Studies on the Preparation of Protomycinolide IV: Enantioselective Synthesis of the C3–C9 Segment

The C3–C9 segment, (−)-16, of the polyene macrolide antibiotic protomycinolide IV (1a) was prepared in optically pure form from commercially available methyl (S)-2-methyl-3-hydroxypropionate in 12 steps giving 17% yield

The 3-fold vertex via stable pairs

The theory of stable pairs in the derived category yields an enumerative geometry of curves in 3-folds. We evaluate the equivariant vertex for stable pairs on toric 3-folds in terms of weighted box counting. In the toric Calabi-Yau case, the result simplifies to a new form of pure box counting. The conjectural equivalence with the DT vertex predicts remarkable identities. The equivariant vertex governs primary insertions in the theory of stable pairs for toric varieties. We consider also the descendent vertex and conjecture the complete rationality of the descendent theory for stable pairs.Comment: Typos fixed. 40 pages, 8 figure

Zero dimensional Donaldson-Thomas invariants of threefolds

Using a homotopy approach, we prove in this paper a conjecture of Maulik, Nekrasov, Okounkov and Pandharipande on the dimension zero Donaldson-Thomas invariants of all smooth complex threefolds.Comment: This is the version published by Geometry & Topology on 29 November 200

The Global Corporation

This chapter will offer an introductory sketch of the theory and practice of the multinational firm. Of necessity it will be a still image of a moving, elusive phenomenon. The sketch will be drawn, moreover, from a moral angle; it highlights the vast powers of multinationals, the existing codes and laws influencing their activities, and the rare theoretical attempts that have been made to understand their ethical responsibilities. Yet it attempts almost no moral analysis. Its aim is descriptive; it is to serve as a preliminary for the moral analysis that will follow

Human flourishing, the goals of medicine and integration of palliative care considerations into intensive care decision-making

Aristotle's ethical system was guided by his vision of human flourishing (also, but potentially misleadingly, translated as happiness). For Aristotle, human flourishing was a rich holistic concept about a life lived well until its ending. Both living a long life and dying well were integral to the Aristotelian ideal of human flourishing. Using Aristotle's concept of human flourishing to inform the goals of medicine has the potential to provide guidance to clinical decision-makers regarding the provision of burdensome treatments, such as intensive care treatment, where pursuing a chance of survival must be balanced against the risk of exposing patients to a negative dying experience. By conceptually uniting potentially competing goals of medicine, such as prolonging life and the promotion of peaceful deaths, Aristotle's understanding of human flourishing creates an argument for the integration of palliative care considerations into intensive care decision-making and for advanced care planning with healthy patients

The Ethical Wealth of Nations

Michael Porter argues that some nations manifest a competitive advantage deriving from key elements of their economic structure. Some nations are thus disposed by structure to possess what Porter calls a competitive advantage of nations (Porter, 1990). In this paper I examine the prospect of an ethical advantage of nations, and in particular, of a set of advantages that extend far beyond the simple dimension of trust so often discussed. I consider, further, how such a range of ethical features would be structured, and what the implications of those features would be. Three conclusions are reached: 1. Morality may create economic advantages for nations in ways that extend beyond the notion of an idealized market; 2. In order for ethics to drive economic advantage, ethical concepts must rise to the status of intrinsic value; and 3. If claims for national ethical success factors are true, then nations should attend to the issue of moral education