of creating a 3D full face-and-head model with photorealistic texture from a single “in-the-wild” face image in this paper. To this end, we introduce a pipeline to integrate the highly-detailed face model into the basic model. Specifically, the basic model was built by multilinear optimization, and the highly-detailed face model which represents the facial features generated by constrained illumination distribution. Additionally, to infer the invisible region texture information corresponding to the input face image, we design an effective architecture with the generative adversarial network (GAN) for panoramic UV texture generation. The final results after UV texture mapping were visualized in the experiment, which demonstrates that the model faithfully recovers the photorealistic details in arbitrary perspective. Furthermore, compared to the state-of-the-art facial modeling techniques and existing commercial solutions, our method takes less input and performs better in surface detail.

The Process of Rebuilding and Development in Syria

As the war/crisis in Syria is approaching its end, there is a need to launch a comprehensive planning process to start rebuilding and developing the Syrian Economy. This study aims to review the macroeconomic performance and policies in Syria before and during the crisis, in order to identify the negative implications of those policies and devise the right programs to solve them. Important areas that require special attention is the imbalance in the regional planning process, the lack of a national program for economic reform, the undetermined identity of the economy, and the vague relationship between public and private sectors.
 This study highlights the importance of accomplishing four transitions i.e. (security, political, social, and economic) to secure the success of the rebuilding process. There also is a long list of important issues to be addressed such as rehabilitating basic infrastructure, corruption and informal sector activities, price distortion, and agricultural and industrial policies, in addition, to dealing carefully with international involvement in the rebuilding process.

BIM-based Virtual Permitting Framework (VPF) for post-disaster recovery and rebuilding in the state of Florida

In the state of Florida, climate change and unpredictable weather disasters have put pressure on the state and local decision-makers to adopt swift and efficient Post-Disaster recovery plans. Part of such recovery plans includes rebuilding businesses and housing. However, projects that include the reconstructing and restoring of the damaged buildings are complicated and time-consuming. Throughout the state of Florida, the Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) currently assist with the inspections of existing structures' safety and also issue construction permits for rebuilding or repairing. Regardless of the adaption of various policies and strategies by many governmental entities, innovative methods must be developed to reduce further risks after disasters by creating resilient built environments. This paper seeks to address the issues of Post-Disaster rebuilding. The research presents the significance of adopting a new Virtual Permitting Framework (VPF) to improve the efficiency of obtaining the construction permit in Post-Disaster recovery efforts. The paper explores the current permitting process during Post-Disasters, the impact of the permitting process on the progress of recovery strategies and proposes an innovative system to enhance the rebuilding process using Building Information Modeling (BIM).

“Just one of many donors”: Canada’s engagement with civil society in Afghanistan

ABSTRACTCanada's entry into Afghanistan as a NATO ally was widely considered a necessary military venture, but Canadian operations during the reconstruction period that ensued were criticized as having tarnished Canada's reputation on the international stage. Canada's history as a peacekeeping nation and its perceived middle power status did initially allow it to act as a mediator between the Afghan government, local actors, and the international community. However, our research discovered that Canada did not fully understand the dynamics of the established civil society structures in Afghanistan, nor the ways in which they influence local politics. A limited understanding of “civil society” among Canadian officials and disproportionate focus on professionalized NGOs as its most legitimate representative meant that local civil society groups in Afghanistan and the role they could play to establish democratic structures were largely ignored. By complementing knowledge synthesis of existing scholarly and policy literature with interviews with Canadian and Afghan aid workers, this article examines the process of post-conflict rebuilding in Afghanistan, considering how neglecting Afghan civil society has resulted in less durable social structures. We also examine Canada's image as an international mediator, and identify new ways of assisting rebuilding processes to ensure more durable and peaceful outcomes.

Design and maintenance for the data storage system considering system rebuilding process

Considering the working and failure modes and maintenance process of a data storage system with data redundancy, we propose and study a reliability and maintenance model of a k-out-of-n:F system, in which the system experiences a rebuilding process with downgraded performance that follows preventive maintenance (PM) with replacement of failed components, and the system is subject to failure with different failure criteria during such rebuilding process. In addition, maintenance time is not negligible, and the external shocks would occur and possibly result in the failure of all the components. The maintenance of the k-out-of-n:F system with these characteristics has not been studied, and these characteristics bring in a new reliability and maintenance model and a new optimization problem that synthetically determine system reliability design and PM schedule. Such a problem is motivated by improving availability and efficiency of a data storage system running data redundancy technology. We conduct a numerical study in which the parameters of the models are set according to real data and practice considerations. In addition to demonstrating the established models and presenting optimal results, we also perform sensitivity analysis for the design and maintenance of data storage systems.

Challenges in the rebuilding of condominiums and management issues that emerge from the process of rebuilding

Challenges in the rebuilding of condominiums and management issues that emerge from the process of rebuilding

Vanuatu

Four years after Cyclone Pam struck Vanuatu causing extensive damages, reconstruction is near completion with full recovery in sight. The authorities are now focused on implementing their broader development plans that were slowed by the rebuilding process, which will require fiscal discipline and reforms to maintain debt sustainability. The authorities should continue their constructive engagement with development partners for technical assistance, capacity development, and concessional and grant-based funding. In parallel continuing to reform and strengthen the governance of institutions and removing vulnerabilities to corruption will be important.

Distortion of Local Architecture Identity A comparative study for the rebuilding process of the buildings on Sabunkaran street

The historic urban regions and architecture are more than mere materials remained, they are central to how the community see themselves and their architecture identity as individuals, communities and as a nation. In a transient and rapidly changing world, interests are in; “What the local identity of the community architecture is? and how the original identity of the local architecture could be kept during the new rebuilding process in the historic and old regions of the city?” Architecture identity is therefore; an inheritance that helps to define the future architecture by inspiring new ideas and providing solutions to the problems that the community face in the age of globalisation. In this way, historic and old urban regions of the city greatly show the original architecture identity which helps the community to distinguish their architecture from others.
 This paper studies the distortion of local architecture identity on Sabunkaran Street as a part of the old region and city centre in Sulaimaneyah city in means of style, building materials and architectural elements as a result of the new rebuilding process. The distortion of building materials, styles and elements for the new rebuilt process are compared to the context of the region without sub-categorizing each part to specific items. This paper makes a comparative study for the architecture on Sabunkaran Street to show how the local architecture identity of the old region has the risk of distortion as a result of the new rebuilding process done in the last decades. This study aims to keep the local architecture identity of the old urban regions to show the future generations their original architecture identity. The study hypotheses that; new rebuilding process achieved by the individual owners in old urban spots lead to the distortion of local architecture identity if it is not monitored by specialized local authorities.

ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Background: Communication breakdown is one of the major problems that occur during disaster event, despite its importance in disaster management. In recent years, the social media, which has gained its popularity and expanded its function, provides a promising solution in disaster management over traditional communication. This paper aims to determine the role of social media in disaster management cycle and to create a framework for the application. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted systematically using PubMed, Google Scholar, Science-direct and Scopus with keywords of role of social media OR social media AND disaster event OR natural disaster. The literature searched was limited to documented natural disaster for the past ten years, open source articles, original article and reported in English language. Primary screening of title and abstract involved 128 articles, from there, 90 articles were excluded. Secondary eligibility screening of the remaining 38 articles, resulted in 14 articles which were then synthesized and reviewed in this manuscript. Result: A framework was produced pertaining to role of social media according to disaster management cycle. In mitigation phase the role of social media includes incorporation of risk reduction and preventative activities. Further into preparedness phase, social media provides disaster warnings, implement crisis communication activities and signal/detect disaster. Further to response phase, the role includes deliver and analyse news coverage of disaster, provide and receive disaster respond information, send and receive request for assistance and reconnect family members. Finally, in the recovery phase, social media raises donation and awareness, encourage volunteerism and provide/receive information on recovery and rebuilding process. This review highlighted the dynamic and complexity of social media functions in providing better communication approach during disaster management. Conclusion: Social media certainly has the capacity to become an alternative mode of communication to complement traditional communication during disaster. However, drawbacks from using social media and its implications in disaster management need to be considered as well. Keywords: social media; social network, disaster, communication

Rebuilding the White Earth Nation through Constitutional Reform

ABSTRACTThe process of Native nations’ resurgence, called nation building, is a phenomenon largely neglected by mainstream political science in the United States. Empirical and theoretical gaps exist in the study of Native nations’ political structures. This article’s empirical focus is on the rebuilding process of the White Earth Nation in Northwestern Minnesota. The objective is to investigate the long-term process of White Earth governance (1913 to the present) in order to explain why the White Earth government reform of 2007–2013 failed in the final implementation phase. I analyze hitherto unknown archival materials using a case-specific theoretical framework that employs Indigenous studies approaches, Michel Foucault’s genealogy, and new institutionalism. My findings suggest that the return to the institutional status quo in White Earth governance results from path-dependent dynamics and the Anishinaabe internalization of an outwardly imposed governing structure.

Rebuilding health post-conflict: case studies, reflections and a revised framework.

War and conflict negatively impact all facets of a health system; services cease to function, resources become depleted and any semblance of governance is lost. Following cessation of conflict, the rebuilding process includes a wide array of international and local actors. During this period, stakeholders must contend with various trade-offs, including balancing sustainable outcomes with immediate health needs, introducing health reform measures while also increasing local capacity, and reconciling external assistance with indigenous legitimacy. Compounding these factors are additional challenges, including co-ordination amongst stakeholders, the re-occurrence of conflict and ulterior motives from donors and governments, to name a few. Due to these complexities, the current literature on post-conflict health system development generally examines only one facet of the health system, and only at one point in time. The health system as a whole, and its development across a longer timeline, is rarely attended to. Given these considerations, the present article aims to evaluate health system development in three post-conflict environments over a 12-year timeline. Applying and adapting a framework from Waters et al. (2007, Rehabilitating Health Systems in Post-Conflict Situations. WIDER Research Paper 2007/06. United Nations University. http://hdl.handle.net/10419/63390, accessed 1 February 2018.), health policies and inputs from the post-conflict periods of Afghanistan, Cambodia and Mozambique are assessed against health outputs and other measures. From these findings, we developed a revised framework, which is presented in this article. Overall, these findings contribute post-conflict health system development by evaluating the process holistically and along a timeline, and can be of further use by healthcare managers, policy-makers and other health professionals.

Natural Disasters and Public Health.

2018 brought multiple, unprecedented natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods, and in the United States, the deadliest wildfire in California's history. After the immediate emergency is over and the media attention wanes, communities must deal with the long process of recovering and rebuilding. Yet, some of the greatest challenges that disaster victims face come not only from the disaster itself but also from the long-term health problems stemming from the event. In the immediate aftermath, physical injuries and infections must be treated and controlled. Long-term needs include mental and psychological assistance and reinstatement of the infrastructure of the health services system. While immediate casualty numbers are often cited following a natural disaster, it's the insidious and long-lasting health effects that can hurt communities for years.

The Changed Transcriptome of Muscular Dystrophy and Inflammatory Myopathy: Contributions of Non-Coding RNAs to Muscle Damage and Recovery

In order to successfully recover from damage, skeletal muscle tissue requires proper activation of a tightly orchestrated repair program. To this complex process of demolition and rebuilding, non-coding RNAs actively participate. In this review, the contribution of dysregulated non-coding RNA expression to disease-associated pathological changes is explored in the hereditary muscular dystrophies and the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. Disturbances in spatiotemporal expression of non-coding RNAs appear key factors to disease progression, functioning both in favor of and opposed to recovery. They regulate regeneration and survival of muscle fibers, and codetermine severity of tissue fibrosis and inflammation. Non-coding RNAs display individual or pleiotropic effects, and strongly influence each other’s activities. The described altered expression patterns can be exploited as biomarkers for diagnosis and to evaluate therapeutic success. In addition, common signatures often present in different muscle disorders points to their manipulation as an approach with potentially broader therapeutic use.