Vulnerability Classes Research Articles

Assessing desertification vulnerability and mitigation strategies in northern Nigeria: A comprehensive approach

Desertification constitutes a grave threat to the environmental and socio-economic stability of desertification frontline states in Northern Nigeria. From 2003 to 2020, this research comprehensively analyzes desertification vulnerability, integrating parameters such as NDVI, LST, TVDI, MSAVI, and Albedo. Key factors contributing to land degradation are identified, along with the spatial patterns and trends of desertification over the two-decade period. The consequences are profound, with Northern Nigeria's ecosystem experiencing a steady decline in vegetation cover. Agriculture, vital to the region's economy, faces increased aridity and reduced arable land, jeopardizing food security. Diminishing water resources exacerbates scarcity issues, placing additional strain on communities. These environmental changes lead to severe socio-economic implications, including displacement, loss of livelihoods, and heightened vulnerability to climate-related risks. Urgent, comprehensive, and strategic interventions are imperative. Policy recommendations underscore revising and enforcing land use regulations, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and establishing monitoring systems to guide decision-making. This research contributes practical strategies to enhance the resilience of desertification frontline states, safeguard livelihoods, and align with Nigeria's sustainable development objectives. Findings from the study indicate that only a tiny percentage (6.7 %) of the study area remains unaffected by desertification. Moreover, 13.3 % exhibit light vulnerability, 20 % demonstrate moderate exposure, and 60 % fall into the severe (26.7 %) and compelling (33.3 %) vulnerability categories. These statistics underscore the gravity of desertification in the study area, emphasizing the urgent need for effective mitigation measures to address its impact comprehensively.

The Child’s Right to Establish and Preserve his or her Identity. Legislative and Case-Law Considerations

Abstract In each state there are certain vulnerable categories of population: children, elderly, disabled people, who need special protection in order to realize their rights. Among them, there are children, whose rights are explicitly regulated in Romania by Law nr. 272/2004 on the protection and promotion of children’s rights, but also in other related laws. In the following, we intend to analyze: the right of the child to establish and preserve his or her identity in accordance with relevant legislation and case law.

Modeling Environmental Vulnerability for 2050 Considering Different Scenarios in the Doce River Basin, Brazil

Understanding climate change and land use impacts is crucial for mitigating environmental degradation. This study assesses the environmental vulnerability of the Doce River Basin for 2050, considering future climate change and land use and land cover (LULC) scenarios. Factors including slope, elevation, relief dissection, precipitation, temperature, pedology, geology, urban distance, road distance, and LULC were evaluated using multicriteria analysis. Regional climate models Eta-HadGEM2-ES and Eta-MIROC5 under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 emission scenarios were employed. The Land Change Modeler tool simulated 2050 LULC changes and hypothetical reforestation of legal reserve (RL) areas. Combining two climate and two LULC scenarios resulted in four future vulnerability scenarios. Projections indicate an over 300 mm reduction in average annual precipitation and an up to 2 °C temperature increase from 2020 to 2050. Scenario 4 (RCP 8.5 and LULC for 2050 with reforested RLs) showed the greatest basin area in the lowest vulnerability classes, while scenario 3 (RCP 4.5 and LULC for 2050) exhibited more high-vulnerability areas. Despite the projected relative improvement in environmental vulnerability by 2050 due to reduced rainfall, the complexity of associated relationships must be considered. These results contribute to mitigating environmental damage and adapting to future climatic conditions in the Doce River Basin.

Riverine Community Vulnerability to Flooding: An Insight from the Bramhaputra-Jamuna River at Harirampur Upazila, Manikganj

Bangladesh is one of the nations that has a distinctive environment for floods. Most of the land is low-lying, and 80% is a floodplain, making it highly susceptible to frequent flooding. This research aims to investigate the susceptibility of riverine communities to flooding and display the spatial distribution of vulnerability for the study region (Harirampur Upazila). A vulnerability assessment index is developed using multiple variables related to social, physical, and economic vulnerability. A quantitative survey is conducted to gather data on physical, social, and economic factors contributing to household vulnerability to floods. The results reveal that out of the five unions in Harirampur Upazila, Gopinathpur, and Lesraganj unions, they have been found to have a high vulnerability to flooding (vulnerability scores of 3.19 and 3.10, respectively). Kanchanpur Union is severely vulnerable to flooding (score 3.57). On the other hand, Gala Union is designated as a lowly vulnerable (score of 2.23) area, and Ramkrishnapur Union is classified as a moderately vulnerable (score of 2.83) area. Finally, this study would help to assign government and non-government initiatives following the vulnerability category during critical conditions of any disaster period. Jagannath University Journal of Life and Earth Sciences, 9(2): 195-214, 2023 (December)

Assessment of Software Vulnerability Contributing Factors by Model-Agnostic Explainable AI

Software vulnerability detection aims to proactively reduce the risk to software security and reliability. Despite advancements in deep-learning-based detection, a semantic gap still remains between learned features and human-understandable vulnerability semantics. In this paper, we present an XAI-based framework to assess program code in a graph context as feature representations and their effect on code vulnerability classification into multiple Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) types. Our XAI framework is deep-learning-model-agnostic and programming-language-neutral. We rank the feature importance of 40 syntactic constructs for each of the top 20 distributed CWE types from three datasets in Java and C++. By means of four metrics of information retrieval, we measure the similarity of human-understandable CWE types using each CWE type’s feature contribution ranking learned from XAI methods. We observe that the subtle semantic difference between CWE types occurs after the variation in neighboring features’ contribution rankings. Our study shows that the XAI explanation results have approximately 78% Top-1 to 89% Top-5 similarity hit rates and a mean average precision of 0.70 compared with the baseline of CWE similarity identified by the open community experts. Our framework allows for code vulnerability patterns to be learned and contributing factors to be assessed at the same stage.

The Potential Rise of Populism among the Indonesian Muslim Middle Class. Post Covid-19 Pandemic

The economic and political insecurity faced by Indonesia's Muslim middle class may create opportunities for the rise of populism in Indonesia. This study aims to examine the potential for populism supported by Indonesia's Muslim middle class in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. The critical political economy approach, specifically the class-based approach, has been used in this study. This article uses qualitative research methodology and draws on literary sources. The findings suggest the likely emergence of populist politics in Indonesia, triggered by the economic instability caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which severely affected the Muslim middle class. This has been exacerbated by long-standing socio-economic insecurity caused by unfavorable labor policies. Furthermore, the emergence of Indonesian populist politics is reinforced by the political polarization of the last decade. The mobilization of the vulnerable Muslim middle class by a charismatic leader could fuel the potential rise of populist politics in Indonesia

Vulnerability of fresh agricultural products supply chain: Assessment, interrelationship analysis and control strategies

Most research in fresh agricultural products supply chain (FAPSC) vulnerability identification and evaluation is based on independent perspectives. Few studies have studied the interrelationships, transmission mechanisms, and control strategies from a network approach. Given this, this paper first identifies 7 vulnerability categories and 36 vulnerability factors based on empirical data collected from practitioners of FAPSC using grounded theory (GT). The interrelationships among the identified vulnerability factors are established immediately afterward based on complex network theory. Finally, key vulnerability factors and vulnerability impact transmission paths are identified based on the results by calculating the basic network characteristic indicators. The results show that market supply-demand imbalance and human resources issues are the key vulnerability factors. The five factors of market supply-demand imbalance, environmental pollution, socio-economic downturn, human resources issues, and arable land area as the intermediate transmission factors of the vulnerability network play a key role in vulnerability transmission. Based on this, strategies such as information sharing and measuring the environmental performance of fresh agricultural product suppliers are proposed. This study can help stakeholders control the vulnerabilities and ensure the stable operation of the FAPSC.

Toward Decontamination in Coastal Regions: Groundwater Quality, Fluoride, Nitrate, and Human Health Risk Assessments within Multi-Aquifer Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia

Contamination in coastal regions attributed to fluoride and nitrate cannot be disregarded, given the substantial environmental and public health issues they present worldwide. For effective decontamination, it is pivotal to identify regional pollution hotspots. This comprehensive study was performed to assess the spatial as well as indexical water quality, identify contamination sources, hotspots, and evaluate associated health risks pertaining to nitrate and fluoride in the Al-Hassa region, KSA. The physicochemical results revealed a pervasive pollution of the overall groundwater. The dominant water type was Na-Cl, indicating saltwater intrusion and reverse ion exchange impact. Spatiotemporal variations in physicochemical properties suggest diverse hydrochemical mechanisms, with geogenic factors primarily influencing groundwater chemistry. The groundwater pollution index varied between 0.8426 and 4.7172, classifying samples as moderately to very highly polluted. Similarly, the synthetic pollution index (in the range of 0.5021–4.0715) revealed that none of the samples had excellent water quality, with various degrees of pollution categories. Nitrate health quotient (HQ) values indicated chronic human health risks ranging from low to severe, with infants being the most vulnerable. Household use of nitrate-rich groundwater for showering and cleaning did not pose significant health risks. Fluoride HQ decreased with age, and children faced the highest risk of fluorosis. The hazard index (HI) yielded moderate- to high-risk values. Nitrate risks were 1.21 times higher than fluoride risks, as per average HI assessment. All samples fell into the vulnerable category based on the total hazard index (THI), with 88.89% classified as very high risk. This research provides valuable insights into groundwater quality, guiding water authorities, inhabitants, and researchers in identifying safe water sources, vulnerable regions, and human populations. The results highlight the need for appropriate treatment techniques and long-term coastal groundwater management plans.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CONCEPT IN THE ACTIVITY OF THE RED CROSS SOCIETY OF UKRAINE

In 2019, the Council of Delegates of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement adopted a Resolution on the Implementation of Community Engagement and Accountability Policy. The resolution concerns the operational programs of all organizations that are associated with the Movement and adhere to its principles. Since the beginning of the Russian armed aggression in Ukraine, the Red Cross Society of Ukraine (URCS) as the largest humanitarian organization in the country has focused its efforts on helping the most vulnerable categories of citizens, in particular, internally displaced persons (IDPs), whose number has increased several times. Involvement of communities (in particular IDPs) is about making joint decisions about how the programs and operations of the URCS are designed, managed and implemented, and about influencing management and operational decisions. The article purpose: to find out the features and prospects of implementing the concept of community engagement in the activities of the URCS. Methods applied: analysis of program documents of the URCS, which outline the principles of implementing the concept of community engagement in the Society’s activities. In practice, community engagement is a combination of science and art. The science is drawn from sociology, political science, psychology, social work, and other disciplines, and the organization’s concepts are drawn from the literature on community participation, community mobilization, voter formation, community psychology, and cultural influences. The artistry comes from the understanding, skills, and sensibilities used to apply and adapt science in ways that meet the interests of the community and the goals of specific engagement efforts.

Food Fraud Conceptualization: An Exploratory Study with Portuguese Consumers

Food fraud refers to deceptive practices conducted for economic gain, and incidents of such fraud are often reported in the media and scientific literature. However, little is known about how European consumers perceive food fraud. To address this gap, a study explored Portuguese consumers' knowledge and perceptions of food fraud using qualitative methods such as free word association and semi-structured interviews. For this research, 340 participants were recruited, providing 911 valid words, classified into categories, major categories, and dimensions. Differences between consumers' previous exposure to food fraud and sociodemographic characteristics were explored. Additionally, other thirty-six participants were selected and interviewed, following a semi-structured guide. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using a thematic analysis procedure. The results suggest that Portuguese consumers view food fraud as a morally reprehensible deception and are aware of its causes and impacts. However, not all consumers know the different forms of food fraud or the types of products vulnerable to fraud. Among the most repeated words were “deception”, “expiration date”, and “falsification”. Despite this food fraud awareness, most consumers believed they were not exposed to food fraud and stated that they do not conduct daily practices to reduce exposure to it. Following the chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests, significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were identified between participants exposed and not exposed to food fraud. The study also found that consumers with higher education and self-reported exposure to food fraud had a better understanding of the issue. This study provides insights for quantitative research on consumer perceptions and beliefs about food fraud to explore further vulnerable food categories and types of food fraud in real-world scenarios.

Framework development for the physical vulnerability assessment index of hand-dug Wells in Are-Ekiti, Southwestern Nigeria.

The article presents a comprehensive framework for assessing the physical vulnerability of hand-dug wells within the Are Community, Southwestern Nigeria. The study spans from March to April 2023 and meticulously examines 90 wells, focusing on critical parameters such as well collar, well cover, and well lining information. The analysis reveals significant variations in well collar construction materials and dimensions, emphasizing the community's adaptive strategies. The Well Collar Height Index (WCi), Well Cover Index (WCOi), Well Lining Index (WLi), and the derived Vulnerability Index categorize wells into vulnerability classes, offering a nuanced understanding of susceptibility levels. Notably, the study identifies wells with Very High vulnerability that demand urgent attention, as well as wells with effective protective measures categorized as Very Low vulnerability. The article emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of local practices and materials, highlighting the variability in well collar construction. It discusses the implications of well cover conditions and the critical role of well linings in assessing groundwater vulnerability. The Vulnerability Index combines these parameters, guiding targeted interventions based on risk severity. The study lays the groundwork for future interventions to enhance the safety and sustainability of water sources within the Are Community. It recommends immediate comprehensive measures for highly vulnerable wells, ongoing monitoring, community engagement, and knowledge sharing. The future scope includes incorporating geochemical analysis, targeted interventions, regular maintenance, community training, and exploring alternative water sources for sustainable improvements.

SOCIAL POLICY: THEORY, METHODOLOGY AND PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF TEACHING AND IMPLEMENTATION IN THE PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY OF SOCIAL WORKERS

The scientific article represented an analysis of theoretical and methodological approaches to the study and teaching of social policy. The concept of "Social policy" is defined as a synthesis of theoretical and methodological approaches, as an educational discipline for students - future social workers, and as a practical activity aimed at reducing social tension in society and a tool of social justice. The author of the article analyzes the key problems of studying the problems of social policy and methods of teaching the discipline "Social Policy" in the period of a full-scale invasion. The main accents of the scientific publication are the principles, values, and effective tools of the state's social policy. Innovative teaching methods can help students - future social workers to understand the main problems of socio-economic inequality, gender aspects of social policy, methods, and directions of social protection of vulnerable categories of the population. Discussion of the results of sociological research, publications, and development of own projects made a great contribution to the development of critical thinking. The connection of the main directions and methods of social policy with the functioning and development of leading social institutions will help the practical implementation of knowledge in the everyday reality of social workers. Examples of discussions and realization of practical cases during the teaching of Social Policy as an educational discipline are offered for the analysis of social initiatives and programs in the context of various models of social policy. The active using of practical experience in the implementation of social programs and initiatives is proposed in the scientific article

General Comparative Analysis of Bird-Bat Collisions at a Wind Power Plant in the Department of Rivas, Nicaragua, between 2014 and 2022

From 2014 to 2022, eight monitoring campaigns have been carried out, documenting 119 collisions of birds belonging to 25 species corresponding to 14 families. Of the total collisions, 35 individuals could not be identified because only remains of the animal’s body (feathers) were found, due to the presence of day and night predators. Of the bird species identified, 17 are resident, three are migratory species, two are transient species, one species with transient populations that migrate south, and two species with both resident and migratory populations. During these years, no species with an important conservation category according to the IUCN were reported. Three species are on Nicaragua’s Red List, the migratory species Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) and the resident species Mangrove Cuckoo (Coccyzus minor), both with the Near Threatened category; and the only migratory hummingbird for Nicaragua, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) with the Vulnerable category. The family with the highest frequency of collided bird species is the pigeons (Columbidae), these being very significant (X2 = 345.20, p < 0.01). The species with the highest frequency of collisions is the Common Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina) species, with these collisions being very significant (X2 = 72.05, p < 0.01). Collisions per month and year show very significant differences, especially for April 2016 (X2 = 41.60, p < 0.01). Tower T13 shows significant collisions in these eight monitoring campaigns (X2 = 36.48, p < 0.05). Bird collision distances show very significant collisions between 0 and 5 m away from the turbines (X2 = 268.96, p < 0.01). No differences were found regarding collisions between large and small birds (X2 = 2.09, p > 0.05). The granivore group presented a very significant frequency of collisions (X2 = 84.00, p < 0.01), as well as a very significant frequency of collisions in the non-passerines birds (X2 = 42.26, p < 0.01). Very significantly higher fatality frequencies were observed in 2016 (X2 = 60.16, p < 0.01). For the period 2014 to 2022 in bats, 134 collisions of bats belonging to 18 species corresponding to four families were observed. Of the total number of collisions, 24 individuals could not be identified because they were in poor condition. No species with important conservation criteria have been recorded according to the IUCN or the Nicaraguan Red List. The Molossidae family is the group with the highest number of very significant collisions (X2 = 53.61, p < 0.01), with the Pallas’s Mastiff Bat (Molossus molossus) being the one that presented very significant collisions (X2 = 199.69, p < 0.01). Very significant collisions occur, with a peak in November 2015 (X2 = 75.19, p < 0.01). Tower T15 presents the highest frequency of collisions, which is very significant (X2 = 39.04, p < 0.01). The frequency of collisions remains very significantly higher in the three distance categories closest to the towers, from 0 to 14.9 m (X2 = 43.64, p < 0.01). The highest frequency for very significant collisions of bats is that of insectivores (X2 = 222.10, p < 0.01). A very significant frequency of collisions was observed in 2015 (X2 = 68.75, p < 0.01). Key periods like fall and spring bird migration should be prioritized when planning collision monitoring plans. Standardized monitoring protocols and implementation of estimated mortality formulas that compensate for the search effectiveness of observers, the search area, and the removal of collisions are also important for not underestimating bird and bat collisions.

The relationship between nomophobia and latent classes of personality.

The phenomenon of nomophobia, defined as the anxiety experienced when a person is without their mobile phone or is unable to use it, has been identified as having serious negative effects on individuals, particularly students. Previous research has explored the relationship between personality traits and nomophobia, but the findings have been inconclusive. The main objective of this study was to classify personality types through latent class analysis and explore the relationship between these personality types and nomophobia. The Chinese version of the Nomophobia Scale and the Chinese brief version of the Big Five Personality Inventory were used in this study to survey 1906 Chinese college students. The results indicated that (1) a four-class model provided the best fit and categorized the personality traits as the overcontrolled class, resilient class, moderate class, and vulnerable class; (2) significant differences were observed between the four personality types and nomophobia, with overcontrolled and resilient personality types consistently scoring significantly lower than moderate and vulnerable personality types. Our finding highlights the key feature of the study.

Identification of landslide vulnerability in the Sendangsari Area, Pajangan District, Bantul, Yogyakarta based on the Weighting Method of Regulation of the Minister of Public Works No. 22/PRT/M/2007

Dusun Krebet, in the Sendangsari Village, sub-district of Pajangan, Bantul regency, is one of the villages situated in a limestone hill area. Due to its location in the hilly terrain, both morphologically and in terms of its geological composition, the Krebet village has the potential for and is at risk of landslides. This research identifies areas that fall into the category of landslide-prone disaster zones using the Weighting Method specified in the Indonesian Minister of PUPR Regulation No. 22/PRT/M/2007. The determination of landslide-prone disaster zones is based on seven parameters, which are slope, geological conditions, land use, water flow density, soil thickness, rainfall conditions, and seismic activity map overlay is conducted with the assistance of weighting based on the Indonesian Ministry of PUPR regulations, which represents a subjective factor according to the researcher’s perspective in the study area. This process results in two risk zones: low landslide risk and medium landslide risk. The research based on the Ministry of PUPR Regulation No. 22/PRT/M/2007 indicates that the Pajangan District is predominantly characterized by a low level of vulnerability to landslide disasters, with only a small area falling into the moderate vulnerability category. This is because the regulation places greater emphasis on the potential damage to infrastructure and does not give as much attention to disaster mitigation aspects that need to be implemented.

THE MEDIATING ROLE OF POOR SLEEP QUALITY IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AND AGGRESSION IN COMBATANTS

Introduction. Stress-related mental disorders pose a significant risk to a patient's social, emotional, and physical well-being. One of the most vulnerable categories of the population to the development of stress-related mental disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, in wartime is military personnel who are constantly faced with events that threaten their lives and health. The most common complaints of combatants with PTSD include sleep disturbances and aggression. Therefore, we hypothesized that poor sleep quality may mediate the association between PTSD and aggression in combat veterans. Methods and materials. We conducted a clinical study of 45 combatants, who were divided into the following groups: group 1 (n=24) – combatants with PTSD, and group 2 (n=21) – combatants without stress-related mental disorders. We measured sleep quality by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and aggression by the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using Jamovi Desktop. The mediation analysis was performed using the medmod 1.1.0 and advanced mediation models 1.0.5. Results. We found a strong statistically significant effect of PTSD on physical aggression (p<0.001). However, the mediating role of sleep was not found (p=0.264), as the effect of sleep disturbance on physical aggression was not confirmed (p=0.257), despite the strong effect of PTSD on sleep disturbance (p<0.001). It was found that the indirect effect of mediation through poor sleep quality accounted for 74.1% of the mediation of the relationship between PTSD and hostility. We established a partial mediation of the relationship between PTSD and aggressiveness by poor sleep quality. The direct effect accounts for 47.6% of the mediation, and the indirect effect through sleep disturbances accounts for 52.4%, which confirms the role of poor sleep quality as a mediator in this model. Concluions. Our findings emphasize that sleep disturbance is a significant symptom of PTSD that can affect other aspects of the disease in combatants. In this study, we demonstrate that poor sleep quality mediates hostility fully and general aggression partially in combatants with PTSD.

Fuzzy comparison of drought vulnerability based on the analytical hierarchy process

The vulnerability represents the level to which any ecosystem experiences impairment due to natural distress. One such distress is drought, a prolonged phase of deficient rainfall that causes the depletion of water resources. The possibility of the influences of drought principally depends on the vulnerability of the affected area. The predominantly arid climate of Pakistan and the dependence of its economy on agriculture make it vulnerable to climate change. Rahim Yar Khan and Tharparkar have similar environmental conditions, but Tharparkar experiences more droughts. Vulnerability factors observed by the two districts among the regions are different even with similar climate conditions. The system vulnerability to drought was observed for two districts by using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and drought vulnerability index (DVI). The drought vulnerability index (DVI) was used to assess the meteorological, agricultural, hydrological, and socio-economic indicators to build the hierarchy for these inconsistence factors and evaluate the most vulnerable and affecting cause among the meteorological, agricultural, hydrological, and socio-economic indicators. The selected measures specify the hypotheses and the relativity of the indicators to the overall vulnerability of the system. The evaluated weights for each variable are derived from the analytical hierarchy process by comparing the variables of the selected indicators. Due to different meteorological, agricultural, and socio-economic conditions, the weights for the DVI were not the same in both study districts, i.e., Rahim Yar Khan and Tharparkar. The classification of vulnerability depending upon the drought vulnerability index with AHP suggests that the DV indexation is favorable in assessing the regional drought vulnerability. The drought vulnerability assessment of Tharparkar indicates that Tharparkar is highly vulnerable to drought, i.e., DVI = 0.066, as it is highly dependent on irrigation resources for its agriculture and livestock. The unavailability of hydrological resources has increased the drought vulnerability of the Tharparkar, which corresponds to a high level of agricultural damage due to droughts. However, the district of Rahim Yar Khan with developed irrigation resources has a lower drought vulnerability index (DVI = 0.011). It is necessary for Tharparkar to establish countermeasures to mitigate the drought vulnerability through the development of water resources. Future studies are needed to be focused on more indicators for assessing particular drought vulnerability issues in order to reduce the drought vulnerability of Tharparkar.

Female blind baseball players against gender discrimination: the "red diamonds" experience.

Sport has the well-known power of improving body awareness, self-esteem, and social interaction, thus promoting quality of life and psychophysical wellbeing. Specifically referring to adapted disciplines, habitual practice often becomes an effective integration and self-efficacy booster. Among disabilities, visual impairment deeply alters body image perception, autonomy, and environmental/social interaction heavily reducing sport or leisure involvement opportunities. In particular, visually impaired women represent one of the most vulnerable categories to gender and disability discrimination. Moreover, even when congenitally sightless, they perceive social pressure of mainstream beauty ideals, mostly spread by media, comparable to their sighted peers. On these premises and the previously demonstrated psychophysical benefits of Italian blind baseball practice on this target population, the present study aimed to deepen the social and educative potentialities of such adapted sport applying a more sociological research approach. The "red diamonds" event, namely, the first ever female blind baseball match, was the setting for the administration of our structured online survey. In detail, our survey comprised different evaluation tools such as the 18-item Psychological Well-Being Scale, the 12-item Short Form questionnaire, the Dresden Body Image questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and sociological model designed questions. Quality of life, psychological wellbeing, self-esteem, body image, and perceived female sport psychological violence were investigated in the whole women sample (n = 33) voluntarily adhering to the game. Survey results revealed no statistically significant differences between visually impaired players (n = 13; mean age: 32.84 ± 12.05 years) and sighted on-field subjects (i.e., coaches, assistants, and referees; n = 20; mean age: 47.15 ± 12.31 years) in almost all the inquired variables, thus remarking the social and functional benefits of adapted sport through the "dual embodiment" and empowerment phenomenon. Given that the event was inspired by and performed on the World Day against women violence, our study deepened not only the topic of disability discrimination but also the currently alarming gender-related one. In such a context, the present research might provide interesting cues for further investigations on disability and gender disparities in sports, hence spreading interest in this under-investigated field. In perspective, the "red diamonds" experience could also contribute to inspiring and progressively developing educative tools against any kind of discrimination by promoting integration and social growth through regular sports practice.

Vulnerability of ground water to polution in the highlands by a combined approach of AHP method and remote sensing

The aim of this work is to develop a simple and convenient decision support tool for the highlands using a combined approach of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method and remote sensing. The vulnerability assessment method developed is called O3P (Highlands method). It is a parametric method, adapted in the highlands and implement in the town of Bafoussam. This method takes into account 4 factors, including land use (O), permeability (P1), slope (P2) and water depth in the piezometers (P3). The AHP multi-criteria analysis coupled with geographic information systems (GIS) and the analysis of nitrate pollution, allowed the development and validation of the O3P method. The results obtained show 3 classes of vulnerabilities which evolve from the low vulnerability class (20.22% of the study area) to the classes of medium vulnerability (50.16 %) and high vulnerability (29.62 %). Classes of high vulnerability to pollution are more present in the central-northern part of the study area, with some occurrences towards the south. The superposition of the highest nitrate concentrations with the areas of high vulnerability confirms the validity of the method. It emerges from it following the study of the sensitivity that the land occupation factor has the most important effect in this model and whose reduction would influence to 35.54% the method. The statistical study shows that this method is acceptable because the value of the standard deviations of the IVO3P lower than that its mean.

DOCTORAL STUDENTS AT RISK ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT: QUALITY MANAGEMENT ISSUES

Academic engagement and support of vulnerable categories of learners is a crucial thematic issue within the EU and globally. In this respect, the research is focused on searching for suitable solutions for gaps in doctoral education capacity strengthening at institutional and national levels in Ukraine, primarily due to underestimating its societal dimensions, and on synchronizing the Ukrainian practices with European policies and standards, including helpful initiatives in integrating resilience and sustainability into its academic, research and engagement activities; creating an inclusive and welcoming culture within academia that encourages respect, support, and mentorship. The developed educational courses aim to facilitate a cross-sectoral dialogue on solutions for the challenges faced by Ukrainian academia in reforming the doctoral education sector, within the framework of a sustainable, cohesive, and peaceful Europe. The implementation of the proposed educational courses aims to achieve the following short-term effects: to ensure Ukrainian PhD students’ belonging and research engagement, return to stability, and help to alleviate psychological anxiety; to advance doctoral students’ research competencies in line with ethical and methodological standards; to minimize the risks of doctoral student attrition; to activate faculty and peer mentorship and professional networking within the academia regarding doctoral students at risk diversity; to diversify the institutional strategies of doctoral students’ academic and researcher identity development in war and post-war circumstances. This will provide a significant context for advancing a new type of academic culture in doctoral education within Ukrainian academia – a culture of university social responsibility that prioritizes human values and addresses the real needs of Ukrainian researchers while providing early-career researcher-friendly support, both academic and professional.