Vulnerability Threshold Research Articles

Asymmetric responses of EVI and tree ring growth to extreme climate on the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau.

Extreme climate events have increased in terms of their amplitudes, frequency and severity, greatly affecting ecosystem functions and the balance of the global carbon cycle. However, there are still uncertainties about how extreme climate change will affect tree growth. This study characterized the responses of tree growth to extreme climate on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau from 2000 to 2020. Meanwhile, a back propagation neural network was used to predict tree growth trends under two future emission scenarios from 2020 to 2050. This study revealed that: (1) the tree-ring width index (RWI) showed a decreasing trend (- 0.04/decade) in the eastern region, but the enhanced vegetation index (EVI) showed an increasing trend (0.05/decade) from 2000 to 2020. While both RWI and EVI in the middle and western regions showed increasing trends. (2) The responses of RWI and EVI to extreme climate were regionally asymmetric. In the eastern region, extreme precipitation inhibited tree radial growth, while extreme warm nights promoted tree canopy growth. In two other regions, both extreme precipitation and extreme warm nights promoted tree growth. (3) The model predicts that there was no significant change in RWI and EVI in the western region, but both RWI and EVI showed an increasing trend in the middle and eastern regions under the low emission scenario. Under the high emission scenario, the growth of tree stem and canopy in all three regions shows a general decreasing trend. The results of this study both improved the understanding of the differences in carbon allocation between tree stem (RWI) and canopy (EVI) and identified vulnerability thresholds for tree populations.

Childhood Trauma and Remembrance: Weaponised PTSD in Glaydah Namukasa’s The Deadly Ambition

ABSTRACT Defining crime within the prism of personal responsibility without recourse to its triggers engenders post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in victims of unfair hearings. While literary studies interrogating blame for traumatic reactions on the basis of personal responsibility or choice abound, studies tracing traumatic misdemeanour to a first-cause threshold of vulnerability remain scarce. Relying on the intersection of cause-effect reactions, this study identifies unresolved childhood trauma as the cause of the weaponised PTSD in Glaydah Namukasa’s The Deadly Ambition (2006). Evan Busagwa is identified as a victim of an inerasable childhood trauma which develops gradually into PTSD and unfortunately gets weaponised against the society he believes deprives him of love as a child. Julia Kristeva’s Abjection Theory, which accounts for human reaction to the dysfunctionality of meaning in relational difference, is used to justify the repercussions of a tormented childhood on Busagwa’s adulthood. Namukasa engages the transmogrification of a personal ambition from its benign state to an awful deadly state. Having deferred to his parents as a young boy, Busagwa forces deference on the vulnerable as an adult. Through Busagwa’s characterisation, the writer suggests that a good ambition could mutate into something awfully negative if its formative stage is distorted beyond a person’s control.

Degrees of vulnerability to poverty: a low-income dynamics approach for Chile

AbstractI propose an empirical framework to identify different degrees of vulnerability to poverty using two vulnerability lines that classify currently non-poor people into risk groups: high, moderate and low risk of falling into poverty in the next period. The latter corresponds to the income secure middle class. My approach makes two contributions. First, it extends recent research that defines the middle class using a vulnerability threshold by introducing a new subdivision of the vulnerable group that would be useful in practice for public policy objectives. Second, it uses two models to predict both the probability of entering poverty and household income as part of the estimation procedures. The former controls for initial conditions effects and attrition bias, and the latter addresses the retransformation problem. I apply my approach to Chile using longitudinal data from the P-CASEN 2006–2009. The resulting vulnerability cut-offs (using the upper-middle-income country poverty line) are $20.0 per person per day for the low vulnerability line and $9.9 pppd for the high vulnerability line (both in 2011 PPP). My vulnerability lines differ significantly from those estimated in previous research on vulnerability and the middle class in Latin America. I argue that previous research has underestimated the size of the population at risk of falling into poverty and overestimated the growth of the middle class. Misclassifying the vulnerable as middle class limits their access to anti-poverty policies.

Machine learning predictions of code-based seismic vulnerability for reinforced concrete and masonry buildings: Insights from a 300-building database

This paper proposes a data-driven model for predicting the code-based seismic vulnerability index calibrated on a dataset comprising almost 300 buildings. The vulnerability index, estimated following the Italian Seismic Code, involved rigorous investigations, including geometric surveys, experimental tests, and numerical modelling. Leveraging data from these investigations, encompassing approximately 15 categorical and numerical explanatory variables, the authors developed several regression and classification predictive models, such as Logistic Regression and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). The optimal models perform binary classification to determine the categorization into two macro-classes, defined by an arbitrary vulnerability threshold. The ANN model stands out as the best performer. When adjusting the vulnerability threshold to obtain a balanced dataset, such a model achieves an accuracy higher than 85%. The paper also discusses the importance of each feature by calculating the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) values. The proposed model can aid decision-makers in allocating resources effectively to mitigate seismic risks of built environments.

Investigation of Site Characterization and Vulnerability in Antakya (Turkey) under Basin Effect

It is very important and necessary to know the depth of the bedrock in determining the soil behavior. However, determining the depth of bedrock spatially is a very difficult and costly process. The depth of the bedrock can be obtained by using the dominant vibration frequency obtained by the microtremor data. The bedrock depth map was created with the correlation produced from the dominant vibration frequencies obtained from microtremor measurements made in Antakya (Turkey). In bedrock calculations at low frequencies, the value range shows scattering. In the vulnerability analysis for Antakya soils, a low level of vulnerability (Kg = 6) was obtained in the east and northeast of the area. It has been observed that the S-wave velocity (Vs) in this area is lower than 406 ms-1. In this case, this value has been accepted as the vulnerability threshold value in Antakya soils. Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) and Peak Ground Velocity (PGV) were obtained for each location by using earthquake ground motion levels with 2%, 10%, 50%, and 68% probability of exceedance in 50-year periods. The PGA values in the region range from 0.43 to 0.47 g for earthquakes with a return period of 475 years.

Dynamic Monitoring of the Ecological Vulnerability for Multi-Type Ecological Functional Areas during 2000–2018

Studies that consider both the differences of evaluation systems and index weights among different ecological areas in different study periods for ecological vulnerability evaluation have not been reported yet. In addition, the comparability of vulnerability assessment results among different study areas is poor. This paper proposed a novel quantitative vulnerability evaluation method for multi-type and multi-temporal ecological functional areas using a dynamic weighting method: Three-River Source region grassland–wetland ecological functional area (TRSR), Guiqiandian karst rocky desertification control ecological functional area (GQD), Hunshandake desertification control ecological functional area (HSDK), and Chuandian forest and biodiversity ecological functional area (CD), and then introduced net primary productivity (NPP) to realize the determination of multi-type ecological vulnerability thresholds, which is helpful to compare the vulnerability evaluation results of different ecological functional areas in a unified and comparable level. The proposed novel quantitative vulnerability evaluation method had higher applicability in vulnerability assessment for multi-type ecological functional areas (91.1% for TRSR, 91.9% for HSDK, 91.7% for CD, and 94.2% for GQD) based on the dynamic weight determination method. The determination of vulnerability thresholds based on NPP could provide a comparable level to investigate the spatial distribution patterns of ecological vulnerability in multi-type ecological functional areas for different periods. The average ecological vulnerability of the TRSR, GQD, and CD was classified as mild vulnerability, while that of the HSDK was classified as moderate vulnerability. The research results could provide a novel method for the support of ecological protection for multi-type ecological zones on a national scale.

Root water uptake depth determines the hydraulic vulnerability of temperate European tree species during the extreme 2018 drought.

We took advantage of the European 2018 drought and assessed the mechanisms causing differences in drought vulnerability among mature individuals of nine co-occurring tree species at the Swiss Canopy Crane II site in Switzerland. Throughout the drought we monitored leaf water status and determined native embolism formation in the canopy of the trees as indicators of drought vulnerability. We also determined hydraulic vulnerability thresholds (Ψ12 -, Ψ50 - and Ψ88 -values), corresponding hydraulic safety margins (HSMs) and carbohydrate reserves for all species as well as total average leaf area per tree, and used stable isotopes to assess differences in root water uptake depth among the nine species as variables predicting differences in drought vulnerability among species. Marked differences in drought vulnerability were observed among the nine tree species. Six species maintained their water potentials above hydraulic thresholds, while three species, Fagus sylvatica, Carpinus betulus and Picea abies, were pushed beyond their hydraulic thresholds and showed loss of hydraulic conductivity in their canopies at the end of the drought. Embolism resistance thresholds and associated HSMs did not explain why the co-existing species differed in their drought vulnerability, neither did their degree of isohydry, nor their regulation of carbohydrate reserves. Instead, differences in structural-morphological traits, in particular root water uptake depth, were associated with the risk of reaching hydraulic vulnerability thresholds and embolism formation among the nine species. Our study shows that structural-morphological traits, such as root water uptake depth, determine how quickly different species approach hydraulic vulnerability thresholds during a drought event and can thus explain species differences in drought vulnerability among mature field-grown trees.

Aquifer vulnerability assessment for fecal coliform bacteria using multi-threshold logistic regression.

Assessing aquifer vulnerability is crucial for preventing groundwater pollution. In this study, aquifer vulnerability to fecal coliform (FC) pollution was assessed using auxiliary environmental data in the Pingtung Plain, Taiwan. Moreover, key environmental factors inducing different fecal pollution levels were determined. First, 23 explanatory variables on land uses, population density, livestock and poultry densities, sanitary condition, antecedent precipitation, groundwater quality, aquifer characteristics, and subsurface hydrology were obtained using geographic information systems in 2014. As dependent variables, groundwater FCs were also simultaneously obtained. Then, multi-threshold logistic regression (LR) was adopted to model aquifer vulnerability assessment after cross validation. The thresholds of aquifer vulnerability causing risks of incidental ingestion were analyzed by risk assessment. Risks to human health were acceptable for a low-level threshold and exceeded the acceptable level for medium- and high-level thresholds when residents incidentally ingested FC-polluted groundwater. Finally, key environmental factors inducing low, medium, and high levels of groundwater FC pollution were characterized. The key environmental factors for the LR with low- and medium-level thresholds were sand and gravel soil textures of unsaturated aquifers and antecedent 3-day cumulative precipitation, and those for the LR with high-level thresholds were chicken farming, urban land use, and ratio of tap water use. Thus, the multi-threshold LR indicated that environmental factors must be ranked for assessing aquifer vulnerability.

Temporary Basic Income in Times of Pandemic: Rationale, Costs and Poverty-Mitigation Potential

AbstractThe pandemic has exposed the costs of job and income losses. Emergency cash transfers can mitigate the worst immediate effects on people who lack access to safety nets. This research note provides estimates for a potential Temporary Basic Income (TBI) for poor and near-poor people across 132 developing countries, as well as the minimum cost of income support sufficient to mitigate the pandemic-induced poverty increase. The total monthly cost of the TBI ranges 0.27–0.63% of developing countries’ combined GDP, depending on the choice: (i) top-ups on each country’s average incomes up to a vulnerability threshold; (ii) transfers based on each country’s median standard of living; or (iii) uniform transfers. This note argues that some form of TBI is within reach and can inform a larger conversation about how to build comprehensive social protection systems that make the poor and near-poor more resilient to economic downturns in the future.

Urban Pandemic Vulnerability and COVID-19: A New Framework to Assess the Impacts of Global Pandemics in the Metropolitan Region of Amsterdam

This paper presents the concept of urban pandemic vulnerability as a crucial framework for understanding how COVID-19 affects cities and how they react to pandemics. We adapted existing social and environmental urban vulnerability frameworks to assess pandemic impacts and responses, identifying the appropriate components and spatial, environmental and socio-demographic variables of interest. Pandemic vulnerability depends on exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity features, which occur in different combinations in different parts of a city. The model was applied to the Metropolitan Region of Amsterdam (MRA) to create a map of pandemic vulnerability. This map differentiates between affected areas according to the types of vulnerability they experience, and it accurately identified the most vulnerable areas in line with real-world data. The findings contribute to clarifying the challenges brought by COVID-19, identifying vulnerability thresholds and guiding planning towards pandemic resilience.

A Fiscal Vulnerability Indicator for Lesotho

The objective of this paper is to construct a fiscal vulnerability indicator for Lesotho using annual fiscal and macroeconomic data from 1993 to 2017 and a Dynamic Debt Equation for calculating Fiscal Vulnerability (DDE-FV) that estimates a debt stabilising primary balance. A normal fiscal vulnerability range of 2 to 4 percent of GDP and a severe fiscal vulnerability range of 8 to 10 percent of GDP were identified. Results show few periods of severe fiscal vulnerability compared to normal fiscal vulnerability episodes from 1993 to 2017. The severe fiscal vulnerability was observed in two out of the 25 years. The normal fiscal vulnerability was observed for 11 out of the 25 periods. Lesotho’s fiscal policy was above the normal fiscal vulnerability threshold between 1992 and 2001 before returning to levels largely within the tolerable fiscal vulnerability level for the remainder of the 1993-2017 period.

Pit aspiration causes an apparent loss of xylem hydraulic conductivity in a subalpine fir (Abies mariesii Mast.) overwintering at the alpine timberline.

Conifers growing at the alpine timberline are exposed to combinatorial stresses that induce embolism in xylem during winter. We collected branches of Abies mariesii Mast. at the timberline on Mt Norikura of central Japan to evaluate the seasonal changes in the loss of xylem hydraulic conductivity (percent loss of hydraulic conductivity; PLC). Concurrently, we evaluated the distribution of embolized tracheids in native samples via cryo-scanning electron microscopic (cryo-SEM) observation in comparison with the drought-induced embolism samples used for the vulnerability curve. The twigs collected in late winter showed 100 PLC at a water potential of ~-3MPa, and air-filled tracheids were observed sporadically in the cryo-SEM images. The cryo-SEM images also showed that nearly all pits of the samples from the timberline were aspirated in the xylem with 100 PLC. Conversely, in drought-induced samples used for vulnerability analysis, lower frequency of aspirated pits was observed at similar water potentials and all tracheids in the earlywood of xylem with 100 PLC were filled with air. We hypothesized that pit aspiration is the primary cause of the pronounced winter xylem conductivity loss at the timberline when water potential is near, but still above, the drought-induced vulnerability threshold. Pit aspiration before water loss may be an adaptation to severe winter conditions at timberlines to prevent widespread xylem embolism. The possible causes of pit aspiration are discussed in relation to complex stresses under harsh winter conditions at timberlines.

111 The Prevalence of Asthma in Canadian Kindergarten Children and its Association with their Developmental Health: A Population-Level Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Primary Subject area Epidemiology Background Asthma, the most common chronic illness affecting Canadian youth, can profoundly and adversely impact a child’s quality of life. Previous studies have shown a diagnosis of asthma can influence a child’s physical and socio-emotional functioning. Current data on asthma prevalence rates among Canadian children is scarce, and it is still unclear how this diagnosis impacts their development at school entry. Objectives The goals of the current study were to 1) examine the prevalence of teacher-reported asthma in Canadian kindergarten children, and 2) investigate the association between asthma and children’s concurrent developmental health. Design/Methods A cross sectional, population-level study of kindergarten children diagnosed with asthma as reported on the Early Development Instrument (EDI), was carried out in Canada from 2010-2015. Children’s developmental health in kindergarten was measured with the EDI. This 103-item questionnaire is completed by teachers for their students aged 4-6 years and covers demographic information, as well as five different domains of development. Descriptive statistics were examined for children with and without asthma. The level of statistical significance was adjusted using a Bonferroni correction to account for multiple hypothesis testing. The chi-square and one-way ANOVA statistics, as well as effect sizes (Cramer’s V, and eta squared) were reported for all descriptive analyses. Results 958 children (0.002% of the final analytical sample) were identified as having a teacher-reported diagnosis of asthma. Compared to their peers, children with asthma were significantly more likely to: be male (68.2% vs 51.2%); have a special needs designation (19.0% vs 3.6%); have a functional impairment (53.5% vs 15.9%); be identified by their teachers as needing further developmental assessment (32.3% vs. 13.1%); and miss, on average, 3 more days of school than their peers (9.44 vs. 6.71). They were also more likely to fall below a vulnerability threshold on one or more of the developmental domains (55.9% vs. 28.8%, Figure 1). Conclusion It is likely that the EDI captures only severe cases of asthma, as parents are more likely to disclose their child’s illness to teachers if it may influence their ability to function in a classroom. As such, children with asthma, especially those with severe forms, may require additional support. A partnership in which physicians provide preventative care, and teachers provide academic and classroom assistance, may help to ensure the optimal development of children with asthma, and close gaps between them and their peers.

Large Transformer Criticality, Threats, and Opportunities

Large power transformers (LPTs) represent a critical “tent‐pole” in national electric power grid, and national resiliency. They are essential to both the generation and transmission sectors of our electric power grid. They are known to be targets in adversaries' plans to debilitate our critical infrastructures. Their high cost and supply chain issues involving months to years of replacement times dictate the importance of survivability assurance. Transformer vulnerability and protection are addressed for physical attacks, cyber, and electromagnetic effects, including solar weather geomagnetic disturbance (GMD) and high altitude burst nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP) effects. Programs have been underway to improve transformer and transformer substation cyber and physical resiliency. Similar programs are lagging for electromagnetic threats. Transformer vulnerability to EMP remains a subject of conjecture since no large power transformer has undergone threat‐level EMP testing. Prevalent claims that LPTs are immune to EMP are premature.The Savannah River National Laboratory has developed a test program and designed a test bed to complete testing on LPTs including physical set‐up, injection sources, and measurement equipment to enable transformer testing under real load conditions without harming the larger power grid. The SNRL test bed will enable tests to determine both transformer vulnerability thresholds and the effectiveness of protection devices. A concerted national effort is needed to determine LPT vulnerabilities and to expeditiously develop and certify effective EMP and GMD protection approaches.

A specific indicator approach for the assessment of water resource vulnerability in arid areas: the case of the Souss-Massa Region (Morocco)

ABSTRACT This work aims to study the water resource vulnerability in the Souss-Massa Region, Morocco. In our case 35 subdivisions were investigated for their water resource vulnerability. Based on an indicator approach and a participatory weighting method, 10 indicators and their weights were identified for the vulnerability assessment, reflecting three aspects: exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity. A vulnerability index map was created to compare and rank areas in terms of their vulnerability threshold. The results indicate that many regions suffer from water exploitation with an index higher than 100%, which is mainly due to the high population density and to the strong water use for irrigation. Only two subdivisions are not vulnerable to water stress, while the most vulnerable areas are generally located in the northwest of the region. Our results reflect various water management strategies, enabling decision makers to shift towards using unconventional water resources as an alternative to improve adaptive capacity.

Subalpine dwarf shrubs differ in vulnerability to xylem cavitation: An innovative staining approach enables new insights.

Dwarf shrubs are a key functional group of the high-elevation vegetation belt. Despite their ecological relevance and high sensitivity to environmental changes, the hydraulic adaptations and species-specific variations in drought tolerance within this growth form are mostly unknown. Here, we assess the xylem vulnerability to cavitation of important character species of the Alpine dwarf shrub heaths in Central Europe. Due to the high percentage of nonfunctional xylem areas in these species, vulnerability curves were gained by an innovative staining approach with safranin, validated by hydraulic and xylem anatomical measurements. The loss of 50% conducting xylem area appeared in the range of -1.78 to -2.91 MPa. Midday plant water potential during an intense summer drought remained above these critical thresholds but was correlated with cavitation resistance. No trade-off between hydraulic safety and efficiency was detected across analyzed species. We conclude that the characteristic clustered occurrence of species in the heterogeneous mountain terrain (mainly interpreted as a consequence of varying snow cover dynamics) is also reflected in species-specific adjustments in xylem hydraulics. The interspecific variety in vulnerability thresholds and plant water potentials during summer drought indicates different hydraulic strategies and adjustments in water relations between these co-occurring shrubs.

Upper Colorado River Basin 20th century droughts under 21st century warming: Plausible scenarios for the future

This study builds on a collaboration with a water resource management community of practice in the Upper Colorado River Basin to develop scenarios of future drought and assess impacts on water supply reliability. Water managers are concerned with the impacts of warming on water year streamflow, but uncertainties in projections of climate make the application of these projections to planning a challenge. Instead, water managers considered a plausible scenario for future drought to be historical droughts to which warming is added. We used a simple statistical model of water year streamflow with temperatures increased by 1 °C to 4 °C, and then examined reductions in flow and runoff efficiency (RE) with each degree of warming for the six droughts defined in the observed streamflow record. In order to place these results into a management context, we employed an existing framework for system reliability, and in particular, a vulnerability assessment for water delivery metrics. Using modeled streamflow resulting from 1 °C to 4 °C warming, we found vulnerable condition thresholds for the two water delivery metrics assessed, Upper Basin Shortage and Lees Ferry Deficit, were crossed relatively infrequently at +1 °C, but with a substantially increased frequency under additional warming. Results are more relevant to resource management because the impacts of warming on Upper Colorado River streamflow were assessed in the context of management metrics and vulnerability thresholds, in collaboration with members of the water management community of practice.

Greater sensitivity to hotter droughts underlies juniper dieback and mortality in Mediterranean shrublands

Drought-induced dieback episodes have been globally reported. However, few studies have jointly examined the role played by drought on growth of co-occurring shrub and tree species showing different dieback and mortality. Here, we focused on dieback events affecting Mediterranean shrublands dominated by the Phoenician juniper (Juniperus phoenicea) since the middle 2000s in three sites across a wide geographical and climatic gradient in Spain. We compared their growth responses to climate and drought with coexisting tree species (Pinus pinea, Pinus pinaster and Quercus faginea), which did not show dieback in response to drought. We characterized the major climatic constraints of radial growth for trees, surviving and dead junipers by quantifying climate–growth relationships. Then, we simulated growth responses to temperature and soil moisture using the process-based VS-Lite growth model. Growth of shrubs and trees was strongly reduced during extreme droughts but the highest negative growth responsiveness to climate and drought was observed in trees followed by dead junipers from the most xeric and cold sites. Growth of dead junipers responded more negatively to droughts prior to the dieback than co-occurring, living junipers. Growth was particularly depressed in the dead junipers from the warmest site after the warm and dry 1990s. The growth model showed how a steep precipitation reduction in the 1980s triggered soil moisture limitation at the driest sites, affecting growth, particularly in the case of dead junipers and mainly in warm and dry sites. The asynchrony in the simulated seasonal timing of drought events caused contrasting effects on growth of co-occurring shrubs and tree species, compromising their future coexistence. Junipers were particularly vulnerable to hotter droughts during the early growing season. The presented projections indicate that de-shrubification events in response to hotter droughts will be common but conditioned by site conditions. Our modelling approach provides tools to evaluate vulnerability thresholds of growth under similar drought-induced dieback and mortality processes.

Social and emotional developmental vulnerability at age five in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children in New South Wales: a population data linkage study

BackgroundEarly childhood social and emotional development underpins later social, emotional, academic and other outcomes. The first aim of this study was to explore the association between child, family and area-level characteristics associated with developmental vulnerability, amongst Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children in their first year of school. The second aim was to quantify the magnitude of the social and emotional developmental inequalities between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children and the extent to which differences in socioeconomic disadvantage and perinatal characteristics explained this inequality.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study used cross-sectoral data linkage to identify and follow participants from birth to school age. In this way, social and emotional development was examined in 7,384 Aboriginal and 95,104 non-Aboriginal children who were included in the Australian Early Development Census in their first year of full-time school in New South Wales (NSW) in 2009 or 2012 and had a birth registration and/or perinatal record in NSW. The primary outcome measures were teacher-reported social competence and emotional maturity as measured using the Australian version of the Early Development Instrument.ResultsThe mean age at the start of the school year for children in the study sample was 5.2 years (SD = 0.36 years). While 84% of Aboriginal children scored favourably - above the vulnerability threshold – for social competence and 88% for emotional maturity, Aboriginal children were twice as likely as non-Aboriginal children to be vulnerable on measures of social development (RR = 2.00; 95%CI, 1.89–2.12) and had 89% more risk of emotional vulnerability (RR = 1.89; 95%CI, 1.77–2.02). The inequality between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children was largely explained by differences in the socioeconomic and perinatal health characteristics of children and families. Thus, after adjusting for differences in measures of socioeconomic advantage and disadvantage (Model 2), the relative risk was attenuated to 1.31 (95% CI: 1.23–1.40) on the social competence domain and 1.24 (95% CI, 1.15–1.33) on the emotional maturity domain. Child, family and area-level characteristics associated with vulnerability were identified.ConclusionsMost of the gap in early childhood social and emotional development between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children can be attributed to socioeconomic and early life health disadvantage. Culturally safe health and social policies addressing the socioeconomic and health inequalities experienced by Aboriginal children are urgently required.

Social protection and return migration: trans-national and trans-temporal developmental gaps in the Albania-Greece migration corridor

ABSTRACTBased on qualitative research with migrants, their children and key informants in Albania, this paper investigates the experiences of return migrants with social protection and their positionality towards social protection stakeholders. Return migration to Albania has intensified in the past few years due to the economic crisis in different European countries where many Albanians have migrated to since the beginning of the 1990s. Findings of multisited fieldwork testify to the centrality of social protection in the process of migrants’ relocation to the country of origin. Due to the trans-national and trans-temporal dimensions of the return process, access to and overall experiences of social protection are mediated by different understandings and regulation of the thresholds of vulnerability, need and welfare held by return migrants, locals, policy makers and service providers. These staggered understandings and thresholds are embedded in an observed trans-national and trans-local developmental gap between the country of immigration and country of origin where migrants relocate to. Resource environment in the context of return is, therefore, characterised by cognitive and material discontinuities at trans-national and trans-temporal level. Experiences of these discontinuities impact on returnees’ social protection strategies and have significant implications for their social and economic positioning upon return to the country of origin.