Developing an ecologically and economically more stable semi-domestic reindeer management - a Finnish point of view

In arctic and sub-arctic regions semi-domestic reindeer management forms an important livelihood which should be able to provide enough income for herders. Reindeer management has natural limits of growth. Consequently it should be managed to optimise both the use of reindeer pastures and herder income. Reindeer pastures should be grazed at the economic carrying capabity level. This gives the maximum sustained harvest from reindeer stock and also the maximum sustained foraging from pastures. How is this to be accomplished? First, reliable knowledge about reindeer pastures in time and place is necessary: to estimate the quantity and quality of specific reindeer pastures within each management district, as well as the productive capacity and the changes in condition and productivity of those pastures. Secondly, data is needed on the accurate productivity of reindeer stock and the production costs for each management district. Thirdly, study the relationships between pasture resources and productivity of reindeer stock together with the effects of long-term reindeer densities on pasture condition and productivity. Finally, knowledge is needed about the effects of herd structure on reindeer stock productivity as well as the factors which restrict the use of reindeer pastures. Models based on adequate data could provide a useful tool for optimising the use of reindeer pastures and herder income. First the economic carrying capacity of reindeer pastures should be studied. Subsequently the economy of reindeer husbandry could be modelled with respect to reindeer stock density. Also the economy of reindeer husbandry based on different levels of feeding, and the effects of this husbandry practice on pastures, should be modelled. Models should be accurate and flexible enough to use when looking for solutions to practical questions and challenges in reindeer management

Limited resolution and multiresolution methods in complex network community detection

Detecting community structure in real-world networks is a challenging problem. Recently, it has been shown that the resolution of methods based on optimizing a modularity measure or a corresponding energy is limited; communities with sizes below some threshold remain unresolved. One possibility to go around this problem is to vary the threshold by using a tuning parameter, and investigate the community structure at variable resolutions. Here, we analyze the resolution limit and multiresolution behavior for two different methods: a q-state Potts method proposed by Reichard and Bornholdt, and a recent multiresolution method by Arenas, Fernandez, and Gomez. These methods are studied analytically, and applied to three test networks using simulated annealing.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures.Minor changes from previous version, shortened a couple of page

A Comparison of Two Language Screening Instruments in Two Populations

Screening has been suggested as the most efficient method to find students with potential language problems (Neidecker, 1980). Based on the need for a standardized adolescent language screening tool, Prather, Breecher, Stafford, and Wallace (1980) developed the Screening Test of Adolescent Language (STAL). This is a six to eight minute test with twenty-three items which examine vocabulary, auditory memory span, language processing, and proverb explanation. Following an item analysis of the STAL, Prather, Brenner, and Hughes (1981) derived the Mini-Screening Test of Adolescent Language (M-STAL). This test contains five items from the STAL and requires one minute to administer

Patterns Under Construction: Nurses’ Lived Experiences Shaping Spiritual Care

“How do nurses form their patterns for practice of spiritual care?” Developmental theory provided a framework for conceptualizing and analyzing how nurses integrate patterns into practice and shape spiritual care. Registered Nurses (n=12), as alumni of a faith-based liberal arts institution, participated in phenomenological research with individual interviews, focus group interviews, and follow-up interviews. Participants described their lived experience and how they approach spiritual assessment as required by the Joint Commission standard for US nurses. Demographic characteristics included: 2 males and 10 females, diploma and associate degree prepared RNs, and completion of RN to baccalaureate degree programs in the last four years. Participants reported a variety of clinical practice settings with patients of diversity in hospital systems. Participants emphasized the importance of identifying role models, first time experiences in providing spiritual care, offering supportive services, participating in prayer and religious practices, personal constructions of spirituality, nuances in spiritual assessment, holistic spiritual interventions, cultural considerations, and spiritual care in varied practice settings. The following patterns emerged regarding development and practice in spiritual care: trusting intuition, sensing, and awareness; connecting through caring and comforting; surveying and offering spiritual support; and affirming affiliation or accommodating religious/spiritual practices. Findings suggest nurses incorporated holistic care concepts from dialogue through innovative strategies or alternative pedagogies in nursing education and nurses who grow in personal faith development integrate and shape patterns in providing spiritual care