Disaster preparedness,adaptive politics and lifelong learning: a case of Japan

Preparedness for disaster scenarios is progressively becoming an educational agenda for governments because of diversifying risks and threats worldwide. In disaster-prone Japan, disaster preparedness has been a prioritised national agenda, and preparedness education has been undertaken in both formal schooling and lifelong learning settings. This article examines the politics behind one prevailing policy discourse in the field of disaster preparedness referred to as ‘the four forms of aid’ – ‘kojo [public aid]’, ‘jijo [self-help]’, ‘gojo/kyojo [mutual aid]’. The study looks at the Japanese case, however, the significance is global, given that neo-liberal governments are increasingly having to deal with a range of disaster situations whether floods or terrorism, while implementing austerity measures. Drawing on the theory of the adaptiveness of neo-liberalism, the article sheds light on the hybridity of the current Abe government’s politics: a ‘dominant’ neo-liberal economic approach – public aid and self-help – and a ‘subordinate’ moral conservative agenda – mutual aid. It is argued that the four forms of aid are an effective ‘balancing act’, and that kyojo in particular is a powerful legitimator in the hybrid politics. The article concludes that a lifelong and life-wide preparedness model could be developed in Japan which has taken a social approach to lifelong learning.     

Biomechanics of judo backward breakfall for different throwing techniques in novice judokas

It is generally accepted that proper learning of the breakfall technique during early judo training is essential for attenuating the risk of judo-related head injury. Therefore, it is critical to understand the kinematics and head injury risks of breakfall motion to design a more safe and effective judo teaching paradigm that results in reduction of injury risk. We aimed to investigate the biomechanics of judo backward breakfalls by comparing osoto-gari and ouchi-gari in novice judokas. Twelve male novice judokas (age: 21.3 years, SD?=?0.6 years; height: 1.74?m, SD?=?0.04?m; body weight: 71.3, SD?=?6.4?kg; body mass index: 23.5, SD?=?2.3) volunteered to participate in this study. The kinematic data of the breakfall motion for both osoto-gari and ouchi-gari were collected using a three-dimensional motion analysis technique (200?Hz). We observed significant differences between the movement patterns for the two techniques, especially in the lower extremity movements. In addition, a significantly greater peak extension momentum (osoto-gari: 1.29, SD?=?0.23?kg?m^2?s^?1; ouchi-gari: 0.84, SD?=?0.29?kg?m^2?s^?1) and lower head position along the vertical axis (osoto-gari: 0.18, SD?=?0.05?m; ouchi-gari: 0.31, SD?=?0.08?m) with a large effect size were found in the breakfall for osoto-gari. Our results suggest that a different paradigm is needed for effectively teaching each breakfall technique that will enable us to substantially lower the risk of judo-related head injuries in novice judokas.     

Questioning ‘integrated’ disaster risk reduction and ‘all of society’ engagement: can ‘preparedness pedagogy’ help?

Abstract

AbstractThis paper contributes to the conceptual and empirical development of ‘preparedness pedagogy’. Preparedness involves learning, thus disaster risk reduction (DRR) should be discussed more in the field of education, particularly its sub-discipline of public pedagogy. Disaster risk reduction education should have an element of a pedagogy in the interest of publicness, which is an experimental pedagogy in which citizens act in togetherness to develop their own preparedness. The paper pays attention to the two phrases utilised in the recent DRR discourse – ‘integrated’ DRR and ‘participation by all’ – and examines the case of Japan, applying whole-system thinking. It is suggested that ‘the mesosystem’ of the DRR system yields relationships and learning, and thus enables collaboration, change and ‘participation by all’. Preparedness pedagogy has a role to play in this. The mesosystem functions as the confluence between state-led and community-based DRR to truly integrate the system.     

论梁启超《清代学术概论》中的科学精神

在《清代学术概论》中,梁启超将清代思潮的变迁过程分成三个不同的阶段.而贯穿三个阶段他所予以重视的关键性精神即是“科学精神”.梁启超所关心的问题在于学问该如何得到发展,并且忧虑“致用”的主观动机容易介入研究过程,从而影响其客观性,因此,梁启超主张学者应避开去问所治的学问是否实用.“为学问而治学问”,这就是梁启超《清代学术概念》中所要表达的中心思想.梁启超深刻地体会到了政治权力主宰真理和正义的严酷现实,他所站到的非政治性立场本身就在政治社会环境中.《概论》在政治思想史学上具有深刻的意义.     

Kinematic comparison of the seoi-nage judo technique between elite and college athletes

This study sought to identify biomechanical factors that determine fast and skilful execution of the seoi-nage (shoulder throw) technique by comparing kinematics between elite and college judo athletes. Three-dimensional motion data were captured using a VICON-MX system with 18 cameras operating at 250 Hz as three male elite and seven male college judo athletes performed seoi-nage. No significant difference was found in motion phase time of the turning phase between the two groups, indicating that motion phase time is not necessarily a factor contributing quickness in seoi-nage. The maximum relative velocity of the whole body centre of mass along the anterior–posterior direction was significantly greater in the elite athletes (2.74 ± 0.33 m/s) than in the college athletes (1.62 ± 0.47 m/s) during the turning phase (p = 0.023). The overall angular velocity of the body part lines, particularly the arm line, tended to be greater in the elite athletes (p = 0.068). The results imply that the velocity of the thrower relative to the opponent in the forward drive and turning motion reflects high skill seoi-nage. Coaches should recognise the relative forward velocity as a factor that may contribute to a successful seoi-nage when teaching the judo throw technique.     

Selective cell capture and analysis using shallow antibody-coated microchannels

Demand for analysis of rare cells such as circulating tumor cells in blood at the single molecule level has recently grown. For this purpose, several cell separation methods based on antibody-coated micropillars have been developed (e.g., Nagrath et al., Nature 450, 1235–1239 (2007)). However, it is difficult to ensure capture of targeted cells by these methods because capture depends on the probability of cell-micropillar collisions. We developed a new structure that actively exploits cellular flexibility for more efficient capture of a small number of cells in a target area. The depth of the sandwiching channel was slightly smaller than the diameter of the cells to ensure contact with the channel wall. For cell selection, we used anti-epithelial cell adhesion molecule antibodies, which specifically bind epithelial cells. First, we demonstrated cell capture with human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells, which are relatively homogeneous in size; in situ single molecule analysis was verified by our rolling circle amplification (RCA) method. Then, we used breast cancer cells (SK-BR-3) in blood, and demonstrated selective capture and cancer marker (HER2) detection by RCA. Cell capture by antibody-coated microchannels was greater than with negative control cells (RPMI-1788 lymphocytes) and non-coated microchannels. This system can be used to analyze small numbers of target cells in large quantities of mixed samples.     

Kinematics of judo breakfall for osoto-gari: Considerations for head injury prevention

Previous studies suggest that increasing the skill level of judokas will decrease the number of head injuries sustained during judo. However, the kinematics are poorly understood, making it difficult to establish an effective breakfall teaching programme. Therefore, we studied the kinematic parameters of breakfall for osoto-gari to identify the risk of judo-related head injuries by comparing experienced and novice judokas. This information will provide insight into developing a better prevention plan for judo-related head injuries.

A total of 10 experienced and 12 novice judokas volunteered to participate in this study. The kinematic data of the breakfall motion for osoto-gari were collected using a three-dimensional motion analysis technique (200 Hz).

We observed a significantly higher peak neck extension momentum in the novice group than in the experienced group. This suggests that neck extension momentum during breakfall is associated with the risk of head injuries during judo. In addition, the novice judokas demonstrated a significantly greater flexed pattern in the trunk and hip movement than the experienced judokas (P < 0.05). The results suggest that the trunk and lower extremity motion are important kinematic parameters that determine the skill level in performing the breakfall for osoto-gari.     

试析日本中小学的健康教育

采用文献资料、归纳综合、逻辑分析等研究方法,对日本中小学目前实施的健康教育进行分析与研究.研究认为日本中小学各年级的健康教育目标贴近生活、简便易行;课程内容实施层次分明、重点突出;健康教育教师培养体系科学、制度规范.提出我国中小学应该加强健康教育的法制管理和高等师范院校应该开设健康教育专业的建议.这对于我国吸收和借鉴日本健康教育的先进经验,提高我国中小学学生的健康水平具有重要意义.