The Window of Talent Policy in Regional Revitalization: For A More Socially Creative Urban Blueprint

Talent Window is a crucial part of the Talent Policy, directly establishing communications with the talents. Today, it is generally set through the Official Service Websites, combined with various Information Publishing Platforms and Offline Service Windows, so that the talents could obtain the information about Talent Policy and consult with administrative staff about all matters related to talent introduction. The key indicator of a Talent Window is whether it could genuinely attract talent inflow and then improve urban vitality. Furthermore, the perfection and convenience of the Talent Window and its encouraging effect on talents are also the keys to whether it could bring “a sense of welcome” to them and make them willing to contribute to social creativity. Considering the significance of Talent Window in implementing Regional Revitalization, this article explores feasible solutions for setting the Talent Window based on comparing the present situation and Talent Window between Quanzhou City, China, and Tottori Prefecture, Japan.

Application of the Modified PLUM Method to a Dense Seismic Intensity Network of a Local Government in Japan: A Case Study on Tottori Prefecture

An application of the PLUM (Propagation of Local Undamped Motion) method to real-time seismic intensity distribution from a dense seismic intensity network maintained by a local government in Japan is demonstrated. The JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency) has employed the PLUM method from March 2018 as a supplement to the traditional EEW (Earthquake Early Warning) which requires hypocenter determination. A dense observation network is desirable for upgrading accuracy and immediateness of EEW including the PLUM method. Seismic intensity meters in Tottori Prefecture, Japan, are suitable for the purpose because they have been improved to broadcast packets with peak ground acceleration and JMA seismic intensity at every 1 s. Also, 34 seismic intensity meters are installed in the target area while only six observation sites are used for the EEW by the JMA. The packet data are received at Tottori University, and the modified PLUM method considers wave propagation with damping from not only the observation points but also all evaluating grid points at a 1 km mesh. Additionally, P-wave amplitudes in preliminary tremors are also introduced to estimate seismic intensities from an empirical relationship. Applying the methodology to past earthquake data, more detailed and rapid evaluations of seismic intensity distribution are achieved. We expect the system will be utilized for earthquake disaster mitigation measures of local governments.

Recent trends in the incidence of hip fracture in Tottori Prefecture, Japan: changes over 32 years

Summary The incidence rate of hip fracture in Tottori Prefecture tended to increase until 2018 in men, but it did not increase after 2010 in women. By type of fracture, the incidence rate of femoral neck fractures also increased over time in men, but no other changes were observed from 2010. Purpose The aims of this study were to determine the sex-, age-, and fracture-type-specific incidence rates of hip fractures in Tottori Prefecture between 2007 and 2018 and to compare the results with our past results to identify changes over time. Methods All hip fractures in people aged 35 years or older living in Tottori Prefecture were surveyed from 2007 to 2018 throughout the entire prefecture, and the age- and sex-specific incidence rates were calculated. The incidence rates from 1986 to 1988, 1992 to 1994, 1998 to 2000, and 2004 to 2006 previously reported were used for the analysis. Results In men, the age-adjusted number of patients adjusted by demographic structure based on the mean incidence rate for each 3-year period from 1986 to 2018 showed an increase in incidence over time compared with the incidence for 1986–1988 (p < 0.001). In women, the incidence rose over time compared with the incidence for 1986–1988 until 2004–2006 (p < 0.001), and no further increase was observed from 2010. The age-specific incidence rates of neck fracture in men were higher in 2010–2012 and 2016–2018 compared with 2004–2006 (p < 0.001), but those in women showed no increase with time. Those of trochanteric fracture did not change over time in either men or women. Conclusion The hip fracture incidence rate in Tottori Prefecture, Japan, tended to increase until 2018 in men, but it did not increase after 2010 in women.

Free-Flow Tunnel Inspection Support Devices Aiming at Labor Saving of Visual Checking

Small and medium-sized hydroelectric power plants are scattered in mountainous areas of Japan. Many tunnels that have been constructed for the purpose of introducing water have been in operation for decades, and inspections to aging deterioration are indispensable, however checks and maintenance work within the tunnels where the ceiling is low and water is flowing is very burdensome. This research aims at labor saving of visual check work of an inspector who moves through a narrow tunnel and searches for a deformed portion, and a simple imaging support device with a camera on a walking aid and autonomous operation at a constant speed in the tunnel. In this article, a prototype of a walking assist type inspection device and a self-propelled monitoring robot that creates a developed image of the wall surface are described. The prototype device is tested in a free-flow tunnel at the Tsukuyone Hydroelectric Power Station in Tottori Prefecture where water intake into the tunnel is stopped due to renewal work from 2018 to 2019, and its practicality is evaluated.