UNH Observatory Exoplanet Transit Depth Limit

Using the University of New Hampshire Observatory, we performed multiple exoplanet transits observations on a variety of systems. Of these transits, those performed with ideal weather conditions were chosen to do extensive analysis on. The transit chosen for initial analysis was HAT-P-56b. We then used Z-Score values, along with the average mean and standard deviation collected from multiple transits to determine a minimum possible transit depth of 7.4 +/- 0.6 mmag. This value will allow UNH to access exoplanet transit observation and / or confirm potential exoplanets, thus making the UNH Observatory more research capable. A follow up threshold transit around 7 mmag will be performed and show that our limit is achievable

Exercise Preferences Among Young Adults: Do Men and Women Want Different Things?

Background Young adult men are difficult to recruit and retain in lifestyle interventions. This may be in part to gender differences in exercise goals observed in men, but little is known about exercise preferences for young adults, specifically. The purpose of this study is to compare the exercise preferences of young men and women to inform future interventions in this area. We hypothesize that men will prefer strength training at higher rates than women, and that women will prefer supervised guidance at higher rates than men. Methods The sample included 288 young adults aged 18-25 (mean age=21.85, SD=2.2). Majority were women and within a normal BMI range (M=25.91, SD=5.3). An anonymous online survey study was completed. Participants were asked their preferred type of exercise (moderate intensity cardio, strength training, intense strength training, or a combination of cardio and strength training), and if they preferred to exercise at a clinic-based facility with supervised guidance or to exercise alone with guidance.Chi-square tests were conducted to determine if there are gender differences in preferences for exercise type and mode of delivery, accounting for BMI. Results Over two-third of young adults preferred a combination of moderate intensity cardio and strength training. Women and men differed significantly in their exercise preferences (p=\u3c .001). Less than 1% of women preferred intense strength training compared to the 15.3% of men. Women (17.4%) preferred moderate intensity cardio at higher rates than men (12.2%). However, when examining outcomes by BMI category, these results were only significantly different among individuals within a normal BMI (p=.000). Majority of young adults (67.7%) prefer exercising with their own with guidance from a program. Men and women did not differ in their preference to exercise with guidance or in a clinic-based program with supervision (p=.115). Conclusion Findings suggest that young adults overall prefer a combination of strength training and cardio, conducted on their own with guidance from a program. However, young men were more likely to prefer intense strength training; this was particularly true among men in a normal BMI range. These findings may be used to inform the tailoring of recruitment messaging and lifestyle interventions targeting this high-risk population.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/gradposters/1033/thumbnail.jp

Weight Loss and Self-Monitoring among Young Men in a Technology-Driven Weight Loss Intervention

Background Young men with obesity have double the mortality risk compared to young men with a healthy weight, but are notoriously challenging to recruit for behavioral weight loss (BWL) programs. Emerging evidence suggests that young men might prefer self-guided or low touch interventions, but limited data are available as to their effectiveness. To inform future efforts, we conducted a secondary analysis of young men’s performance in a technology-driven BWL trial developed specifically for young adults. Objectives were to: 1) examine young men’s enrollment rates; and 2) compare young men and women’s weight loss outcomes and self-regulation behaviors. Methods Data were drawn from an ongoing randomized controlled trial targeting young adults (18-25 years, body mass index 25-45 kg/m2) for weight loss. Participants (N=184, 60% racial / ethnic minority, BMI=33.2) were recruited using a multi-method approach and randomized to one of three arms, all of which received a 6-month technology mediated intervention with content adapted specifically for young adults. For the purposes of the present analysis, outcomes of interest included weight change at 3 months (objectively assessed in-clinic) and engagement with self-regulation behaviors (captured via Bluetooth scales and self-monitoring app). Treatment arm was included as a covariate in all outcome analyses. Descriptive statistics were computed to capture enrollment rates. GLM was used to compare men and women on percent weight change at 3-months, days of self-weighing, and days of dietary self-monitoring. Results Young men represented 17% of enrolled participants. At 3-months, men manifested greater weight losses compared to women (-4.8±5.1% vs. -2.5±4.1%, p=.008). Over the course of the 3-months, engagement with self-regulation behaviors was similar for men and women; men had a similar number of days of self-weighing (46.77±24.6 vs. 47.42±24.0, p=.88) and a lower number of days for tracking diet (36.87±24.3 vs. 43.42±22.6, p=.15) relative to women. Conclusion While enrollment was low among young men in this technology-driven BWL program, those men who enrolled lost double the weight compared to women—even though engagement with self-monitoring behaviors was similar or lower. These results suggest that a low touch and primarily self-guided weight loss program may be sufficient to produce clinically meaningful weight loss among young men. Findings are discussed in terms of implications for future work.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/gradposters/1041/thumbnail.jp

Low-level dichotomy for Quantified Constraint Satisfaction Problems

Building on a result of Larose and Tesson for constraint satisfaction problems (CSP s), we uncover a dichotomy for the quantified constraint satisfaction problem QCSP(B), where B is a finite structure that is a core. Specifically, such problems are either in ALogtime or are L-hard. This involves demonstrating that if CSP(B) is first-order expressible, and B is a core, then QCSP(B) is in ALogtime. We show that the class of B such that CSP(B) is first-order expressible (indeed, trivially true) is a microcosm for all QCSPs. Specifically, for any B there exists a C such that CSP(C) is trivially true, yet QCSP(B) and QCSP(C) are equivalent under logspace reductions

The complexity of the list homomorphism problem for graphs

We completely classify the computational complexity of the list H-colouring problem for graphs (with possible loops) in combinatorial and algebraic terms: for every graph H the problem is either NP-complete, NL-complete, L-complete or is first-order definable; descriptive complexity equivalents are given as well via Datalog and its fragments. Our algebraic characterisations match important conjectures in the study of constraint satisfaction problems.Comment: 12 pages, STACS 201

A systematic review of weight-related communication trainings for physicians: What do we know and how can we inform future development of training programs?

It is reported that physicians lack training to address weight-related concerns with patients. To overcome this, training programs have been implemented in medical settings to prepare physicians to have conversations with patients. However, it is unclear the degree of consistency among existing training programs and factors associated with better outcomes. The objective of this study was to systematically review the existing literature in this area to determine differences in content, outcomes, and implementation of existing studies that test weight-related communication training programs for physicians. A systematic literature review of online databases including PubMed, PsycINFO, and Proquest was conducted with the assistance of a librarian. Search terms included: health communication, training, physician training, weight, and obesity. Studies were selected based on the following inclusion criteria: physicians are post-graduate medical doctors; trainings encompassed weight-related communication; and outcomes were tied to physician uptake of skills, knowledge, and self-efficacy, or patient-related outcomes. Two coders reviewed studies using detailed inclusion criteria. Disagreements were resolved by consensus among authors. Half of studies assessed outcomes in both patients and physicians. Trainings including motivational interviewing (MI) assessing patient outcomes found increases in patient knowledge, satisfaction, motivation, and weight loss, respectively. Whereas, non-MI trainings assessing patient outcomes found an increase in patient weight loss, confidence and motivation, or no changes in patient outcomes. This review was the first to examine programs aimed to teach physicians to communicate with patients about weight. Future studies should examine the effect of physician communication on BMI.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/gradposters/1025/thumbnail.jp

Library Search UX report summer 2016

During Summer 2016, Imperial College London's Library Information Systems team ran a round of user experience research into the information-seeking behaviour of undergraduate and postgraduate students with a specific focus on the use of the library catalogue and discovery interface. The purpose of the work was to understand user behaviours and preferences to target development of practical improvements to the Library Search interface