Galaxy Environments in DEEP2: The Birth of the Red Sequence

The DEEP2 Galaxy Redshift Survey is the first project to study the distant Universe by obtaining a data set comparable in size and nature to recent generations of local surveys. Made possible by the largest ground-based optical telescopes and new instrumentation, DEEP2 was designed to measure both the properties of galaxies at z ~ 1 and their distribution in space, enabling a number of unique tests of galaxy formation and evolution. Here, we first provide an overview of the survey, including the planned second major data release scheduled for early 2007. We then present new results from DEEP2 pertaining to the relationship between galaxy properties and environment at intermediate redshift, revealing where and when typical ~L* galaxies began quenching and moved onto the red sequence in significant number.Comment: 2 pages (1 figure), for the IAU Symposium 235, Galaxies Across the Hubble Time, J. Palous & F. Combes, eds. Uses iaus.cls, include

Counting independent sets in triangle-free graphs

Ajtai, Koml\'os, and Szemer\'edi proved that for sufficiently large $t$ every triangle-free graph with $n$ vertices and average degree $t$ has an independent set of size at least $\frac{n}{100t}\log{t}$. We extend this by proving that the number of independent sets in such a graph is at least $$2^{(1/2400)\frac{n}{t}\log^2{t}}.$$ This result is sharp for infinitely many $t,n$ apart from the constant. An easy consequence of our result is that there exists $c'>0$ such that every $n$-vertex triangle-free graph has at least $$2^{c'\sqrt n \log n}$$ independent sets. We conjecture that the exponent above can be improved to $\sqrt{n}(\log{n})^{3/2}$. This would be sharp by the celebrated result of Kim which shows that the Ramsey number $R(3,k)$ has order of magnitude $k^2/\log k$

Counting independent sets in hypergraphs

Let $G$ be a triangle-free graph with $n$ vertices and average degree $t$. We show that $G$ contains at least $$e^{(1-n^{-1/12})\frac{1}{2}\frac{n}{t}\ln t (\frac{1}{2}\ln t-1)}$$ independent sets. This improves a recent result of the first and third authors \cite{countingind}. In particular, it implies that as $n \to \infty$, every triangle-free graph on $n$ vertices has at least $e^{(c_1-o(1)) \sqrt{n} \ln n}$ independent sets, where $c_1 = \sqrt{\ln 2}/4 = 0.208138..$. Further, we show that for all $n$, there exists a triangle-free graph with $n$ vertices which has at most $e^{(c_2+o(1))\sqrt{n}\ln n}$ independent sets, where $c_2 = 1+\ln 2 = 1.693147..$. This disproves a conjecture from \cite{countingind}. Let $H$ be a $(k+1)$-uniform linear hypergraph with $n$ vertices and average degree $t$. We also show that there exists a constant $c_k$ such that the number of independent sets in $H$ is at least $$e^{c_{k} \frac{n}{t^{1/k}}\ln^{1+1/k}{t}}.$$ This is tight apart from the constant $c_k$ and generalizes a result of Duke, Lefmann, and R\"odl \cite{uncrowdedrodl}, which guarantees the existence of an independent set of size $\Omega(\frac{n}{t^{1/k}} \ln^{1/k}t)$. Both of our lower bounds follow from a more general statement, which applies to hereditary properties of hypergraphs

DEVELOPING AND USING A LOGIC MODEL FOR EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT OF UNIVERSITY STUDENT AFFAIRS PROGRAMMING: A CASE STUDY

This dissertation addresses theory and practice of evaluation and assessment in university student affairs, by applying logic modeling / program theory to a case study. I intend to add knowledge to ongoing dialogue among evaluation scholars and practitioners on student affairs program planning and improvement as integral considerations that serve mission and vision at the contemporary university. Insights on the following research questions can help determine theoretical justifications and forge an inventory of effective evaluation and assessment techniques in student affairs. 1.How can logic modeling be used to analyze evaluations of student affairs programs and an overall assessment campaign?2.How might evaluators and planners have enlisted a logic model such as the one developed in this study to enhance the effectiveness of the assessment campaign at the profiled university student affairs unit? These questions involve general principles and particular applications of my arguments in favor of using a logic model to analyze a comprehensive assessment campaign, as conducted by a designated student affairs assessment team. Although sets of workable techniques at one university may not generalize to another campus culture, findings will reveal how one institution of higher education (IHE) has behaved and responded to new challenges and inputs - in this case, greater emphasis on evaluation and assessment to address issues of accountability and credibility for student affairs. Using logic modeling as the primary heuristic, this study analyzes what the university system depicted in case study has accomplished and might have accomplished. I also invite readers to join my speculation how using and perhaps customizing this logic model could guide the unit's next steps in ongoing assessment. If a logic model works retrospectively, then perhaps it might function proactively. My hope is that readers find descriptions and lessons to compare and contrast to their own evaluative practices, adding to the knowledge base and possible consensus about current practices for university student affairs assessment campaigns

An Application of a Modified Health Belief Model: Assessing Health Beliefs and Health Protective Behaviors in Mining- Impacted Communities

Purpose/Background: Toxic metal contamination poses public health risks in many mining-impacted communities. Improved understanding of risk perception and health protective behaviors is important to sustaining public health awareness. We co-developed a research study based on the Health Belief Model (HBM; Figure 1) and facilitated through a partnership with the health district in our study area, the Silver Valley of northern Idaho. Lead contamination caused by historical mining practices continues to impact both ecological and human health and contributes to health disparities. For this study, we assess how health belief constructs (i.e., perceived threats, expectations of behavioral outcomes, and confidence in personal knowledge) influence self-reported health protective behaviors and behavioral intentions. Materials & Methods: We conducted a drop-off pick-up (DOPU) household survey (n~300; estimated response rate~60%) to assess risk perception and self-reported health behaviors among residents in three mining-impacted communities of the Silver Valley. Informational interviews and a pilot survey informed survey instrument development. Health protective behavior variables were modified from the health district’s existing public recommendations. We assessed the frequency of past health protective behaviors and likelihood of future behaviors (e.g., handwashing following contact with lead contamination). Health belief constructs were modified from other HBM studies. We performed validity and reliability tests on the survey instrument. Results: We will measure the impact of threats, expectations and confidence on health protective behaviors. We hypothesize that, overall, higher confidence in personal knowledge of lead contamination will be associated with higher likelihood of taking health protective behavior. Furthermore, confidence is mediated by perceived threat and expectations of behavioral outcomes. To test our hypothesis, we will use a structural equation model to test the relationships between constructs (Figure 1). Discussion/Conclusion: By conducting a DOPU survey, we captured a range of health beliefs and health protective behaviors that are present across the study area. The challenge in educating and protecting the health of communities impacted by a persistent but low visibility contaminant such as lead is understanding the relationship between health beliefs and health protective behaviors. Our study is an initial step in this region to identify the constructs that influence decisions and actions for health protection. We will apply these findings to continue developing tailored resources for community health interventions and communication, including a youth-oriented computer game and targeted signage

Great Bay Coast Watch: A Citizen Water Monitoring Program Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Manual, 2004

The Great Bay Coast Watch is citizen volunteers, working within the UNH Cooperative Extension/NH Sea Grant Program, protecting the long-term health and natural resources of New Hampshire’s coastal waters and estuarine systems through monitoring and education projects. The purpose of this document is to present step-by-step instructions for conducting water quality testing in support of the Great Bay Coast Watch (GBCW)

Changes in Skiing and Snowboarding Injury Epidemiology and Attitudes to Safety in Big Sky, Montana, USA : A Comparison of 2 Cross-sectional Studies in 1996 and 2013

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