Responding to allegations of scientific misconduct

Institutions in France are not yet well prepared to respond to allegations of scientific misconduct. Following a serious allegation in late 1997. INSERM,* the primary organization for medical and health-related research in France, began to reflect on this subject, aided by scientists and jurists. The conclusions have resulted in establishing a procedure to be followed in cases of alleged misconduct, and also in reinforcing the application of good laboratory practices within each laboratory. Guidelines for authorship practices and scientific assessment must also be considered. Even though each institution must remain responsible for responding to allegations of scientific misconduct within its doors, INSERM would like to see national, European, and international co-ordination about the methods of such response. Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (eng. French National Medical Research Institute) is known as INSERM. An earlier version of this paper was presented at a symposium, Scientific Misconduct: An International Perspective, organised by The Medical University of Warsaw, 16 November, 1998.     

Moral responsibility and the ‘ignorant scientist’

The question whether a scientist can be responsible for an outcome of her work which she does not foresee, and so is ignorant of, is addressed. It is argued that ignorance can be a ground for the attribution of responsibility, on condition that there are general principles, rules or norms, that the subject should be aware of. It is maintained that there are such rules which inform the practice of science as a social institution.     

身与身外:儒家的一个未决问题

Fei Xiaotong's thoughts on the Confucian system of interpersonal relationships actually indicated that the Confucian theory of social cooperation leads itself to an unsettled paradox, that is, there is a lack of universal theoretical construction in the Confucian moral system. Confucian theory does not extend beyond practical circumstances. Instead, its universal principles always disappear in specific circumstances. Because of its long established position in mainstream dialogue, Confucianism failed to reflect on its flaws, but this paradox has been revealed in the face of modern challenges. Translated by Yan Xin from Zhongguo Renmin Daxue Xuebao 中国人民大学学报 (Journal of Renmin University of China), 2007, (1): 15–21     

An Institution-independent Proof of the Beth Definability Theorem

A few results generalizing well-known classical model theory ones have been obtained in institution theory these last two decades (e.g. Craig interpolation, ultraproduct, elementary diagrams). In this paper, we propose a generalized institution-independent version of the Beth definability theorem. Presented by Robert Goldblatt     

Predictors of student burnout and engagement among university students

This study investigated influences of core self-evaluation traits, career decision-making difficulties and social support on student burnout and engagement. A cross-sectional design was used with a non-probability quota sample. In the multiple regression analyses, self-efficacy, inconsistent information due to internal conflict and (lack of) parental support were significant predictors of exhaustion, cynicism, vigour and dedication. Self-esteem was also a significant predictor for the two engagement dimensions. In addition, lack of information about the self, lack of information about the occupations and inconsistent information due to external conflict predicted cynicism.     

Sexuality and Death (Discussion)

Abstract

The case is presented to show how the fear of death, triggered off by sexuality, is related to the fear of castration. Instead the discussant develops the hypothesis that the fear of death depends on a shift of deep regression towards a primary identification with the figure of the dead father.     

Inhomogénéité des évaluations de durée d’incapacité totale de travail. Comparaison d’évaluations des durées d’incapacité totale de travail entre les médecins légistes,les médecins généralistes et les urgentistes

Setting a total length for time off work is a forensic act that all physicians must be able to perform. Given the importance of the legal consequences of this evaluation, it seems desirable that this practice is mastered by all practitioners. However, in practice there is often a disparity between forensic assessments and evaluations provided by other practitioners. To assess this difference in evaluation, we conducted a retrospective study, looking at 4 years of archives, of victims of Marseille's forensic service (CHU Timone), and highlighted a disparity between medical examiners, GPs and emergency physician's assessments. In both comparisons between medical examiners versus GPs (n = 367) or medical examiners versus emergency physicians (n = 511), were found in one third of cases of forensic requalification. The majority of checks on where GP's (80%) determined on over 8 days leave were reassessed under this limit by a medical examiner. This trend is reversed for the majority of (61%) requalification cases of emergency assessments (assessment over eight days by medical examiners. This study, proving a fact long suspected, raises many questions about these disparities evaluation we have discussed.