An Orthogonal Test of the LL-functions Ratios Conjecture, II

Recently Conrey, Farmer, and Zirnbauer developed the L-functions Ratios conjecture, which gives a recipe that predicts a wealth of statistics, from moments to spacings between adjacent zeros and values of L-functions. The problem with this method is that several of its steps involve ignoring error terms of size comparable to the main term; amazingly, the errors seem to cancel and the resulting prediction is expected to be accurate up to square-root cancellation. We prove the accuracy of the Ratios Conjecture's prediction for the 1-level density of families of cuspidal newforms of constant sign (up to square-root agreement for support in (-1,1), and up to a power savings in (-2,2)), and discuss the arithmetic significance of the lower order terms. This is the most involved test of the Ratios Conjecture's predictions to date, as it is known that the error terms dropped in some of the steps do not cancel, but rather contribute a main term! Specifically, these are the non-diagonal terms in the Petersson formula, which lead to a Bessel-Kloosterman sum which contributes only when the support of the Fourier transform of the test function exceeds (-1, 1).Comment: 36 pages, first draf

Labor Relations, Labor Relations Law and Public Policy

Il est assez frappant dans le domaine des sciences sociales, ici au Canada, qu'on ait semblé négliger les résultats des recherches en relations industrielles, pour l'élaboration de la législation qui gouverne les relations du travail. Les législateurs ont été peu enclins à introduire dans la loi des modifications suffisamment stables donnant aux gouvernements la liberté d'action requise pour faire face aux conflits industriels.Les analyses théoriques de l'économie ont minimisé l'importance des politiques en matière de relations industrielles dans une politique économique nationale. Les résultats pratiques, à introduire dans une analyse économique d'ensemble, rendent le changement difficile. Il reste encore beaucoup d'analyse à faire pour connaître l'effet de la législation ouvrière sur le marché du travail ainsi que l'effet des activités de ce marché sur la politique économique.La législation ouvrière a ajouté et mêlé des éléments du marché des relations de travail de telle sorte que le comportement de ce marché diffère de celui d'un marché économique comme on le conçoit traditionnellement. Principalement, la structure du marché semble avoir institutionalisé le conflit et limité la possibilité d'innover.La législation canadienne semble avoir compartementalisé ses propres activités à l'intérieur du marché du travail de sorte qu'un nombre d'efforts législatifs se poursuivent sur le plan économique sans y retrouver une relation entre eux. Les structures syndicales et patronales sont affectées par l'institutionalisation du conflit que l'on trouve implicitement dans la législation canadienne.Il est nécessaire d'avoir plus d'études sur la façon dont les marchés du travail et les relations industrielles devraient être agencés pour être plus efficaces. Ceci a été réalisé avec un certain succès en Europe, et on retrouve aux Etats-Unis des tentatives dans ce sens. Au Canada, les efforts se sont limités à l'agencement des exigences générales des politiques ouvrières à l'intérieur des conclusions tirées des politiques monétaire et fiscale de notre économie.In this address the author explains how and why, legislation in Canada appears to have compartmentalized its own activities within the labour market so that a number of legislative efforts are continued through the economy with little relationship one to the other.** This paper tvas presented at the First Meeting of the Canadian IndustrialRelations Research Institute, held at McGill University, July 6th, 1964

The Task Force Report

Le Rapport Woods est un de plusieurs de son genre à être publié depuis ces dernières années : d'autres couvrent la négociation dans les services publiques, la négociation soumise à certaines juridictions provinciales, et la position qu'elle occupe par rapportaux objectifs économiques du Canada. Ces rapports discutent beaucoup de points semblables, mais utilisent des approches fort différentes aux points de litige soulevés par la négociation.Le Rapport de l'Équipe spécialisée en relations du travail occupe une position unique parmi ces rapports, en ce sens qu'il tente d'éclaircir les intentions dans une négociation et sa signification pour l'économie, le Rapport offre même un énoncé clair du fondement utilisé pour évaluer les techniques de négociation. Il exprime clairement qu'on ne doit pas procéder à une restructuration des procédures de négociations qui puisse priver l'économie de solutions partagées par le travailleur et l'employeur. Le Rapport rejette des formes de contrainte même là où la contrainte semblait inévitable.Un cadre conceptuel autre que la convenance manque à la forme pure d'analyse du phénomène de la négociation, et cette forme n'est pas sans inviter des conflits.À notre avis l'Équipe spécialisée ne réussissait pas à expliquer l'utilité de la négociation et ne l'évalue pas d'une façon analytique, malgré qu'elle demande aux Canadiens d'appuyer la forme de négociation collective.Cinq secteurs majeurs créent une difficulté dans la négociation : 1 ) l'antipathie publique face à la grève ;2) une intervention gouvernementale inepte ;3) l'attribution au mécanisme de négociation de rôles qui ne lui sont pas appropriés ;4) les problèmes techniques face à la loi ;5) la faillite des personnes impliquées dans la négociation à respecter la loi.L'Équipe spécialisée considère la grève comme un catalyseur injecté dans la prise de décision concernant le travail, et ne l'intègre pas comme partie réelle du mécanisme de négociation. À notre avis, elle devrait le faire.Nous croyons qu'une approche plus large à la question aurait pu modifier le jugement de l'Équipe spécialisée sur le rôle que le gouvernement doit jouer en relations industrielles. Nous aimons croire que le gouvernement jouera un rôle plus important dans le champ des relations industrielles, quoique cet espoir semble contraire à l'idée avancée par l'Équipe spécialisée.L'analyse de l'Équipe spécialisée prouve bien la nécessité de réorienter l'activité gouvernementale. C'est douteux par contre qu'elle ait réussi à prouver la minimisation impliquée dans sa preuve, du rôle prochain du gouvernement. Ce n'est pas suffisant que le gouvernement se limite à la considération des disputes relevant de la négociation collective. Le Ministère du Travail doit pouvoir non seulement régler les disputes mais aussi coordonner les relations industrielles et ses politiques générales touchant l'économie. La seule administration des décisions politiques touchant les champs de crise ne répond pas aux besoins et restreint la discussion des relations industrielles à un champ d'analyse beaucoup trop étroit.The author gives a philosophical analysis of the general tenor of the Woods' Report, and provides a brief appraisal of its observations, particularly in regard to collective bargaining

Some considerations on coastal processes relevant to sea level rise

The effects of potential sea level rise on the shoreline and shore environment have been briefly examined by considering the interactions between sea level rise and relevant coastal processes. These interactions have been reviewed beginning with a discussion of the need to reanalyze previous estimates of eustatic sea level rise and compaction effects in water level measurement. This is followed by considerations on sea level effects on coastal and estuarine tidal ranges, storm surge and water level response, and interaction with natural and constructed shoreline features. The desirability to reevaluate the well known Bruun Rule for estimating shoreline recession has been noted. The mechanics of ground and surface water intrusion with reference to sea level rise are then reviewed. This is followed by sedimentary processes in the estuaries including wetland response. Finally comments are included on some probable effects of sea level rise on coastal ecosystems. These interactions are complex and lead to shoreline evolution (under a sea level rise) which is highly site-specific. Models which determine shoreline change on the basis of inundation of terrestrial topography without considering relevant coastal processes are likely to lead to erroneous shoreline scenarios, particularly where the shoreline is composed of erodible sedimentary material. With some exceptions, present day knowledge of shoreline response to hydrodynamic forcing is inadequate for long-term quantitative predictions. A series of interrelated basic and applied research issues must be addressed in the coming decades to determine shoreline response to sea level change with an acceptable degree of confidence. (PDF contains 189 pages.

Practice implications of phenomenological research with substance-using parents whose children were subject to social care interventions

Purpose: This article reflects on ways that the experiences of vulnerable users of drug and alcohol services can inform social work practice and policy to improve treatment engagement and mitigate negative responses to interventions. Methodology: The research used semi-structured interviews and photovoice in an interpretative phenomenological analysis of the experiences of people in treatment for drug or alcohol problems whose child was the subject of a Child Protection or Child in Need order. Findings: The research gave insights into participants’ experiences of loss of control, unfairness, and stigma. Participants described how they felt powerless in the social services system and were afraid to be open and honest with practitioners for fear of having their children removed. Practice implications: The research highlighted the need for more training and professional development for social work practitioners to address power imbalance issues, and the need to promote non-threatening professional practice that removes penalties for disclosure of substance use, enabling substance users who are parents to be more honest about their drug use. Social implications: The research showed the value of phenomenological methods for investigating sensitive issues with vulnerable users of treatment services in a way that can inform policy and practice. Originality: This article explores ways that phenomenological research with vulnerable, hard-to-reach participants can produce insights about the potential benefits of social work practice that is non-threatening and encourages greater openness and honesty among substance users who are parents

A report highlighting the experiences of peer supporters who deliver, and parents who receive, one-to-one perinatal peer support through Connected CIC

Connected Perinatal Support CIC (from hereon in Connected) provides perinatal peer support services across Derby. It offers families assistance in a range of ways, from one-to-one peer support, and in-person and online community groups, including a support group for fathers, provided by volunteers (from hereon in peer supporters). In 2022 - following funding from Public Health at Derby City Council, Connected and the European Development Fund (ERDF) - the University of Derby were invited to evaluate the experiences of peer supporters who deliver one-to-one peer support and the parents who receive it. The evaluation forms part of a wider piece of work and a PhD conducted by Angela Dace; supervised by Drs Christopher Barnes and Jane Montague at the University. In this report, we document the findings from interviews conducted between November 2022 and February 2023. The results offer readers an insight into how peer support was conceptualised by participants and the importance it played in their lives; this includes what peer support looked like in practice, what they gained from peer support and any challenges they experienced. Peer-supporter experiences Our findings show that, for those who deliver one-to-one perinatal peer support, it is a predominantly positive experience with multiple clear benefits. When referring to their role, peer supporters positioned themselves as being both a friend and a professional. The training delivered by Connected, and the robustness of the support received, was seen as being pivotal to the success and quality of the support they, in turn, could offer to parents. Peer supporters placed a strong emphasis on skill development during training; in particular, they highlighted the importance of personal reflection and knowledge development. Peer supporters felt valued by Connected; they gained confidence, a sense of accomplishment, and for some it had facilitated a positive change in their own lives, making changes to partner relationships, and equipped them with the skills and experience when transitioning to paid employment both within Connected and external organisations. It was clear that peer support, for the vast majority, was about responding to parents in a way that would empower them to successfully manage their own lives. However, there were some differences in the way this was viewed by peer supporters. For example, some believed that empowerment was facilitated best when the peer supporter had their own relatable and shared experiences of parenthood. Others felt that empathy and understanding was a key attribute, whilst some thought that relationship development and listening skills were crucial. There were some challenges to the role of peer supporters. For example, managing professional boundaries in the peer supporter-parent relationship: gauging the extent and limit of support provided, managing how support ended, and balancing their own commitments against being available for parents as needed. Parental Experiences Parents who took part in this study spoke about the broad range of support they received, including: (i) preparing for birth and parenthood, e.g., information on labour; (ii) supporting with perinatal mental health experiences, e.g., normalising experiences: (iii) getting out and about with confidence, e.g., being alongside parents and going out together, including to community groups to meet other parents. When parents spoke about the peer support they had received a majority described feeling doubtful initially about the potential value it would give them. A small number of parents also viewed the acceptance of help as questioning their ability to be a good parent. Despite feeling this way at the outset, all parents went on to subsequently report that peer support far exceeded their expectations. They felt their peer supporter was someone who approached them without an agenda and who listened attentively to their needs. Parents generally thought that a peer supporter’s experience of parenthood was useful to fulfil their role, though a small number did not hold this view. Importantly, the parenthood experience is wide-ranging and the experiences that parents valued within peer support differed according to their own needs and circumstances, e.g., having a peer supporter with perinatal mental health experience or who had given birth via C-Section. In a similar way to peer supporters, parents also found it difficult when managing the end of the support relationship. Indeed, for parents, this was because of the close relationships they had formed with their peer supporters. At the time, all parents were made aware that the end of support was approaching, but many said that this still did not prepare them emotionally when the final day arrived. It is important to note that, even though parents felt this way, they also felt that the strategies that had been used by peer supporters to help manage the end were transparent and they had been successfully supported with further onward signposting for any ongoing needs. Furthermore, the opportunity to attend Connected community groups following one-to-one support was available and was helpful for some parents in buffering the end of one-to-one support. A minority raised concerns relating to a perceived lack of professional involvement within these groups, though this is most likely the result of the change in the type of support rather than the quality of support received. The findings section of this report provides a full analysis of the interview data and explores the one-to-one perinatal peer support service received through the Connected. Furthermore, we make several recommendations: · To further explore the importance that peer supporters with experience of parenthood has on the parent-peer supporter relationship. · To put processes in place during training or ongoing monitoring that ensures peer supporters fully meet parents’ support needs. · To develop peer-support skills in managing endings. · To consider whether there are appropriate times when peer supporters can shadow experienced ones. · To ensure that professionals at all levels are aware of the existence of Connected’s support provision for professional services where support agreements are in place. In conclusion, all of those who participated, either providing or receiving Connected one-to-one perinatal peer support, reported a positive and beneficial experience. Participants’ experiences have given insight into how one-to-one support may be further developed. Although not part of the research itself, feedback on providing hospital and community group support also provided useful considerations for relationship development between services and management of Connected community groups