Multiple Dirichlet Series for Affine Weyl Groups

Let $W$ be the Weyl group of a simply-laced affine Kac-Moody Lie group, excepting $\tilde{A}_n$ for $n$ even. We construct a multiple Dirichlet series $Z(x_1, \ldots x_{n+1})$, meromorphic in a half-space, satisfying a group $W$ of functional equations. This series is analogous to the multiple Dirichlet series for classical Weyl groups constructed by Brubaker-Bump-Friedberg, Chinta-Gunnells, and others. It is completely characterized by four natural axioms concerning its coefficients, axioms which come from the geometry of parameter spaces of hyperelliptic curves. The series constructed this way is optimal for computing moments of character sums and L-functions, including the fourth moment of quadratic L-functions at the central point via $\tilde{D}_4$ and the second moment weighted by the number of divisors of the conductor via $\tilde{A}_3$. We also give evidence to suggest that this series appears as a first Fourier-Whittaker coefficient in an Eisenstein series on the twofold metaplectic cover of the relevant Kac-Moody group. The construction is limited to the rational function field $\mathbb{F}_q(t)$, but it also describes the $p$-part of the multiple Dirichlet series over an arbitrary global field

A Recursion Formula for Moments of Derivatives of Random Matrix Polynomials

We give asymptotic formulae for random matrix averages of derivatives of characteristic polynomials over the groups USp(2N), SO(2N) and O^-(2N). These averages are used to predict the asymptotic formulae for moments of derivatives of L-functions which arise in number theory. Each formula gives the leading constant of the asymptotic in terms of determinants of hypergeometric functions. We find a differential recurrence relation between these determinants which allows the rapid computation of the (k+1)-st constant in terms of the k-th and (k-1)-st. This recurrence is reminiscent of a Toda lattice equation arising in the theory of \tau-functions associated with Painlev\'e differential equations

The effects of public funding on farmers' attitudes to farm diversification

The overall aim of this research is to provide the UK Government with an evidence base from which it may be established whether there is a rationale for continuing Government intervention to encourage farm diversification, in particular through making capital grant funding available to farm diversification projects. The project's findings will inform the future role of government support, including whether other forms of support (advice, guidance and training) may be appropriate.Agricultural and Food Policy, Agricultural Finance, Farm Management,

Research-informed teaching: releasing the power of the student research conference

In May 2018 the School of Sport, Leisure and Nutrition ran an inaugural student research conference that was entitled ‘The Power of Sport’.  Students at all levels of study can benefit in a variety of ways through being actively engaged in research and enquiry.  Such student activity can also support the development of research in the institution as well as the impact of research in the community.  Hosting the conference intended to provide a way of developing and promoting such approaches in the curriculum and to give students a safe environment in which to test and disseminate their work.  In essence, it was an activity that blurred the lines between research and student education.  The two core aims of The Power of Sport were: to enhance student learning and confidence through engagement in research and research conversations; and to assist programme teams to further implement research-informed teaching in the curriculum for presentation at the conference.  This short paper touches on the theoretical basis for these two aims by considering both research-informed teaching and student empowerment in the context of the conference.

The Wider Social Impacts of Changes in the Structure of Agricultural Businesses

Agricultural restructuring is not a new phenomenon. Indeed, recent decades have seen substantial changes, not only to the number and types of farmers and farm businesses, but also to ownership structures and to the relationship between land holding and management control. The Department of Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra), together with the UK Countryside Agencies, has commissioned a body of research in recent years which, taken together, offer important insights into the nature, speed and extent of restructuring in the UK and of the potential for further, accelerated change in the years to come. From this body of work it is clear that a prolonged and difficult process of disengagement from agriculture as a mainstream income source is beginning to take place, with evidence of both adaptation and resistance to change by a land management community which is becoming increasingly diverse in its social composition and behaviour. The adjustment to farming practice, living standards and lifestyles which all of this implies is not without personal cost and, while claims of an agricultural crisis may be exaggerated, it is clear that large numbers of farmers are finding they have to make difficult adjustments against a shifting background of policy reform and market change. Moreover, given the traditional centrality of farmers in rural communities, both as employers and as participants in many of the key institutions of rural life, there may be wider social implications of agricultural restructuring which now deserve to be more closely investigated. What, for example is the nature, extent and wider significance of the personal costs and social implications of agricultural restructuring.Agribusiness, Industrial Organization,

Can dietary intake influence perception of and measured appearance? A systematic review : dietary intake and appearance

Appearance-based interventions have had some success in reducing smoking and sun exposure. Appearance may also motivate dietary behavior change if it was established that dietary improvement had a positive impact on appearance. The aims of this review are to evaluate the current evidence examining the relationship between dietary intake and appearance and to determine the effectiveness of dietary interventions on perceived or actual appearance. An electronic search of English language studies up to August 2012 was conducted using Cochrane, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, SCOPUS and PsycINFO databases. Studies that included participants aged ≥ 18 years, that observed or altered dietary intake from actual food or dietary supplement use and assessed appearance-related outcomes were considered eligible. Data from 27 studies were extracted and assessed for quality using standardized tools. Nineteen studies were assessed as being of “positive” and four of “neutral” quality. All observational studies (n = 4741 participants) indicated that there was a significant association between various aspects of dietary intake and skin coloration and skin aging. The majority (16 studies, 769 participants) evaluated the effect of dietary supplements on skin appearance amongst females. Only one study examined the effect of actual food intake on appearance. Significant improvements in at least one actual or perceived appearance-related outcome (facial wrinkling, skin elasticity, roughness and skin color) following dietary intervention were shown as a result of supplementation. Further studies are needed in representative populations that examine actual food intake on appearance, using validated tools in a well-designed high quality RCTs.PostprintPeer reviewe